HISTORY OF
THE FJORD HORSE
IN GREAT BRITAIN
The first documented Fjord to come into Great Britain was imported from Norway by Jennifer
Murray’s grandparents around 1910. They used to go fishing in Norway every year right up until
1939 and were enthralled with the beauty of the country and its striking equine inhabitant - the
Fjord Horse.
The Fjord they imported was much loved by the family and was often seen out and about being
driven in the Northumberland countryside. It caused great interest wherever it went. No one
had seen a Fjord before. What was this strange and beautiful creature?
ONE DAY........
In 1935, the family moved to Hertfordshire and a big thrill for Jennifer was being taken to see
Bertram Mills Circus at Olympia in London. One year she was absolutely thrilled to see eight
proud Fjord stallions looking magnificent in their harness and performing with great dexterity in
a liberty act to the delight of the whole audience. They looked so striking with their golden coats
and blonde/black manes trimmed traditionally.
Jennifer vowed ‘ One day I shall have one of these beautiful animals’.
CONNEMARA??
World War 2 came and went. Jennifer’s family moved up to Cumberland and she got married.
In 1964 Jennifer bought what she was told was a Connemara Pony from a Dartmoor Stud near
Princetown. The stud had obtained it from Bodmin Moor because they had felt sorry for it. It
was totally bald. Six months later it became a ravishing blonde and to Jennifer’s surprise a
Norwegian student commented that it was good to see a Fjord Horse as it made her feel at home
.
So, in 1965, thirty years after her positive statement in the Bertram Mills Big Top, Jennifer
finally ‘had her Fjord’.
She then started on a search for her Fjord’s ancestry to no avail but she met some interesting
people along the way. She found out from a visiting vet that there was a Fjord stud near St Just
in Cornwall. He remembered euthanasing a Fjord stallion of very advanced years at that Stud.
Jennifer could not trace the owners as they had by then moved on.
FJORD CURRENCY!
She learned from a new source that stolen cars used to be shipped over from Cornwall to France
where the cars were exchanged for ponies as the importation of currency was not allowed. So,
she discovered it was locally accepted that Fjords had been part of this ‘black economy’ way
down on the rugged Cornish coastline.
Jennifer’s ongoing investigations led her to Lord Glentanar of Aboyne who was breeding Fjords
at that time. The resident stallion at Glentanar at that time was Strandbu.
IMPORTS
He told her that he had sold Fjords to Mrs Murray-Usher, from Dumfries in Scotland. Mrs
Murray-Usher was a friend of Jennifer’s mother so they all went up to visit her with fjords at the
top of their visiting agenda. They discovered Mrs Murray-Usher had two mares and the stallion
Fridghof-Nansen. He was a pale coloured horse with a good nature and was larger than the
average.
Going back in time to 1928 takes us to His Grace, the Duke of Westminster who purchased
from Norway three mares and a three year old colt named Helmar who was successful at
Nordfjordeid in Norway in 1927. The mares were Bergina, Soria & Rosa.
Lord Glentanar, whom we mentioned earlier, had a Norwegian wife who missed her native
Fjords, which was why he in 1929 imported three mares and a stallion for breeding.
The mares were Stryn, Eide & Loen.
Just before the War, in 1937, Lord Glentanar imported a further five mares and a stallion from
Norway. The stallion was called Gulhov 962. His name was changed to Haakon after he was
imported. and the mares were Astrid, Berit, Dagmar, Freia & Eva.
Finally, in 1949 Lord Glentanar imported the three year old stallion Strandbu. At that time the
Stud had around 25 animals. They also crossed the fjord mares with a Highland Pony stallion
and also used a Fjord stallion with a Suffolk Punch mare. The stud were reported to have been
pleased with the results.
In 1966 Mrs Murray-Usher wrote to Jennifer and explained she was giving up and would sell her
mares and colt from Glentanar stock. So the stallion Nils arrived at the Hearsay Stud and the rest
as they say is history, which you will read a little further on.
