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<title>Friesians Scotland Top Stories</title>
<description><![CDATA[News updated daily.]]></description>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.friesiansscotland.com/index.php/]]></link>

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<title><![CDATA[World Horse Welfare Show Brechin 2010]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[World Horse Welfare Show, Brechin 18th July 2010


This is a show which I have wanted to compete in since the first time I went along to it several years ago but until last week end I had never done so. I like the relaxed atmosphere of this show and of course the world horse welfare charity do a lot of good for horses so this is a very worth while event.


Prior to entering this show I thought I would ask the organiser which classes would be suitable to enter Friesian horses and she suggested the ridden heavy type.  This is something which has been suggested to me by others but I had never really thought of my horses as being heavy, to me a heavy horse would be the clydesdales, shires or the traditional very heavy baroque Friesians. If compared to the typical riding horse type then I can see that many Friesians could be thought of as heavy as there can be big differences between a horse like Oscar (my stallion) and TB, warmbloods etc. So I thought there would be no harm in trying this class.

Oscar is the heaviest horse which I currently have so I entered him and as luck would have it the judges were happy to class him as a heavy type. He was a very good boy and was awarded 1st place. So it seems that we can enter Friesian horses into heavy type classes but where we would stand in just heavy horses I am not sure as there is a difference. Maybe I will give a heavy horse class a go at some point and see how we fair.

We were in the championship class for our ring and again Oscar behaved very well but the winner was a warmblood. 
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<link><![CDATA[http://www.friesiansscotland.com/news/2010_07/World_Horse_Welfare_Show_Brechin_2010_155.php]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Scottish Endurance Riding Championships 2010]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[While searching through the internet one evening looking for shows to take my horses to I came across a link to the Scottish endurance riding club (SERC) and noticed an event taking place at Scone palace which is not far from us at all. I have had a number of people asking me over the last few years about the suitability of friesian horses for endurance, although I see no reason why a Friesian could not be used for endurance riding I could not say that I knew of any as I had never taken an interest in this sport. I read through the SERC website and thought this may be the perfect opportunity to give it a go as the Scottish championships were to be held from the 16 and 18th July at Scone palace.

As I was completely new to this I decided to do the non competitive ride on the friday which I believe was 21k. I rode Oscar and we were joined by my mother riding her mare Silke, Kirsty Moore who rode our 8 year old mare Iris and Roland Holmes who rode his own Friesian mare Sarina, bought from Friesians Scotland two years ago. We were all looking forward to the ride, three of us had no experience of endurance/pleasure rides but our fourth rider Kirsty kept us right. Kirstys usual mount is a 13.2hh Icelandic pony and so our 16hh Friesian mare Iris was quite a big difference in height and the length of stride took some getting used to but the pair got along very well together. I have to say the whole experience was great, all four of us really enjoyed the ride and most importantly so did the horses which makes such a big difference. Obviously we had spent time getting the horses fit before the ride but I had thought they would all begin to tire by the end but all of them managed really well and Im sure they could have gone twice the distance. They all enjoyed the change of scenery which was lovely, we rode through fields, a forest, along paths and only had to go a very short distance along the road.


After our introduction to endurance in the form of the pleasure ride I can confidently say that Friesian horses are perfectly capable of taking part. I fully intend to do more pleasure rides and quite probably do some competitive rides too as it was just such good fun with none of the usual stress which comes along with being at competitions and it also allows you to ride in areas where you have never previously ridden along carefully thought out routes. I would recommend this to anyone!

