This message is from: "Ursula Jensen" <ursu...@gmail.com>
Lori Albrough wrote a good article on the above subject, so I was hoping
for some Digest discussions around these important issues. That seems to not
have happened, so I thought to give a little Evaluation history lesson for
new members.
I will try and give a little history lesson as they unfolded in America,
especially the NFHR. I was on the original Evaluation committee that was
tasked to produce an Evaluation Program for America. That was back in the
early 90's so there was mainly telephone and fax communication. We were
assisted by Wayne Hipsley and Jim Havelhurst/Evaluators via teleconference.
After much discussion about which European Evaluation Program the NFHR
should adopt, someone came up with the idea of creating our own American
program using parts of the European systems we felt appropriate. Stallion
Testing Stations were discussed and not utilized here due to geography,
economics, and cultural differences. I do personally feel it is a good idea,
however there are now European Fjord countries who have dropped Stallion
Testing Stations or are considering dropping it. The cost of Stallion
Testing is quite high, which in America would eliminate a lot of Fjord
owners who simply could not afford the Test and simply go their own way. The
committee wanted the Program to be inclusive rather that exclusive.
So the Program slowly developed, with the next discussion about
temperament being put on the Conformation score sheet, which originally came
from Wayne Hipsley. Again after lots of discussions, it was decided to have
two main portions to the Evaluation Program-------Conformation and
Performance. Being Wayne's Conformation sheet was adopted without
temperament, the committee then started work on the Performance side which
included tests in Riding, Driving, and Draft. Committee members with
experience in one of these disciplines were tasked to create tests at an
Introductory and Advanced Level. The Performance side was utilized to test
the temperament of the Fjord presented along with its ability to do Riding,
Driving, and or Draft. Since ribbons were already being used for individual
tests, medallions were introduced at different levels which represented the
combination of Conformation and Performance, or the combination of
Conformation and Temperament. The committee knew and realized the NFHR,
American Program was new and at a start, so it was and still is a work in
progress.
Now that the NFHR had their own Evaluation in place it was time to create
a Program to train new American Evaluators. In Europe most countries select
Evaluator trainees and provide the funds plus the training of them to become
certified. The European Evaluators have their travel and accommodation paid
but receive no per diem. In America the trainees paid all their own expenses
to become certified so receive travel, accommodation and a per diem.
Fourteen hopefuls started the three years of Evaluator training which
included working in Norway and practicing with the Senior Evaluators who
were Wayne Hipsley, Jim Havelhurst, and Karen Cabic. Of the 14 starters,
five trainees successfully received their Evaluator status. There were to be
two Evaluators at each Evaluation. One Senior Evaluator, and one of the new
Evaluators. After working six Evaluations the Junior Evaluators could be
promoted to Senior Evaluator status. It is my understanding that four Junior
Evaluators have been given Senior status.
As the Evaluation Program has always been a work in progress, Phillip
Odden wanted to introduce the Family Fjord Program into the Performance
side. This was a good decision as it gives the opportunity for family Fjords
to enter the program and be recognized, which supports the inclusive rather
than exclusive standard. Presently it is being worked on by the Evaluation
Committee, with imput from Evaluators. Germany had been using a Family Fjord
Test in their program successfully for years , so I asked Susie
Schon-Peterson to forward their Program to Phillip. The Family Fjord Program
has filled an existing need in offering Tests for the family level of
utilizing their Fjord horses.
Along the way myself and Pat Wolfe were interested in the CFHA adopting
the NFHR Evaluation for use in Canada. The original idea was to have two
totally independent countries and independent Associations share the same
program. Thanks to the NFHR and its executive this has become a reality
giving the CFHA an Evaluation Program and a source of American trained
Evaluators.
If anyone has questions or wants clarification you can write me at our
g-mail address. Brian Jensen
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