This message is from: Arthur and Carol Rivoire <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hi! This message is from Carol at Beaver Dam Farm, Nova Scotia.
I have a couple of points to make regarding the discussion about the NFHR
doing more to aid breeders and owners, ie - PROMOTION & EDUCATION. I'd also
like to add another goal to that list - PROTECTION of the breed.
I feel, and so do others apparently, that the NFHR isn't moving forward as
well as it might to promote and protect the breed, and to educate breeders
and owners.
I'd like to see the NFHR hire a Consultant; namely, Wayne Hipsley, as this
man has a diverse background helping other breed associations, and also has
a very specific knowledge of the Fjord breed. Wayn'e expertise wouldn't be
free, of course, but I feel it would be money very well spent. All of us
would benefit, and the horses would benefit.
Is there any good reason why forty or fifty thousand dollars should be
sitting in the NFHR's bank account not doing anything for the horses,
breeders, and owners? I wish somebody would answer that. That's all I'm
going to say for now on that subject.
The other point I'd like to make is I think the show organizers have done a
good job at setting a certain tone for the shows; that of a low-key family
show. This atmosphere is very comfortable and very attractive and
appealing to some newcomers. I think we should strive to keep the family
atmosphere and the friendly atmosphere. Of course, this is all to the good
and is appropriate to our special breed of horses. --- However, as good
as this basic premise for our shows is . . . it could be improved to
service the needs of all the owners and breeders who want to attend the
shows.
For instance, the in-hand classes. Even though the in-hand classes at the
shows are not Evaluations, they are still important for breeders. --
I would like to see a list of all horses in the halter classes included in
the show program . . . A separate insert, if that's what works. - So,
here's the important part! Each horse being shown in-hand should have his
sire, his dam, and his dam's sire listed as well as the name of the breeder
and his location. That is the only way the spectators can possibly learn
anything about Fjord breeding. --- This information s hould also be read
on the loudspeaker, at least for the ribboned horses.
I also think that the sire and dam, and the dam's sire should be
required for all horses appearing in the Fjord Herald. This is an
extremely effective educational tool, and the way it's done in Holland. I
get the Dutch Studbook's quarterly magazine, and since I can't read Dutch,
I content myself with studying the pictured horses and in the process
learning a lot about what different stallions produce. I can do this
because each horse in the magazine is identified by name, AND by his or her
sire, the dam, and the dam's sire.
I have suggested this last bit several times to show committee people both
at Libby and Woodstock. Nobody seems to see the value in it . . . but I
can tell you that I've stood at the rail with spectators and heard them
moaning that they couldn't tell what they were looking at with no pedigree
information provided. Several people in the dog showing world have been
astounded at the way we do things.
Best Regards from Carol at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia.
