Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: john & martie bolinski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Arthur Rivoire wrote: > Carol, I never intended to try Kilar as a 'racing' Fjord, he does not have the interest, but just to see how fast he could fly around a 1K track, I trotted him as fast as he could go (with only 1 break) for the distance, and we finished in less than 5 minutes. It sure felt fast to me. I can't even imagine the thrill of going 1K at a little over 2 minutes. Must be just great! Obviously Kilar is not going to be a winner of the fastest time. Maybe the slowest. I think it is a great idea, though. Martie and Kilar in rainy/snowy/sleety Maryland where they just promised us 60 degrees by mid-week.
Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Arthur Rivoire) Hi Everybody from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - Well, we sure generated a lot of interesting comment regarding The Challenge. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, and I'm hoping some of the people going to Norway will ask those questions and get the answers. #1 - How old are the majority of stallions doing the trotting test? I know that Gjest was four years. #2 - Is the test begun at a trot or a standstill? I would imagine it would have to be from the trot, but let's get that from the Norwegians. #3 - Why don't they record the stallion's fastest time in their Studbook? Gjest's time is recorded at 2.40, not 2.12. #4 - Do they ever do this trotting test with mares or geldings? #5 - Do the four year olds outperform the three year olds? Or vice versa? To reiterate Arthur and my reasons for promototing the GJEST CHALLENGE, they are: 1. To promote and perpetuate the Fjord's heritage as an excellent trotting breed. 2. To determine just how fast, and how well Fjords trot compared to other breeds of their approximate size. 3. To give Fjord owners a challenge, and to provide good-spirited competition in the old-time tradition of village harness racing, although, of course, what we have in mind at the moment, is not "harness racing" in the sense of a group of horses racing against each other, but a single horse racing against the clock. Members of the list have asked a couple of times if the Gjest Challenge was open only to stallions and we've replied, NO! It's open to all genders. I think it will be fun to see just what gender has the most speed, if in fact, it can be gender related at all. And it will be particularly interesting to see what the geldings do, as geldings normally are not raced . . . as far as I know. In any case, it's going to be interesting. Perhaps Gjest's reputed 2.12 time will be beaten early on. That's just a figure. As I've said previously, I don't know if that's really fast or not. All I know is that it's a record for young stallions in Norway. Perhaps seven year old stallions can do better. Hopefully, we'll find out. Years ago, it may have been 1988, I initiated a class at the Woodstock, VT Fjord Show which was something like the Gjest Challenge. It was based on the Trotting Test they do in Norway. Woodstock has a very nice, very big, oval ring. We figured out that four times around the ring was roughly a kilometer. So, each horse entering the class trotted at speed four times around the ring, hopefully, not cutting too many corners, and the time was taken. I forget exactly how we determined the divisions. I think there were older stallions and younger ones, and same for the mares. I don't remember if there were geldings competing. I drove Gjest, and it was one of the thrills of my life. Also, one of the scariest times as I thought for sure we'd tip over as we blazed around in our heavy Meadowbrook cart. Gjest won the class, by a good margin, as I remember. Arthur was standing at ringside, and he still chuckles recalling almost everyone saying, "That horse is going to break." "He'll break for sure." He's got to break." And Gjest's former trainer, Charlie Ballou, was standing there saying, "He won't break. He never breaks!" And he didn't break. And later, I talked with another man who'd been at ringside, a Standardbred owner and trainer. This man was fascinated with Gjest's shoulder action. He said, "That's exactly the shoulder action we try our darndest to breed into Standardbreds." Later that day, I drove our mare, Uloza, in the same class, but in the Mare's Division. Uloza was eleven years old at the time, and had birthed at least eight foals. I've forgotten exactly how many. That didn't slow her down at all. She won her class, but the exciting thing was her time was only a few seconds slower than the five year old stallion, Karibu, at that time owned by Phil Prichard. -- That mare would probably have left Karibu in the dust if it had been a "level playing field", so to speak. I mean if they were the same age, and if she hadn't had eight foals. I don't know why this class wasn't continued at the Woodstock Show. It certainly generated a lot of interest amongst owners and spectators. Everybody likes a speed class. Best Regards, Carol Rivoire Carol and Arthur Rivoire Beaver Dam Farm Fjords II R.R. 7 Pomquet Antigonish County Nova Scotia B2G 2L4 902 386 2304 http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/beaverdf
