JENNIFER MURRAY PERPETUAL TROPHY COMPETITION 2016/7 - RESULTS

We are pleased to announce the results of the FHNSA of GB Annual Jennifer Murray Perpetual Memorial Trophy Competition 2016/17.
This competition is growing yearly. The number of entries this year at it's highest level.
The competition was judged by Catriona Murray , daughter of the well known and respected breeder, owner and judge of fjord horses, the late Jennifer Murray. Catriona was as always assisted by her judging panel who were upped to four this year by the inclusion of a 'seen it all' veteran show judge. Judging was based on results achieved and compiled throughout the show season including the early part of 2017 and includes riding,driving & showing disciplines which individually were judged by qualified panel judges at established recognised shows & events throughout the year.
The purpose of the JMP trophy, apart from enjoyment and fun is to promote the Fjord horse as being capable of winning/ being well placed at quality showing, riding or driving events throughout the UK. Our competitors told us that classes have this year been won against tough competition from top class horses, which again proves the high quality of our UK fjord horses.
We are all so very proud of our winners and their fjord horses and hope if you agree you will give encouragement and a 'like' to our page and to this article and it's follow ups.

1st Hesta ridden by Meghan Smith
2nd Femke II owned by Stacey Jury, ridden by Stephanie
Zebedee
3rd Gaia ridden by Shuna Mardon
4th Ausdan Karin ridden by Michaela McGrath
5th Alexi ridden by Jodie Smith
6th Ausdan Lakris led/owned by Di Lynch

Our winners and entrants have put tremendous effort into a season of hard work and early mornings. Presenting both horse and rider/handler in a well groomed, immaculate state is hard work & is essential for correct showing etiquette.
Well done to all our participants both placed and unplaced. Catrona has this year doubled her published results list as the quality was so high that choice between especially the first three was very difficult and extremely close. So much so that if there was such a thing as joint first it would have been exactly that. The panel were also impressed with the 6th placed rookie newcomer Di Lynch's young colt Ausdan Lakris who was in the ribbons on his first ever outing. Already we have been getting in results of this year's/early next year's shows and it looks like there is a 2017 friendly battle for the coveted trophy brewing.

GOOD LUCK ALL AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT PROMOTION OF OUR WONDERFUL FJORD HORSE.

AMY DUNCAN & HER FJORD GELDING STOCKTON HAAKON COACHED BY SIR MARK TODD
Famous eventer and Olympic gold medal winner Sir Mark Todd gave an eventing demonstration and clinic in Aberdeen last month and guess what, a fjord horse joined the elite number. Amy Duncan, herself from Aberdeen took her fjord gelding Stockton Haakon along for a lesson from Sir Mark, a highly experienced horseman and instructor whose achievements over decades are legendary.
The event took place at the Fountain Equestrian Centre in Aberdeen where Sir Mark shared his many years of eventing experience with both riders and audience. The individual coaching was organised by David Lawson Equestrian Events and was aimed at all levels of eventing. The clinics were very oversubscribed and many disappointed people were turned away. But Amy & Haakon made it through and Amy said she thoroughly enjoyed the evening & learned a lot from the experience.
The highlight of the evening was when the 'mystery rider' appeared before the audience. Who was he? Sir Mark Todd himself riding Eilidh Middleton's eventer, Buddy.
Amy's fjord gelding Haakon has himself got an impressive pedigree. His sire line is from the famous Halsnaes stud with so many successes with their fjord horses, they are legendary & Haakon's dam is from the well known Ausdan Stud, responsible for very many successful fjord horses in the UK. Haakon's grand-dam Ausdan Kari, appeared on BBC TV and had to go up in a lift to get to the studio in Shepherd's Bush, London. In true Fjord tradition, she did not turn a hair.
WELL DONE AMY &STOCKTON HAAKON.. A very impressive achievement to report.
After the event £1,600 was raised by auctioning the jumps. Proceeds went to the charity 'Wilberry Wonder Pony' which was set up by Hannah Francis, a young equestrian who was diagnosed with cancer at only 17 years of age. The charity also grants equine related wishes to seriously ill people.
Organiser David Lawson added: “The clinics and demos were a huge success.
An impressive extra £400 was raised by spectators. So all in all a very successful evening and with a very worthy cause close to most people's hearts benefitting.

LONDON NEW YEAR'S DAY PARADE- ALL THE QUEENS HORSES. BEN HUR

Here are some photos of our Fab Four and their Roman minders at the NYDP. Don't they look just splendid.
They really excelled themselves despite the weather. The costumes would have done justice to the actual movie Ben Hur. They enthralled the spectators who lined the route from start to finish.

Peter & Ellie WIlliams, Stacey Jury and Jenny Trotman looked every inch legionaries of the Roman Army. The legionaries were separated into centuries – units made up of 80 soldiers plus 20 men who remained in the camp to cook and do other chores. This is where our word 'century' derives from. Roman soldiers could march 20 miles (30 km) a day wearing armour and equipment. Our Fjord Unit's foot soldiers must have felt they had done similar mileage by the end of the day. So hers to all our humans & Fjord Horses.