Our Friesian Page - Photos and news about the Friesians at our barn!

September 2011

Where did the summer go????

A few horse shows, day camps and lots of lessons

didn't leave a lot of time for me and Beike.  We're trying to make up for it by doing trail rides every morning, now that it's cooled off...

Here's a little video of today's trail ride...It's on You Tube...click the photo below to go to the video....

     Beike's head just before we walked into the pond...

February 2011 -

finally got enough snow for a sleigh ride

with Beike,

click here to watch the video on You Tube.............

December 2010

We welcome Pam's new Friesian,

Wiebren

Congratulations to Pam on the purchase of her very special Friesian Gelding.

November 2010 -

With sadness, we lost Pam's Karolien to colic complications.  We are all so very saddened.

October 2010

We attended the FHANA Keuring at IRON SPRING FARM on October 12, 2010.

TIM WAS AWARDED THE STATUS OF STAR STALLION.

Whisper was given a Stb third premie (no surprise....she's in an awkward growing stage now....rump high) and Beike was awarded a SECOND PREMIE which is REMARKABLE for an 18 year old mare.  We were so pleased. 

What do these words mean: "keuring", "premie", "ster (star)"?

Each of these terms is Dutch, and relates to the rigorous judging process performed by registry representatives. The judging event is called a "keuring". Judges are typically flown in from the Netherlands and review the candidate horses according to a stringent grading criteria. Each horse is judged carefully, one at a time. The grading centers around the horse’s conformation and movement through the walk and trot. A horse generally attends a keuring as a weanling, and again as a 3 year old. However, a horse may attend at any time.

The best quality horses are "premium" quality, noted as "premie" for short. The very top class are 1^st premie, followed by 2^nd and then 3^rd premie. A horse can be judged less than premie, but still be considered acceptable as breeding quality and thus, like the premies, is placed in the studbook (shown as "stb" and/or "stamboek" on the papers).

When a horse is 3 or more years old, s/he may be judged additionally for a "ster" (pronounced "star") classification. A horse may be a ster regardless of gender (yes, even geldings may be ster). A horse who has been rated ster is considered a superlative example of the breed.

Would you like to see what happens when the Dutch judges examine a horse?  Here's a video of Tim's examination at the Keuring:

TIM'S KEURING VIDEO

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September 2010

We put Tim to cart for the first time:

Here's a video link:  You Tube Video

Summer 2010

I wanted to share some wonderful photos of Pam Schneider and her Friesians.....

Pam on Karolien at the 2010 Cayuga Dressage Show

Pam riding Amos at the Cayuga Dressage Show

and another good photo of Pam and Amos at the Cayuga Dressage Show

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Gale on Beike at the 2010 Cayuga Dressage Show

and another photo of Gale on Beike at the Cayuga Dressage Show, showing 4th Level Dressage

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Here's a bit of video of Gale on Beike, taking a lesson from Carel Eijkenaar on November 12, 2009.  Click HERE.

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August 19, 2009

Click HERE to watch a video of portions of the lesson. 

August 9, 2009

Chemung County Fair occurred during the first week of August.  Several of us attended the fair.  Pam Schneider and I performed our Pas De Deux at the Dressage Show.

Click HERE to see a video on You Tube of our performance.

And I did a musical ride to Madonna Music.   Click HERE to see that video on You Tube.

It was extremely muddy and the footing was terrible at the Fairgrounds.  Seems to be our fate when I go

to a horseshow.  It's either blazing hot, or I'm riding in muck.  :)

June 21, 2009

Cayuga Dressage & Combined Training

USDF/USEF Recognized Dressage Show

Chemung County Fairgrounds

Beike and I competed in the Cayuga Dressage Show at the Chemung County Fairgrounds. 

We were suppose to also compete on Saturday, the 20th, but it rained all day, and the arenas were very wet and sticky.  I opted to keep Beike at home, as did Pam for Amos, and not show.  However, I was still entered in my class for Sunday, so we went down for my 8:08AM ride. I was the first ride of the day in Ring One.  I rode Fourth Level, Test One.  We've been practicing very hard for several weeks, and felt comfortable doing the test.  Beike was very well behaved, and she worked hard, but I could tell that the thick soupy footing was causing her to move cautiously.  I was VERY pleased with our performance, and I absolutely agree with every comment  judge Ms. Heather Mason (S New Jersey) made.  During my test, I knew exactly what items needed improvement, and I asked Beike for more engagement.... but she just couldn't give it to me with the sticky footing underneath her feet.  Needless to say, all the competitors were in the same boat.  All the horses seem to move a bit slower. 

Our hard work, and the good lessons with Carel Eijkenaar paid off, though,

as we scored a 61.628% and won first place.  Our goal was to be above a 60%!

If you click the above photo, of Beike doing her extended canter, you can watch the video of the test.

By the way, Beike and I are using the new Ansur Excel Treeless Dressage Saddle which we ABSOLUTELY LOVE.

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June 10, 2009

TIM IS THREE YEARS OLD TODAY

Tim turned three years old today, and we celebrated with a nice ride in the outdoor dressage arena, and then

we went with Renee and Frank on our first mounted trail ride.  He was WONDERFUL.  Lead the way, most of the time,

and didn't spook at anything.  GOOD BOY TIM.

CLICK ON TIM'S PHOTO to see how he did in the dressage ring today.

Tim is being ridden in the new Ansur Excel Treeless Dressage Saddle. 

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March 2009

My Gosh....to where does the time fly?  It's been a cold, long winter in NY, and with spring around the corner, we've gotten enthused to get riding more actively again.  For these past months, I've allowed Tim to "just be a horse" and to grow up a bit more.  In February, I started working with him under saddle again. On February 28th, I took a lesson on Tim with FEI Judge/Instructor/Trainer Carel Eijkenaar.  Click on the photo below to watch a video.  Caution.. it is a long download.  Good video to watch to see how Carel teaches.