RE: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Yeah, that sounds right, kid. > -Original Message- > From: saskia schoofs [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Donnerstag, 4. Februar 1999 16:32 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge > > This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > following my dictionary, a mile is 1.609 KM > > Saskia > > -- > >From: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Subject: RE: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge > >Date: don, 4 feb 1999 14:41 > > > > > This message is from: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > > Check that - I am sure that the mile is even greater than 1.2 KM. > > > >> -Original Message- > >> From: Mike May, Registrar NFHR [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> Sent: Donnerstag, 4. Februar 1999 14:22 > >> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> Subject: RE: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge > >> > >> This message is from: "Mike May, Registrar NFHR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> > >> At 08:15 AM 2/4/99 -0500, you wrote: > >> >This message is from: "Werner, Kristine" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> > > >> >A mile is a greater distance than a kilometer. 1 Mile equals roughly 2 > >> >Kilometers. > >> >If the pacer trots the mile in 1.41, then he/she trots approximately 2 > KM > >> at > >> >that speed as well - > >> >the Standardbred needs about 1.48. At least that is how I understood > it > >> :o) > >> > > >> > >> Well that is a close approximation. There are actually 1.2 km per > mile. > >> When they are measuring in hundredths of a minute I think the .2 is > pretty > >> important. > >> > >> > >> > >> === > >> > >> Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry > >> Mike May, Registrar > >> Voice 716-872-4114 > >> FAX 716-787-0497 > >> > >> http://www.nfhr.com > >> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: THE NORTH AMERICAN GJEST CHALLENGE -
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> That wind sounds terrifying and I was complaining about 60mph. I would be so worried about my horses, dogs etc. With a wind like that you could not even open the door, could you? Let alone walk in it. Hope things go well for you now. Jean Gayle Aberdeen Wa. -Original Message- From: Poirier, Jeanne L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wednesday, February 03, 1999 7:03 PM Subject: FW: THE NORTH AMERICAN GJEST CHALLENGE - >This message is from: "Poirier, Jeanne L" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> Carol, >> >> I'm getting the biggest kick out of this email conversation you've got >> going regarding the Gjest Challenge. What a great topic of conversation. >> >> Last night the winds were clocked here at 107mph and we sustained a lot of >> damage. I can't wait for Spring. >> >> >> Hope all is well with you. >> >> Jeanne >> -Berthoud, CO - where the wind was AWFUL last night :-( >> >> >>
Re: RE: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] And translated to seconds and/or minutes the STRBRD trotter trots 1.48=108 seconds for the mile or theoretically 1.04 for the K. These are record numbers and it takes a horse time to reach speed so he could probably not do the first K as fast as 1.04, however I just wanted to point out that the STRBRD time is more than a full minute faster than the time Gjest trotted the K. As STRBRD are bigger and trained to race I am comparing apples to oranges or Fjords to Trotters or whatever. Trotters start the race at a trot not a standing start what about the Fjords in Norway ?As this would make a big difference. Again I just wanted to add prespective to the discussion. I know what our watch said at Waldingfield (however the path on the marathon may have had a downward slope and was clocked after a full trot start both of which would have a positive effect on our time I can't remember the terrain almost 2 years later as I had other things on my mind at the time)and since I in no way believe Marnix is the fastest trotter in NA I stand by my belief that Gjest's record can be beaten. This is the last I will add on this subject. If enough people take Carol and Arthur up on their challenge the numbers will speak for themselves. I look forward to news on the first race. Vivian
Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: "saskia schoofs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> following my dictionary, a mile is 1.609 KM Saskia -- >From: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: RE: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge >Date: don, 4 feb 1999 14:41 > > This message is from: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Check that - I am sure that the mile is even greater than 1.2 KM. > >> -Original Message- >> From: Mike May, Registrar NFHR [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Sent: Donnerstag, 4. Februar 1999 14:22 >> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Subject: RE: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge >> >> This message is from: "Mike May, Registrar NFHR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> >> At 08:15 AM 2/4/99 -0500, you wrote: >> >This message is from: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> > >> >A mile is a greater distance than a kilometer. 1 Mile equals roughly 2 >> >Kilometers. >> >If the pacer trots the mile in 1.41, then he/she trots approximately 2 KM >> at >> >that speed as well - >> >the Standardbred needs about 1.48. At least that is how I understood it >> :o) >> > >> >> Well that is a close approximation. There are actually 1.2 km per mile. >> When they are measuring in hundredths of a minute I think the .2 is pretty >> important. >> >> >> >> === >> >> Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry >> Mike May, Registrar >> Voice 716-872-4114 >> FAX 716-787-0497 >> >> http://www.nfhr.com >> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Check that - I am sure that the mile is even greater than 1.2 KM. > -Original Message- > From: Mike May, Registrar NFHR [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Donnerstag, 4. Februar 1999 14:22 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: RE: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge > > This message is from: "Mike May, Registrar NFHR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > At 08:15 AM 2/4/99 -0500, you wrote: > >This message is from: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > >A mile is a greater distance than a kilometer. 1 Mile equals roughly 2 > >Kilometers. > >If the pacer trots the mile in 1.41, then he/she trots approximately 2 KM > at > >that speed as well - > >the Standardbred needs about 1.48. At least that is how I understood it > :o) > > > > Well that is a close approximation. There are actually 1.2 km per mile. > When they are measuring in hundredths of a minute I think the .2 is pretty > important. > > > > === > > Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry > Mike May, Registrar > Voice 716-872-4114 > FAX 716-787-0497 > > http://www.nfhr.com > mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: "Mike May, Registrar NFHR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 08:15 AM 2/4/99 -0500, you wrote: >This message is from: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >A mile is a greater distance than a kilometer. 1 Mile equals roughly 2 >Kilometers. >If the pacer trots the mile in 1.41, then he/she trots approximately 2 KM at >that speed as well - >the Standardbred needs about 1.48. At least that is how I understood it :o) > Well that is a close approximation. There are actually 1.2 km per mile. When they are measuring in hundredths of a minute I think the .2 is pretty important. === Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry Mike May, Registrar Voice 716-872-4114 FAX 716-787-0497 http://www.nfhr.com mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: "Werner, Kristine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> A mile is a greater distance than a kilometer. 1 Mile equals roughly 2 Kilometers. If the pacer trots the mile in 1.41, then he/she trots approximately 2 KM at that speed as well - the Standardbred needs about 1.48. At least that is how I understood it :o) Kristine in Frankfurt > -Original Message- > From: Mike May [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Donnerstag, 4. Februar 1999 13:45 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge > > This message is from: Mike May <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > At 05:34 PM 2/3/99 -0500, you wrote: > >This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > >Just thought you might be interested: The record for the MILE by a STBRD > pacer > >is 1.41 and for a STBRD trotter is 1.48. > > > So keeping Apples - Apples or km to km's then my calculator shows that the > 1.41 for the MILE is really .846 for the km. And 1.48 = .888 for the km. > >
Re: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: Mike May <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 05:34 PM 2/3/99 -0500, you wrote: >This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Just thought you might be interested: The record for the MILE by a STBRD pacer >is 1.41 and for a STBRD trotter is 1.48. So keeping Apples - Apples or km to km's then my calculator shows that the 1.41 for the MILE is really .846 for the km. And 1.48 = .888 for the km.
Re: THE NORTH AMERICAN GJEST CHALLENGE -
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 2/3/99 18:03:11 Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << Anyhow, one of the horses on page 82 is Brusvein, I really like him. He has a son Hostar standing in Vermont at Craig & Laura Wich's farm. >> It was Brusvein oh my!!! what a horse!!! Now I'm going to pull out my Heralds to see if Hostar's picture is in there, and if he matches his daddy in good looks. You're lucky to have a German husband to help you through this book. My husband works for a Japanese company and is learning Japanese!!! No help there .
