2009 Rolex World Cup Dressage Finals Champions - American Duo Steffen Peters & Ravel

It was one of the most exciting weekends ever!  To be in the audience with my very good friends, Elaine Palance & Shannon Lockwood at the first World Cup ever held on American soil was wonderful, but to then watch US rider Steffen Peters and Ravel win both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle was phenomenal!   By doing so, they became the first American dressage duo to win the Grand Prix class and make a clean sweep of the World Cup title!  Needless to say, the crowd (including us!) went crazy!

The day before had been invited by special invitation (Elaine knows everybody and everybody LOVES her!) to attend a very special “get together,” with some of the World Cup Dressage Riders.  We gathered in a small section of the upper level at the Thomas & Mack arena with other eager dressage fans and awaited the arrival of Olympic and World Games riders such as Debbie McDonald, Steffen Peters, Isabell Werth, Jan Brink and Charlotte Brendal-Baker.   It was certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and chat with these most respected and accomplished individuals.  We sat and chatted with Debbie McDonald, who was there to retire her beloved mare, Brentina and with Jan Brink, also there to retire his champion stallion, Briar.  Both were emotional, yet looking forward to the next chapter in their lives as they spoke about their amazing experiences and partnerships with their respective champion horses.  I was able to get a few photos with these exceptional riders that I have included below.  I will remember that day for the rest of my life and am so grateful to Elaine for making me a part this amazing weekend!

Oh My! Hanging with Debbie McDonald!

Brentina's Farewell - Very emotional for everyone in that arena!

Chatting with Jan Brink! Wow!

Spending a few minutes chatting with the gracious and talented Charlotte Brindal-Baker

Nicole & Eeltsje - Our WEF Champions!

WOW!  WHAT AN HONOR!  We are so very proud and excited to have been chosen as one of 4 USA FPS Friesian Stallions and 4 Dutch FPS Friesian Stallions (from Holland) that will make up the Friesian Stallion team and will represent our magnificent Friesian breed in the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 World Equestrian Games!  The Friesian Stallion Team will be performing a routine known as the “Friesian Train,” which will highlight the gentle temperament of the breed as well as all of the classical dressage movements including upper level movements such as the piaffe and passage.

The WEG opening Ceremony will be held on September 25, 2010 at the newly constructed and renovated Kentucky Horse Park.  The WEG has always been held outside of the U.S., so we are equally excited to participate in the first ever USA held WEG!  The Opening Ceremony, as well as most of the events, will be telecast world-wide.  Please keep an eye out for when it will air in your location…we don’t know if it will be shown live or not at this point.

Check back to the WEF News page for updates!  We will let you know as we get more details!  And please check out the videos of Eeltsje and Nicole competing and attending the 2008 USDF Convention Symposium featurting Kyra Kyrklund.

Hugs to all!

Paula

ECHO - Workin' It!!

2009 FPZV USA “Champion Colt” of North America – Echo van de Pluum WEF

(Aswyn van de Pluum/Preferent Elite x Rozalinda, Star Model)

The 2009 FPZV USA Keuring results have just been released and our colt, Echo van de Pluum WEF has been chosen the “Champion Colt” for North America!   We knew Echo was something very special indeed and it is wonderful to see how excited his new owners, Jean and Mike Spires of Erie, Pennsylvania were when they received the fabulous news!  They told me they called everyone they knew to tell them the wonderful news!  Echo has found ” horse heaven on earth” with Mike and Jean and we are so happy for all of them!  :-)

For Wyning Edge, we have now bred the FPZV USA “Champion Colt” of North America for THREE consecutive years running (2007, 2008, 2009), as well as the 2007 FPZV USA “Champion Yearling Filly” of North America!  We take such satisfaction in seeing the goals of our Preferent Elite breeding program realized!  Each of these colts was sired by our magnificent Preferent Elite stallion, Aswyn van de Pluum, out of three distinctly different, yet highly awarded Friesian mares (see below).  Our Champion filly, Tzara de Pluum WEF was sired by Wyn de Pluum WEF, our of Zabrina fan Veldbos, Star, Model.  With Aswyn’s (and Rixt’s) sad passing last September, we are fortunate to possess a limited quantity of his frozen semen which we will utilize over the next decade with the intent of carrying on his incredible lineage!  May Aswyn & Rixt’s unrivaled influence continue to carry forward through their outstanding son, our World Champion and FPZV Approved Breeding Stallion, Wyn de Pluum v.V.

