Black Sterling Friesians -

Santa Barbara National Horse Show
July 2005

Julia and I packed up Stormy and Majestic and headed down to the beautiful Earl Warren fairgrounds where we met our friend, and trainer of the Ferrari horse, Bill Tomin, with Rockridge Farms. Stormy and Majestic met up with Ferrari at the stable area, where we decided to forgo putting up our “Black Sterling” banner, and stall instead with the highly successful saddlebred barn at the Rockridge aisle. We arrived around midnight, quickly got unloaded, and checked into our nearby hotel, in hopes of getting a few Z’s before Stormy’s first class the next afternoon. Wednesday arrived bright and early and Bill Tomin helped me quickly jog Stormy in the Earl Warren arena, to see how he would do with all of the shadows that are unique to this arena, and look like polka dots on the sand surface. Stormy was GREAT, so we took him back to the barn to prepare for the Friesian Working Driving class. Usually Blu is the driver in the family, but since he opted to stay home for the first few days of this show (something about being overloaded and behind at work), I was designated as Stormy’s driver.

Bill was oh-so helpful in quickly teaching me how to buckle up Stormy, make him straight, and how to NOT go on a fishing expedition with the way I was holding the whip. We were up against a VERY elegant pair of Friesians whose carriage alone probably cost more than my horse, driven by a well respected driver, Antonio. Our class was called and Stormy and I gave it our all; he was magnificent and flawless…I felt like I was just along for the ride. Imagine everyone’s thrill when Stormy’s number, #311, was called out first!

Ferrari was up next, in the Friesian Under Saddle Walk and Trot class. This was a well filled class with quality black horses all vying for the blue. Ferrari has been our project horse that we finally put in training with Tomin ,in Rancho Santa Fe, to help pull this horse’s great potential out of him. Ferrari trotted in the ring, wearing the bridle every step of the way, looking elegant and feeling AWESOME. I kept Ferrari on the rail, doing exactly what was called for by the Judge, and refusing to join the rush of other rider’s pump and grind. For merely a walk-trot Friesian under saddle class, there was a lot of competitive spirit. Ferrari was victorious, and the crowd that has been following this rising star cheered loudly. There was no show on Wednesday evening, so I joined a group from Rockridge Farms dining together at a fabulous Italian restaurant in Montecito that was recently featured on Oprah Winfrey’s Show, and Julia had a ball hanging with the other 15 yr olds in the barn.

The Friesian Working Driving Stake was our first championship, and Stormy was BETTER in this stake, besting the beautiful and proper pair from Sunshine Friesians. I can’t tell you how many compliments I received on “that driving horse” from trainers and other fellow exhibitors. Stormy is at the top of his game this season. Majestic, our STER stallion who already won everything on the west coast, going saddleseat in 2004, is conquering a new challenge in 2005, in the Dressage and English Show Hack divisions. I LOVE showing this horse, and I, myself, am enjoying the challenges of riding dressage and competing in English show hack classes, which require much more than just a simple walk, trot, and canter. Majestic competed against many top friesians in the Dressage Hack Under Saddle class, INCLUDING the Approved stallions, Nanning (whom I LOVE) and Otte. I noticed that a couple of the friesians competing were wearing full bridles, whereby the Dressage Show Hack class requirements list that competitors may use only a smooth snaffle, which is what I was riding our stallion with. My friend, and wise companion, Bill, wisely advised me to ignore my competitors and go in and just ride. So I did. It was a very tough class, and LONG, whereby the Judge called for 11 different gaits. Majestic’s attitude was, “hey, Approved stallions, let me show you what I can do”. The versatility of his talent was demonstrated by him flawlessly performing every requested change of gait. I always knew this stallion was special, but besting two Approved stallions in a dressage class just kind of proves it!! Majestic proudly wore the blue ribbon as we made our victory lap.
Later that same day, Julia rode Stormy in the English Show Hack Novice Rider class. She had a very good ride, and this was the first time she had shown in a show hack class, but she rode with the same zeal and love for her horse, as usual. While the Judge was marking her card, another exhibitor demanded the USAE steward be called, and rule on the bit in Stormy’s bridle. Poor Julia was in tears, still in the line up on her horse, with the Judge standing directly behind her was joined by the steward with the rule book open, looking EVERYWHERE in the USAE/IFSHA rules to see where it said Stormy’s snaffle was prohibited. They could find no such rule, and the steward ruled that #311 should not be disqualified from the class, and that her equipment WAS allowed and legal.
Majestic’s second class was the same as Julia’s, only for Amateur riders (Eng Show Hack). Blu flew in to watch his stallion compete against six beautiful friesians, whereby everyone rode their heart out in a very competitive and long class. When they called for the hand gallop, Majestic was a site to be seen with his bold ground covering stride. And talk about amazing stamina and energy, we hand galloped a full 3 laps!! Majestic again was awarded the blue.
After winning 5 out of 6 classes entered, I decided not to be greedy (or is it more greedy?) and opted to just enjoy the Saturday evening performance, and did not compete in the Friesian Stake.
While packing up, we chatted with horse show management, which expressed their disgust and dismay regarding the friesian competitors pro-testing, not being happy, not getting along, and not agreeing on the classes offered for the friesian division. The show manager told us that the friesian classes were more trouble than they are worth, and she is considering not having them in the future.

There is an unwritten code of the horseman to always come to the aid of a fellow horseman in need, and to compete for the love of the sport, not just for the love of winning. Why don’t we all pledge to do the best to love our friesian horses and compete in an environment of friendship and mutual respect?

We would like to compliment horse show manager, Rae Deane, on her choice of beautiful prizes in all of the classes. We came home with vases and plates with hand painted friesians on them [Blu swears they are of Sterling], a sculpted pewter looking goblet by Douwe, and a very nice photo album with a gold Santa Barbara National nameplate on it [we especially LOVE awards that we can use!!].

We can’t wait for the next show, already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!