Re: THE NORTH AMERICAN GJEST CHALLENGE -
This message is from: Lori Albrough <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > ... So far, I've really > fallen for the horse on Page 82. I don't remember his name offhand, and the > book is across the house (I've got a flu so I'm not getting up to check right > now). But I'll have his name next time I sign on and ask if anyone knows > anything about him, and if he has sired any horses in the states. He just > took my breath away. I just got van Bon's book too and am tempted to go over to my Dutch neighbors and ask "What's this say?, and what's this say?, and what's this say?" I've already driven my husband mad with asking him to translate, the problem is he speaks German, not Dutch, but it's close enough that he can give me the gist most of the time. Anyhow, one of the horses on page 82 is Brusvein, I really like him. He has a son Hostar standing in Vermont at Craig & Laura Wich's farm. The other horse on page 82 is Havstad, I don't know much about him, but he looks good in the picture. Lori Albrough Bluebird Lane Fjords Moorefield, Ontario, Canada where almost all the 100 cm of snow we got in the first two weeks of January is gone
Re: THE NORTH AMERICAN GJEST CHALLENGE -
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 2/3/99 13:18:51 Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << He reminded me that in Holland they do show classes to determine which horses have the BEST TROT. In fact, I've seen these during my trips to Holland. There may be twenty or thirty horses partipating. >> You're making me want to go to Norway. Both of my fjord mares have wonderful trots... smooth as glass and eat up the ground. Never timed them, but I like them better than my arabs and qhs and tbs from my past. BTW, just got your flyer. It is so tempting It sounds like a great vacation, with driving lessons, lunch etc. Not this year, as we've still got a lot of work to do to complete our horse facilities, maybe not even in 2000, but by 2001, I'd like to take a driving vacation. And your colt for sale sounds pretty darned nice too. On another note, I received van Bon's book (thanks Julie!! It is great!). I can read just enough of it to make it very tantalizing and really have on my list of things to buy a dutch-english dictionary. So far, I've really fallen for the horse on Page 82. I don't remember his name offhand, and the book is across the house (I've got a flu so I'm not getting up to check right now). But I'll have his name next time I sign on and ask if anyone knows anything about him, and if he has sired any horses in the states. He just took my breath away. Pamela
Re: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Don't forget a kilometer is approx 5/8th of a mile. Jean Gayle Aberdeen, Wa where another rain and wind storm is about to hit us hard. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wednesday, February 03, 1999 2:38 PM Subject: Re: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge >This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Just thought you might be interested: The record for the MILE by a STBRD pacer >is 1.41 and for a STBRD trotter is 1.48.
Re: Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just thought you might be interested: The record for the MILE by a STBRD pacer is 1.41 and for a STBRD trotter is 1.48.
Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Okay people let's put this in better perspective. Firstly I wrote that Marnix had gone a K in 1.57 not as you posted 1.49, but given the fact that a kilometer is a little over half a mile, A kilometer is .6 of a mile to be exact, and a human being can run the mile in under 4 minutes My post was meant to illustrate that 2.12 wasn't that incredibly fast for a horse. My daughters 11H Welsh pony can trot a K in under 3minutes. It has always been my understanding that the trotting "race" for stallions in Norway was to determine wether or not they could trot the K in under 3 minutes. Maybe I'm wrong about this. I was in no way was implying that Marnix was the fastest trotting Fjord in the world. Personally I couldn't care less as long as we make our times on a Combined Driving marathon. However, yes, Carol you and Arthur could spend alot of money on trophies. I'm sure Gjest was capable and may still be of beating his 2.12 record many times over. Sorry if you misunderstood the intent of my post. Vivian
Re: THE NORTH AMERICAN GJEST CHALLENGE -
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Arthur Rivoire) Hi Everybody, from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - The other day, I got out the four studbooks I have from the Fjordhestlag in Norway. One of them was 1981, the year Gjest was approved and did his famous trotting test. I wanted to look through the books and see what the various times were of the stallions that did the test each year. Well . . .!!! I came upon Gjest's page, and you can imagine my shock . . . horror . . . cringing embarrassment when I saw Gjest's time for the kilometre recorded at 2.40, not the famous 2.12. "How could this be?", I asked myself. I'd been told about Gjest's time from Norwegian Fjord people as well as from B. J. van Bon, Chief Inspector of the Dutch Studbook. Van Bon had also recorded the fact in detail in the two editions of his authoritative book. Editions ten years