Re: Driving Arena
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > GAIL RUSSELL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> quoted/wrote: > > And, how about a good, hardy grass that can survive in fine sandy loam > soils? [...] At least initially, we are going to try to do it in grass. > Maybe play polo too? Somewhere amongst all these packed books, I've got one on arenas. My recollection is that the secret for turf arenas is some sort of coarse, heavy plastic mesh that gets buried a half inch or so in the seed bed. That way, the roots all have something to cling to, and you don't get (as much) hoof pocking when the grass has just been watered. As for grass varieties, consult you local school playground or soccer field maintenance crew, to see what does well in your area. > >I am going to put in a driving arena. What size do you suggest? I can attest that 60' x 130' is too small for anything but a mini or small pony. When we lived in California, that was all the space we dared excavate to make a "level" spot, so I made do, driving my donkey in it. If you're likely to want to do driven dressage or combined driving events, the preferred arena is 40x80 METERS (131.25' x 262.5'). Unless, of course, you're going Intermediate, Advanced, or FEI levels, then it's 40x100 meters. Yeah, in my dreams Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 15 mi SW of Roseburg, Oregon
Surprise Filly
This message is from: Curtis Pierce <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> We came home yesterday afternoon from work to find a very big surprise. Our 5 year old gray mare, VP Eva (Sinklar X Veni), delivered a brown dun filly during the afternoon. The sire of the filly is Eric. We were surprised because based on information from the previous owner, we were expecting Eva to foal in about 3 weeks. On Friday morning, she showed none of the signs of foaling anytime soon. I have added a photo of Eva and the foal to our web page at http://www.geocities.com/deepcreekfarm/index.html. We haven't named the filly yet. She is all legs, but looks like she has excellant conformation. She is very friendly and pretty active for a new born. Eva was a little over protective at first, but is getting use to us handling her and the foal. Both were very good for the vet. They are also doing very well and Eva is acting like she knows all about this stuff even though she was a maiden mare. I hope everyone is enjoying their new foals as much as we are! To those keeping count, add 1 to the filly column. Curt Pierce Bristow VA
Re: Driving Arena
This message is from: GAIL RUSSELL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> And, how about a good, hardy grass that can survive in fine sandy loam soils? We just cut down a bunch of fruit trees (sob!) today to FINALLY put one in. At least initially, we are going to try to do it in grass. Maybe play polo too? > >Morning everyone, > >I am going to put in a driving arena. What size do you suggest? > Gail Russell Forestville CA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Refinishing a Meadowbrook Cart
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello Fjord Friends- I would like to refinish my Meadowbrook Cart and wondered if anyone had any suggestions on how to proceed. Should I sand the wood and get the old finish off? Then, should I use a polyurethane protection? I don't want to start until I'm sure of what I'm doing. I've considered sending the cart out to someone, but was afraid it would be too costly. Any suggestions or comments would be welcomed! Thanks and Happy Memorial Day! Pat McCurdy Cato, NY [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Foal Count Update!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Current count - colts still have the lead at 32, to 26 fillies!! Amy Evers Dun Lookin' Fjords Redmond, OR Fjord [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: For Sale from Beaver Dam Farm
This message is from: "Arthur Rivoire" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello Everybody from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - There have been several notices lately about people looking for horses. Well, we've got some good ones. Some of these are described in detail on our website. Others are not listed there as either they've just arrived as consignment horses, or they've just been foaled. I'll start with the youngest - BDF TITAN - 2002 foal (Gjest x Stine-Ene) - Very tall, big-boned, bold, precocious colt. Really impressive with an elegant head. A tall, rangy colt that will mature big and beautiful. I believe this colt is destined to be an important breeding stallion. BDF TIMBERLINE - 2002 foal (Gjest x Holly-Solar) Stud colt. Good sized foal. Very pretty head and correct conformation. ZEUS - 2001 gelding (Renard x BDF Annelise) - Very good mover. Small white star. Sweet and friendly. Nice conformation. OORUK - 2000 gelding - German bred. One of our favorites. He's tall, beautiful, and bombproof. Very good mover. In daily training to lead, cross-tie, stand tied, pick up feet, clip. Well mannered. Suitable for timid adult. HOLLY - 2000 filly - German bred. Sweet and super gorgeous. A superior