Mike, Echo & Jean

___________________________________________________________________________

2008 FPZV USA “Champion Colt” of North America – Aidan van de Pluum WEF

(Aswyn van de Pluum/Preferent Elite x Zabrina fan Veldbos, Star Model)

________________________________________________________________________________

2007 FPZV USA “Champion Colt” of North America – Zuum van de Pluum WEF

(Aswyn van de Pluum/Preferent Elite x Rixt H., Preferent Elite, Star)

____________________________________________________________________

Tzara - Just Beautiful!

2007 FPZV USA “Champion Yearling Filly” of North America – Tzara de Pluum WEF

(Wyn de Pluum v.V. x Zabrina fan Veldbos, Star Model)

ASWYN van de PLUUM in his prime

I have tried to write this since my beloved Aswyn van de Pluum passed on from the complications of old age in September, but I simply thad not been able to find adequate words to express the loss of such a magnificent horse and such a kind, sweet and loving friend until now.  I take comfort in knowing that his life was filled with the love of so many all around the world and that he left so many of us with the gift of a son or a daughter to carry on his shining light.  To have spent the last years of his life with me was the greatest gift he could have ever given me…and I like to think he thought so too.

Aswyn lived to an amazing 28 1/2 years of age and he truly was a King among his breed!  I have never before experienced a horse with such regal presence.  At first, he just took my breath away with his masculine beauty and his powerful, yet graceful movement, then he looked at me with the kindest and wisest of eyes…and I was a goner!  It was as if he fully understood the effect he had on mere mortals, yet he would never take advantage of that power.  He was just so incredibly gentle and kind…and I will miss his nuzzles so very much.

Aswyn van de Pluum was foaled in the Netherlands on May 10, 1981. From there he was exported to Germany where he was registered and approved as a breeding stallion in 1987 by a joint KFPS Dutch and FPZV German Approval Committee after he completed and passed the 50-day Stallion Performance Test.  

He was the Stallion Performance Test Champion in 1987. Aswyn van de Pluum holds the distinction of being the only jointly approved KFPS & FPZV Friesian breeding stallion in the history of both Dutch & German registries.

Aswyn has a record of over 170 duly registered, premium offspring (KFPS + FPZV).

Aswyn at 23 years of age

In 1989, Aswyn sired the FPZV Champion Friesian Colt and Filly in Germany and continued his success as a breeding sire in 1993, 1994, 1999, and 2000 by siring the FPZV Champion Friesian Colt in North America. Two of his sons, in October of 1997, successfully completed the 50-day Stallion Performance Test (conformation, performance, and temperament) for approval as breeding stallions. Son “Foster v.V.” achieved his approval here in the US and his son “Woodstock” in Germany. 
Years 2000, 2001 and 2003, found three of his sons passing the “Stallion Keuring” for approval, and two 3 year old Aswyn daughters received ‘Prel. Star’ status. 

And in January 2002, Aswyn’s 7 year old daughter ‘Josephine de Mona’ passed the MPT and received the prestigious title ‘Model Mare.’ 
Aswyn’s sons ‘Van de Pluum’ and ‘Romeo de Rosa’ completed and successfully passed the 50-day Stallion Performance Test in March 2003 for approval as breeding stallions. And in 2004, WEF’s own ‘Wyn de Pluum v.V.‘ received approved Stallion status. Also in 2004, two of Aswyn’s daughters received Star status and in 2007 another received Model status. 

Upon his passing, Aswyn van de Pluum has sired five FPZV approved breeding Stallions! Rightfully, he was awarded the prestigious ‘Preferent Stallion’ status in March 2003 and was entered into the ‘Elite’ Stallion book. He has also received the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his outstanding Progeny Record.

Aswyn van de Pluum’s contribution to the Friesian breed has been one of tremendous influence and we are very proud to have had him as the honorable patriarch of WEF.  That mantle now passes to is splendid son, Wyn de Pluum v.V.  I only hope I have the same privilege of spending the rest of my life with him by my side.

Aswyn was laid to rest under his favorite Oak tree after spending some time nuzzling and loving two of our mares, Rozalinda and Holly.  He passed peacefully and with mercy.  He will be missed every single day by those of us that were lucky enough to have lived to serve him and may every single one of you that own a magnificent Friesian know the tremendous bond, love and joy that we experienced with our beloved, Aswyn van de Pluum.

Aswyn frolicking in 2006!

My handsome Aswyn, on his 28th Birthday

Aswyn at 25...

Nicole Glusenkamp knows how to get the most out of her mount between the letters.

Almost everything about Eeltsje F is unusual in the dressage world. His mane is long, his legs are unclipped, and his heavy frame makes him look more suited to carry a knight in shining armor than a rider clad in top hat and tails.
But Eeltsje F has proven that despite all these things, he belongs between the letters, and a clean sweep of the Intermediaire I classes at Dressage In The Rockies, held July 31-Aug. 2 in Parker, Colo., was a big step for the Friesian stallion.