INVITE
A great friend of Jennifer’s married into the Bruce family who now resided at Glentanar. She
invited Jennifer and her husband Angus to stay. She took them to see the Glentanar Fjords.
Jennifer, who is very knowledgeable on the breed, was pleased to see a field full of nice, well
boned mares running with the stallion Verge who was the sire of Jennifer’s stallion Nils.
Some time later on her next visit, Jennifer was disappointed to see that the standard had dropped
and her considered opinion was that the stallion Fram who was the resident stallion at that time
should never have been allowed to serve mares. On Jennifer’s last visit, she saw the stallion
Viking running with the mares on the hills. She was again unimpressed with the quality of the
animals and this saddened her as Jennifer always strives for the best which a visit to her Hearsay
Stud would show.
At the time of Jennifer’s visits, there was no proper control of breeding in Scotland and colts &
fillies were sold all over the area. Many went on to breed with equines of all types without any
control on quality or purity. This was not the fault of the original importers mentioned above
who strove to purchase good animals but more the way things go when dedicated people and
their animals die out or retire. The last dedicated breeder, The Hon Mrs Jean Bruce. who was
President of our Society for some years, retired from breeding a few years ago. Mrs Bruce was
a great supporter of our Society and did everything she could to correctly control and register her
Glentanar stock with us.. She willingly allowed us to visit on several occasions in order to see
her records and was always helpful and courteous. The Society, on these pages, would like to
thank her for her work and dedication to the Society and to the breed we love.
CHANGING TIMES
But time moves on and the value of the horse has changed. It is no longer prized as a working
animal who must keep the inherent qualities of the breed pure in order to maintain its working
and frugal qualities.
New, modern owners are mostly private individuals who breed from their animals often for
sentimental reasons and use whatever stallion/mare is available at the time. In the case of the
Fjord Horse in Scotland because its numbers were limited, this mostly resulted in outcrosses or
a large degree of inbreeding.
THE SIXTIES.
Our time travelling now takes us to the mid sixties and down to the rolling countryside of rural
Surrey. We go to the Maple Stud, home of the Hon Mrs Janet Kidd, daughter of Lord
Beaverbrook the Newspaper magnate, and mother to the famous dressage rider and author - Jane
Kidd. Like Mrs Bruce, Janet Kidd mixed with Royalty (Prince Andrew spent many a secluded
hour at her beautiful Barbados home - Holders House, as did Princess Margaret, sister to Queen
Elizabeth II). She mixed with stars including the famous (or is it infamous) Oliver Reed. She
was an accomplished artist and was the oldest person in Great Britain to gain a helicopter pilots
licence.
Well, luckily for us, she became interested in the Fjord Horse. How? Here’s how.
BACK IN TIME AGAIN
THE DRIVING BUG TAKES HOLD
When Janet Kidd was 13 years old she bit her nails. This disgusted her father so much that he
offered her three hundred pounds to buy anything she liked if she would stop the habit in six
weeks. Her passion was for horses but she had access to plenty of those so she decided to buy a
driving pony. She said ‘with my newly long, flashing nails I set off to Sir Nigel Coleman’s
annual sale of Hackneys and bid three hundred pounds for a magnificent animal. Then on its
arrival home I had to wheedle and beg my father for a show wagon and harness on top of the
promised three hundred pounds. He gave way with a big smile’.
Each day after lessons, Janet Kidd would exercise her ’Beauty’ and practice her new found sport
with joyous enthusiasm.
RICHMOND ROYAL HORSE SHOW
At last came the great day she had practised for. The Novice Championship at the Richmond
Royal Horse Show. But disaster struck. She was ‘run away with’ in the ring.
A few days later, her beloved Beauty, her show wagon and harness had disappeared. Her father
had taken them to the Tattersalls Sales, held at that time in Knightsbridge in London. She
promised herself at that moment that one day she would drive again. She certainly did, as you
will see later on.