mover! She's a dressage prospect for sure. Lovely character. In same daily training as above. Well mannered TAMARA - 4 yr. old Dutch imported mare sired by Ohlsen-Junior. A dynamite athletic package. Fantastic, showy mover! Great conformation. In professional driving training. Perfect dressage prospect for small woman or child. Very fancy! Will be started under saddle by dressage riders soon. Well mannered. TUNDRA - 4 yr. old Dutch imported mare sired by Dutch Studbook "Elite" stallion, Dragset. -- Super typey! Strong & short. Superb conformation. Superb temperament. Superb breeding. In professional driving training. Will be started under saddle by dressage riders soon. - Tundra will make ideal family horse. Also, competition, or anyting you wish. Well mannered. Suitable for timid adult. TIALDA - 4 yr. old Dutch imported mare sired by Ohlsen-Junior. This mare has everything. She's big & very elegant. Extremely kind. Great mover! In professional driving training, and trainer is ecstatic over her. Will start under saddle soon. Good dressage prospect. Kind and well mannered. BDF QUASAR - 3 yr. old gelding sired by GJEST, out of HOLLY. Terrific dressage prospect. Quasar has unbelievable self-carriage, balance and suspension. He's solid as a rock in mind & body. A personal favorite of mine. In professional driving training. Well mannered. Suitable for timid adult. LOKI - 4 yr. old gelding sired by Renard, out of BDF Annelise. Cute and really nice mover! Currently in professional driving training and doing well. Green broke to ride. -- Will be well mannered after he's here for awhile. KING - 4 yr. old German gelding. Very beautiful, kind horse. Came to us untrained, and currently being started under saddle. Dark color with splashy markings. Beautiful head. Altogether an eye-catching horse. Manners are coming. JOLLY JUMPER - 4 yr. old German gelding. Attractive, big horse. Currently in professional driving training. Nice horse, but needs lots of training, as does preceeding horse. A good horse of good character, but before coming to us was unhandled and untrained. Considering this, he's doing extremely well. BDF ANNELISE - 18 yr. old Dutch mare. - She doesn't look her age! Extremely beautiful, high-class mare. Elegant, elegant! Rides & Drives. Currently in refresher course for riding and driving. Suitable for timid adult or child. COMING SOON -- * 2 yearling German fillies *7 yr. old gelding - Rides, Drives, Jumps *7 yr. old mare - Rides & Drives * 12 yr. old gelding - Rides & Drives Those interested, please call for prices and more information. Two of our horses sold last week, but are still listed on the webpage. They are BDF Quentin Durward, 3 yr. old gelding, and Tyrza, 4 yr. old imported mare sired by Ohlsen-Junior. Best Regards, Carol Rivoire http://www.beaverdamfarm.com Beaver Dam Farm Fjords II R.R. 7 Pomquet, Nova Scotia B2G 2L4 Tel:(902) 386-2304 Fax:(902) 386-2149 Carole Rivoire, author of THE FJORDHORSE HANDBOOK, only book in English on the Fjord breed, available from Beaver Dam Farm, $36.95 US includes P&H http://www.beaverdamfarm.com/book.htm
Re: Dressage, judge prejudice
This message is from: Vivian Creigh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dagrun Aarsten5/25/02 1:35 [EMAIL PROTECTED] > I don't expect a perfectly executed dressage movement by a fjord to get the > same marks as those performed by a warmblood, since a part of the mark even > for the individual movement reflects the quality of the gait. Since I am obviously in the writing mood thought I'd respond by pointing out that GAITS are scored in the collectives after the test is over. So a perfectly executed movement would/should be scored the same, be it WB or Fjord. Unless the test asked for a medium trot and no change was seen between WT and MT. Then it's a failure to execute the movement as described in the test and would be reflected in the individual movements score. Does predjudice exist, sure. What to do about it, train harder. VC
Re: Competitor Conduct at Fjord Shows & Evaluations
This message is from: Vivian Creigh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Steve McIlree5/25/02 2:31 [EMAIL PROTECTED] > If anyone is going to throw back the rhetoric about outside rules > destroying the friendly family atmosphere of the shows, please > explain exactly how standard, proven rules would do that. You are not going to get any argument from me, Steve. Rules prevail in every recognized competition and they are there to level the playing field for all so discrepencies do not or should not happen. The difficulty I see in regional Fjord shows is there is no Technical Delegate to help diffuse the competitors anger and if the TD perceives a real problem can then facilitate setting things straight. Because everyone at a regional Fjord show are friends or at least acquainted with one another it is difficult for the show committee members to remain neutral. Also often the members of the show committee are themselves showing which compromises any conflict of interest issues. Management should not compete especially if they have hired the judges. HUGE CONFLICT If a show publishes that the driving classes will be run according