Black Sterling Friesians -

NWSA Fall Classic and Futurity Show
Sept 29 - Oct. 2

What a nice show!! The people could not have been nicer. We decided to send our 7 yr old gelding, Stormy Seas, and 6 yr old stallion, Majestic, with a wonderful trainer, Brigitte Scholl of Monarch Stables, to the beautiful horse show in Salem, Oregon, so we could fly instead of making the 9 hour drive with our horse trailer.
I had barely gotten out of my rental car, when I was greeted by strangers, thanking me for bringing the "beautiful Friesians"and wishing me luck at this big competition. I have become accustomed to the somewhat "catty" and jealous attitudes of some of our southern California competitors, thus I was shocked and THRILLED by the exact opposite response to our existence at this show, in a very lush green setting. Even in the hallway at our hotel, I bumped into folks I had never met before, "Oh, you are the Friesian lady! Thank you so much for coming. We are very glad you brought your horses!!!"
Shoot, even if we won no ribbons whatsoever, the PEOPLE make this show with 230 horses an unbelievable event.

I must have made at least a dozen changes to our entries at the horse show office [necessitating a $5-10 fee PER CHANGE at most other horse shows]. Not so at this Oregon competition...the show secretary didn't mind at all, and charged me NOTHING. Again, everyone seemed to WANT us to be there.

And the food....don't come to the NWSA Futurity if you are on a diet:( The show feeds all patrons nearly every meal! I was in Oregon for 4 days, and only had to buy my own meal ONCE! They invite competitors to get to know each other, by hosting lunches and aisle parties at night. We have been showing on the California circuit for 4 years, and I can't tell you what a warm response our Friesians had at this lovely Oregon event. We will definitely be back next year!

Now for the nitty-gritty.... Julia had school, so I got to show her gelding, Stormy, in the Open English Pleasure qualifier, and had a terrific ride, coming out on top, and besting a class of one other Friesian, and 6 saddlebreds.

Majestic went next, and with his laid back style, I wasn't sure how he would fair in the Amateur Open English Pleasure. Majestic won, with a very nice Friesian from the area coming in 2nd [both Friesians beat all the saddlebreds in the class:)].

Majestic's next class was Amateur Friesian Under saddle, and he again left the ring with the blue ribbon hanging from his browband. This long haired beauty had quite a fan club coming to pet him after the class.
Julia arrived and took Stormy in the Open Friesian Under Saddle class, and had a very good ride, but was perhaps a tad fast at the trot, and came in reserve.
The prizes at this show were the best we have seen all year. We won beautiful leather lead ropes in the qualifiers, and matching leather halters with brass nameplates in the championship classes. Why can't other shows give out prizes that we can actually USE?!

We decided I would show Stormy in the Open English Pleasure Championship, as theoretically I , as an adult, would have the best chance riding against professional trainers. Stormy put in a good show, and I think it was close, but a very nice saddlebred shown by good riding trainer, Don Deardorf, won the class, and Stormy was Reserve Grand Champion.

Majestic's championship followed, and although Maj is not always my favorite horse to show, he is sure the CROWD'S favorite!! Majestic left the Am. Friesian Under Saddle Championship with roses around his neck, a long tri-color ribbon hanging from his bridle, and a gorgeous new leather halter being carried out by trainer, Brigitte Scholl.

The 3rd to last class on Saturday night was the Friesian Under Saddle Stake. My daughter is quite competitive, and as just a mere 15 yr old, I couldn't believe how calm she was riding against only professional trainers. We told Julia to "just have fun" and concentrate on having her personal best, working on everything Brigitte had taught her, instead of worrying about what color ribbon she might receive, as we really didn't think she had much of a chance.
Stormy and Julia entered the ring first, showing the Judge that they were a confident and capable pair. Supporters from Monarch Stables were stationed at every corner of the indoor arena, shouting encouragements and suggestions to Julia, as she guided Stormy through 3 effortless gaits. Julia kept Stormy a little more collected, yet animated and bright, and made good pass after pass. The problem was.....so did the competition, and their horses looked really good too, and no one made any mistakes. After the canter going the 2nd direction, the Judge seemed undecided, and once again called for the trot. Whenever this occurs, the rider KNOWS it is their last chance, and it is the moment of truth where a tiebreaker is to be decided. Julia asked Stormy to trot, first by collecting him up, and then she made the very wise decision to slightly cut the corner , and take on her competition, by coming up next to, and then passing Jennifer Dixon on Sytse Stonecreek. The total picture of Julia and Stormy radiated perfection, and the riders were called in to line up. After all participants were asked to back, it was very quiet. Would the Judge dare tie a 15 yr old juvenile over two very proficient professional trainers?
I was more nervous than I am when I am showing myself.

"The winning number is ........number.....41....Stormy Seas ridden by Julia Goldman!!!!"
The crowd loudly applauded, and Julia nearly cried in the excitement, she was truly overjoyed. Trainer Brigitte, beaming with pride, ran into the ring to get Stormy's ears up in the presentation photo and victory pass, and Julia's red face couldn't stop smiling, as she rode Stormy out of the ring as the Friesian Stake Champion.

Needless to say, the Salem, Oregon, show was a great experience for Black Sterling Friesians, and we now think perhaps we shall hang up our ribbons and roses, and end our 2004 show season with that last victory pass, and let our horses be turned out for the winter, and enjoy long trail rides, until it all starts over again, in April.