A wonderful day of fun, friendship and Friesians was held on September 12th, starting and ending with the unsurpassed hospitality of our Presidents, Wim and Nita Floryn, at Gull Lake Farm near Lacombe. Wim and Nita, together with Annie and Kees Muilwijk, planned and organized every detail; from fantastic food, cozy box stalls for the horses, a wonderful trail and even the best weather possible! Sunshine, a cooling breeze…perfect!
A good turnout, both riders and drivers, enjoyed the beautiful trails along the shores of Gull Lake. We had a single horse driven by Hidzer Sietzema, a pair driven by Wim Floryn and a four-up driven by Gerard Paagman. Along with nine riders, both English and Western, our group of black, beautiful Friesians was a sight to behold!
Halfway through the trail, we stopped and enjoyed lunch and visiting with members and horses. On the way back, a stop on the beach was enjoyed by all. Three horses and riders set out to prove that Friesians can swim, heading out far from shore to where the horses started to float and swim. Horses and riders were soaked, but a great time it was! One of the horses did not want to come out of the water!
We returned to the Floryn farm, settled our horses in graciously provided, well appointed stalls, and gathered for a wonderful social and BBQ. All participants agreed that Wim & Nita & Kees & Annie had done an incredible job, and that we will have more of these events in the future.
Keuring Olds
By Linda Johnston
Inspection day dawned sunny and reasonably warm, in stark contrast to the cold, cloudy, windy day before; the day that most of us moved in to the stables at the Calouri Pavilion in Olds, Alberta. We were again faced with occupied and un-cleaned stalls, due to an event held over the weekend, but we managed to muck out, shuffle around and get settled by early evening.
Most of us got together for a nice dinner, with the judges, BJ Wittenberg and Jaap Boersma, along with runner Richard Meinen. Last minute chaos prevailed when Richard informed us that our other runner had cancelled at the last minute!
Frantic efforts were made to find a replacement runner, and we checked our horses and turned in without knowing what the morning would bring.
A delay in starting gave us all a little extra time to groom and polish our horses, and to get just a little bit more anxious!
Finally, the outdoor arena was ready to go, a substitute runner had been found, the P.A. system was set up and the show began!
Charlene Koehl’s colt Diego was awarded 1st premium and named the Champion Colt. Eclipse fan Flyin’ Feathers, owned by Linda Johnston was named Reserve Champion Colt.
The fillies strutted their stuff, and Femke fan Olds and Famke fan Bonnie View earned 1st premium, while 5 others received 2nd premie. Famke fan Bonnie View, owned by Melissa & Debbie Johnson, was judged as Champion Filly, while Femke fan Olds, owned by Hidzer and Faye Sietzema, the Reserve Champion Filly.
Many beautiful mares were judged, but only one received Ster status, that being in the 3 year old Mares category. T. Martini v.d. Peace Country Friesians, owned by John Van Genne, was given a 2nd premium, thus becoming a Star mare.
Two Star mares, Nienke fan Bonnie View and Riemke fan Bonnie View, both owned by Drs. Klaas and Annelies Wiersma, remained as 2nd Premium Star mares.
There was one gelding and one stallion judged for premium and star, but the coveted “Ster” was not to be this year for either one.
The Champion of the day was awarded to T. Martini v.d. Peace Country Friesians, owned by John Van Genne.
As is usual, an AFHA meeting was held after the judging and measuring was completed. We were joined by the judges, as well as by Richard, our stellar runner of the day. All present expressed a huge thank you to Hidzer and Faye Sietzema for their many hours of hard work organizing yet another successful keuring. We exchanged thoughts on the day, tended to club business, then loaded our horses and headed for home, with another keuring behind us. Now, to plan for next year…
AFHA Members at Calgary Parade
By Annie Muilwijk
On Friday the 3rd of July was the first day of the Calgary Stampede “The greatest Outdoor show on earth.” The parade on that first day with more than 700 horses attracts always thousands of people and was live on T.V.
Club members participate already several years with their eye catching Friesians.
This year we had again, 2 beautiful entries. And both won a first price in different categories.
The House of the Friesians from Invermere (Paagman family and friends) promoted the Friesian horse with a wonderful group of riders and a carriage with 4 in hand.
Gull Lake Farm from Lacombe (Floryn family and friends) had a theme “Friesian Horses can do it all.” They expressed that by driving the Friese Sjees, riding English/costume style and driving and riding Western Style.
The crowd was as usual, enthusiastic and that gave the participants a good feeling.
During the following Stampede days the club members managed a booth and gave a few demos which were appreciated by the public.