~Gale

Tim and Gale - February 28, 2009 (Click photo for video - long download)

Gale is in her new Ansur Excel Dressage Saddle..... it's the BEST SADDLE THAT I'VE EVER RIDDEN IN!

July 2008.....

As many of you know, I don't personally go to many horseshows to compete

 so people, outside of my barn gang, don't usually get

Click HERE or on the photo below to see the video.

MAY 2008

I ride Tim for the first time...

click here to see the video.

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MARCH 2008

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Tim will be two years old

in June. 

Look how big he's getting!

And he has a beautiful trot.

We welcome the newest Friesian to our barn. 

Photos of Pam

SEPTEMBER 2007

DANCING WITH HORSES

at Gale's Equine Facility

This year, Gale donated her facility to Robin Rodgers and friends to conduct their annual "Dancing with Horses".  This fun event involved musical choreographies of performances with horses. 

It was an enjoyable time for all.   Robin is going to produce a DVD of all the rides that were performed today.  Watch for it to be available soon.

Click on the photo below to see Gale & Pam's Pas De Deux, video taken by John, from the hayloft.

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June 2007

INTRODUCING

out of our mare Beike fan 't Zand

This is a photo of Whisper at one hour of age.

Please visit "Whisper's" own webpage by clicking "HERE".

February 2007

We had a large snow fall on Valentine's Day.  There was so much snow, and such a huge wind-chill, that we kept all 42 horses indoors and just exercised them in the indoor arena.  Finally, on the 17th of February, we did full turnouts.  Lots of fun!

Tim continues to grow well... he's nearly as tall as AJ now....

Tim and AJ had a good time playing in the snow.  It was Tim's first experience in "real" snow.  He came out the barn door and was so surprised! Click "HERE" to see video of him playing in the snow.

Beike went right out the door to the first big pile of snow and laid right down and roll:

Beike and Karolien enjoyed their romp in the snow as well.

More action of them playing, along with the rest of the "Backyard Mares" can be seen by clicking "HERE".

February 20th, Sleigh Ride with Beike.

Click on the PHOTO above to watch a little video action of the sleigh ride.

and this photo was taken on February 18th, when we gave a couple Sleigh Rides in the Blizzard.  There was one point, that there was such a "white out" that I couldn't even see Beike out in front of me.

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December 30, 2006

Beike & Gale had a little fun - watch the video - Click HERE

and that was so much fun, we made another little video on

December 31st.....  click HERE to see this one.

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December 1, 2006 -

Beike and Gale made their Carriage Driving Debut at Eldridge Park

We participated in a Christmas event for the Carousel, donating our time to provide carriage rides around Eldridge Lake.  This photo was taken just before the sun went down, as the event was held in the evening, after dark.  Beike proved a true heroine to her breed as she behaved well during loud music, HUGE WIND GUSTS, blowing tarps and plastic, bitter wind-chill, and HUGE HORSE EATING BOULDERS that bordered the lake trail.  This was our FIRST carriage drive "away from home" and it went very very well (except for the wind-chill!).

September 2006 - Visitors from Holland

WHOA......those horses don't look like Friesians!

Miek & Jan Reitsma, from the Netherlands,

were Beike's original owners and trainers.

They came to visit us, here in the USA, for a week during September.

What a great time we had!  Riding horses and touring New York.

Miek & Jan wanted to learn the "western" style of riding.

Our AQHA PHBA geldings, Impress and Sylvester, were picture perfect for their western ride!

They also coached Gale and helped to prepare Timothy

for his FHANA inspection that was

held on September 23, 2006 at the

magnificent equestrian facility at

Cazenovia College.

Timmy was awarded a Second Premium...which is very good, by Friesian standards. 

We were VERY pleased. 

At the inspection, we offered to the organizers, to have Miek ride Beike and

do a demonstration of Beike's skills.  The organizers, and the Dutch judges were delighted and accepted

our offer whole heartedly.  Beike performed nearly flawlessly for Miek in front of a large crowd. 

Then... on the Sunday, the 24th, Jan & Miek delighted all of us with a magnificent clinic on

Introduction to Carriage Driving & High Level Dressage

using Karolien (Pam's mare) and Beike.

Jan got Pam into the carriage for a test drive....

and then Miek did her demonstration and musical ride.

CLICK on the photo BELOW to watch a MUSICAL DRESSAGE DEMONSTRATION

Performed by Miek Reitsma on Beike fan 't Zand

To Jan & Miek:

There are not enough words, in Dutch or English, to express my thanks to you for all that you have done for me.

Thank you so very very much.

Fondly,

Gale

PS - We also want to thank Janna Goldman of Black Sterling Friesians as she helped to make my dream come true.

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Let it SNOW, Let it SNOW, Let is SNOW!

December 2005

Beike did perfectly with her first sleigh ride.

....and she was a great horse for Zorro at Halloween!  October 2005

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Congratulations to Pamela Schneider on her purchase of

"Karolien"

11 year old FPS Friesian mare

imported from Holland in January of 2006!

"Karolien" is "Beike's half-sister...

so Pam and Gale are really looking forward to riding their mares together:

Beike is on the left with the white polo's on, ridden by Gale.

Karolien is on the right, ridden by Pam.

Gale is using Beike, a 4th Level Dressage mare, for private lesson in dressage,

and she is also now teaching carriage driving in group and private lessons.

See more photos of Beike at my

TACKSHOPPER PHOTO GALLERY

Visit Timmy's Webpage  click photo