Two new approved stallions in the US. My head is spinning!

Michiel 442

At the end of February 2008, Friesian horse history was made in North America. One of our stallions passed the first ever fully sanctioned stallion test held in North America. The new stallion is named Michiel 442 (“Me-HEEL”, where the final h in HEEL is like ch in Bach – from the back of the throat) is owned by our friend Harry Witteveen in Canada. Tanbark Acres first two broodmares, Hiltje and Matsje, came from Harry. He taught us a lot about breeding and bloodlines. One day I will write more about Harry and his family. They are legends in the Friesian world in North America. Anyway, Michiel is Tsjerk x Leffert P – nice breeding. I am very interested seeing how he develops. Note – Carol (Harry’s daughter) is managing the stallion and has set up a website for him at http://michiel442.com. She wrote me to say there is a new video available. I am linking this in below.

Lolke 371

Today another big announcement came across the wires. I have friends in the DC area who are also small breeders. We constantly talk about breeding and bloodlines. Today I learned that they have just bought the fully approved stallion Lolke 371. Lolke (“LOAL-kuh”) is the last approved son of the famous stallion Oege P, and Lolke’s damire is the equally famous stallion Reitse P. Oege is known as the “hair man”. You can imagine what the trait is of his sons. Reitse is famous for passing on a tremendous work ethic. Lolke has one approved son now, a young stallion named Felle (“FELL-uh”) who is really impressive.

I am surprised the Netherlands let Lolke go. He was a popular breeding stallion over there and has very nice breeding stats. So I don’t know why the let him go, but we’re so lucky he is here! Lolke’s website is at http://lolke371.com. Here is Lolke at the 2008 stallion show. I shot this video just 2 short months ago in Leeuwarden Friesland.

Congratulations to – well – all Friesian lovers. We are getting such nice stallions to match with the nice ones already here. As a small breeder, I feel like a person at a big buffet. Such wonderful food but only a small stomach. My head is spinning!