This message is from: "S. A. Freivald" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The past week has been blissfully full of fjords. As I mentioned in my congratulations to Maggie Sullivan, I was at Elk Creek with Curt Pierce and Marsha Korose as navigator for Marsha driving Ulend and Solvar. One of the most memorable moments was on section A when we were pounding down the road at a good clip and crested the hill. Picture high chain link fence on one side and dense forest/trees/raspberries on the other. As we started down the hill 3 bicyclists crested the other hill. We called out "On course, coming through" and they practically threw themselves and their bikes into the underbrush. I don't know what bikers were doing on the competition course, and I suspect by then they didn't know either! We had to slow at the end of the section to avoid too early time penalties--the boys were just enjoying the day and moving out so well. By the time we got to section E, the temps were in the high 90s and that part of the course was in full sun. They did the obstacles very well, but we were slower and did incur slow time penalties. The water hazard was fun and Marsha had some discussion with Ulend and Solvar about whether or not she really intended to drown them, but in they did go. The marathon includes driving over a major highway with chain link only on either side--the horses never gave it a second look. Such good boys.
Curt drove Blitzen for Margaret Bogie. It was this young stallion's first CDE and he really handled the strange environment and requirements well. Curt has done an awesome job bringing this little horse along, so that he had the foundation and the confidence to take on this new experience. Pictures are up on www.picsofyou.com Curt is #84 and Marsha is #90. Sorry I don't remember the numbers for Maggie and Carol Hunter (thank you, Anne), but they are listed by name under Elk Creek CDE. Thursday Curt and Marsha and I headed to Blowing Rock NC for the 3rd Annual Fjord Friends and Fun Fest. Lee Hardin and Libby (senility strikes--Libby's last name?) do a really nice job of organizing this informal gathering of Fjords and Friends. It is a week long gathering where people come and go as they wish. Formal and informal clinics are held, there are 26 miles of well groomed and maintained carriage roads through the mountains on the Moses Cone estate and riding and driving are ad lib. No pressure, just relaxation and enjoyment. The little town is a classic mountain tourist town with lots of neat shops and almost as many restaurants as people! Some of the FFFF folks stay in motels or condos, some camp with their horses. Water is right at the stalls, hay and shavings are available through the Blowing Rock Equestrian preserve office, toilet and shower facilities are part of the set up and it is most reasonable for stabling. Lee and Libby camp with the horses and even will do the morning feeding if you like. Curt provided a clinic on basic harnessing, putting to, and beginning driving. He also did some basic draft work with the stone boat and a number of folks had the opportunity to drive Ulend through obstacles with the stone boat. Penny Stuckey provided demonstrations of dressage and other aspects of the combined driving sport. Marsha did some cones and was followed by Penny, and Sandra Church as we had a little "competition". This was new for Sandra and she did so well with Loki! Cantered for the first time in harness. I wish you could have seen the smile on her face! Several folks were able to work with their ponies in the arena with good support and instruction from Curt Pierce. On both days, Penny, Curt, and Marsha took others who had not experienced the pleasure of carriage driving on long drives through the mountains. It was awesome. We were also able to provide some good training/desensitization for other riders we met on the trails as we stood quietly to let their horses see the horse/carriage and work their way past these horse eating monsters. A number spent time following us just to get their horses used to the sights and sounds. Cherie Mascis did an excellent presentation on and demonstration of basic clicker training with her 3 year old Tyra. And I know there was other really good stuff that happened earlier in the week before we were able to be there--I'm sure Lee Hardin will fill that in for us. One of the highlights of the weekend was the mock comformation evaluation Curt put on for the group. He went through the conformation presentation and test and explained what the owners needed to do for the evaluation. I think it helped take away the mystery for a number of people and gave them easy specifics to work on at home before bringing their fjords to an evaluation. All in all a most satisfying few days. If you have the opportunity next year to come for the week or any part of it, don't miss the FFFF! Lee told us that over the week, about 20 fjords and 12 non-fjord friends were there. It was also great to put faces to names. Sue Freivald The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
