2010 & 2011 United States
Equestrian Federation (USEF) #2 Leading Owner
2010 & 2011 United States
Equestrian Federation (USEF) #3 Leading Breeder
We have
sold horses to Norway, Honduras, Canada, Belgium, Mexico, South
Africa, Europe, China, France & throughout the USA including Hawaii.
We hope to continue to bless people across the USA and
Internationally through these magnificent creatures!
Home of
Multiple World and National Champion Horses
Sjoerd’s year on the National circuit was one of
insurmountable success. Xena Vimercati’s stallion won and won and
won. He transcended divisions, riders and classes. Anyone lining up
against the striking jet black Friesian knew that to try to beat him
they better bring their A game.
He was honored for his conformation and presence in the ring and
with his panache and personality he garnered fans everywhere he
went. He was undefeated in 2011 in the Halter division.
Sjoerd was named World or Grand National Champion 14 times in 2011.
He also added four World/Grand National Reserve Champion titles to
his list.
At just six years of age, Sjoerd is beginning to build a dynasty.
He won back-to-back Shakespeare Perpetual Hi-Point Friesian Trophies
and Jeff Wonnell Memorial Versatility Silver Belt Buckles continuing
a streak that began in 2010. He also scored the Robin ut de Warren
Memorial Perpetual Trophy, World Champion Saddle Seat Open, 19
Regional titles and 5 Reserve Championships. He won with 10
different people in 2011, demonstrating his versatility and trust.
He won across the country, picking up championships in California,
Colorado and Virginia. He won with multiple riders across divisions
at the same show, exemplifying his ability to adapt to different
styles of riding in the different classes he contested. He won
Equitation, Dressage, Liberty, Walk/Trot, English Pleasure, Trail,
Hunt Seat Pleasure, Saddle Seat, Western Pleasure, Junior and
Amateur Classes.
As a sire, he is already beginning to prove his mettle. He is the
sire of TDR Zivah the Diva
who was the 2011 USEF Grand National Champion Part-bred Friesian. In
2010 and 2011 she was the Grand National Part-bred Halter Champion.
Sjoerd’s foals, although only yearlings and weanlings, are
consistently winning top honors in the show ring. They carry his
looks and his talent with them.
Sjoerd's USEF Horse Of The Year tribute
video created by the USEF with the voice over done by Doug Shane
Typically we keep any new or press releases on Sjoerd on his "Sjoerd
In The News Page." However, this Feb 2012 issue of the
California Horsetrader (www.horsetrader.com)was just too incredible an experience to not share here on Sjoerd's
main page. We had NO idea Sjoerd was going to grace the cover of this
magazine. We are extremely thankful and grateful to the California
Horsetrader for giving us the opportunity to share Sjoerd's story. See
below for the exceptional article!
This amazing
article was done by Warren Wilson of the
California Horsetrader. I am very touched and honored he chose
to do this article on Sjoerd and our family!
Click the page to
view it enlarged or read the entire article below.
Sjoerd’s
Journey
Charismatic Friesian stallion wins USEF top horse honor - and
hearts, too
From Horsetrader staff
reports - February 2nd, 2012 - Cover Story, Show & Event News
MURRIETA – When Xena Vimercati heard her horse’s name called as
Horse of the Year at the USEF awards banquet Jan. 13, emotions came
more quickly than words. 2011 had been a remarkable journey with
Sjoerd.
The 6-year-old Friesian stallion won the honor after being named
World or Grand National Champion 14 times last year and reserve four
times. His trust and versatility shined through, taking wins with 11
different exhibitors in different disciplines, including equitation,
dressage, liberty, walk/trot, English pleasure, trail, hunt seat,
saddle seat, Western pleasure, junior and amateur classes.
“I was stunned,” said Vimercati, who purchased Sjoerd in 2007 not
for the show ring, but for her Three Day Ranch breeding program as a
cross with Arabians for sport horses. “I never thought I was going
to win.”
Sjoerd’s story, populated now with unparalleled, back-to-back
Shakespeare Perpetual Hi-Point Friesian Trophies, is rooted in the
passion and determination of his owner. Virmacati, 39, had been
studying potential crosses to Arabian mares when she encountered a
video and photos of the imported Sjoerd as a young colt late in
2006.
Her 20 years of breeding Arabians left her with the belief that
Arab-Saddlebred crosses would not be optimal for sport horses, and
she was drawn to the Friesian. After breeding her mares to
different Friesian stallions, she knew traits she was after – not
too long in the back, strong hip, with more of an upright headset .
When she spotted Sjoerd, she had to have him — even when others
weren’t so sure.
“I had made a big deal about getting this horse,” she recalls. “So
in March he arrives and when we go to unload him from the trailer,
everyone looked at me when he stepped off and said , ‘What did you
do?’. I said `just wait…just wait!”