apart. So, anyway, in panic, I put in a call to Van Bon to straighten this out. I said, "ARE YOU ABSOLUTELY SURE THIS IS CORRECT?" He said, "Absolutely! I saw him myself. I was there." Then I told him about the Norwegian Stud Book, and Van Bon said that there are inaccuricies in those books. He also said,( and this is useful for us), that the stallions do more than one trotting test for the Approvals. Sometimes they do three or four, and maybe they didn't record Gjest's fastest time, which seems odd to me since it was a record for the breed. Anyway, for those who are interested, here are some of the times - 1981 - REI HALSNAES, 2.59, BESTMIN, 2.50, HOVDAREN, 2.45, NORDAL, 2.51, PEDRO, 2.46, HILDRING, 2.50, SOLVGRAEN, 3.15, BRYNTE, 2.57, DRAGULV, 2.46, ERNARSON, 3.11, FJELLVIND, 2.58, STALGRAEN, 3.26, LJOSEN, 3.03, SOLAR, 3.09, SOLVAR, 2.46, TRAJAN, 2.31. 1984 - KARIBU, no time given -, BRONSE, 2.35, PLUTONIKK, 2.45, BRUSVEIN, 2.52, REIDMANN, 2.55, BRYNJO, 2.57, HALLING-BJORN, 3.09, LURINGEN, 3.19, EGGEPRINS, 3.01, RIVALEN, 2.49, GRA-JARL, 3.07, HELGAR-JARL, 3.07, JUBALO, 3.18, SILKEKONGEN, 3.23. Well, that's enough, you get the idea. Talking with Van Bon, he stressed more than once that it was not how fast a horse could trot, but how correctly. He felt that some of the Fjord breeding countries could be in danger of ignoring the quality of the trot in Fjords. He said he'd seen some deterioration in the quality of the trot in Europe since the seventies when, he said, there were a lot more really good moving horses than there are now. He stressed that the Fjord is, above all, a driving horse, and that he MUST have an EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD TROT. And that means a trot with a big, big, far-reaching stride. He reminded me that in Holland they do show classes to determine which horses have the BEST TROT. In fact, I've seen these during my trips to Holland. There may be twenty or thirty horses partipating. They'll be in a huge oval ring with riders, and the riders push them into big, extended trots, and they fly around and around that ring until the placings are determined. It's interesting! Regards, Carol Rivoire Carol and Arthur Rivoire Beaver Dam Farm Fjords II R.R. 7 Pomquet Antigonish County Nova Scotia B2G 2L4 902 386 2304 http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/beaverdf
Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Carol, Can we assume that the timed 1K was from a standing start? Bill Coli
Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: Mary Thurman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >Vivian, That certainly is interesting that Marnyx blazed the kilometer in > >1.49. So, how come none of the Norwegian stallions have done it any faster > >than 2.12? > At what age are the Norwegian stallions tested for trotting speed? Three? > It's coneivable that Marnix , being older, was fully amature and more > conditioned and could then trot faster. Jean, That's exactly what I was thinking. I know our Fjords are still "juveniles" at three, and seem to have less stamina when worked, compared to their mature stable mates. We had a mare here several years ago who was a real "goer" at the trot. Too bad we never had the opportunity to clock her. It would have been interesting, since she pulled an Amish buggy most of the time. Think of the wind resistance there! What do others think? Oh, and Jean, please keep the "deepfreeze" up north for us. Thanks!! Seriously, though, I visited the Fairbanks Daily Miner site you suggested and it looks pretty good to me - until I saw the picture of the winner of the snowshoe race. Some people are just plain crazy I guess. Br. Not my idea of weather to race in. (I'm not a jogger either. Too much pounding for me.) Mary, in Aberdeen where the winds are calm for once and I don't hear any rain beating on the windows at the moment. == Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] _ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: Mary Thurman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >Vivian, That certainly is interesting that Marnyx blazed the kilometer in > >1.49. So, how come none of the Norwegian stallions have done it any faster > >than 2.12? > At what age are the Norwegian stallions tested for trotting speed? Three? > It's coneivable that Marnix , being older, was fully amature and more > conditioned and could then trot faster. Jean, That's exactly what I was thinking. I know our Fjords are still "juveniles" at three, and seem to have less stamina when worked, compared to their mature stable mates. We had a mare here several years ago who was a real "goer" at the trot. Too bad we never had the opportunity to clock her. It would have been interesting, since she pulled an Amish buggy most of the time. Think of the wind resistance there! What do others think? Oh, and Jean, please keep the "deepfreeze" up north for us. Thanks!! Seriously, though, I visited the Fairbanks Daily Miner site you suggested and it looks pretty good to me - until I saw the picture of the winner of the snowshoe race. Some people are just plain crazy I guess. Br. Not my idea of weather to race in. (I'm not a jogger either. Too much pounding for me.) Mary, in Aberdeen where the winds are calm for once and I don't hear any rain beating on the windows at the moment. == Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] _ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Vivian, That certainly is interesting that Marnyx blazed the kilometer in >1.49. So, how come none of the Norwegian stallions have done it any faster >than 2.12? I don't get it. Maybe somebody going to Norway could get an >answer on that one. >out how fast is fast for a Fjordhorse, and then see how fast fast can be. > At what age are the Norwegian stallions tested for trotting speed? Three? It's coneivable that Marnix , being older, was fully amature and more conditioned and could then trot faster. If Fjords do mature later than other breeds, then they don't come into their full potential until,say, 8 or 9 years old. Jean in COLD Fairbanks, -40F and the cold "snap" has settled in for the duration, no relief in sight! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Carol and Arthur Rivoire >Beaver Dam Farm Fjords II >R.R. 7 Pomquet >Antigonish County >Nova Scotia >B2G 2L4 >902 386 2304 >http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/beaverdf > > > > Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Arthur Rivoire) >From Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia = To Catherine - The Challenge is open to all NFHR registered Fjords - stallions, mares & geldings. The track you mentioned would be ideal, if arrangements could be made. Having several Fjords go for The Challenge at one time would greatly facilitate things. A vet there for drug testing, and some high profile, reliable people for witnessing. Vivian, That certainly is interesting that Marnyx blazed the kilometer in 1.49. So, how come none of the Norwegian stallions have done it any faster than 2.12? I don't get it. Maybe somebody going to Norway could get an answer on that one. If Marnyx could do it in that time pulling a marathon vehicle with two people on board, then Arthur and I will go broke handing out trophies for 2.12 times. In any case, it's still a good idea to find out how fast is fast for a Fjordhorse, and then see how fast fast can be. Regards, Carol Carol and Arthur Rivoire Beaver Dam Farm Fjords II R.R. 7 Pomquet Antigonish County Nova Scotia B2G 2L4 902 386 2304 http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/beaverdf
Re: Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Carol:At Waldingfield in 1997, my first CDE (actually Horse Trial) with Marnix because of his atrocious behaviour and equipment problems as a result we were almost 2 minutes late to the start of the marathon. They started the clock at the time we were supposed to start as they could hear me yelling on the way down the road that we were indeed coming. In order to let him blow off some of his steam and also make up for the lost time on the clock I just let him trot as fast as he wanted to start. Wesley clocked him at 1minute 57seconds for the first Kilometer. Needless to say we made up the time lost since we should have been doing 4:20 per K. Ofcourse this wasn't an oval track we were put to a marathon vehicle of substantial weight on uneven terrain. I'm quite satisfied that there are certainly other Fjords capable of beating 2:12. Although I'm not particularly interested in playing I say let the Games begin. At Advanced you're required to trot the C sec. at 17KPH. Very close to the speed you're talking about and this is after Sections A & C. Vivian Creigh
Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Arthur Rivoire) Hello All, from Carol at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - Lori asked if "The Challenge" was open to all Fjords, not just those born and bred here. The answer is "Yes!" I think it should be open to all Fjords, North American bred and imports. It would be interesting to keep records of times, although that would be strictly voluntary. I mean, how fast is fast for Fjords doing the kilometre at the trot? We don't know, and might be surprised. And when it gets down to the nitty gritty, people actually "going for it," it may give us valuable information regarding our breeding. We must remember that Fjords are driving horses, and a driving horse has to be able to get from point A to point B in a timely manner. There's more to Fjords than the "cuddle factor", important as that is. The two fastest Fjord stallions I know of are Gjest and Myrstein, both Norwegian born and bred, but purchased by Holland. There was once a race between Gjest and Myrstein. Just the two stallions. They both had a reputation for speed, and the race was to prove once and for all, which was the fastest. I have the newspaper account somewhere in my archives. Gjest won the race, but Myrstein was a close second. The newspaper had a full page color photo of Gjest with a couronne of flowers around his neck. Don't remember if they were roses. But this was a big thing in Europe. A real match race. People got excited about it, and it provided a lot of publlicity, interest, and fun. I saw Myrstein when I was in Holland this summer. He looked fabulous. I was struck by how much he looked like Gjest in body. Both of them rather long-bodied, and extrmely supple. Like Gjest, he didn't show his age, and seemed to have as much verve and agility as a much younger horse. We imported two Myrstein fillies last year. Lori Albrough has one, and I understand Rjellgrin, her Myrstein daughter, is quite athletic. We kept one of the Myrsteins, and she's super athletic, and a lovely driving horse. Seems to flot over the ground. Maybe one of these fillies will be the one. --- Oh, gosh darn it, I forgot! Arthur and I can't do it. Drat!!! Well, I suppose we could do it "hors concours." Julie mentioned the stallion, Pluto, having a fast time. I wonder how fast? Maybe Julie could get these timed records during the trip to Norway. I know that they're published in the Norwegian Stud Books. I have four of those, including the one that Gjest is in, and of course, his time of 2.12 is included. Regards, Carol Carol and Arthur Rivoire Beaver Dam Farm Fjords II R.R. 7 Pomquet Antigonish County Nova Scotia B2G 2L4 902 386 2304 http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/beaverdf
Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: Julia Will <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sorry for the confusion, Carol ~ What I meant was, he didn't say GJEST was the record holder, which surprised me, because he knows Gjest, being in North America, is a horse I would know, and a horse he knows also. So I was just curious if there was another 2:12 recorded, or perhaps he just forgot to mention that it was Gjest.Julie
Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: Lori Albrough <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Arthur Rivoire wrote: > Arthur and I are getting more and more enthused about this idea of - THE > NORTH AMERICAN GJEST CHALLENGE. . > If there is a Fjordhorse, or perhaps more than one, that does meet or beat > this Challenge, then it can only add to the prestige of North American > Fjord breeding. Carol, would this be open to any Fjordhorse in North America, or only those BRED in N.A.? Not sure if you stated this already or not. Just wondering don't have my racing sulky yet :-) Lori
Re: The North American Gjest Challenge
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Arthur Rivoire) Hi Everybody from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - >This message is from: Julia Will <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Carol, When I was in Norway last year I asked Tor Nestass about the >trotting times. He said the fastest time was 2:12, but I don't have the >horse's name or the date, and certainly without full info we can't consider >it "gospel". Julie, Yes, that's what I said. Tor Nestas told you correctly. The fastest time ever in the history of Fjord Stallion testing on the kilometre track, was 2.12, and the stallion that did it was Gjest. The year was either 1981 or 1982. We've owned Gjest for eleven years, and I first saw him in Holland thirteen years ago, and we've known about that record since 1985. In addition, Gjest's achievement is recorded in Bob van Bon's book - VAN 'VESTLANDHEST' tot FJORDENPAARD" on page 74 in the 1985 edition, and on page 89 in the 1995 edition. Arthur and I are getting more and more enthused about this idea of - THE NORTH AMERICAN GJEST CHALLENGE. We think it's a great vehicle to promote the breed. I've already sent press releases to one New England horse newspaper, and will get others out soon. The editors loved it! If there is a Fjordhorse, or perhaps more than one, that does meet or beat this Challenge, then it can only add to the prestige of North American Fjord breeding. It will give interested owners a goal to work towards, most probably while they're training for other disciplines. And maybe the most important reason for THE NORTH AMERICAN GJEST CHALLENGE is to maintain and promote our breed's heritage, which is speed and ability as a driving horse. Really good trotters! I always think of the Fjord as embodying today, the traits that made the old-time Morgan horse famous. Those traits were a true All-Purpose horse that hauled logs and plowed fields during the week, and on Sunday went to the race meets. That was the Justin Morgan horse. However, the Morgan horse has changed. The old time Morgan does exist in pockets, but there are now more "Show Morgans" than the old kind. Too bad, in my opinion. -- I always tell people who ask, "What is a Fjord?", I tell them, "Fjords are today what Morgans used to be." So, what do you think? Is this a fun idea, or what? As mentioned, it's a brand new idea, and needs work. However, the basics are pretty simple. Beat Gjest's record of 2.12 for the kilometre done in harness, at a trot, with no breaks in pace. Any American or Canadian Fjordhorse that does this will be known world-wide in the Fjord world. That horse will have trotted the kilometre faster than any other Fjord in well over 100 years. I think it may be 112 years that the Norwegians have been holding the Stallion Trials. Arthur and I would be more than pleased to hear everybody's ideas on this. How can we promote it? How about rules? -- One rule I'm thinking about is the age of the horse. We sure don't want to encourage people doing fast work with horses that are too young. I would say a minimum of four years. What do you think? Looking forward to your input, Best Regards, Carol PS - The only downer to this is that Arthur reminded me that, as sponsors of the "Challenge", we'll be ineligible to compete. I said, "Are you sure?" He said, "Yes!" --- Bummer! Carol and Arthur Rivoire Beaver Dam Farm Fjords II R.R. 7 Pomquet Antigonish County Nova Scotia B2G 2L4 902 386 2304 http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/beaverdf
