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:
All Videos from the 2009 Stallion Show Now on a Dedicated Page
OK, I have managed to create a place for viewing the videos all in one place. Look in the nabigation above and click “Stallion Videos”. Also, the link is http://accidentalessayist.net/friesian-stallion-videos/ (if you wish to bookmark it).
I will be adding from my camcorder until I have all of them up there. I just added Jorn, Ulke, Onne and Mewes.
Enjoy!
Sape, Arjen and Doaitsen from the 2009 Stallion Show
Trying to get a few more videos processed while I am sitting in the airport.
SAPE 381:
ARJEN 417:
DOAITSEN 420
More later….
Jasper 366 from the 2009 Stallion Show in Friesland
This one may be dark again – but I can lighten it up when I get back and am on a real computer. Here is Jasper 366 showing off. He no longer has to compete – they just bring him out so people can see him.
Stallion Show (hengstenkeuring) 2009 Championship video
I could not help myself. Here is the final 4 in video. I hope it turns out ok.
I really am going to bed now….