Five months later, she decided to take him to Burbank for a Regional
event at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, and they returned home
with the 2-year-old Colt Championship – unanimous under three
judges. Then a recommendation reached Vimercati that she take him to
Missouri for the World Championship Show. She did, and in three
classes, he took a Championship and two Reserves.
“When I bought him, I had no intentions for showing on the Friesian
circuit,” Vimercati says. “I wanted to breed him.”
From that first time the yearling Sjoerd stepped from the trailer
onto her ranch to last October, when he stepped off as a
record-setting World Champion, came a series of obstacles and
triumphs for Vimercati and her daughters, Tynan Morley, 16, and
Anaiah Richter, 12, that are as remarkable as the horse himself.
The greatest setback came the day after Vimercati flew home from St.
Louis, his first World Championship in hand. In an accident she
calls both freakish and “not the horse’s fault,” Vimercati was
riding her well broke mare in a round pen when her toe, caught on a
crossrail, caused her leg to whip around, snapping her right leg.
The force fractured her tibia and tore all three major ligaments.
Nerve damage was so extensive that surgical repair of the ligaments
was postponed until there was evidence of nerve function in her leg.
“I went from my highest high I could ever imagine,” says Vimercati.
“This horse I was told was a mistake goes unanimous World Champion
2-year-old, and I fly home, snap my leg behind me and am told I
would probably never walk again.”
The peak-to-valley turn of events proved transformational. Tynan and
Anaiah, both homeschooled through Julian Charter School, stepped up
their roles with the ranch and family as Vimercati convalesced,
confined to a wheel chair for months. Mom, the trainer, would not
return to the saddle for more than a year.
In her place, Tynan, who at age 12 had ridden well but had not so
much as lunged a horse, was tutored and then assumed the trainer’s
role while mom observed from a deck in a wheelchair.
“I have told people that if I had to give up my leg for the
incredible changes that took place in my children, I would do it in
a heartbeat,” says Vimercati, who eventually worked her leg back
into form for riding and handling halter horses. “I had done all the
training — they’d wheel me out on the deck, and I talked her through
– how to lunge a horse, saddle, bridle, all of it. She started
working all 15 of our horses, 2-year olds, 3-year olds…all of them.”
“It was amazing,” she adds. “The only thing I can tell you about my
life is that God has completely blessed me and brought me through
everything to this point. There is no way this is of me or of my
doing or of my own volition or that I deserve this. This is totally
a blessing from God. Every person, every event her put into my life,
every opportunity – good and bad – taught me something and it was
never just about me. He brought my kids along.”
Far from over, Sjoerd’s journey this year will include another drive
to win a third consecutive Shakespeare Hi-Point Friesian honor.
Tynan and Anaiah have their streaks to maintain, too: Tynan is the
IFSHA No. 1 Junior Rider the last two years and Anaiah was Reserve
last year.
Friesian ‘Sjoerd’ is USEF Horse
of the Year!
From the Newstrader - January 19th, 2012 -Newstrader
CINCINNATI, Ohio — For the first time, the United States Equestrian
Federation crowned two horses with its highest honor, one from an
International Discipline and one from a National Discipline. Neville
Bardos and Sjoerd were named 2011 Horses of the Year at the Jan. 13
USEF annual Horse of the Year celebration. Honored for their
accomplishments in 2011 their roads through the last 12 months,
while both exceptional, have been very different.
Sjoerd’s year on the National circuit was one of insurmountable
success. Xena Vimercati’s stallion won and won and won. He
transcended divisions, riders and classes. Anyone lining up against
the striking jet black Friesian knew that to try to beat him they
better bring their A game.
He
was honored for his conformation and presence in the ring and with
his panache and personality he garnered fans everywhere he went. He
was undefeated in 2011 in the Halter division.
Sjoerd was named World or Grand National Champion 14 times in 2011.
He also added four World/Grand National Reserve Champion titles to
his list.
At
just six years of age, Sjoerd is beginning to build a dynasty.
He
won back-to-back Shakespeare Perpetual Hi-Point Friesian Trophies
and Jeff Wonnell Memorial Versatility Silver Belt Buckles continuing
a streak that began in 2010. He also scored the Robin ut de Warren
Memorial Perpetual Trophy, World Champion Saddle Seat Open, 19
Regional titles and 5 Reserve Championships. He won with 10
different people in 2011, demonstrating his versatility and trust.
He won across the country, picking up championships in California,
Colorado and Virginia. He won with multiple riders across divisions
at the same show, exemplifying his ability to adapt to different
styles of riding in the different classes he contested. He won
Equitation, Dressage, Liberty, Walk/Trot, English Pleasure, Trail,
Hunt Seat Pleasure, Saddle Seat, Western Pleasure, Junior and
Amateur Classes.