THE WAR
Many years passed during which Janet Kidd was involved in hunting and show jumping. Then
came the unhappy days of the War when all of her horses were taken from her by the
Government of the time for the war effort.
After the War, Janet’s two children, Jane and Johnny, who had inherited her love of horses, took
up showjumping and she travelled the world watching them jump with the British Teams.
COMBINED DRIVING
Then one day, something in her heart stirred when her friend, Colonel, Sir Mike Ansell told her
that a new sport was about to launch in Britain. That sport was combined driving. Sir Mike told
her that it would be a challenge to young and old.
DENMARK
Still following the British Team, Janet Kidd’s travels took her to Copenghagen in Denmark.
Between classes in the beautiful Copenhagen Showground, she drove into the city where she saw
what she described as an amazing sight - a pair of cream horses winding their way between the
traffic, hauling a huge wagon carrying at least 20 students waving and shouting happily.
She said ‘My very instinct cried out - they are the ones for me’.
What were the horses who stirred such strong emotions in this well known self assured woman?
They were
.
FJORDS
THE SEARCH
The hunt was on. Mrs Kidd was introduced to a horsemaster who took her the length and breadth
of Denmark in search of her dream. She eventually chose four matching Fjord mares who were
bundled into the horsebox with Johnny’s showjumpers and they set off for Britain.
INTELLIGENT
Mrs Kidd’s stud groom had a good knowledge of breaking and driving horses, so she learnt a
great deal in a short time.
Her beautiful fjords responded with intelligence and keenness to weaving in and out of trees,
galloping through rivers and spending hours of intensive work in the dressage ring.
HICKSTEAD
Her first combined driving event was at Hickstead in 1974. Her thoughts strayed back 50 years
to Beauty and the day she entered the ring at the Royal Richmond Horse Show.
A huge gap in time - but the same enthusiasm and strong desire to win.
CHAMPIONSHIP
‘Better luck this time’ she muttered as she entered the arena for the dressage test. Luck had
nothing at all to do with it, Fjords were the engine for this prestigious event and after three days
of gruelling work they took The Hon Mrs Janet Kidd to victory. She came 1st, winning the
Championship against all others.
UNBEATEN RECORD
Win after win followed. First Lincoln followed by amongst others, Pitney Bowes at the Royal
International, The British Driving Derby, The National Championship. This was an unbeaten
record.
DERBY
Her navigator Rachel was brilliant, her ability was outstanding but she put all of her success at
the hooves of her precious FJORD HORSES. She has said that perhaps her greatest moment was
winning the 1974 British Driving Derby against all comers.
The first phase took place in Baynards Park Estate, owned by famous horseman Alan Bristow
who organised both the dressage and a 29km marathon. The final phase, the obstacle driving,
took place at Hickstead. There were 39 entries that year and the winner overall was to be the
winner of the Derby. Janet Kidd and her faithful Fjord Horses.
QUEEN MOTHER
Janet Kidd was hooked. She arranged the importation of further Fjord mares and the stallion
Jacob who was renamed Viking. Her love of the breed grew with her successes and soon people
were clamouring to buy these beautiful horses. The Maple Stud was famous. It had been the
home of Hanoverians for many years and their successes were well known and well respected.
Now these cream coloured invaders whom the Queen Mother once referred to as the colour of
champagne, had virtually taken over.
BREEDING PROGRAMME
Rachel was sent over to Denmark to buy Fjords. Rachel came back. Rachel had to go again. A
nucleus of quality Fjords was established and the breeding programme began.
Mrs Kidd was insistent that her Fjords had to be the best. Any that did not match up to her high
standards were sold to private homes as riding and driving ponies. The best were retained and
grew up in the idyllic surrounds of the Maple Stud with its rolling pastures, roomy barns and
perfect training conditions. The stud grooms were kept busy handling the youngsters, training
them to trust their masters and enjoy their work. All were broken to ride first and when
proficient they went on to drive. Any fjord that failed to be obedient and happy in both
disciplines was rejected as unsuitable either to go on into the showring or to carry on their genes.
