Events

Regarding your kind request about me making some comments to my participation in now three Flemish championships, I will do my best. First of all I will direct a thank you to Mr. De Gezelle for the initiative to “globalize” this show, and this way try to give inspiration to continue our common efforts for the future of the belgisch horses.
This year especially was interesting because of the Saturdays events, where we got a view into the breeding and type of horses in different countries, and had a good chance to socialize with our colleges from abroad. But there is one major problem for most of us, and that is the French language. Actually I think none of us “foreigners” understood it, and it looks to me that french speaking people do not understand English or German, so we lost a lot of - I am sure - good information in the afternoon. And that brings me to a real dilemma this year, where I , after having been part of the jury for two years, maybe felt that I had the competence to contribute a little more to the judgement of the horses, but neither of my fellow jury members understood English or German and I did not understand French or Flemish, so that left me on the sideline, but it gave me an opportunity to really observe how you want your horses to look and what you don’t want. For your information I am jury foreman for the stallion expertise and our national show here in Denmark, and been in different jury’s for about 35 years, so except for your choice of type, I feel competent. And the type is I think the only thing where we differs in our choice, although ninety percent of our horses are offspring from imported stallions from Holland or Belgium.
I can see that you prefer very big horses, with a very narrow chest, and I must admit, a very good movement. In Denmark we do not punish them for being big, but we like a little broader chest and movement, and that forces me to say why we do not fully agree with you, and it will of course sound like critic of your horses, but it is only my personal opinion. Concerning the size it seems to me that the huge mares very easily loose some of the feminity, and that it in some cases is overlooked and they look masculine, and sorry, a bit “clumsy”. To the very narrow chest my comment is that they are not so well balanced, to make me understandable, that they can tip over to both sides, like the old American tractors with the twin front wheels! - and please don’t take offence, because I really envy you, your magnificent horses and the dedication you show in keeping the interest for the heavy horses alive, not only among farmers, but in a wide part of society. If we just could learn a little from you at this point, because up here there are too many breeders and not enough users. For in the end it are the users who decide what type of horse they want and I can see the elegance in your horses today are characterized of a more sporty look, than they did, when they only were used for farming. As you probably can see it has given me and my different colleges from Denmark, who has been present during the years a lot to think about, and we are full of admiration over the horses and the hole set up. And we have been happy to feel your hospitality and to meet a lot of nice people who shares the same interest.

Yours Sincerely
Niels Poulsen

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