As a
sire, he is already beginning to prove his mettle. He is the sire of
TDR Zivah the Diva who was the 2011 USEF Grand National Champion
Part-bred Friesian. In 2010 and 2011 she was the Grand National
Part-bred Halter Champion. Sjoerd’s foals, although only yearlings
and weanlings, are consistently winning top honors in the show ring.
They carry his looks and his talent with them.
USEF Announces the 2011 USEF Horse of the Year
Candidates; Voting Is Now Open!
RELEASE: December 15, 2011
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: USEF Communications Department
Lexington, KY-
To reach the highest level of excellence in equestrian sport takes
talent, perseverance, a tremendous spirit and often, unwavering
courage. In 2011, six horses have shown the world those qualities
and more. And on January 13, the United States Equestrian Federation
(USEF) will bestow two of them with
the prestigious title of Horse
of the Year, the highest honor the USEF awards a horse. This year -
a change from years past - both a national and international horse
will win.
The six champions have earned their place on the elite list as USEF
Horses of Honor, and each will be recognized at the USEF Horse of
the Year Awards gala and dinner in January 2012 - part of the USEF Annual
Meeting - at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza in Cincinnati,
OH.
It will be up to you to choose the two special horses, selecting
from a range of talents and from across the Federation's breeds and
disciplines. Your vote will help determine the champions that join
the pantheon of past winners including reining horse Gunners Special
Nite (2010); dressage horse Ravel (2009); driving horse Jamaica
(2008); eventer Theodore O'Connor (2007); show jumper Authentic
(2006); and dressage horse Brentina (2005).
The 2011 National Horses of Honor are:
Sjoerd
(Tsjalke 397 x Anne G)
2005 Friesian Stallion
Owner: Xena Vimercati
Sjoerd (Rick Osteen photo)
In the Friesian breed, there are few horses that can boast as
impressive a track record as Sjoerd. In his young six years, the
stallion has amassed 38 Lifetime World/Grand Champion National
Champion titles and has earned more career points than any other
Friesian in the history of the International Friesian Show Horse
Association (IFSHA). It comes as no surprise that Sjoerd is the only
one of his breed to have twice been named the United States
Equestrian Federation's (USEF) Friesian Horse of the Year.
In 2011, Sjoerd earned 14 World/Grand National Champion titles and
four World/Grand National Reserve honors. In addition, the stallion
was undefeated for the year in halter. While his first foal crops
are only yearlings and weanlings, they are winning top honors in the
show arena, demonstrating Sjoerd's strength as a breeding stallion
as well.
Starr Llight (Reign On x Charm Eta)
1996 Arabian Mare
Owner: Leah Beth Boyd
Starr Llight (Mike Ferrara photo provided by Leah Beth Boyd)
"Dynamic and a Diva" are the perfect words to describe this
15-year-old mare. With the young Leah Beth Boyd in the stirrups
Starr Llight ended up on top after the ride-off for the prestigious
Open Purebred English Pleasure title on Saturday night at the 2011
Arabian National Championships. In doing so, the mare became the
most winning Purebred English Pleasure mare of all time and only the
second mare since 1988 to win the prestigious title. At age 15, she
was also the oldest mare, and second oldest horse overall, ever to
garner the coveted award.
Purchased by her young owner in 1999 from a dispersal sale, this
mare has gone on to win 11 National or Reserve Championship titles.
The pair is the only Arabian horse/rider team to ever win a National
Championship in the Junior exhibitor, the Amateur exhibitor, and the
Open division.
CHThe Daily Lottery (Sultan's Great Day x Callaway's Lady Lottery)
2004 American Saddlebred Gelding
Owner: High Hickory Farm
CHThe Daily Lottery (Brooke Jacobs photo provided by High
Hickory Farm)
When it comes to the Five-Gaited division for Saddlebreds, CH The
Daily Lottery was a jackpot payout in 2011 with an undefeated record
among amateur competitors. From the string of Grand Champion titles
at the UPHA/American Royal, Kentucky Fall Classic, Midwest Charity
Horse Show, Bonnie Blue National, and the Kentucky State Fair
World's Championship Horse Show, this impressive chestnut gelding
dominated the scene like no other.
In fact, this has been the case well beyond this year's competition
calendar, as the 7-year-old has long been outperforming his
competition in the show ring with his rider, Gabe Deknatel. Trained
by John and Tammie Conatser, CHThe Daily Lottery is handsome, fast,
beautifully big motioned - and seemingly invincible.