“If every Friesian felt like this one, it’d be the only breed I would ride,” said trainer Nicole Glusenkamp, who rode “Bob” to scores of 68.94, 70.26 and 71.05 percent. “I don’t have a horse in training that is so willing to work like he does. I really think he’s very talented, but I also think he’s an exception of his breed.”

Glusenkamp, Parker, Colo., has been riding the 8-year-old since he was imported in 2005 by owner Paula Marsh of Wyning Edge Friesians in Boerne, Texas, and she’s developed a unique strategy to keep the stallion working at his best.

“The biggest issue with a lot of Friesians is that they don’t have a lot of stamina,” said Glusenkamp. “You have to do everything in a short amount of time because they get too hot and overheat. When they lose their stamina they can also get quite heavy and can become very stubborn. When Bob gets to a point where he can’t or doesn’t want to do it anymore because he’s too tired, he’ll just stop. He’ll stand there and go, ‘Just do it yourself.’ ”

In order to keep Bob from overheating during training sessions, Glusenkamp, 37, will often hose him before she rides to keep his body temperature down. She also rides him early in the morning and keeps a bucket of water mixed with alcohol near the ring so she can sponge him off during her rides.

“When I have a training session where he needs to learn something new and it may take [awhile], I keep him as cool as I can,” she said. “I try to keep my warm-ups short at shows and keep him in the shade. We also try to keep ice handy.”

Even when he’s kept at optimal temperature, Bob has plenty of other physical challenges. Glusenkamp said lateral work is particularly difficult for him because he’s short-backed and needs a lot of work bending through his body.

“The trot work is very impressive, but they like to be a little more out behind, so it’s hard for him to really come together,” Glusenkamp said. “I do a lot of hill work—going up and down hills on the bit and on a long rein and keeping him marching to increase his strength behind. His best movement is his canter. He likes it, and it’s very easy for him.”

Bob has started schooling the Grand Prix movements, and Glusenkamp hopes the piaffe and passage will also increase his strength and way of going. She’s looking to debut him at Intermediaire II next year and eventually move up to Grand Prix.

In addition to his dressage career, Bob is also an active breeding stallion who’s first foals should hit the ground in 2010.

“He’s quite a busy guy,” said Glusenkamp with a laugh. “I’m very happy that he takes everything [in stride]. He really is one of the easiest stallions I’ve ever dealt with. He knows when it’s his job to breed, and he knows when he’s not allowed to. It’s really fun to be with him.”

Originally from Germany, Glusenkamp moved to the United States in 2000 and has been working for Sharon and Grant Schneidman ever since.

“I grew up in the city, in Northern Germany, about 30 miles away from Oldenburg,” said Glusenkamp. “In my early teens my parents decided that they wanted to live out in the country. The neighbor had horses, and as a teenager I needed extra money, so I began working for him.”

Glusenkamp spent most of her career in Germany working in the breeding industry. She broke and trained many young horses for keurings and 100-day tests before she met Sharon and relocated to the United States.

“There’s just a point where you decide you’re too old and tired of getting bucked off all the time,” Glusenkamp said, laughing. “Sharon pretty much imported me.”

As many of you may know, we were not allowed to compete in the 2009 Developing Horse Championships due to a rule change disallowing foreign riders and since our beautiful Nicole is German, we were ruled ineligible.  It was such a disappointment for us, but that only meant we would have to make our mark at the FEI Levels of Open Dressage competition this year and do our best to qualify for the USDF Regional Championships…and as you can see, OUR DUO IS KICKING BUTT!

They began this season competing at Prix St. Georges level and they were FEI high score all three days!  Even beating out an ex-Grand Prix horse that used to belong to 2009 World Cup Dressage Champion, Steffan Peters with a score of 73.1%!  Bob was just Amazing.  He is qualified for the USDF Regional Champs at PSG.  At this rate he will be really high in the national PSG standings, for all horses, not just Friesians!

After that competition, Nicole and Bob moved up to Intermediare I and per Nicole, Bob has been the Star of every show!  Their last show was Dressage in the Rockies with 3 first places over three competition days.  The first day was 68.9%, second day 70% and the third and final day, 71%.  They just get better and better!

Needless to say, we are so very proud of our dynamic duo and please follow both Wyning Edge Friesians and Westmanton Stables on Facebook!

Hugs to all our supporters – we are most grateful to every single one of you for your support and encouragement!

