This message is from: Sam & Sue Banks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I am a relative newbie Fjord owner (2 years), and long time horse owner (30 years). I don't plan on becoming a Fjord horse breeder, but I might want to breed one of my mares someday for a replacement, and I certainly see the value of having Stallions evaluated for breeding. I know what I like in a horse, but I do not know what is the best Fjord horse character.
I live in an area where there are few Fjord horses, and certainly no Fjord horse shows (Virginia, USA) where I might learn more about the breed. I inhale my Herald magazine when it arrives, and visited Purton Fjords near me. I went to Equitana last year to learn more and support the breed. It would be easier for me if all stallions were evaluated, and if their evaluations, any ranking system and the judges remarks were published. With my American mindset, allowing registration only for offspring from Registry stallions "Approved" for breeding would not be popular, no matter how well the program was done. My husband and I are involved with performance dogs, Whippets mainly, and there had been a lot of politics and friction between the "show" whippet owners/breeders, who are in the majority and control The American Whippet Club, and us "race" whippet owners. Although it did not pass, I did not like one Board member's idea of being forced to have an AKC conformation Champion in a 3 generation pedigree in order for a dog to be allowed in the AWC's race program, and there was no reciprocal requirement for show dogs to have proven racing stock in their pedigree! So while I value the idea of "Approved" stallions, and I personally would choose one if I ever breed, I have been on the "wrong" side of a one-sided argument. If there were an Evaluation near me, I would try to go for the learning experience to see all those Fjords (is this heaven?), and try to take my horses to support it. Unfortunately, it sounds like the European systems require the mares to have a lot of foals and I like to play with my mares, not breed them! Sue Banks [EMAIL PROTECTED] Virginia, USA