Pictures were taken by Robert Kilpatrick www.robkil.co.uk 

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<link><![CDATA[http://www.friesiansscotland.com/news/2010_07/Scottish_Endurance_Riding_Championships_2010_154.php]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Janet and Pietrik]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Hi Janine


I still cant thank you and your mum enough for all the time and advice you gave me during my visits to ensure I got the correct horse that would suit me and I could not have done better than to have chosen Pietrik or as she is better known at the stables as Pie.  Since she arrived at the beginning of April she has settled really well into her new environment and has lots of admirers at the stables. She has such a gentle nature and has given me no real problems. She is in the company of other horses and loves being out in the field.  When I started hacking out with her at first she and I were a little bit apprehensive about the incline down to the bridle paths as it is quite steep but we are both getting more used to it each time we go down. My riding instructor has been over a few times to give me private lessons and that is also going well. I have been lunging her in the exercise arena but she is so good that I dont even require to use a lunge line.  We are learning together and enjoying every minute of it.  My little grandson adores her and she is so gentle with him even taking a carrot or piece of apple from him. She is an absolute delight to own.   

Best wishes,
Janet
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<link><![CDATA[http://www.friesiansscotland.com/news/2010_06/Janet_and_Pietrik_153.php]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Susan and Amy]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[On the 24th may 2010 I wrote about a little standardbred mare who I had rescued named Beth who had been put in foal before her 2nd birthday. The result was a pretty little filly foal who we named Amy.
I have been given another update from Amys mum Susan and am pleased to say that Amy now at 2 years old is looking in great shape and I am sure she will never go through what her mum had.

 "Amy is a wee star. She is doing great and coming on well.
Hope you like the pictures of her.
Take care
Susan x"
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<link><![CDATA[http://www.friesiansscotland.com/news/2010_06/Susan_and_Amy_151.php]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Royal Highland Show 2010]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[THE ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW 20010

Class-Novice riding horse mare or gelding


Yesterday, thursday 24th June I took my 4 year old gelding Tjipke to compete at the RHS. This is the first time I have entered one of my horses in this show and as always was a little anxious about how the judge would feel about having a Friesian in his or her class. I would have loved to have taken Oscar but no stallions were allowed to compete in this class and so I have spent this season preparing Tjipke for the show.

The judge was extremely complimentary about my boy and had nothing bad to say about him, some of her comments were "he is absolutely stunning", "has masses of potential", "just too handsome", expects that "he will be a fantastic dressage horse" and although she was quite nervous about riding him to begin with, after riding him said he had given her "one of the best rides she has had". So some excellent comments but to my utter disappointment she also added "he is in the wrong class!". The class was novice riding horse, mare or gelding which is exactly what Tjipke is and he performed beautifully. Perhaps I am wrong in thinking that the definition of a riding horse is a horse who is or can be ridden. Also the word novice, I am aware that the definition of a novice riding horse in the showing world is one who has not won X amount but when 19 and 20 year old horses who have potentially been working for 15, 16, or 17 years can be entered as a novice riding horse along with 4 year olds who have only just begun their working life it really makes the whole thing quite ridiculous.
 
The sad thing is that unless you have a heavy, bay Dutch warmblood in a riding horse class in Britain then there is little chance that you will win or even be placed, even if your warmblood is a veteran you are still eligible to win the novice riding horse class. Essentialy what the judge had implied was that the only thing this horse had to change was his breed!


If the judges would say to me that they simply do not like Friesian horses or that they do not like my horse or that my horse did not behave as he or she should have then I would accept that as his or her opinion but it is so frustrating when my horse has performed well, looks great, beautiful movement etc and very importantly the judge can not fault him but then to not be placed because he is not the typical breed in these classes is just such a bitter disappointment.

I should say that although there were much older horses in this particular class, the winner was indeed worthy of 1st place and was a true novice at 4 years old.


The months of preparation have not been in vein however as Tjipke has proven himself to be a an absolute star, a true performer and I was so proud of him at the show. At only 4 years old I trust him entirely and surprisingly this was one of the worst youngsters I have ever broken as he was so nervous about everything and really not true to breed at all but he is now one of the most loyal and trusting of horses, a real solid riding horse with no fear and will do anything for his rider once he has formed a bond. He is a truly amazing horse who has made me very proud.  


