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A Show Fit For A King – Awards Grand Sweep for Ten Horses
Sjearsjel First Premie Grand Champion Filly
10/17/05
For Immediate Release
Townshend, VT – It was a triumphant day for Friesians of Majesty with top honors having been paid to ten out of the eleven horses presented at this year’s New England keuring. “It’s been quite a thrill to raise a champion,” relayed an ecstatic Robert Labrie, owner and manager of the stately 650 acre Friesian farm in Townshend, VT, “but to have ten in one year, it’s almost unbelievable.” However, he was quick to attribute much of his success to careful stallion selection and hands-on foal care. “There is no substitute for being there,” he maintained. “Each new born is immediately imprinted and handled continually. My goal is not to breed the most Friesians but to breed the best.”
Bente awarded First Premie Ster and Reserve Champion
And he is well on his way as Sjearsjel, a Feike filly out of full papered mare, Tetske, won Grand Champion Filly with a First Premie rating to equal last year’s grand champion winner and full brother, Olrik, who was also born and raised on the farm. Further testimony to the winning formula, the five-year-old gelding Bente, won a First Premie Ster and Reserve Champion Ribbon with pasture mate, Douwe receiving a First Premie Ster.
Ymkje, first ever, in New England, awarded Provisional Model Mare
But the crowning jewel went to Ymkje. With her 17.1 H stance and long graceful neck, she exhibited such extraordinary movement and stature she received the coveted title, Provisional Model Mare, the first ever to be awarded in New England. Sired by the legendary stallion Teunis, Ymkje is the dam of Mayken, the winner and First Premie, Grand Champion Filly in 2004.
Tribute was also paid to Ster recipients, Esther (mare), Feike and Gurbe (geldings), Sarassina (filly), and Robyen and Sjoeke (colts), assuring their top 20% status and placement in the studbook.
Renowned judges, Piet Bergsma and Haike Vandermeulen, traveled from Holland to Woodstock, Connecticut to officiate over the keuring, the international yardstick by which the breed is appraised. Evaluated according to strict guidelines, Friesian Horse Council of New England’s President, Bob Gregoire, explains, “The horses are judged on two counts: in-hand to demonstrate the quality of movement, which comprises 60% of the score and conformation, which makes up the remaining 40%. The keuring is essential; it is the control that ensures our registry adheres to the highest breeding standards.”
Continuing in his efforts to maintain the integrity of the breed, Robert Labrie is making plans for his champion model, Ymkje, as he simultaneously prepares for the next foal crop due in the spring. “I’m looking forward to having five new babies on the farm and to doing my part to help perpetuate the beauty of these remarkable horses.”
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 arena, resident trainer, and live-in staff. Friesians of Majesty welcomes visitors by appointment. For more information, visit the Friesians of Majesty website: www.friesiansofmajesty.com or call 802.365.7526
Friesians of Majesty outdoes itself – 2007 Keuring tops 2006!!
The Keur Champion Mare ribbon was awarded to Labrie's new Provisional Model, Geartsje.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Townshend, VT - Robert Labrie, breeder and owner of Friesians of Majesty in Townshend, VT, transported seventeen horses of which twelve were presented at the 2007 New England Keuring held in Northampton, MA on 9/20/07 and 9/21/07. He drove away with three Keur Champion ribbons, five Ster ribbons for the geldiings and mares and five 1st and 2nd Premie ratings on the foals he presented.
The Keur Champion Mare ribbon was awarded to Labrie's new Provisional Model, Geartsje. After being awarded a 1st Premium Ster rating in each of the past two years, Geartsje was given the opportunity to be presented for Provisional Model at this year's Keuring. The judges from Holland agreed on her potential to become Model based on her enduring beauty, spectacular movement and ideal conformation. She will now have a year to train for her IBOP athleticism test which she will take at the 2008 New England Keuring. If she passes with a score of 77 or higher, she will join her barnmate, Ymkje, who was awarded Model at the 2006 New England Keuring. This would be the second mare ever to make Model in New England. Both are from Friesians of Majesty.
All three geldings presented received Ster ratings. Jelke and Hendrik by Onne each showed off for the judges but it was Jochum that left the day with the Keur Champion Gelding ribbon.
Both mares presented, Mayken (daughter of Ymkje) and Lilija, each looked beautiful on the unusally warm summer like day and received their Ster. Mayken at only 3 years old scored 2nd highest of 18 mares. When Lilija received her Ster designation, her mother, already a Model Mare, went Model Preferent. A mare goes Preferent when four of her offspring receive their Ster.