They were sold as family ponies to enthusiastic purchasers.
SELECTION
So, even in those early days, a form of selection process was taking place, those deemed
unsuitable were rejected, those who passed were retained. All this thanks to the early training
Janet Kidd received as a child, thanks to her ability as a good horsewoman and thanks to her
ability to spot and observe quality animals. During those early years, the breeding Fjord was in
safe custody.
F A ME
The fame of Janet Kidd’s Maple Stud spread far and wide. Fjords were exported to various
corners of the world including the Arab State of Oman. Mrs Kidd sent out the best of her stud
grooms supervised by the ever attentive Rachel to ensure the safe arrival and settlement of her
precious cargo. The Sheik was delighted and he had many successes with his Maple Fjords over
the years.
SUCCESSFUL
Meanwhile in Britain, the Maple Fjords were breeding successfully and Janet Kidd was going
from success to success in the driving world. The stud was always a hive of activity with Fjords
popping out from every corner - all in various stages of training. The time came when Maple
Viking could not be used on the mares anymore because he had too many daughters and Mrs
Kidd would not hear of inbreeding.
So, arrangements were made for The Hon Mrs Bruce at Glentanar to purchase Viking for her
stud.
NEW BLOOD
Meanwhile, back at the Maple Stud the hunt was on for new stallion blood. A stallion was
imported ready for the breeding season. Mrs Kidd took one look and immediately rejected it.
She did not consider it good enough to continue the lines she had worked hard to preserve.
So the hunt was back on. This time success. The stallion Maple Klaus was eventually imported
and passed Mrs Kidd’s careful scrutiny. New bloodlines were about to begin....
MEANWHILE
Mrs Kidd’s driving successes continued and thus began the next chapter in the history of the
British Fjord Horse.
ROYAL WINDSOR
One fine summer’s day in 1982, Lyn Moran who is Secretary of our Society, was watching the
driving events at Royal Windsor Horse Show. Suddenly she spotted a beautiful pair of cream
horses, gleaming magnificently in the summer sun, oblivious to the crowds, noise, bands and all
the other paraphanalia of a large showground. They were resplendent in shining black harness
with gleaming brass furnishings and were drawing a beautiful carriage driven by a rather
formidable looking English Gentlewoman.
Lyn stated:
‘One day I shall have a pair of those’.
Does that sound familiar? Is it a phrase synonymous with first sight of these beautiful animals?
AUSTRIA
Lyn knew what they were as she had ridden them in of all places the Austrian Tyrol. So, after the
event she approached Janet Kidd who asked her if she knew about Fjords. Lyn replied ‘yes’ and
proceeded to tell her about the Fjords she had ridden and where they had originated from. ‘Not
now’ said this immaculately groomed lady, ‘ Come to my stud and we shall talk’. She then
proceeded to drive off. She looked behind her and said ‘I will expect you on Wednesday’.
The rest as they say is history....
INTERROGATION?
Lyn got on well with Janet Kidd and was shown around the Maple Stud by Rachel. Mrs Kidd
invited her for tea and immediately quizzed Lyn on which of the Fjords she thought were best.
The answers must have pleased her as she immediately said, ‘at last, someone else who
understands quality and breeding’.
I WANT!!!
Lyn wanted a pair of Fjords and was shown various animals for sale at the Maple Stud in January
of 1982. She had particularly liked a pair of mares and said she would be interested in them. It
was agreed that she would collect them in April when they had finished their training.
ROYAL WINDSOR
When April came around, Lyn was told that Mrs Kidd did not want to sell the pair as she had
particularly marked them out to work as spares to her current successful driving pair.
Lyn was invited to choose another pair. Various animals were brought forward but Lyn was
having none of it. She spoke to Mrs Kidd and told her she had promised to sell the original ones
to her. Mrs Kidd, who was used to being deferred to, was in the years to come, heard to remark,
‘I took a liking to this politely cheeky individual and gave in’. She said ‘Oh all right then,
you would take an old (ish) lady’s pair of Fjords away from her would you?’ Lyn replied ‘yes’.