The 2011 International Horses of Honor are:
Coral Reef Via Volo (Shannon Brinkman photo)
Coral Reef Via Volo (Clinton x Run Away)
1998 Belgian Warmblood Mare
Owner: Coral Reef Ranch
Though small in stature (15.3h) and nicknamed "Shrimp," Coral Reef
Via Volo is a giant when it comes to jumping. With Beezie Madden,
she topped the Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List for much of the
2011 competition year, and went on to impress the world at the Pan
American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. She led Team USA's Gold-medal
effort, which also secured 2012 Olympic qualification. She added
only one time fault through five rounds of jumping and won
Individual Silver to back up the Team Gold.
In 2011 Via Volo and Madden racked up numerous wins across the
globe. They were on the winning team in the Nations Cup at the
CSIO4* Wellington. They won the D-LINE Cup 1.60m Spruce Meadows, and
the Longines International Grand Prix of Rotterdam (CHIO). Having
won their first competition together only a year ago, this new
partnership has proved an incredible one so far.
Neville Bardos (Mahayaa x Zambia)
1999 Australian Thoroughbred Gelding
Owner: Neville Bardos Syndicate
Neville Bardos (StockImageServices.com)
2011 marked a year of tragedy for eventing rider Boyd Martin. He
lost six horses in a horrific barn fire on Memorial Day but was able
to save five. One of those saved was Neville Bardos. The failed
Australian racehorse was trapped in the fire for nearly 45 minutes
before Martin was able to pull him out. Neville suffered burns and
severe smoke inhalation that required extensive rehabilitation. The
prognosis was grim, but he fought through it and defied every odd.
He made a miraculous recovery to return to competition two months
later. Martin lost his father and father-in-law over the summer and
he set a big goal for Neville to try to get him through the tragedy.
Neville and Martin went on to not only compete in the CCI4* at the
Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials - but they placed seventh out of 81
entries in September. He jumped only one of nine double-clear
cross-country rounds over arguably the world's toughest
cross-country track.
Weltino's Magic (Weltino x Diva)
2002 Westphalian Gelding
Owner: Dr. Jen Hlavacek
Weltino's Magic and Steffen Peters were undefeated in 2011, winning
at the Intermediaire I level at the Festival of the Horse CDI and
the Del Mar
Weltino's Magic (Shannon Brinkman photo)
National CDI in
California before heading to CHIO Aachen and taking on the best
small tour horses in the world. They continued their unbeaten streak
in Aachen, Germany, and then returned home to sweep all three tests
in the USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championships at the
2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions in September
to earn their spot on the U.S. Team for the Pan American Games.
They set a remarkably high standard at the Pan American Games and
brought home Team and Individual Gold medals. 'Magic's' character
comes through in his performance and he has evolved into a top
contender. Started by Peters' wife, Shannon, together they were the
reserve champions in the Markel/USEF National Young in the
Six-Year-Old division. Peters took the reins in 2009.
Special to the Horsetrader - November
3rd, 2011 -Show
& Event News
Sjoerd being shown by Tynan Morley
LEXINGTON, Va. — Xena Vimercati, from the
Three Day Ranch in Murrieta competed at the International
Friesian Show Horse Association World and Grand National
Championships, held Oct. 5-9 at the Virginia Horse Park.
Sjoerd, who at age 6 has amassed a remarkable
38 World and Grand National Champion lifetime titles, now
has more career points than any other Friesian in IFSHA
history. This year, he won championships in 11 different
disciplines.
At Three Day Ranch, showing is a family
affair. Xena’s daughters, Anaiah and Tynan, each showed a
filly at the championships and showed Sjoerd in several of
his events as well. Anaiah’s filly,
TDR A Diva By Design by
Sjoerd, took home 2 World and National championships and one
Reserve. Not to be outdone, Tynan’s yearling filly, the
part-bred Friesian
TDR Zivah The Diva, also by Sjoerd, won
four World/National championships and two Reserve
championships while often competing against fully mature
adult part-breds.
Apart from
the more than 20 World/National Championship and Reserve
titles achieved by the Three Day Ranch, Vimercati also took
home the Shakespeare Perpetual Hi-Point Friesian Trophy and
the Jeff Wonnell Memorial Versatility Silver Belt Buckle,
both for the second year in a row.
Horse Digest - January 2011
This Press
Release was done by the International Friesian Horse
Association - IFSHA, December 2010. In this article you will
read about Sjoerd's daughter TDR Zivah The Diva as well as
Sjoerd. The last photo in this section if of Xena with
Sjoerd showing in hand at the World Championships. This
article also has a section dedicated to Sjoerd for being the
High Point Friesian of the 2010 IFSHA World/National
Championships, a huge honor! There is another photo of
Sjoerd in that section of the article as well of him
receiving his Jeff Wonnell Versatility Memorial silver belt
buckle.
