This was our 2nd year enjoying great competition and even greater hospitality at the N.W.S.A. Fall Classic Horse Show in Salem, Oregon.  Julia was unable to attend due to school obligations, so Ron and I packed up 2 show veterans and 1 newcomer, Ravello, and headed 10 hours north, spending the night at one of Ron’s childhood friends’ ranches near Medford, Oregon, on the way to Salem.  We left late Tuesday night (made later by Ravello’s unwillingness to load in our 3 horse trailer :). Upon arrival in Salem on Wed, we were met by a smiling young woman pushing a cart with complimentary coffee and donuts.

Ferrari [AKA: Ate’] competed first on Wed evening.  Interestingly, every Friesian on the show grounds was either owned by BSF’s, or SOLD by BSF’s.  Ferrari won the Open Friesian Under Saddle class, but our friend, Laurel Nelson, and Arend looked STUNNING, in Reserve.

Exhibitors certainly do not go hungry at this show, as we were treated to a pizza party Wed evening and a fantastic aisle party Friday evening.  Our hat’s are off to Don Deardorf Stables who brought 41 head of horses to this show---what a nice group of competitors, owners, trainers, and grooms!!!

Thursday: Janna showed Ravello, our 8 yr old Tsjerk gelding with points in Z level dressage that just arrived from Europe 2 weeks ago. Ravello won the Amateur Friesian Under Saddle class, Laurel was 2nd on Arend and Ron was 3rd on Stormy [Julia’s 8 yr old Jurjen son]. Later, Janna showed Stormy in the Open English Pleasure and was reserve to a beautiful American Saddlebred with a long flaxen tail, and elegant rider.  We were unable to attend the vineyard event [Meet the Judge] because we had to stick around for the farrier, while Stormy and Ravello got new shoes.

Friday: Ravello was crowned the Amateur Friesian Under Saddle Stake Champion—a winning debut in saddleseat competition for this 3rd level dressage, kind hearted soul coming straight from Europe.  Who said these Friesians aren’t versatile?!? This is another example of a Friesian winning in both Dressage AND Saddleseat competition.   Ron decided to try his hand at driving Ferrari [Ate’].  You can’t believe how stunning Ferrari looks in harness, he has THE MOST elegant swan like neck that just goes on forever.  Ferrari was a bit too energetic in the qualifier, and cantered a stretch.  Ferdinand, a lovely 4 yr old gelding we sold to Chuck Court Stables in Canada, won both the Friesian Driving qualifier and Stake, and looked spectacular!!  Chuck has done a marvelous job with this boy, and we keep hearing about all his success at the Northwest Horse Shows. 

The Judge got a nice chuckle when Ron was having a nice drive with Ferrari in the Driving Stake, and then on the reverse Ron cut across the arena and started going back in the same direction, sharply correcting Ferrari only when Janna yelled “Turn right, Ron, turn right!!”.  We think this horse is really special and is a winner, whether under saddle OR in harness. And Ferrari has just recently been offered for sale.  Who says we don’t sell our BEST?? We are still missing Majestic, another one of our winners, but realize it is our JOB to find and offer for your consideration the very best friesians in the world.

Janna decided to change her riding strategy for the Open Eng Pleasure Stake.  Because the saddlebreds in the class were such high quality and made flawless performances, she decided if her horse couldn’t beat ‘em in the qualifier, she would have to out ride them in the stake!  Her strategy worked and Janna pushed Stormy to the limit, cutting off the rail and making pass after pass with Stormy buckled up and trotting higher than ever (partially due to his new shoes, thanks to Wade☺).  Stormy exited the ring with roses around his neck, a tri-color hanging from his bridle, and Blu carrying a beautiful leather halter with a “NWSA 2005 Champion” brass nameplate.

Janna was asked to ride a friesian for an early morning “Good Morning Oregon” type TV talk Show, which was telecast live from the fairgrounds. So up at 5:30 AM they got, and Janna and Ravello boldly represented the friesian breed by trotting around and around the ring, while the host interviewed Marie Peyman on top of a lovely bay walk-trot mare. This was a great opportunity to give the friesian horse lots of press on the local TV station, and Ravello did a superb job. We were thrilled to be included, since this is a primarily SADDLEBRED competition.

It was a husband –wife duo that entered the friesian stake on Saturday evening…Janna on Ravello and Ron on Stormy.  The crowd was clearly enjoying watching underdog Ron (Blu) ride his darndest. Janna could hear jibbing spectators jokingly yell “we are rooting for your husband!” as she and Ravello sailed around the arena. In the line up the couple leaned towards each other and kissed, while the crowd oohed and aahed.  Special thanks to Brigitte Scholl who helped the couple make a dual victory pass.  We are leasing Stormy to Brigitte’s sister, Julie Streitfield, to show at the next competition in Livermore, CA.  Julia lost her special Am Saddlebred show horse a while ago, and has yet to find a replacement. It is our hope that her rides on Stormy will help bring back some of her joy for riding.  Also, special thanks to Bruce Dixon and Michael Craighead for their advice and help with Ferrari, being shown for the first time in harness. 

This has to be one of the best run shows we have ever attended.  Anyone that lives within a 10 hour radius of Salem and owns a friesian, should make it a point of attending this show next year.  And Janna will be on the show committee—so let her know what classes you would like to see offered!

 We will cherish the show prizes taken back to CA…our loot from this year’s show: 2 stylish high quality leather lead ropes and 3 leather halters from Fennels’, and our tummies were well filled all week, and the friendliness of EVERYONE was unmatched.

We’ll see you next year, Oregon!!