The video clip below was taken of our class at the RHS, do feel free to let me know if you think Tjipke does not belong in this class and please do tell me why as to me he certainly did not feel out of place. 
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<link><![CDATA[http://www.friesiansscotland.com/news/2010_06/Royal_Highland_Show_2010_150.php]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Tracy and Freddie]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Freddie was one of my all time favourite youngsters, I had grown so fond of him that he was so close to remaining entire in order for me to keep him here with me indefinately and use him to breed with some of my mares. Freddies breeding is very close to that of my main stallion Oscar 314 and so it did not make good business sense to keep what would have esentially been two of the same thing so decided he would be sold. It was certainly no easy decision to make as Freddie was such a character and so affectionate. 

Tracy had been looking for her perfect Friesian for some time and Freddie seemed to be the right horse for her so with the promise that Tracy would keep in contact and let me know how he gets on, Freddie set off to south England. Tracy has kept in touch with me, sending updates and pictures every so often. Now at 3 years old Tracy has sent Freddie to be broken and has now started to ride him herself. The two are getting on really well together and as I knew he would, Freddie is turing out to be absolutely stunning and just a great horse in every way. Although selling Freddie was an extremely hard thing for me to do, I know it was the right decision as he is well cared for and Tracy is ever so fond of him.


 "Janine, as promised some photos of Freddie and me, I have ridden him four times so far and going again to ride him on wednesday evening, he comes home on Friday, hes FANTASTIC!

Thank you again

Kind regards Tracy"  

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<link><![CDATA[http://www.friesiansscotland.com/news/2010_06/Tracy_and_Freddie_149.php]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Natalie and Valentine]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Hi Janine
 
Hope you are well. I just wanted to give you an update on Valentine. Turning 3 next week he is getting more and more beautiful by the day, in nature as well as looks and has just returned to me after 5 weeks of being broken. He did really well taking  everything on board and is now enjoying a well earned rest until next year. 
 
A real lover in human contact he is an absolute pleasure to own. 
 
Thank you so much. I will keep you posted of his progress.
 
Natalie 
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<link><![CDATA[http://www.friesiansscotland.com/news/2010_06/Natalie_and_Valentine_148.php]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Lee and Vinnie]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Hello!
 
Thought i would send you a little update on Vinnie.  
 
Well, he has turned 3 and really chunked out! Although it might have something to do with the grass suddenly coming in.  I dont know if you were the same as us but we had no grass for ages and it didnt seem to want to grow then the better weather started to come along with some mild rain and all the grass sprouted up extremely quickly!
 
 We are hacking out inhand by ourselves, he loves going out and seeing whats going on!  He i actually quite nosey!  doesnt seem to mind the tractors, or any other vehicles.  We plan to meet the combine over the summer so that might be fun!  We have travelled to the local indoor arena by ourselves and played some games in there.  He was brilliant, for being by himself he did me proud.  There was abit of sillyness for the first 5 mins then he got on and worked.  We long rein alot along the roads and in the silage fields (there out of bounds just now till there cut again) and lunge in big circles.  He responds well to voice commands and praise.  I have sat upon him a few times and had alittle walk around, he was ok with this but offered to buck.   Thats when i decided to give him some time and take things slowly, we are in no hurry and im very pleased with what he has done so far.   He has such a personality, and i think we have now gotten to know each other so well we almost know what each other are thinking.  He gets alot of trust and confidence from me and it has taken along time to bond but i would say since the start of the year our bond has truly formed.  
 
I know i have said this before but, he suits me and i suit him down to a tee!
 
I have included some piccies, dont you think he looks different?  He is about 15.3, hasnt grown much, just streched lengths ways and filled out.
 
Hope your well, regards to you and your mum!
 
