WOODSIDE SHOW

With each horse show comes a new test, a different challenge, a menacing enemy. Each exhibitor is forced to consider their limits against the dark realms of the unknown. The weak fall back but the strong strive to conquer and are rewarded. At the U.P.H.A. Chapter 1 horse show in Woodside, Ca, that challenge was surviving the inferno! The word heat does not adequately convey the correct image of the intense temperatures the Black Sterling Pit Crew encountered during the middle of the day. In total, the Black Sterling team won seven blues. Janna led Ravello to the winners circle in the Friesian Amateur Pleasure in both the qualifier and grand championship. Ravello's legs extend up and are carried out directly in front of him. It appears he is Spanish walking at a trot pace; if you were to stand 5 feet in front of him, his leg would kick you over. Ravello covers ground! Black Sterling became our Friesian Western Champion. Janna had competition. Well respected trainer of multiply American Saddlebred western pleasure championship teams--Michael Craighead of Diamond Hills stables on a beautiful friesian, and Sterling said, Competition???? BRING IT ON!!!!! Upon entry in the ring, there was a hush of the crowd. An innocent bystander, uneducated in horses, would have been able to figure….this pair was special. Their grace and elegance was unmatchable. Sterling was photographed at least 500 times by his followers. Janna and Sterling in Bob Nugent’s black leather and silver western tack were quite a site. Sterling floated through his gaits like he was born to do so and gladly jogged to the winner’s circle. Blu drove Stormy down VICTORY LANE in the Friesian Working Single Driving Grand Championship. After a little bobble in the qualifier, Blu kept his COOL and went for the BLUE. Well, he sure got the blue, the tricolor blue! Stormy listened perfectly to Blu's distant calls from the cart. He clearly showed a distinction between the slow trot, the working trot, and the extended trot. --And YES, he flat walked!!! This class was a breakthrough for Blu and Stormbucket that left the crowd eager for an encore of the stunning performance. Kathrin, our dressage trainer from Germany, stepped into the winner's circle with Wisse. Unfortunately, I was unable to see the class myself because I had a class one after Kathrin's class so I could only cross my fingers. Wisse won in a new division for him, the Friesian Huntseat Pleasure , beating a big class of very nice horses!!! My Perfect Storm came through for me like NO OTHER!!! Stormy Seas’ stole the Open English Pleasure Championship AND Grand Championship beating American Saddlebreds with skilled amateurs and trainers in the irons. Stormy had one of the largest classes at the show, 6 entries, but there was no stopping the GIANT STORM ROLLING THROUGH. Stormy outshined the competition on the trot and sealed the judge’s top choice with his smooth, rhythmic canter; he strides like he is prancing on clouds. It was a dream. His legs roll like the waves of the ocean, in perfect harmony. It is an unbelievable feeling to ride and show this 9 yr old Jurjen X Oege gelding. Overall, the show was fabulous. We were stabled the farthest away that was possible-it was quite an annoyance, Janna was forced to scratch an entry with either Black Sterling or her new Friesian stallion, Ate, as it took an entire class to just get to our stalls from the show ring. Of course, her choice was Sterling. We are thrilled with the outcome and support from this horse show and our boys are receiving a well-deserved day off tomorrow. I think Stormy gets the week off. Please come cheer us on in Del Mar in less than a month, and look for the “Black Sterling Friesians” banner, and bring carrots and peppermints for the boys….Sterling, Stormy, Ravello, Ferrari, Ate, and Wisse.

© Black Sterling Friesians,2006. All rights reserved.