to ADS rules but there are show committee members that always drive without nosebands or cavessons on their driving bridles it is quite likely that this ADS rule will be ignored. If the judge judging the driving classes is not an ADS judge it is unlikely he/she will know that there is such a rule or if they do know that it is a rule and approach a show committee member about it is possible they will be told to ignore it because "Fjord people" routinely drive without nosebands. This scenario is pure conjecture. I am just trying to point out how these issues often play out. Rules for all but the "Fun classes" have already been worked out by the USA Eq, ADS, USDF etc. But saying you will run a show according to those rules and then having a judge and management that is unfamiliar with those rules defeats the purpose. Publishing that your show will be run by certain rules is a great start but unless you have an impartial, knowledgeable person (TD) to make sure that those rules are followed and a judging panel that is also familiar with the rules and general protocol you will not be able to effectively put those rules into effect. Failure to play by the rules will in some instances be grounds for elimination, but just try and tell someone at a local Fjord show that they have been elminated because their harness doesn't conform to ADS rules and believe me you'll have a fight on your hands. By the way only the judge can eliminate a competitor. There is absolutely no reason that the NFHR needs to reinvent the wheel by writing their own rules or even sanctioning regional Fjord shows. Some of the issues Brian referred to in his post would be covered under USAEq or ADS rules, but unless the show committee spends the money to hire qualified judges and a licensed TD the show committees should save money on ink and not bother to publish any affiliations. My above comment on qualified judges is in no way meant to demean the NFHR list of judges it is just that in my opinion it takes a mighty amazing judge to be familiar with the NGB rules governing all the disciplines that take place at a breed show. As for Brian's comment on profanity, throwing hayforks and the like that can be chalked up to poor social skills, nothing more. Unless the profanity was directed personally towards the judge there isn't much one can do about that type of behaviour. However, if there were a TD officiating he/she could take that person aside and try and "calm things down a bit" . I have always admired licensed TDs in Driving because they must wear so many hats and remain gracious and efficient at all times. How do they do that? This turned out to be too long and a bit redundant, sorry. Have a Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone. Vivian Creigh
Re: Breed Prejudices
This message is from: "Kelly Gage" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Steve- The judges that I ride in front of are L-R's I have only met one FEI judge (scribing). They are all trained the same, by the same USDF university, and undergo the same very rigorous tests. I do know the difference between competitive and classic. I can also tell you from the judges that I've met, none of them will stake their reputation simply because they like one breed over another. Lots and lots to be lost. Trust me there is very little bias, and this is coming from an east coast person (where there SHOULD be a lot of bias) who rides with an r judge. What good is a horse that can extend naturally but can't do it properly? What good is a horse that can collect but cannot sit on its haunches properly? If the horse doesn't do it properly it will not get the scores. Natural exention and collection doesn't mean a thing, so the horse has spectacular gaits, but no where on a USAE test is there a mark for individual gaits(w/t/c). For a short coupled breeds, such as arabians do remarkably well, so do connemaras, drafts (and quite a few draft crosses) and welshs, these breeds have short coupled backs, but still get the scores. Again its how you perform the test. It all boils down to this, if the horse is trained properly and thoroughly, the scores reflect it. I have seen fjords in the US score 10's on movements(under very tough, and respectable judges), I've also seen warmbloods score twos(big movers, from nice lines). I would say that the US is a melting pot for all breeds. Not all of us can afford a warmblood. Many people still want to compete in dressage so they look for alternitives. Many breeds came onto the scene. Thoroughbreds, ponies, arabians, and even though they were not the norm, they still managed to get the scores. The thing about GP, not all horses (warmbloods included) are destined to do the GP. Its still a very paticular horse. Kelly Dagrun-this guy sounds like something up my ally, could you email me? I have a tough time translating Norse. "... do not feel overwhelmed by the length of this journey. All you ever need to do is focus on one thing, what you are doing. Stay on the path and put one foot in front of the other - that is all. There is joy in the struggle." -P.T.Sudo _ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
FILLY FOR FOAL COUNT...
