This message is from: "Arthur Rivoire" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia -
Ruthie, Ruthie, Ruthie --- You misunderstood me. But it's not your fault. It's a question how each of us interprets different terms. When I say "a performance horse", you're thinking of a "show horse", but I'm thinking PERFORMANCE, as in eventing or combined driving . . . yes, even dressage. For example --- I often get people calling up saying they are "NOT looking for a show horse". I tell them Fjords are not "show horse", but Performance Horses! -- That Fjords are bred to be Performance Horses, and what that means is that FJORDS PERFORM! They're bred to get out there and DO IT! They are not bred to be pampered show ring horses. Then I tell people that while Fjords are not bred for show, the fact that they are such good using horses (performance horses) means they'll do well in the show ring. When I think performance horses, I'm thinking about combined driving horses, and if you can think of a more demanding test of a tough horse (physically and mentally, then I'd like to hear it. -- Arthur and I went to the Toronto Winter Fair again this November where one of the highlights of the evening horse show is The Carriage Racing Derby. That's 4-in-hands racing through unbelievably tight obstacles in an indoor arena at breakneck speed. -- A four horse hitch with marathon vehicle enters the arena at top speed, and races through several obstacles. Wild rock music is blaring and the announcer is encouraging the huge crowd to scream and yell their heads off. -- Most of the horses are Warmbloods - Dutch, Hannoverians, Swedish, etc. It is totally wild, incredibly exciting, but absolutely controlled. This is evidenced by the fact that the horses can be brought back down to a standstill immediately and will stand lmly. -- This is my definition of a performance horse - certainly not a pampered show horse. As to trail horses. I think I said I very much appreciate a good trailhorse. And somebody seriously into trailriding needs a Performance Horse (with a capital "P") Again perceptions (my own) . . . Pleasure Driving (a Sunday drive) is to Combined Driving what Pleasure Riding (a walk in the woods) is to Endurance Riding. I guess that was the problem with the survey as Margaret Bogie pointed out. It wasn't specific enough leaving too much up to personal perception. So, Ruthie, am I back in your good graces? Best Wishes, Carol Rivoire
