Heidie, sold Friesian mare

   She was bought in June of 2003, after researching the Freisian breed for several years, and working with Rick & Ellen of Pleasant View Friesians to find my dream horse. The much repeated phrase "with a new barn comes a new horse" finally was fullfilled when Heidie walked off the trailer! She is a "full-papered," Friesian, registered with both FHANA [the Friesian Horse Association of North America] and the Dutch FPS [Friesch Paarden-stamboek (Friesian studbook)], which is the world-wide authority on the Friesian horse and recognized as the European Mother Studbook of the Friesian Horse. When she arrived, she knew nothing and within a week knew everything a yearling should know--definitely an eager and quick learner! Her training has consisted of round penning in surcingle, headstall, and now harness. I ground drove her and with Thomas' and friends' help hitched her to the jog cart 2 summers ago. Everyone simply adores this kind, loving, and friendly filly. See her pedigree.
    In September 2004 we took her to the Keuring at Iron Spring Farm, Coatsville, PA. It was Heidie's first time off the farm since she arrived in 2003. As a 2 year old, she earned a 2nd premium rating. In 2005 I had her ground driving before starting her under saddle and she was the easiest horse I have ever started! She had her first foal, Valeree, in 2006 and a 2nd premium filly by Iron Spring Farm's Teade. Valeree now lives in Nevada.
    In January 2007, I sent Heidie to Swiegart's Stable in Denver, PA for Brook to finish her under harness, and that March I had my very first Friesian cart ride behind Heidie. What a rush!!! Before I brought her back to Dreams Come True Farm in April, Brook had me driving solo, doing circles and figures 8's at a trot.
    May 2007 was a busy month for Heidie. Using the quick hitch harness, I am able to harness and hitch her w/o any assistance, and I have her driving nicely in the outdoor arena and out in the open, using the road around the barn/indoor arena, where we can build up some speed! What delightful fun.
    Heidie went to the Coatesville, PA, Keuring in October 2007 for repeat ster status, retaining her 3rd premium status, so she is now my show horse. We are showing her in carriage and under saddle classes in 2008, which is a logistics nightmare, getting 2 trucks and 2 trailers to shows!
    Last fall we bought a show cart and harness, and during the winter Heidie and I took hunt seat lessons from Jill Scholl, whose barn is just a few miles away. I had my first canter on Heidie, January 3, 2008 when Jill told me, "Now pick up the canter." June 2008 I started riding her with my Parelli bareback pad and shortly after, tacked her up using my side saddle, fullfilling yet another Friesian dream.
    For the past 2 years Heidie has been used as a lesson horse, and with her smooth gaits and easy transitions is being very successful. She is still my favorite ride and bareback is my preferred seat!