There were five foals presented. Ylkje trotted her way to Grand Champion filly with her 1st Premie rating. Winette and Xavira each received 2nd Premie ratings as well as the 2nd Premie ratings for Ysbran and Wideke, the two colts presented.
This year's Keuring exceeded even Robert Labrie's expectations. At the past couple of Keurings Friesians of Majesty has consistently left with multiple Sters and a champion ribbon or two, but this year really topped them all. As Geartsje trains for her IBOP Friesians of Majesty will be looking to the 2008 Keuring with great anticipation. To have one Model Mare is rare enough but to have two Model Mares in the same barn clearly reveals the caliber of Friesians that Robert Labrie owns and breeds.
Friesians of Majesty, located in Vermont's Green Mountains, is a full service breeding and training facility devoted exclusively to maintaining and improving the nobility of the majestic Friesian. Friesians of Majety is home of over 40 Friesians, including Ymkje, Model Mare and Grand National Champion and now Geartsje, Provisional Model. Friesians of Majesty provides horses for sale, year-round training, breeding, foaling, carriage limousine service for elegant weddings and the quintessential Vermont sleigh ride. Friesians of Majesty welcomes visitors by appointment.
Friesians of Majesty to host over thirty Majestic Friesian Performances in 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Townshend, VT – Friesians of Majesty will be hosting the Majestic Friesian Performance at its 650 acre equestrian center located in Townshend, Vermont. There are more than thirty performances already scheduled with more to be announced as they become available.
Sjearsjel First Premie Grand Champion Filly
Friesians of Majesty has partnered with New England tour bus companies and inns to become a Vermont tourist attraction. By opening up its 100’ x 240’ indoor riding arena for an exhibition of the Friesian breed, Friesians of Majesty will showcase the elegance and beauty of the breed to anyone interested in attending.
Attendees of the Majestic Friesian Performance will enjoy an elegant carriage ride and interact with our beautiful horses in a guided tour of our European style barns. They will also watch a captivating show as our drill team performs to music; dressage freestyle is exhibited; driving is demonstrated; and a majestic Friesian runs at liberty.
Bente awarded First Premie Ster and Reserve Champion
The Majestic Friesian Performance schedule is listed on the Shows page of our website, www.friesiansofmajesty.com. Seating is limited and reservations are required to attend. The cost is $25 per person.
Friesians of Majesty, located in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, is a full service breeding and training facility devoted exclusively to maintaining and improving the nobility of the majestic Friesian. Friesians of Majesty is home to over 35 Friesians, including Ymkje, Model Mare and Grand National Champion. 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.
New England 2006 Keuring Results
Ymkje, first ever, in New England, awarded Provisional Model Mare
9/25/06
For Immediate Release
Townshend, VT – Friesians of Majesty entered eight horses to be judged at the New England Keuring held on 9/21/06 and 9/22/06 in Northampton, MA. All eight horses received Premium ratings or better. Friesians of Majesty again shows the world the caliber of Friesian horses in its barns as this is the third year in a row that multiple top titles went to the horses of Friesians of Majesty.
Ymkje was awarded the prestigious title of Model given to very few mares. After spending a year in intense dressage training as Provisional Model after last year’s New England Keuring, Ymkje showed the judges that she has what it takes to have the coveted Model title. Ymkje, along with her rider/trainer Christina “Tini” Hamilton, achieved a score of 82 on the IBOP (athleticism test) which moved her from Provisional Model to Model making her the best of the best. Ymkje is the first mare in New England ever to be awarded Model. This title is the highest rating that a Friesian mare can achieve. She is among the elite mares in this country. Ymkje stands at 17 hands and is the daughter of the famous Teunis 332, which makes it easy to see where she gets her size, her long neck and her great presence. She is the gentle giant.
Geartsje was presented for the second year in a row for 1st Premium Ster Mare. She had first received this title in Holland in 2005 but now will have papers showing this 1st Premium Ster status again for 2006, but now in the US. Geartsje was also awarded Champion Mare for the Keuring. Owner Robert Labrie believes that Geartsje exhibits true Model potential. Geartsje’s sire is Onne 376 (Lute 304).
The mare, Laurenke, won her Ster and Reserve Champion. Laurenke is only a three-year-old mare out of Folkert 353 (Olof 315). The judges commented during the evaluation on her exceptional walk.
Two geldings, Alfons and Diederik, won their Sters, with Diederik taking Reserve Champion Gelding. These two geldings currently are trained in driving as a pair and pull our elegant wedding carriages.
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.
For more information, visit the Friesians of Majesty website:
www.friesiansofmajesty.com or call 802.365.7526