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
Those crazy Aussies
Not sure if this is true or not but it made me laugh out loud.
Actual Message on School Answering Machine in Australia.
This is the message that the Maroochydore High School, Queensland, Australia, staff voted unanimously to record on their school telephone answering machine. This is the actual answering machine message for the school. This came about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children’s absences and missing homework. The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their children’s failing grades changed to passing grades – even though those children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not complete enough school work to pass their classes.
Horse transport day – Keuring prep
Today my horse buddy Sara and I got up at 5am, loaded Dahlia and Tara, and headed down the mountain. Tara is going to the trainer, Wiebe Dragstra, to get fit for the keuring and learn some basic harness skills in the meantime. Anyone who follows my blog knows I think the world of Wiebe and his wife Amy – no one knows how to train Friesians better than these two. Wiebe simply works miracles with teaching the fundamentals, along with discipline and carriage work.
Anyway, I only have 7 weeks for Wiebe to train Tara. Enough to get her fit and give her a foundation. But she won’t be winning any carriage horse medals after only 7 weeks. But that is ok. Get her balanced and fit for the keuring Wiebe, and I’ll be happy.
As we pulled Tara out of her stall at 6 am, Sara commented “she looks like a 2 year old”. Sara is right. Tara really could use another year to mature. Even though she is 3 she looks very immature and small. Well, I figure if she does not do well this year, I’ll hang on to her and try again next year. I really think she is such a nice horse. Just a late bloomer.
Since Tara’s departure would mean that her mom Dahlia would be in the pasture alone, I loaded up Dahlia too and dropped her off at the big farm where she will have company. I’ll pick her up after the keur. This side trip did allow me the opportunity to visit my little foal Freya, born just 9 weeks ago. Dad has been working with Freya every day to teach her basic ground manners. My dad – he is something with those foals. Anyway, Freya is growing and one day may actually fit her ears. We’ll see. She continues to be independent and perky. I think as an adult she is really going to be nice. Very nice. And one of the very last foals from the great stallion Heinse 354. I am lucky to have Freya.
Sara and I got to Dragstra Stables by noon, chatted a long chat with Wiebe and Amy, and managed to drag ourselves back to my place by 6. As Sara pulled out of the driveway she said “I am going to take a shower and a nap. I am pooped”.
And so am I.
I’ll post updates on Tara as she starts her new adventure. In the meantime, here is Freya and Dad from today.
