Hengstenkeuring 2006
by Wendy Feller

What an experience!  We were three women traveling in mid-January to the Hengstenkeuring in Leeuwarden, Holland.  Wendy was arriving from vacation in Kenya, so the change in weather was a bit of a shock to the system.   Traveling from Oregon and Washington, were her good friends, Sue Zoltner (owner of Legacy Friesiansm Inc) , as well as a wonderful gal who had also bought her gelding from Legacy Friesians Inc., Kathleen Twist.  We met Sue’s business partner in Holland and had a wonderful time looking (and drooling) at their beautiful Friesians for sale.  Such an amazing way to start off a trip!

The stallion show was non-stop pounding hooves, cheering fans, and anxious owners and trainers.  Day one of the stallion show started with the judging of the pre-selected young stallions in “the cage”.  This is a new selection method introduced in 2004 allowing stallions to demonstrate their free movement gaits and character, while removing the influence of the handler.

The show was a little quieter and a bit cooler on the first day.  We were all suffering from a bit of travel-fatigue and jet-lag, so we spent a fun day catching up, eating, drinking and spectating.  As you might guess, January in Leeuwarden is cold and moist.  Luckily, the temperature inside the stadium quickly warmed up with all the excitement and buzz of the crowd.  We took the opportunity to get a little shopping in among the myriad of tack booths set up at the show. 

After the shopping, we settled in with good seats and watched the young stallions being judged at liberty.  Even though we had all watched this before, we were stunned by their grace and beauty.  Some were eager to show off their ground-covering trots, while others darted and dashed and galloped and whinnied. 

Bits and pieces of the judges’ comments were translated into English.  However, the vast majority of the show was in Dutch, so we became adept at learning a few important words.  For example, a “rubriek” referred to a class or division of horses.  Each horse’s name, sire and damsire was posted on a big, central screen prior to that horse’s showing, making it easier to follow along.  The program, while in Dutch, listed the stats for each horse. 

We were all exhausted by the time we hit the sack.  All any of us could dream about that night was the fanfare of these valiant, sleek black horses whizzing past the crowd with excited eyes, flaring nostrils, and flowing manes.

Day two started very early with the final selection of the stallion candidates.  Apparently, the 9,000 visitor stadium sold out.  You did not dare leave your seat without somebody to hold it for you, as the place was packed and the energy even more electric.  While warmer than day one, the body heat was still a good thing! 

The next part of the show included the stallions aged 13 and older.  A very large percentage of the approved stallions from Holland were there, as well as America’s own “Doaitsen” strutting his gait to “Born in the USA”!  The high-level dressage horses were warming up behind the scenes and handlers were preparing the best of the best for the championship.  The pure ability to walk up to these fabulous steeds and watch them warming up from only a few feet away was like being star-struck.  The crowd was treated to a special demo by foundation stallions “Leffert” and the “old man” Feitse293.  These stallions seemed more substantial and baroque than the ones approved for further testing.  It seems we are heading for a more modern breed – more “sporty and versatile with the natural movement and performance levels of an athlete”.

Certainly the highlight of the show for us personally was our luck to befriend the Dutch “gatekeepers” (grey-haired fellows with bowler hats and 3-piece suits who restrict entrance to the actual stadium).  While they spoke limited English, we were able to communicate, and Wendy was able to speak German with one of them.  To our surprise, they scurried us up to the front of the line ahead of the rows of trainers, runners, and owners, where we could watch the entire arena from the ground floor.  You could feel the rustle of wind and thump of the hooves as each stallion trotted past you at an amazing pace not two-feet away from your face as each circled the arena.  Much to our amusement and delight, one of the Dutch gatekeepers guided our friend, Sue, out into the center of the arena where she spent the rest of the show photographing the horses with the professional photographers.  For all his troubles, she gave him a peck on the cheek.  What a laugh we had about this!

At the end of the day, they brought the approved stallions in.  They played “Whatever You Want...Whatever You Need...” and other high-energy songs as the runners sprinted with the likes of Andries, Lolke, Karel, and Gradus.  The crowd went wild with stomping, cheering and clapping. The stallions were given their premiums, and then the top four returned: Mintse (last year’s champion), Jasper, Time, and Beart.  First, Mintse floated, truly  gliding across the floor, with amazing extension causing the spectators to go nuts!  Next, Jasper moved as only Jasper can to an even wilder crowd.  All were on the edge of their seat.  After these amazing performances, not one soul would have thought it possible.  However, in the end it was Beart (champion) and Time (reserve champion) who took home the ribbons.  They moved like fine-tuned machines, so rhythmic, fluid and exacting in their gaits. 

   If you have any interest in the Friesian horse, this is an event not to be missed!  You will gain an overwhelming appreciation for the sanctity of the breed, the beauty and personality of these fine animals, and the devotion of your fellow Friesian lovers.  Study up a little on the Dutch language, bring your warmest clothes, get there early on the final day, and bring along some friends for a dose of fun, awe, and sheer excitement. 
 

Beart 411 and family

Beart 411 and Time 398

Leeuwarden, Netherlands
January 20-21, 2006
by Legacy Friesians owner, Sue Zoltner

What an experience!   We went together to the show this year, along with some of our customers, Wendy Feller, who bought Hearke B. February 2005, and Kathleen Twist who bought Dolce around November 2005.   We all stayed with my good friend and business partner, the person I buy horses from in the Netherlands, and we had a great time!!!

The show was spectacular once again.  The highlight of the show for me, was when I was standing in the entrance to the arena, craning to get a clear shot of the championship class, and then a very sweet older Dutch man in a bowler hat invited me right inside the arena with all the professional photographers and the handlers!  It was the chance in a lifetime and it was very emotional to see the world's best friesian stallions trot by, only 4 feet away from where I was standing.  The announcer and the music got everyone riled up.  He had the audience do a wave and then a slow-motion wave after some of the stallions were asked to leave but before the finals.   When Beart 411 and Time 398 won champion, and reserve champion, I migrated over to the winner's circle with all the professionals and was able to get some great shots with my little Kodak DX 6490 digital camera.  Everyone else had professional equipment with lenses about 1 foot long!  My trusty Kodak ended up doing a great job.   I was so glad in hindsight that I had a 512 MB card in it.  Can you imagine being invited into the arena to take photos and then running out of space on your camera?  After some of the winner's circle photos, my camera's memory card was finally full, so the timing was perfect.

In the days after the show, we bought a lot of horses....there are so many great horses to choose from.  My business partner has about 30 yearlings, 30 2- year olds, and 30 3- year olds, so if we ever don't have exactly what you want listed, ask us because we can get more!