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear Amy & Fjordfriends, On April 7th, Henrivende's first offspring was born on Green Meadow Farm. She's also GMF Aura's first foal and has been named GMF Ilsa (raf). We're most excited that Henri's grey genes were strong enough to produce this beautiful little creature in the color grey, as her dam is a pale dun with no grey genes at all! 'Would love to hear from other Fjordfriends breeding for grey riding type foals Best regards, Karen Emirzian Green Meadow Farm Wilbraham, Massachusetts phone: 413/596-9009
Dressage, judge prejudice
This message is from: "Dagrun Aarsten" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Interesting reading about the judge prejudice. Just a little comment from me, regarding dressage judging. Don't know how it works here, based on my Norwegian experience. I don't expect a perfectly executed dressage movement by a fjord to get the same marks as those performed by a warmblood, since a part of the mark even for the individual movement reflects the quality of the gait. A friend of mine in Norway, who is also a novice dressage judge, told me that if a fjord does a movement perfectly, the best mark it can get is usually 6. The warmbloods pull up the marks just by their extravagant gaits, and can get a higher mark even when not perfect. So I've just come to accept this as the way dressage is jugded, and not prejudice. It will be completely fair only when horses of the same breed compete against each other. BUT this is especially true at the higher levels, at levels below intermediate (in Norway), the gaits are not so strongly judged and a precicely ridden test with a well-trained fjord can win you the class. A fjord can sometimes "recover" some score on movements like halt and backing up, or turn on the haunches, that are technique more than gait. They will usually score lower on the extensions... I have seen some nasty examples of judge prejudice in Norway, especially towards fjords that are traditionally "working horses" and are often looked down upon by riders having more typical dressage/jumping horses. But hopefully it's getting better. I guess the point I wanted to make was that marking fjords lower for not having the warmblood gaits is not necessarily prejudice. I've just been trained to accept that that's the way it is. If performance was jugded up to the individual horse's maximum ability, then I guess all Grand Prix riders would have fjords :-) So dependable, stable and eager to learn! My dressage judge friend mentioned above competed his fjord up to Prix St. George as a junior (probably the only fjord in Norway who's done that), then had to move on to the warmbloods to be competitive. He sold his fjord two years ago, now I see it's for sale again. Anybody interested? (http://www.hest.no/marked/les?id=16026). 11 year old gelding, extensive dressage training, NOK 18 000. WIth an exchange rate of 8, that comes out something like USD 2250. Wow. Dagrun, San Jose, Ca
Re: Judge Prejudice
This message is from: Steve McIlree <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Kelly-- Saturday, May 25, 2002, you wrote: > I have to tell you, its all about the performance. They could care > less about the breed. Generally speaking, those who claim bias > against a judge usually put in a poor performance. I think that you must ride in front of some exceptional judges. While dressage competition SHOULD be as you describe, I believe that there is a prejudice toward breeds that can do spectacular extensions. Breeds that are more compact are not usually judged equally based on extending their gaits to the maximum mechanically possible. In modern COMPETITIVE dressage as opposed to classic dressage it seems that horses that are built for high collection are at a disadvantage to those built for great extension. JMHO. -- Steve McIlree -- Pferd & Skipper -- Omaha, NE/Las Cruces, NM, USA People may talk of first love--but give me the flush, and triumph, and glorious sweat of a first ride. --George Borrow(1803-1881)
Judge Prejudice