IFSHA
News
December 2010
2010 IFSHA World and Grand National
Championship Horse Show, October 13-17
Del Mar Arena Equestrian Complex, San Diego,
CA, USA
A
record number of over one hundred and fifty
horses participated in over 200 Championship
classes and exhibitions over five glorious days
of near perfect Southern California weather.
Friesian horses from all over North America,
Canada and Mexico came together for a great
horse show with an even greater cause, as this
year, the event was run as a fundraiser for the
Rick Roberts' Warrior Foundation. The Warrior
Foundation is a Non-profit organization that
supports multiple projects to help injured and
disabled military heroes, our soldiers who have
bravely served and sacrificed in defense of our
country. It seems quite fitting that a show
celebrating the War Horse of Old could help
raise in excess of $20,000 dollars for our young
warriors. This considerable amount of funds was
raised through the efforts of all our generous
sponsors and volunteers who worked very hard on
this year's show. A very special thanks
must go out to Rob and Tammy Hildreth without
whom the show and fundraising would have not
been such an overwhelming success.
California Horsetrader was the official
publication for the show and did anexceptional
job of promoting the show throughout the west
coast. Dressage started the show off on
Wednesday with Axel Steiner officiating. Many
great rides were performed and good scores
awarded. There were many memorable rides
including Seelchen Feibush at Prix St George
with Meinte, Karen Cornelius winning the USDF
Free Style with Pieter Franken's Jouke and all
the way from Canada the FEI Musical Freestyle
champion Alwyn and Chelsea Balcaen. Gwen Blake,
Kamila Dupont and Paige Ruhl were also among the
top scoring riders. Dr Walter de la Brosse
judged some very deep Dressage/Sport Horse In
Hand classes and quickly changed gears
officiating in the very popular Trail division.
The Part-bred Friesian division was beautifully
represented by a colorful group of quality
horses. A stand out this year was the Morgan
cross gelding, Beau who was shown to multiple
Championships by Lauren LaVine for Carol
Carfagno. Cassandra Adams showed several horses
to many Wins including Chip Davis' unforgettable
Storm Shadow and her own Aramis. Baskera Knight,
shown by Darcy Edwards for Tracy and Stan Owens
showed she has a bright future with several wins
and the beautiful mare Bijou owned and shown by
Dr Todd Browning followed her 2009 wins in St
Louis with some great victories in Del Mar.
It
was a young black and white weanling Saddlebred
cross filly that seemed to steal everyone's
hearts, including the Judges as the breathtaking
TDR Zivah The Diva won more than her share of
Tri Colors with Xena Vimercati. This filly's
sire Sjoerd is proving himself in the breeding
shed and the show ring in a big way this year
with countless wins in performance and halter.Tom
Demyon made many great victory passes over the
week and none more impressive than his wins with
Willem in Halter and the Saddle Seat Division
for owner Rena Bilodeau. Lance Bennett's entries
from Friesian Focus were on their game as we
have 2010 IFSHAWorld and Grand National
Championship Horse Show, October 13-17 at the
Del Mar Arena Equestrian Complex, San Diego, CA,
USA. come to expect from his exceptional string
of horses with many wins under saddle and in
harness, including impressive amateur victories
for Carson Kressley and Joan Fernandez.
Koreen Greenberg's
horses were exceptional as usual and her
beautiful smile was contagious as she watched
and won herself. Audrey Bostwick judged all the
Carriage Driving
events and pinned Koreen's Veteran Harem
Champion in the coveted C o n c o u r s
D'Elegance with friend Robin Woods-Wilhite at
the whip. Other carriage driving entries that
were a force to reckon with over the week were
ValerieDaidah who showed a variety of entries to
many wins and Chenoa Haluptzok with Abe Van Ypey
who thrilled us all in all her classes. IFSHA
was indeed fortunate to have a dream team of
USEF Judges to serve on this year's panel. Bill
Hughes, Richard Petty and Chris Bickford
completed the slate of judges with Shirley Nowak
as Steward and Doug Shane as Master of
Ceremonies. Tim Keeling made quite an impression
winning handily withseveral
Dressage Hack and Show Hack entries.
Barend Schuursma came all the way from the
Netherlands to ride and winseveral championships
for Janna and Ron Goldman's, Black Sterling
Friesians. Janna herself left the show
practically undefeated in several divisions (in
spite of a broken foot). Top Mid West and USEF
Breeder of the Year, Jo Lynne Shouse of Black
Dragon Farms brought her wonderful horses and
people all the way from Michigan with big wins
in all divisions from Dressage to Armored
Costume.
