This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In response to Misha and Carol:
Carols is absolutly right about Holland and Norway. They are both committed to breeding correct Norwegian Fjords and there is no outcrossing except possibly accidental! Carol is also right in saying that the Dutch do not judge "character" or behaviour in hand, but in the IBOP test. Part of the test is to tack up or harness the horse in the middle of the arena and mount the horse or carriage. Sometimes people will use a header for this sometimes not. But if the particular horse is not obedient or is unruly during the tack up and mount he will be severely penalized for it and may not receive an "A" because of it even though his actual performance was good. Also the Dutch IBOP test are very definitely judged on how well the horse performs his test. It is not attitude and obedience alone. The horse must be on the bit and show two good trots. In riding it is judged just as a dressage test is. If the horse is above or behind the bit he will be penalized for it. I spent two weeks learner judging the Fjord IBOP tests and trust me good attitude and forwardness were hardly the only criteria looked for. I'm sure if a horse repeatedly smashed through the fences with the best of intentions he would be penalized for his lack of athletic ability. I have also participated in several IBOP's myself so am quite familiar with what's called for. I do take exception with Carol's use of "dummy down' the breed. First of all athleticism and temperment are not related. You can have a very athletic forward horse who is quiet and well behaved in hand. Carol sometimes makes it sound as though it is desirable for a stallion to act up as it proves that he is an athletic individual, this is not true I believe what she means to say is if we were to choose our breeding stallions based on behavior alone, ignoring excellent conformation, pedigree and performance ability, we would be doing the breed a great disservice. That is true. However it is always nice to see a well behaved well presented individual in hand of any breed. There is also a big difference between naughty, testing behavior and mean behavior. Some stallions do not take well to being put in their place and will react by coming back at their handler others are not so aggressive and will more easily repent. The quietest Fjord I ever owned is an Oswin daughter Hedi who is a ster mare in the Dutch system. She was in my pair for many years and was very fast and competitve in the hazards. yet If we put a novice rider on her she would move out on the trail at a veritable snail's pace. I used her to teach several beginners. She now is in a theraputic riding program here in VT where she will excell because of her quiet, layed back temperment. Talk about from ridiculous to sublime. In one sport she had to be fast, forward, up and aggressive in the other quiet and steady. Her quiet temperment in no way hindered her athletic ability . Please let's not confuse bad behavior with athletic ability they simply aren't related. Vivian Creigh
