Friesian World & Grand Nationals (MO) - Oct 29 - Nov 2, 2008

[gotatrotter]

OK, how exciting is this! I will be covering this St. Louis show for Show Ring Times.

Please give me a shout out if you are attending! I don't think I know any Friesian people at all so I'll be looking for some friendly trotters. :)

(Admins, it was a toss up b/w horse shows and the breed-specific message board -- please move if you think this should go under horse shows)

[attafox]

California should be well represented with Joan Fernandez and her Friesian Focus (Lance Bennett trainer). I know my trainer won't be going - she's currently at Friesian regionals on her last rides at a show before she delivers ... and nationals will be too late in her pregnancy to show a horse, although knowing her, she'll be riding up until near her due date.

Hopefully, you'll be able to cover them next year when they move back to Vegas, baby!

[gotatrotter]

I didn't think one was permitted to report what goes on in Vegas :devil2:

Just out of curiosity, why was it moved to St Louis this year?

[roadpony]

They move it around to different cities. At the first one, held in Los Angeles, Attafox won a world's championship in saddle seat english pleasure... catch-riding one of her trainer's customers' horses. I was there to cheer for her! :clap:

[attafox]

It was in St. Louis last year as well.

And thanks, Roadpony - that was a total blast riding Raddie - he has now retired and is living the life of leisure along with Polly-wog (Paulus) as a trail horse (albeit a very fancy one) up in Malibu.

Here's Radbout winning his unanimous championship:

Link:
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1217659352060049024qHaeRT

Thumbnail:
http://thumb4.webshots.net/s/thumb4/5/93/52/217659352qHaeRT_th.jpg

[lshiely]

My trainer Kim might be there, I am not sure yet. She has 4 Friesans in training and very supportive owners. The horses are gorgeous! The three year old stud she has is just huge, and getting bigger! He is aimed for driving for his owner so far, but it is fun to watch Kim ride him. They have won quite a bit out here, we will see how they do on the "world stage" if they go.

[gotatrotter]

Holy Smoke! Is that second shot at the canter I guess? Is the "elevation", as seen, one of the hallmarks of the breed?

Must be one heck of a ride! :001_smile:

I think I'd like to go on a trail ride in Malibu!!!

[attafox]

gotatrotter - Friesians are carriage horses (light draft). Canters seem to differ from horse to horse. Raddie's was very, very carousel horse like, so the elevaion was unique to him, and very, ahem, interesting to ride (which is why the photographer grabbed a shot at the canter).

[gotatrotter]

That's exactly what I thought of when I saw the cantering photo -- a carousel ride.

He is exquisite.

[gotatrotter]

It's Show Time!!!!!!!!!!

[gotatrotter]

Gorgeous! One horse more beautiful than the next.

Spoke w/ an exhibitor who brought horses from Germany and she was very complimentary of the US stock. She brought horses here to compete for World's Grand Champion titles, as there is no comparable competition in Europe.

Our own WWU competitor earned a tri-color last night with -- yeah boy!

These horses are amazing -- even the stallions I've met are great big teddy bears.