This message is from: "Kelly Gage" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Well I've been reading through some of the posts and I found the main complaint of some people is breed prejudice. I find this especially rampart in the dressage posts. Why do most people on this board think that? I'm talking from a dressage rider's POV (so if anything seems a little off base excuse me). I know prejudice exists to some extent, but its not as rampart as most people make it out to be. Yes people ride warmbloods, but it doesn't mean that they will win. Dressage isn't about the horse or the gaits, its about the training of the horse. All judges regonize this fact and will pin a horse based soley on the performance they see. I'll be the first to admit that riding with a judge, you gain alot of insight to what judges look for. I have to tell you, its all about the performance. They could care less about the breed. Generally speaking, those who claim bias against a judge usually put in a poor performance. It doesn't take a fifty thousand dollar horse to win a class, it takes training. Next time there is a post about dressage, could we please avoid claiming bias or prejudice? Its poor sportsmanship to assume that the judge will pin another horse simply over breed espcally in dressage. Kelly "We are all worms, but I do believe I am a glow worm." W. Churchill _ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
Driving Arena
This message is from: The Mercers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Morning everyone, I am going to put in a driving arena. What size do you suggest? Taffy Mercer
New Baby
This message is from: "Janne Myrdal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Announcing the arrival of our one and only baby this year, and it was a filly, born on Thursday. As usual, Ingrid foaled with absolutely no warning out in the meadow,(never waxes, never gets loose) and as usual in the middle of the afternoon. This must be the year of tall fjord babies, as this one is HUGE, she is so tall and looks a month old to me, :). No name yet, still pondering as the name I had just does not fit her. She is out of Ingrid by FSF Tor, by Rokidas Knut. Name will probably be related to the wind and cold weather we have had in May, the day she was born the wind gusted 40+ miles an hour, uffda!!! Janne in warmer ND today, will get to the 60's, whooppiee!
white duns for sale
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have two beautiful white dun fillies for sale. One is a 2-year-old, and one is a yearling. They are full sisters, by Gingard (by Astrix, a ster stallion out of an elite mare) and out of Lakita (by Modellen). These girls are really beautiful! I have had great visions of making them into my driving pair, but find that 12 horses, 50 acres, one husband, and two teenage kids are all just more than I have time for. Very regretfully for sale, (the horses, not the kids!) they are located in Virginia. Come take a look -- they are worth your time. Jan, 434-286-2785
Re: Competitor Conduct at Fjord Shows & Evaluations
This message is from: Steve McIlree <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Brian-- Thursday, May 23, 2002, you wrote: > For some time now I have encouraged the NFHR to adopt a standard set > of show rules for all shows they have sanctioned... Well, Mike points out that the NFHR doesn't sanction shows, but maybe it's time that some thought was given in that direction. It would be real nice to have one set of rules so people could go to any Fjord show and not run into any surprises. Of course, as Mike also pointed out the NFHR has ALREADY published a set of standard show rules. So what is the problem with the regional shows adopting them? For the most part, the Registry's rules follow those that have been proved workable by the AHSA and ADS. If the purpose of the regional clubs is to promote the Fjord Horse, one of the best things they can to is get members showing up at open horse shows with their Fjords. And learning the rules that the general horse community competes by at friendly local shows makes a lot of sense. So let me ask once more, why don't the regional groups just start using the NFHR rules? If anyone is going to throw back the rhetoric about outside rules destroying the friendly family atmosphere of the shows, please explain exactly how standard, proven rules would do that. -- Steve McIlree -- Pferd & Skipper -- Omaha, NE/Las Cruces, NM, USA Horses carry the history of mankind on their backs. If you should find one is carrying you as well, acknowledge your good fortune and indeed your honor. --Lucinda Prior Palmer(b. 1953)