Paula

RIXT H. began her life in Holland as a KFPS First Premium Friesian mare. After her importation into the U.S. by Evelyn Vollmer, Rixt was re-registered into the FPZV Registry (Friesenpferde Zuchtverband e.V.) where she eventually achieved the status of the only Preferent/Elite Friesian mare. She completed and passed the Mare Performance Testing (Dressage Under Saddle and Driving in Harness) in 2000, receiving the status of “Star” and in 2004, she was awarded FPZV Premium Mare status.

In 2005, Rixt H. was presented the title of “Breeding Performance Mare” by the FN (Federation National) and also received her prestigious FPZV ‘Preferent/Elite’ status based upon her High Premium Foal Record.

Over the last ten years or so, Rixt has been bred exclusively to our FPZV Preferent/Elite Friesian stallion, Aswyn van de Pluum. Every young stallion the pair has produced that has competed in the FPZV Stallion Performance Testing has gone on to achieve the coveted FPZV Approved Breeding Status and 99% of her female offspring have received Star or Model status. Their achievements and contributions to the breed have been unsurpassed. Rixt H. was truly a once in a lifetime mare…especially when bred to her one and only Preferent/Elite stallion, Aswyn van de Pluum.

Rixt will be so missed by us and we are so proud to have been given the gift of caring for her in her later years. She was a dedicated and loving mother giving each of her foals a most spectacular start in life. We will miss watching her frolic with her precious foals in the pasture, groom and love her fellow mares and lastly of course, asking so sweetly for her cookies.

RIXT, OUR BEAUTIFUL GIRL,
YOU WILL FOREVER LIVE IN SO MANY HEARTS…

As the competition progressed, Nicole and Eeltsje continued to move up in the rankings. Despite soaring temperatures and high humidity during Saturday’s afternoon ride, they placed 11th. “You know, it’s hard for a big black horse of this size and age to compete in temperatures and humidity like this, especially at the higher levels with this degree of difficulty. In Colorado, we don’t get days like this so he’s not used to it at all. Me either for that matter!” stated Nicole. “He is so willing though, that no matter the conditions, he gives me all he has. I just love this horse!”
Nicole had no idea how much her statement would be put to the test the following day for the Championship finals when the remains of Hurricane Ike blew into the area. The morning began with a nice cooling breeze that by lunchtime had turned into a roaring windstorm. Soon winds were gusting in excess of 50 mph, branches were breaking, tents and tablecloths flapping without mercy and the Kentucky Horse Park lost all power…yet the show went on.
“I couldn’t believe how well these young horses and their riders performed with howling winds, chairs blowing over, debris flying into the rings and then the rings themselves blowing in at their feet! It was very impressive and they should all be very proud of making it through that! I couldn’t imagine riding, much less competing with all of that going on! Very scary!” says Paula.
Nicole and Eeltsje were the second to last to compete and by that time, the storm was at its zenith. During the warm-up, one spectator yelled to Nicole not to get blown over, at which she replied with a laugh “Us, you’ve got to be kidding, we’re too heavy!” At one point during their ride, the stand holding the letter E blew over into the ring just as they came to it, but with just a little jog over and around, Eeltsje kept his head into the wind and forged on. Their composure and resolve under very difficult circumstances yielded a well-earned 10th place finish in the Championship final and Paula states fondly, “To see Nicole and Bob work so hard to reach this goal and to then have them place 10th in the Nation at the FEI Prix St. Georges level is deeply rewarding for us all.”
When asked about what they would take away from this year’s competition, Paula remarked, “Each year we are here, we see how much the quality of the program has improved, from the horses and riders to the event itself. The generous sponsors, Martel, Dutta and PSI offer us an opportunity to come together in an environment of positive support and allows us not only to compete against one another, but to compare, learn and re-evaluate. To have our horse compete alongside Olympians and World Equestrian Games Champions is truly exciting for us and quite an achievement. Plus, it’s really fun seeing everyone again and we have a great time! I hope we are lucky enough to make it again next year!

You can contact Eeltsje’s owner, Paula Marsh at wefriesians@msn.com

And of course, we must express our sincerest appreciation to Grant & Sharon Schneidman of Westmanton Stables for their dedication to excellence in competition and for the genuine love and care they give Wyn every day in our stead. We are so very grateful to you both… However, as wonderful as this achievement is, Wyn’s greatest achievement thus far has been the birth of his first two foals this spring (photos attached too!) A little filly and a little colt…needless to say, we have fallen in love! And of course, Holly and Zabrina, their loving and gentle mommies, must be given at least half of that credit too…

So, in closing, to every single one of you out there that encourage, support and help us each and every time we meet or chat, your confidence and support are priceless – THANK YOU!