Colorado's Friesians: quality above quantity

By Marty Metzger
Correspondent

Silence dropped over the awestruck crowd like a net. The magnificence of the big, black, feather-footed equines had wholly captured them. The parade of champions pranced around the arena. These were show ring royals. These were the Friesians.

The first time Friesian-type horses pranced on American soil is believed to have been around 1625. Friesland is one of the 12 provinces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. When the Dutch founded New Amsterdam, horses from their native land accompanied them.

New Amsterdam became New York when abandoned to the English in 1664. As early as 1795 and 1796, newspaper advertisements offered for sale trotters of Dutch descent.

Now, more than 200 years later, Friesians number only about 4,000 in North America and 40,000 worldwide. Breed enthusiasts will eagerly expound, however, that quality, not quantity, counts.

J.R. and Gayle Blumenthal's horses carry that sought-after quality in their majestic lineage and accomplishments. The Fort Collins couple, passionate Dutch Friesian proponents, own 13 amazing horses.

They'd owned Arabians until March 1999 when the purchase of their geldings Oeds and Olger set them, literally and figuratively, on a straight and true course to Friesland.

Within the Friesian studbook rules, a horse cannot be registered until it is 2 1/2 years old. Color, conformation and height requirements must be met. Qualified breed judges periodically and regionally examine animals for assignment to several classifications, such as Star and Model. Star is a designation achieved by only 10 percent of those that aspire to attain it. Gayle Blumenthal said Oeds and Olger are both Star geldings.

The 10-year-olds are both National Champions, with wins in single and pairs driving, four-in-hand and tandem, and they are Reserve Grand Champion Horses of the Year.

Oeds' and Olger's show-ring polish doesn't, however, tarnish their ability to go out and rough it. The big, black beauties proved their breed's versatility in October 2004 in Middleburg, Va., when 31 park drags came together to drive for three days in the countryside where "Gone With the Wind" was filmed.

In October 1999, First Premium Star mare Warber D., now 7 years old, joined the Blumenthal barn. Trained by Dolly Hannon, and ridden/driven by J.R. Blumenthal, Warber D. was presented to Dutch judges for the IBOP test. Warber D. has also produced two foals.

J.R. Blumenthal is himself a North American judge, one of only two. Over the past three years he has periodically studied with the Dutch Friesian Registry in the Netherlands.

Given the driving talent of the breed, it is only natural that the Blumenthals' interest extends to carriages. Among those pulled by their seven driving horses are an 1878 Dutch Gig; a contemporary, one-of-a-kind, Easterwood park drag crafted by Homer Easterwood; a 1902 New York-made Flandraw; and Baby Doe Tabor's Landau carriage, built in the mid-1800s, which the Blumenthals exhibited in the 1999 Rose Parade with 4-in-hand Friesians.

The Blumenthals are always delighted to introduce people to their beloved Friesians. "Our farm is open to the world, for anyone to come spend a day with the horses," said Gayle Blumenthal. "Just be sure to book ahead." To check available dates, call 568-9877.

Relative newcomer on the Friesian scene, Sheri Perkins owned a Morgan mare when, in early 2005, a delightful encounter fanned a Friesian flame in her heart. Her budding love for the breed led her to visit Friesian farms in California and Kansas. Then Perkins decided to travel farther afield, to the source: the Netherlands. She said that her husband, Scott, good-naturedly chided, "There are no horses here? You had to go to Holland?"

In Holland, she became enamored of the breed. "They all come to you in the pastures: babies, mares, geldings, stallions," Perkins said. "I have a video of it. It was just wonderful. They are good-minded horses, and so personable."

It was on this tour that Perkins and Gauwe found one another. The young gelding immediately captivated her.

"He is absolutely gorgeous!" Perkins declared. "And so sensible for a 4-year-old. That's indicative of the breed."

Gauwe was imported in late 2005. The breed also apparently serves as an international ambassador of friendship. Just recently, Gauwe's previous owner's children came to visit the Perkins family.

Perkins, who has had horses since age 11 and has shown for the past 10 years in Colorado and previously in Orange County, has lofty but realistic expectations for Gauwe. Her recent agenda was the Continental Divide Show at The Ranch in Loveland, now in its second year as a combined Morgan/Friesian event. In-hand, at-liberty and walk-trot classes highlighted the Perkins/Gauwe dance card.

Gauwe will soon work with a highly respected dressage trainer. Perkins, who always rode Western and English, exclaimed, "I have a whole new respect for dressage people. Wow!"

If all goes as planned, Gauwe will one day join others of his kind, like Oeds and Olger, as they magnificently prance around the show ring. Silence, like a net, will drop over an awestruck crowd. The majestic, feather-footed Friesians will capture yet another horse lover's heart.

For additional information about the Dutch Friesian breed, visit www.fhana.org or call 859-455-7430.