Bruce and Staci Griffin flew in from Virginia to
show a myriad of horses for clients with
excellent results and plenty of bounty for their
hard work and talent. Rachel Stokes is no
stranger to World titles but this year we
believe she set a record that will not easily be
beaten when she won the World Championship in
Hunt Seat Pleasure Open on Mariken for owners
Gary and Marilyn Lane just two weeks after
bringing her new little girl into the world!
Kassandra Sapia and her father Steven Young of
Friesian Thunder were a force to be reckoned
with in Show PleasureDriving
and Country English Pleasure divisions. A great
group of exhibition riders entertained the
crowds on Saturday evening with performances by
several breeds. Andalusians, Gypsy Cobs and
Mustangs brought a great variety of talent and
diversity that was much appreciated by the
spectators who packed the stands. At the end of
the last class it was announced that the show
will be moving east in 2011 to the excellent
facilities at the Virginia Horse Center in
Lexington, Virginia. IFSHA is already
planning the 2011 event and is anticipating a
great show next year!
For further information regarding the
International Friesian Show Horse Association,
please contact us in one of the following ways:
By mail: International Friesian Show Horse
Association PO Box 535 Santa Ynez, CA 93460
By phone:(805) 448-3027
2010 IFSHA World & Grand National Championships
- High Point Purebred of Show -
Sjoerd
Sjoerd is a 5-year-old Friesian
stallion sired by Tsjalke 397 and out of Anne G
(x Teunis 332), whom we imported from Holland as
a yearling. We picked Sjoerd out from a video of
several colts that were being imported and we
knew right then that Sjoerd was a very special
colt. He has never once disappointed us, not in
the show ring and not as a sire!
The 2010 IFSHA World/Grand
National Horse Show was an extraordinary show
not only for Sjoerd but also for his part-bred
foals, who were able to be there to represent
their sire in the show ring with great success.
This was a special show not only
for Sjoerd but for Xena, Kip and their girls
Tynan and Anaiah as well. Back in October 2007,
Sjoerd and Xena competed at the IFSHA
World/Grand National Championship Show in
Missouri. Sjoerd won unanimous World Champion
2-year-old In Hand Friesian Colt, followed by
two ReserveWorld
Championships in Stallions of All Ages ATH and
Baroque Stallions of All Ages, at just 2! We
were thrilled with Sjoerd's success.
The moment we arrived home from
MO, we drove directly to our horses. Xena got on
a horse that was reported to have a problem. In
a freak accident she snapped her right leg back
180 degrees from the knee down. This serious
injury tore three of the four major ligaments
that hold the lower leg onto the upper leg,
fracturing her tibia, leaving her leg hanging on
by a 1 1/2" ligament. The damage was so severe,
the surgeon's prognosis was that Xena will be
extremely lucky to regain any use of her right
leg at all; she most certainly will not run, and
she will not ride - never mind compete again.
Fast forward to October 2010 - 3
years of physical therapy, surgery, prayers,
determination and Xena, coupled with one
EXTRAORDINARY Friesian stallion named Sjoerd,
compete together once again at the 2010 World
Championships! They do not just compete, Sjoerd
wins a total of 10 World/Grand National
Championships and 7 Reserve World/National
Championships in a strong field of very talented
and beautiful Friesian horses! It is an absolute
honor to be competing alongside some of the top
Frisian horses and top riders/handlers in the
US, and an incredible blessing to be named
Champion among them!
Every class Xena and Sjoerd
competed in, every call to center ring for the
Championships roses, every ribbon and win photo
followed by the thrill of the victory pass...was
so deeply meaningful to Xena and her family, as
it was so much more than just the thrill of
victory; it was the thrill of overcoming and
beating all the odds; achieving it all with the
talented, sensitive and kind stallion Sjoerd as
her inspiration with her family and friends
supporting her along the way. Sjoerd's heart is
huge and although Xena's leg will never be
"normal", Sjoerd makes up for her inabilities by
always giving her 100% in every class - every
time, and he never waivers as he runs next to
her in hand, or to her in liberty, or carrying
her majestically under saddle.
Sjoerd did not only demonstrate
his talent in one division, he exhibited his
incredible versatility in a total of 5
disciplines with 4 riders, 2 of them junior
riders. This allowed Sjoerd to be the recipient
of the Jeff Wonnell Memorial Versatility Trophy,
which was awarded to the Purebred All-Around
High Point Friesian of the show. This was a very
special award not only due to the strict
criteria that Sjoerd had to meet to achieve this
award, but one of Sjoerd's riders, Tami Martin
and her family had been close family friends and
Jeff had been vital to Tami's future in riding.
