Thoughts about the stallion show 2011
Well, I really had a great time yet again. Some changes from previous years included an excellent wifi connection (yay!), a LIVE band with singers on Saturday night (now that was a treat), more clinics and just generally improved facilities.
There were a few nice presentations during the show. Jasper and Teunis were recognized for being named preferent stallions. Teunis, of course, died a few years ago at the young age of 12. So his son Harmen represented him. Jasper was joined by two of his many approved sons and was an obvious crowd favorite as he trotted around in his ceremonial blanket.
Leffert 306 Preferent was also celebrated for reaching his 25th birthday. He was actually there – the first time in 5 years. Though his face is getting quite gray and he seemed a little slow, he nevertheless trotted around the ring for the crowd to see. At 25 years, one never knows when Leffert will be seen again in public, so this was a great treat. I am happy to say I did get video of that and will be posting it.
The North American stallions were recognized via a video from Cally Matherly that was played on the central screen. It was extremely touching, showing the recently deceased Nanning at the end of the video. I had tears coming down my face, and I certainly was not the only one.
A presentation citing the success of the Friesian train at the World Equestrian Games was also held and FHANA was recognized for its great contribution during the games. Beth Sharp, FHANA president, received individual recognition for her efforts. In all. I thought the KFPS reached out to FHANA and its members on multiple occasions. The KFPS president even said something like this “you in the crowd may not know how much the North Americans love their Friesian horses. I think they each have a logo of the horse embroidered on their pillows and kiss the picture each night before they go to sleep.” It was funny and heart warming.
Anneke once again provided a simultaneous English translation (you rent a headset and put an earpiece in your ear). The rental cost was 25 euros for 3 days and worth every penny. She was just fantastic and hearing the comments significantly enhanced the experience. If you go, be sure to reserve a headset ahead of time.
I thought the stallions approved in 2009 and 2008 were especially impressive. Uldrik, approved only within the past 2 years, not only won the championship last year, but repeated this year as well. Incredible! His first pass was just magnificent and I think he won right at that moment. Reserve went to the young Tsjalle, who is a Mintse son. Tsjalle has the big trot and recently won the show driving competition between the Fresian breeding stallions. Anders was 3rd, which in some ways was a surprise since his movement is so different from the other two (Anders is quite accomplished in dressage). My own personal thought is that this may have been to recognize him for his lovely, smooth and athletic gaits, his accomplishments under saddle, and as a gentle hint that the KFPS is moving more and more towards the modern, riding type of horse.
Some other horses who were in the championship and who I personally felt performed superbly were Maurus, Harmen and Pier. Pier, a Beart son, was almost imposing. At 170cm (about 17 hands) he is a big horse, yet moves with grace as well as power. My friend Marten said that due to his size the call his “Peter the Great” (in Dutch of course). That made me chuckle a bit. The jusges said that Pier keeps getting better. I guess his movements have to grow into that big body!
I managed to get videos of the stallions approved in 2009 and 2010 (I dod npt have these before) so I will get these, as well as other videos posted as soon as I have a decent internet connection. I’ll let you know when they are ready.
The final run:
Stallion Show 2011 Championship
Hey folks, I will update this a lot better when I can get time on th ‘net. Uldrik won – 2nd year in a row! Tsjalle was 2nd and Anders 3rd. Lots of videos coming.
Categories 8, 9, 10 – results
Category 8 is only Anders 451. He was presented, but I think he does not come back.
Ok, Category 9 – stallions approved in 2009. Now, I had not seen these guys so I videotaped them all. Will post later. Order (1) Uldrik 457 (last year’s champ and frigging amazing), (2) Tsjalle 454 (3) Reinder 452 (4) Sjouke 453 (5) Tymon 456 (6) Uwe 45…8 (7) Take 455. Listen this was a great group of young stallions.
Category 10. These guys were just recently approved. Nice but looked so young! Order (1) Wimer 461 (Hinne x Heinse) (2) Wytse 462 (Arjen x Oege) (3) Wylster 463 (Rindert x Brandus) (4) Tjalbert 460 (Beart x Ulke). Next – championship!!
Categories 6 and 7 – results
Videos later – I am almost outta juice.
Category 6. (1) Maurus 441 – awesome (I have a video), (2) Maurits 437, (3) Mewes 438 (4) Lutger 436 (5) Jesse 435.
Category 7. Stallions approved in 2008. Boy the juryhad a hard rime with this one. Took a long tome to decide. Results: (1) Pier 448 (I got a nice video of him. Will post later) (2) Norbert 444 (got a vid of him too) (3) Stendert 447 (4) Olgert 445 (5) Sake 449 (6) Sjerp 446 (7) Michiel 442
Category 5 goes to Gjalt
Category 5 – another excellent grounp. Many going for offspring approval this year. The results (top 2 go to championship): (1) Gjalt 426 (2) Jerke 434 (3) Hinne 427 (4) Loadewyk 431 (5) Jense 433 (6) Jorn 430 (7) Jisse 433. Since Hinne is the father of a TN stallion is testing in CA, I took a video of Hinne:
