Farm Pleasure

The traditional oil painter, Tommy Thompson, found these beautiful horses on a farm near Columbia, TN, while they were enjoying grazing in the sun.

As a traditional Season Opener, the Ohio Equine Affair 2010 brought many horse-owners again to Columbus  this year. Although most owners and enthusiasts take the time to shop  and be educated in clinics, every year many volunteers take the effort of bringing their horses to be part of the spectacle. In previous years, we have always been amazed about the strong presence of the Friesian Breed, this year it seemed they were everywhere!

As eye-catching as they are, the Friesians always pulls a crowd and the Ohio Valley Chapter proved once again how to throw a party. This year was a special one as four approved stallions added a special note. Ron Steur presented Fridse 423 (KFPS), Tzar (FPZV) and Friesians of Majesty brought their stallions Othello and Mathijs (FPZV) to Ohio. It is rare to see four breeding stallions exhibiting at one place in the USA.

The Ohio Valley Chapter presented a total of 30 horses from 7 states  and were joined by the authentic costumes of Black Dragon Farm. Coordination of the event was with Brian Phipps, president of the Ohio Valley Friesian Chapter.

 

Crowd gathers around to see Approved Breeding Stallion Fridse

Every day demonstrations were held by 12 horses and the Pfizer Fantasia featured two carriages drawn by Friesians. At the breed pavilion, booths were occupied by IFSHA, FPZV, FHANA and the Ohio Valley Chapter with box-stalls were the horses were exhibited. A "live" horse in the booth makes a great topic for conversation and many visitors took the opportunity to have their picture taken with a "Real Friesian". We sometimes forget, how these horses touch people that rarely get to see them.

All associations were cooperating with each other from their booths, providing information and guiding people were applicable for their questions.  The IFSHA booth was supported by Lauralee Martin and Lisa Warmels, who informed owners about the role of IFSHA in the United States Equestrian Federation and welcomed several new members to the IFSHA organization. The USEF had brought the new 2010 Affiliated Breed posters as promotional material to be handed out to visitors.

The Sunday afternoon is the traditional "packing it in" day but still had many visitors to visit the booth. Also, by actively participating in warm-ups and demos, Arnold Warmels used the opportunities to further interest and inform Friesian Owners about the further promotion and exhibiting the Friesian horse in the national USEF programs through IFSHA. It is important for

Arnold Warmels & Michelle Whipple amuse the children during a Youth Clinic to learn more about the Friesian horse!

Friesian Horse  owners to realize that the IFSHA is not a breeders organization but a platform to unite Friesian Owners to participate and exhibit in the national endorsed programs governed by  the Equestrian Federation.  The Ohio Equine Affair proved another opportunity to further develop and expand the Friesian Horse with their owners  in these programs.