Tami Martin competed with Sjoerd
in the final division meeting his requirement
for this award. She was deeply moved to have
been a part of Sjoerd's team in achieving the
Jeff Wonnell Memorial Versatility Trophy. Sjoerd
was also awarded two additional perpetual
trophies. He was named the 2010 World/Grand
National Shakespeare Hi-Point All Around
Purebred Friesian Perpetual trophy for being the
highest scoring Friesian for the entire show!
He was also bestowed the Pamela
Jackson Memorial Perpetual Trophy for winning
World Champion Saddleseat Junior Horse.
Three coveted and special awards, which our
family will cherish.
Sjoerd was proudly represented
by a few of his foals at the World show. His
yearling son, Sjoerd Tsaar Prevails won 3 time
World/National Champion and Reserve National
Champion. TDR Zivah The Diva at 7 months old
achieved incredible success at the show winning
5-time World/National Champion, Reserve National
Champion and two Top 5s! Sjoerd's Pryvate
Bentley at 5 months old won 3-time
World/National Champion and 2 time Reserve World
Champion. TDR Victoria Rose at 7 months old won
3 time Reserve National Champion and two Top
5's! Sjoerd's foals exceeded our wildest
expectations.
We are looking forward to many
more show ring success with foals sired by
Sjoerd. We would like to thank the
IFSHA World/Grand National Show Committee. They
put together and ran an incredible show and we
sincerely thank you for the opportunity to have
this incredible experience with Sjoerd and his
foals. You created lifelong memories for our
entire family and our friends who helped and
supported us throughout this show.
This Press Release was done by
The California Horsetrader magazine, November 4, 2010. In
this article you will read about some of Sjoerd's success at
the 2010 Friesian World Championships.
From Horsetrader staff reports - November
4th, 2010 -Show
& Event News
DEL MAR – For the first time since
2004, the International Friesian Show Horse Association
held its World Championship and Grand National
Championship Show in California, as the Del Mar Arena
came to life for the five-day spectacle Oct. 13-17.
The IFSHA event attracted 112 of the
nation’s top Friesians, filling classes with 577 entries
in a variety of demanding and crowd-pleasing
performances.
A special
Saturday night benefit performance blending championship
classes with demonstrations to an historic theme of the
wartime roles of horses. Rick Roberts’ Warrior
Foundation, formed by San Diego radio personality and
horseman Rick Roberts to raise awareness and funds for
injured soldiers returning home with wartime injuries,
received more than $20,000 in charity from the evening,
said show organizers.
“This show is one of the very best IFSHA has organized since
its inception,” said show secretary Nancy Nathanson, who
served that role in the first IFSHA Grand National in the
City of Industry in 2004 and, except for 2005, each year
since.
“The quality of the horses
was excellent and the competition fierce. It was exciting to
see so many quality horses competing.”
Standout performances were
turned in by Sjoerd, owned by Xena Vimercati, who won both
the Shakespeare Farm Friesian High Point Perpetual Trophy as
the overall high-point purebred Friesian horse of the show,
as well as the new award, the Jeff Wonnell Memorial
Versatility Award.
Beau, trained and shown by Lauren LaVine, won the Leoness
Sport Horses Part Bred Friesian High Point Perpetual Trophy
as the overall high-point Part Bred Friesian of the show.
Beau also won a new award, the Jeff Wonnell Memorial
Versatility Award.
Cassandra Adams’s Aramis won several
National and World Grand Championships and Reserves, as did
Majestic and others owned by Janna Goldman.
Nathanson added that IFSHA has finalized
plans to take the show east next year to the Virginia Horse
Center in Lexington, Va., from Oct. 5-9.
“People on the East Coast who were unable
to attend this year’s event are already in the planning
stages for 2011,” she said. “It should prove to be a
wonderful show also.”
Written
by Jennifer Walker |
02
December 2010 Posted inArticles
The International Friesian Show Horse
Association (IFSHA) held their World and Grand National
Championship Show at the Del Mar Arena Equestrian Complex &
Even Center October 13-17.
“The show was held for the benefit of the
Warrior Foundation and was a huge success,” reported IFSHA
Executive Director Nancy Nathanson. “The number of horses
shown was up from prior years, and the quality of the horses
was above and beyond our expectations. We had wonderful
response from the community and from veterans from the
Warrior Foundation. Our Trade Faire was filled with over 30
vendors from all areas of the industry. The Saturday evening
performance was jam packed and fun-filled for our
spectators.”
Among the many high quality horses exhibited
was Beau, a half Morgan gelding owned by Carol Carfagno and
shown by Lauren La Vine. This very talented horse was
undefeated, winning all 14 of his classes in the Part- Bred
Friesian division. He competed in Training and First Level
Dressage, English and In-Hand Trail, Breed Halter and
Dressage/Sport Horse in Hand, Show Hack, Dressage Hack,
Western, Fantasy Costume, Period Costume, Country English
Pleasure Saddle Seat, and Hunt Seat Pleasure. Greg Steensen
also rode him to a win in Walk/Trot Open. As a result of his
success, he received the Jeff Wonnell Memorial Versatility
Trophy for earning the highest number of points while
competing in at least five disciplines and the Leoness Sport
Horse Part Bred Friesian High Point Perpetual Trophy.
