This message is from: sarpu...@aol.com
Hi All, I've been a reader/observer on this list for awhile now, and just wanted to introduce myself. I have loved learning about all of you and your Fjords. My name is Michelle Mace and I live in central Arkansas. I moved here from PA about 20 years ago. While living in PA, we often would travel to lower NY state to watch draft horse shows, which is where I first became acquainted with Fjords. I loved them since I first saw them, they were so unique, and then after meeting them and getting to know their sweet personalities, I was hooked! I have had many different breeds of horses, but have wanted a Fjord for a long time, and was finally able to get my first one this year in February. His NFHR name is Bjorn VI, we call him Benny. He was a stallion until he was 9, and has a few kids and grandkids out there. He is now 11, and when I got him he was basically green broke. I was fortunate to find a Fjord in my state, as they are very uncommon in this area, which is why it took me so long to get one. They were either a million miles away or way out of my price range, or both. When I found him in an online ad, only 75 miles from my home, and at a great price, I had to get him. And I am so glad I did! He has been nothing short of awesome, and from our very first ride, he has been a rockstar. I ride hunter/jumpers and also do eventing. I have an OTTB, and have also had off the track Standardbreds to event with. You don't typically see a lot of Fjords doing eventing. :-) After just a few months of training, and going to a couple hunter show, Benny and I competed in our first Horse Trials this past weekend in Benton, LA. He was awesome! It was a little cold and windy, and while the TB's were all carrying on with their antics, Benny was more interested in standing and being petted by nearly everyone at the show. I lost count of how many times I had to thank someone for saying how cute he was and how much they LOVED his look. And how many times I had to explain that he was not a Haflinger, and yes, his mane is naturally that color, and I do have to trim it with scissors. :-) I think next time I am going to just hold up a sign. ;-) But anyway, we entered in the Beginner Novice Horse division, and came in 6th place overall out of 7 entries. We had a rail down in stadium jumping, and also a few time faults. He was nearly perfect on cross-country, but also a few time penalties because I didn't push him for speed, being his first time. I am so happy with him and he is such an honest, true blue, safe and capable partner, a true Fjord. This Saturday we have a hunter/jumper show, and then next weekend it's off to TX for our last Horse Trials of the year. Here is a link to the pictures from this past weekend, if anyone would like to see Benny in action: http://jstonerphoto.photoreflect.com/store/ThumbPage.aspx?e=8734396&g=043T00B Y38 Thanks so much for reading, and I look forward to hearing more about y'all's Fjord adventures! Michelle and Benny Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
