FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 2011

 

Townshend, VT Take a journey back in time, and escape to one of the most unique places in Vermont. Friesians of Majesty, in the heart of southern Vermont's ski resorts, offers the quintessential and intimate sleigh ride. Glide through 650-acres of forests and snow meadows on a majestic, elegant, jet-black friesian-drawn team. Add a little fun and romance to your travel adventure with a unique winter experience.

 

 

The picturesque farm is surrounded by majestic mountains, the perfect backdrop for a special sleigh ride. Guests are taken on the farm’s private trails, groomed especially for the sleigh, through forest and snow covered fields. The scenery and peace of the woods, animal life, and trails takes one back to nostalgic times.

 

Friesians of Majesty can accommodate up to four or five adults on the sleigh, and children of all ages are welcome. The sleigh rides are typically forty-five minutes long unless guests opt to stop for vistas or wildlife. Your traditional sleigh is an ornate vis-a-vis hitched to an elegant friesian pair. The farm also offers the option of a farm tour after a sleigh ride. The farm tour includes cookies, hot drinks, a guided tour of the facilities, meeting the horses and a chance to play with the foals born last spring.

 

Friesians of Majesty is the only farm of its kind in Vermont to offer the public unique equine experiences in the winter. They are located in the heart of Vermont's Green Mountains on a 650-acre full-service breeding and training facility. They are also the largest friesian breeding farm in the US dedicated to the promotion and development of the friesian horse and friesian crosses as modern sporthorses.

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Friesians of Majesty appears in the December 2011 edition of Horse Illustrated. Pick up a copy to read about Othello and Robert Labrie. Let us know what you think on The Official Friesians of Majesty Facebook page!

 

Friesians of Majesty appears in the October/November 2011 edition of Massachusetts Horse. Pick up a copy to read about Friesians of Majesty, Othello, and Robert Labrie. Let us know what you think on The Official Friesians of Majesty Facebook page!

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Friesians of Majesty's Keur Clinic with International Dutch runner Siep Bangma prepares New England Friesian horse owners for the upcoming keuring

 

For Immediate Release:

 

TOWNSHEND, VT – On August 19, 2006, approximately 55 people, of which 10 brought their Friesian horses, gathered at Robert Labrie’s Friesians of Majesty in Townshend, VT. The horses were evaluated by the Dutch runner, Siep Bangma, in preparation for the upcoming keuring being held in September. Siep Bangma and Judith Slofstra, both from the Netherlands, were invited by the Northeast Friesian Horse Club (NEFHC) to provide the clinic.

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Since keur season can be stressful, the NEFHC and Friesians of Majesty invited Siep to evaluate the participating horses by explaining their strong points and weak areas. Siep gave suggestions on what exercises to work on once the horse was back in its own barn and also how the horse should be presented on keuring day. Judith went over clipping suggestions and bridle/halter options. The horse owners, as well as the auditors in attendance, concentrated on the suggestions that were offered in order to learn tips so that their horse would be at its best on that special day.

 

Each year, judges travel from Holland to the United States to officiate over the Friesian keurings—the international yardsticks by which the breed is evaluated. The keuring is essential to the Friesian breed, as it ensures that the FPS (Friesch Paarden-Stamboek) registry adheres to the highest breeding standards. A Friesian’s score is based 40% on his conformation—the physical attributes attained through breeding. The other 60% is based on the quality of movement at the walk and trot, which are evaluated in-hand.

 

Siep Bangma has been coming to the states for years running some of the finest horses in this country. He has handled many of the stallions at the Holland Stallion Show and personally handles the famous approved stallion Jasper. You may also have seen him long lining Anton 343 and running Labrie’s Provisional Model Mare, Ymkje, in the fall of 2005 during the breed demonstrations at Equine Affaire in West Springfield, MA.

 

In addition to the Keur clinic, Friesians of Majesty also opened its farm for a one week training session with Siep immediately following the clinic. It was at this time that Siep spent additional time with the participating horses to further train them for the keuring.

 

Friesians of Majesty, located in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, is a 650 acre full service breeding and training facility complete with a 100’ x 240’ indoor riding arena. Friesians of Majesty provides horses for sale, year-round training, breeding, foaling, carriage rides for weddings and the quintessential Vermont sleigh ride. Friesians of Majesty welcomes visitors by appointment.

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