Freya is weaned. Short video from last weekend.
She misses her mom and followed me around like a puppy. I think she is just going to be a wonderful mare. She is 6 months old now and entering the gawky “ugly Friesian” stage. I can hardly wait to see what butterfly will come out of the cocoon when she hits 3 years old. I have very high hopes for her.
Back in London
A while ago – mid 1990’s or so – I traveled to Europe and lot on business. I would come over for a week or two, then go back home, then a few months later come back for another few weeks. I did this for about 5 years. During that time, I worked mostly in London, Prague and Madrid. But I visited lots of places – Paris, Brussels, Zurich, Bern, Nice, Amsterdam, the Hague. I eventually got tired of the travel, but I fell completely in love with Europe. And I still feel that way.
Though I actually try to not travel so much anymore, this year I have racked up a lot of air miles. I have been to Portland 3 or 4 times and I have been over to Europe 3 times this year. At the moment I am in London on business and return back to the States tomorrow.
The big presentation was over yesterday and I am just relaxing now. Tonight we head over to Covent Garden (my old hangout) and the we see the play “War Horse”. I really cannot wait.
I miss home. But I do love London. More on War Horse:
Meinse 439 at Dressage in Lexington
Yesterday my friend Sara and I went to Lexington VA to a dressage show. We went explicitly to see the KFPS approved stallion Meinse 439. Meinse, imported to America last year, is a 5 year old son of Heinse 354. People who know me know how much I loved Heinse, who died this past spring. Heinse is the father of my new filly Freya and was father of the colt Wikke, who was bred by us and born at our barn (Sara now owns him).
Anyway, I am interested in breeding my Cori to Meinse and wanted to see what he was like. I am lucky that Iron Springs Farm in PA competes their Friesian stallions in dressage, and often in Lexington. I get to see them in person. More importantly, I get to talk to the owner, riders and grooms about the stallions so I can get a better sense of the horse’s work ethic and temperament. These traits are very important to us in our breeding program and the only way to know about the traits is to be with the horse.
As an athlete, Meinse competed at Training Level and won the class with a score of 72%. He is schooling at 3rd level at home and is working on learning flying changes. But on the temperament front, every person there commented on how sweet that stallion is. “He’s just like his daddy” was the comment over and over. The groom said “when he starts to go, he likes to go! Just like his father”. This is in speaking about his work ethic. I petted Meinse for a long time (they brought him out for me) and then stayed by his stall for 30 minutes or so. Sometimes stallions will ignore you or even move away to a corner. But he was just like his dad. He came over to the front of the stall by me and stood there the whole time, looking as if he really wished there were no grate there because he would love to be petted.
I am not sure if I’ll breed Cori to him, I need to do a little more research on the match. But I will say that this guy just stole my heart. And Heinse, when I see your boy I am thinking about you. I sure miss you.
Here is Meinse in his test from yesterday:
Videos from the 2009 Keuring
These are of our horses. Tara made Ster with a 2nd premie. Ficus was 2nd premie and scored 7.5 on his trot. Freya achieved 2nd premie and was named Champion Filly. We had a nice day….
Tanbark Acres and the 2009 Keuring
We attended the keuring in Huntersville, NC yesterday and we had quite a good day!
First, thanks to the keuring hosts and organizers at Shady Nook Farm, as well as to Rick Simonetti who came down to help out. Everyone was just great.
Our horses had a wonderful day! Tara (Wander x Thomas), the 3 year old, became a ster mare with a 2nd premie and was second place in her large class of 3 year olds. She moved wonderfully, though she was a bit nervous. I thought she was gorgeous. Big thanks the Wiebe and Amy Dragstra of Dragstra Stables. As her trainers, they had her fit and happy and I do not think Tara could have performed much better.
Ficus (Mintse x Wierd), my sister’s colt who lost his momma in foalbirth this year, ran with my parents mare Hiltje. Hiltje is the alpha mare of the herd and she adopted Ficus. Anyway, Ficus got a 2nd premie and scored 7.5 on his trot!
Finally, the filly Freya (Heinse x Wander) was a hand full but once we got her in the ring she did a nice job. She received a 2nd premie and took Champion Filly honors for the day.
We left the grounds dirty, sweaty and exhausted. But happy and feeling fortunate.
I will work on pictures and video etc. as soon as I can. Also, the Tanbark Acres website is in desperate need of updating. That will be a top priority. But until the weekend comes and there is time for those things, I believe I will just sit back and watch my horses grazing in the pasture. Healthy, happy and lovely.
Photos courtesy of Sara Andrew of Dark Horse Photography