Lee Smith
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<link><![CDATA[http://www.friesiansscotland.com/news/2010_06/Lee_and_Vinnie_147.php]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Arrival of the last of our 2010 foals]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Last night saw the arrival of the last of our 2010 foals and our only filly of this year. It was a very good foaling, mum was relaxed and knows all about what was happening to her as she is an experienced broodmare. She just got on with the birth herself as it should be and without knowing I was there watching from a distance. Unfortunately I had to rush to help as the foal could not get out of the bag so would have suffocated without her head being released, the poor little thing was in quite a panic very quickly but thankfully after she caught her breath she hasnt looked back, is a fantastic little girl and full of energy. In my experience mares predominantly foal naturally and unaided but when there is a problem it can all go wrong very quickly indeed, certainly for me this is the most stressful time of the year so for now I am pleased that I can relax again until the 2011 foals start to appear! Although I am sure I will have my hands full soon with all of these little colt foals who are growing in size and confidence every day.



Video clip was taken today of a two week old colt foal and in the distance is our nine hours old filly. 
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<link><![CDATA[http://www.friesiansscotland.com/news/2010_06/Arrival_of_the_last_of_our_2010_foals_146.php]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Scottish Grass Sickness Show  2010]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Scottish Grass Sickness show 2010

Last sunday (6th June) was the first ever Scottish Grass Sickness Show held in Blairgowrie, Perthshire. Having lost a youngster to the disease myself, I know first hand how awful it is so was delighted that someone had gone to the effort of creating a special show in order to raise funds for research as there is still so little known about the disease.

My 4 year old gelding Tjipke was in the in hand horse class where he was placed 2nd. The winner of this class was a lovely cleveland bay gelding and from the little I know of the breed he was indeed a good example and also well behaved, so a worthy winner.

The next class for us was the ridden horse and for this class I entered Oscar who was awarded 3rd place. Oscar had great fun trying to put on a show, he really fancied going a bit faster with the group of cantering horses and because I did not let him he decided to jump into the air instead! He really is such a show off but enjoys himself I am sure. The photographer, Robert Kilpatrick caught the performance and got some great pictures of Oscars little display.

Finally I entered Tjipke into the leisure horse class, this was his first ridden show and I was so pleased with his performance, he only made 7th place in this class, not marked down on anything he had done wrong but purely because the judge was looking for horses who she felt would be the perfect horse for hacking (which Tjipke is actually very good for) and suitable for anyone to ride. Although Tjipke did not put a foot wrong I do fully understand the judges decision as he is a big sporty horse and could look a little intimidating to the more nervous or inexperienced of riders. I am sure that the winners of this class would have been lovely leisure horses. 


This was most certainly one of the better shows that I have been to so far for a number of reasons. Firstly, every effort had been made to create classes so that any breed of horse or level of rider/horse combination could take part. Secondly, the rings were big enough to safely canter around which was a refreshing change as it is so often not the case. Thirdly it was obvious that the judges were very knowledgeable and experienced horse men and women, who actually looked as though they wanted to be there. They made an effort to speak to every rider/handler, were friendly and what I think is ever so important is that they explained the way in which they judged the classes without being asked to do so. I firmly believe that every judge should be able to tell you why you have been marked up or down in your class and it makes showing a bit of a farse when the judge can not give his or her reasons for the way in which the class has been judged.

All in all the day proved to be a great experience for all involved, it was lovely to see such big classes too. I have to say I was a little worried about the amount of horses in the rings all cantering around together especially as it was Tjipkes first show under saddle but he handled it well and it was great fun. The organisers must have been pleased that so many people had come along to support the show in its first year. It was also great to see some Friesian crosses but especially good to see a very handsome purebred Friesian gelding who was a little sweetheart named Zorro and ridden by a young rider who was clearly enjoying the event which is what showing should be about.


The photographer, Mr Robert Kilpatrick took some fantastic pictures of all of the horses on the day which can be seen at www.robkil.co.uk 

Picture of Oscar 314, taken by Robert Klpatrick.
The video clip is of Tjipke, my 4 year old boy.
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<link><![CDATA[http://www.friesiansscotland.com/news/2010_06/Scottish_Grass_Sickness_Show__2010_145.php]]></link>
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