Here is a response to an e-mail about Oliver. I am hoping to answer some questions that people have about him. Please feel free to call me at 507-534-3311. We also have excellent references.
Oliver is just turning three years old. We do
start them in harness where they can learn MANY life lessons including how
to manage traffic, scary obstacles, noises behind them, things flapping
against their legs, how to tie, load, clip, getting shoes and much, much
more.
Oliver is just started under saddle in June due to so much interest.
Driving teaches a horse to go forward and keep going forward at the trot.
This is the horses favorite gait. It teaches the horse self-carriage.
After 6 miles of driving, the horse learns to rate themselves, balance
themselves and the cart weight, take commands from the driver, how to go
forward and keep going forward for long distances (versus being stopped at
each corner of an arena), encourages a horse to go out and see the world.
Oliver is a three year old horse. He has more endurance which
equates more energy. He is not a flighty, dangerous horse and a true joy to drive.
Who would Oliver be good for? He would be excellent for that upper level
dressage rider who want a horse with HUGE elastic gaits and wants the drive
and reach up from behind him to make it to the upper levels or dressage.
Oliver needs someone to teach him to ride but all the basics are there up to
the point of putting the saddle on and riding him. Oliver is not a "freaky"
horse but is an enthusiastic horse thus at this point needs someone to see
his potential and bring it along. I know that you have seen many horses in
your life and this one has the movement that you need to get noticed in the
dressage ring. He has a lovely long walk, a huge extension at the trot with
reach from behind to die for and a long reaching canter. He is a flashy
blood bay with darling curved ears and a pretty eye. He has it all and just
needs the rider to take him there. Not only that but he has such a classy
way of moving. He has the knee action to make that passage and piaffe
really snap to catch the judges eye.
As for "pedigree", I can tell you that I think that the Friesian crosses are
going to take the dressage world by storm. Not the Friesians mind you but
the Friesian crosses. Why?? Well, many of the warmbloods have a lot of TB
in them. This isn't bad but they are starting to lack bone and substance in
their legs. I personally don't care for the TB feet and how they are not
easy keepers thus I don't breed with them. TB's can be hot and fractious
making for a horse that is difficult for the amateur owner AND a
professional rider. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE TB's but need to keep my
market in mind which is for the amateur rider first and disposition and
MOVEMENT. I think I am getting what everyone needs.
Now the Friesian as a purebred is lovely but generally too heavy for the
dressage ring and might not have the drive you would need for dressage.
Many are doing very well but these are the exception. The Friesian adds
movement (if they have good movement to start from i.e.: lift AND reach).
They also add bone/substance and contribute excellent necks (long and
shapely). The best thing about a Friesian is their disposition. I have
owned all breeds of horses in my life and the Friesian has the most noble,
kind, quiet, gentle, curious disposition and attitude of all the breeds.
They actually wish to please you. What rider wouldn't want that???
If you notice, many of the big stables are switching from their warmbloods
to the Friesians just for that reason. Even the pros don't want to work
that hard to get what they want from their horse so I feel it is just a
matter of time that the horse people realize that there are some fabulous
horses in the Friesian cross and it takes riders like yourself to think
outside the box to show the others that.
Now as for "pedigrees", I personally look for a mare that has the qualities
that I want versus looking for a pedigree. I have seen several purebred
warmblood horses that I would not bring into my program. They lacked in so
many ways. I look for horses that are easy keepers, good feet and legs,
good dispositions and ,of course, MOVEMENT.
I think that Oliver and Tuxedo fit that bill. They are wonderful horses.
Tux would be excellent for the amateur owner who wants to ride every day or
every other day that wants a great ride everytime and be on an incredible
looking horse on top of it. Oliver would make an excellent prospect for
that dressage rider who wants HUGE gaits that have lift and expression to
them that will wow the judges. Oliver is likely going to take someone a
long way!