“It just shows what the versatility of the
two breeds can do,” explained La Vine. “In the three years
Beau and I have been working together, he has evolved into a
horse that will do anything I throw at him. I just think
it’s so impressive that he can go from Western to Show hack
to Hunt Seat to Country Pleasure in the space of a class. He
had never done Trail before this show, and I had him
sidepassing over a rail in about five minutes before the
class. We’ve bonded to the point where he’ll do anything I
ask.”
While Beau was racking up the ribbons in the
Part Bred division,
Sjoerd (Xena Vimercati, owner) was
outstanding among the purebreds. He earned ten
World/National Championships, seven Reserve World/National
Championships, two Top Fives and one Top Ten, the Jeff
Wonnell Memorial Versatility Silver Belt Buckle, the Pamela
Jackson Memorial Perpetual Trophy and the Shakespeare
Perpetual Trophy for Hi Point Friesian of the IFSHA World
Championship Show.
Congratulations to all of the exhibitors at the IFSHA
Championships.
This Press
Release was done by The United Stated Equestrian Federation
- USEF, August 25, 2010. In this article they use a photo of
Sjoerd in one of Show Hack classes which he won at the IFSHA
Region 10 Championships. Sjoerd was awarded High Point
Friesian of the 2010 IFSHA Region 10 Championships with an
incredible 9 Championships won by him there!
IALHA Region I and IFSHA Region
10 Championships A Success
Release:August
25 2010
Author:USEF
Breeds Department
Tass Jones Photography
Sjoerd, a
Friesian stallion, owned
by Xena Vimercati was
named Halter and
Performance Champion.
August 20, 2010 -
Mardi Gras came at a different
time and place this year. On
August 12-15, the IALHA Region I
and IFSHA Region 10
Championships were held in
Burbank, CA, at the Los Angeles
Equestrian Center.
This year’s theme was Mardi
Gras, and the decorations were
fabulous. Included with parties,
was also a stall decorations
contest. This show is well known
for its ability to create a fun
time for its exhibitors and has
been touted as one of the best.
Many grand horses were put
through their paces and the
competition provided beautiful
equine trophies, representative
of the breeds participating.
United Stated
Equestrian Federation (USEF) Announces 
A
record number of over one hundred and fifty
horses participated in over 200 Championship
classes and exhibitions over five glorious days
of near perfect Southern California weather.
Friesian horses from all over North America,
Canada and Mexico came together for a great
horse show with an even greater cause, as this
year, the event was run as a fundraiser for the
Rick Roberts' Warrior Foundation. The Warrior
Foundation is a Non-profit organization that
supports multiple projects to help injured and
disabled military heroes, our soldiers who have
bravely served and sacrificed in defense of our
country. It seems quite fitting that a show
celebrating the War Horse of Old could help
raise in excess of $20,000 dollars for our young
warriors. This considerable amount of funds was
raised through the efforts of all our generous
sponsors and volunteers who worked very hard on
this year's show. A very special thanks
must go out to Rob and Tammy Hildreth without
whom the show and fundraising would have not
been such an overwhelming success.
exceptional
job of promoting the show throughout the west
coast. Dressage started the show off on
Wednesday with Axel Steiner officiating. Many
great rides were performed and good scores
awarded. There were many memorable rides
including Seelchen Feibush at Prix St George
with Meinte, Karen Cornelius winning the USDF
Free Style with Pieter Franken's Jouke and all
the way from Canada the FEI Musical Freestyle
champion Alwyn and Chelsea Balcaen. Gwen Blake,
Kamila Dupont and Paige Ruhl were also among the
top scoring riders. Dr Walter de la Brosse
judged some very deep Dressage/Sport Horse In
Hand classes and quickly changed gears
officiating in the very popular Trail division.
The Part-bred Friesian division was beautifully
represented by a colorful group of quality
horses. A stand out this year was the Morgan
cross gelding, Beau who was shown to multiple
Championships by Lauren LaVine for Carol
Carfagno. Cassandra Adams showed several horses
to many Wins including Chip Davis' unforgettable
Storm Shadow and her own Aramis. Baskera Knight,
shown by Darcy Edwards for Tracy and Stan Owens
showed she has a bright future with several wins
and the beautiful mare Bijou owned and shown by
Dr Todd Browning followed her 2009 wins in St
Louis with some great victories in Del Mar.
