The Stallion Solar
by Lindsay Sweeney
-----Original Message-----
From: Lindsay&Jim Sweeney [mailto:vgard@together.net]
Sent: Friday, October 29, 1999 7:16 AM
To: fjordhorse@Mailing-List.net
Subject: Re: Discussing Important Stallions
This message is from: "Lindsay&Jim Sweeney" <vgard@together.net>
Dear Fjord Horse List readers,
I just poured through 150 posts to get to this point, and with so many
focused on bloodlines, I guess that now it's my turn to put up or shut up!
First I want to thank the others for sharing, I've printed and stashed all
that great info
in my Fjord Horse archives!!
Ok, now on to the important stuff...if you're not into bloodlines hit
delete now!, if you are enjoy...
SOLAR, what to say about SOLAR?! I have to start out by telling you all
that this Fjord stallion has meant more to me over the years than is
reasonable! SOLAR came into my life in 1986 when I co-bought him from
Peter Bravmann (who bought Ken Freidus' whole herd of Fjords that had been
imported from Holland by his father) with Phil Prichard. At this time, I
did not really realize just who this SOLAR was but then I was shown the
Dutch Studbook and Van Bon's famous bloodline book with SOLAR's photo in it
from a show in Germany as a six year old. Due to my background in horse
breeding and the keuring system I knew what those ratings meant to a
stallion and I knew I could rest assured that SOLAR was judged to be of
breeding quality by the finest authorities in the World. Still it wasn't
until Phil let me bring SOLAR to the farm where I was working and I got to
know him as a "person" that I quickly and permanently became obsessed with
him and everything to do with Norwegian Fjord Horses. Every year Halloween
marks a special Anniversary for Solar and me as the day I convinced Phil to
let me buy out his half so SOLAR would be mine, all mine, and have a home
with me forever! I have never regretted this move and am honored to have a
horse of SOLAR's calibre. Since a horse as noble as SOLAR is never "owned"
by anyone, when people say "oh, you're the one who owns SOLAR" I just
smile
politely and reply "I like to think of myself as his best friend".
Everything Carol wrote in her post about SOLAR is accurate and I must
thank her for over the years always being willing to rank SOLAR right up
there with the mighty GJEST!!!
FYI the following are some of the additional credentials that SOLAR has
earned so far in his lifetime ...
* Upgraded Norwegian Certification to" 2nd Prize" with a performance score
of 24.5 out of 25 and a ++ for Type/Breed characteristics and a ++ for
Body/Conformation, muscling.
* Upgraded Dutch Rating to "Prestatie" for performance with a "AA" for
driving (scoring 8's for gaits, wiliingness and stability, 8.5 for body
posture, position, and stability, and 9 for character, obedience, and
temperament!!), an "A" for riding (scoring 8's for w,t,canter, body posture
and manouverability, and overall impression, and 9's for diligence and
temperment, and character, and an "A" in Draft (scoring 8's in seven
categories and a 9 for behavior during harnessing and hitching ( and yes,
with this European System the horse is required to remain standing with no
holding or tying allowed, right in the middle of the arena, while the
handler harnesses and hooks to the stone boat unassisted!)
* Awarded the NFHR Versatility Award through successful competition in open
shows at the required level in all three disciplines, riding, driving and
draft.
* Awarded the NFHA Versatility Award 1987, 1988, 1991, and 1994.
* Winner of the NFHR Get of Sire Class 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997,
1998
* Winner in breed and open competitions too numerous to list anymore in a
wide variety of events from blue ribbons in Preliminary Combined Driving
Events, to First Level Ridden Dressage, to Field Hunting to Hunter Paces,
from Competitive Trail to Parades, from Hunters over Fences to Side Saddle,
from bombpfoofing to Jumping Rope, it's quite possible SOLAR's done it all
and done it well, with style and ease! As recently as September SOLAR and
I competed in an open driving show and entered the single pony obstacle
classes. There were at least five Fjords at the show all told, including
the likes of the ever famous performance Fjord Marnix, and Patrick whose
owner I know is on the list, the Roemer's with their Monar (formerly their
breeding stallion) from Ohio, and Charlie Ballou driving Nikki, Carol
imported this hot ticket (Hjelgrimm, is her Dutch name I think)who has
earned a reputation for speed in the obstacles. While I don't know how the
others placed, the pony division is always highly competitive and I was
thrilled to hear SOLAR had won two blue ribbons and two third places,
placing the highest of all the Fjords there and lots of other brilliant
breeds of pony. At twenty-two years young I can't help but wonder if SOLAR
was the most "seasoned" pony to win a blue ribbon under such fierce
competition?!
SOLAR is a beautiful and proud stallion, he is fun to be around and has a
great sense of humour. SOLAR loves to work and is very fond of being
admired and complimented, I think he knows he's one of the greatest
stallions ever!! For many Fjord lovers SOLAR has epitomized the true
meaning of the words Fjord Horse Character with his proven versatility and
durability.
I hope by my providing these facts on SOLAR you can all draw your own
conclusions about his temperment, movement, type, and performance record.
Maybe in my next post I'll go into SOLAR's breeding program and what
contributions he has made to the gene pool in NA, as well as his
strengths/weaknesses and what he throws to his offspring.
Let's try to keep this ball in the air, it's what I scan the List for! And
obviously, I'm not alone!!
Lindsay Sweeney
Vestlandgard
Tunbridge, VT 05077