She got her way. Janet Kidd agreed to sell her the Fjord mares Margo & Mandy. But... there
was a catch. They had been entered for Royal Windsor Horse Show and Mrs Kidd wanted them
to compete. So it was agreed that Lyn would pick them up at the Royal Windsor Horse Show
after the competition.
JANE KIDD
Competition Day arrived. It was a beautiful Spring day and Royal Windsor Horse Show in its
glorious setting seemed the perfect place to be. The Fjords were turned out to perfection for Jane
Kidd who was going to drive them that day.
HONOUR
The pair performed superbly and after what seemed like an eternity the results were announced.
The winners were number 135- Maple Margo & Maple Mandy driven by Jane Kidd, dressage
expert and daughter of the Hon Mrs Janet Kidd. A big cheer went out from the crowds and
Jane brought the pair in to our parking area. Almost before Jane could step down from the
carriage, the Fjords were surrounded by people asking question after question. Then Mr ScottDunn, veterinary surgeon and partner of Scott Dunn & Partners, came up to Janet Kidd and asked
her to name her price for the pair. She looked at him and replied that the pair had already been
sold.
Such was the honour and integrity of that great woman. She turned to Lyn & said in her typically
brusque way, ‘Now get them out of here before I change my mind’. So at last Lyn had her pair
of Fjord Horses. Those horses started a long line of successful Fjords who formed part of the
Ausdan Stud of Fjord Horses which to this day is successfully breeding good quality Fjords.
MOTO EQUESTRIANS DISPLAY TEAM
The Fjord Horse in Britain was about to go into the outdoor show world. Lyn & John had
formed a successful display team of horses called the Moto Equestrians Display Team which
worked horses and motorbikes with military like perfection. The work had to be performed with
precision and included cross-overs, horses charging at motorcycles, precision work in close
proximity to motorcycles, an amazing fire jump and perhaps the most difficult of all, a horse
jumping over a moving pole suspended between two motorcycles which were moving in the
same direction as the horse. It had been tried by various military teams over the years but the
only team who had managed it was the famous White Helmets in the 1930's but with the pole
moving towards the horse. Lyn had to train the horses to the exacting standards John required
for the Team.
He had to be a tough taskmaster to the riders as any mistake could be disastrous.
He had devised most of the routine and it was Lyn’s job to ensure the horses could do it. Her
Fjords performed fearlessly with intelligence and bravery. They thoroughly enjoyed their work
and in their first year they picked up the coveted Special Award prize at the prestigious Outdoor
Show World Championships..
This prize had been sought after by most teams for years.
FAN CLUB
During many press interviews, Lyn & John stated that a good deal of their success was due to the
good nature and willingness to please of their Fjord Horses. The Team went from success to
success and the Fjord was seen by many thousands of people. The Team appeared on TV and
radio and the Fjord Horse had a huge fan club.
They also did many press calls and were the first non Royal horses to cross the bridge into the
Tower of London. They were the 1st non Royal Horses to draw a wedding carriage to St Pauls
Cathedral in London. They were also chosen by the GLC to re-open the Rotherhithe Tunnel in
London with Sir Horace Cutler.
They were filmed for American TV audiences spending a day at the races, resplendent in their
shining harness and drawing a beautiful brougham carriage carrying TV commentators Brough
Scott & Michael O’Hare.
Lyn & John always use the Fjords or their pair of Fjord cross thoroughbreds for these jobs as it
helps to promote the breed and show off their amazing temperament.
Another incident to show you the amazing temperament of the Fjord happened at a show in the
South of England not so long ago. Lyn was driving a pair of Fjord mares to a full size
competition vehicle as part of the Display Team’s repertoire. All around the arena was packed
with crowds more than six rows deep. The Fjords were travelling at a canter when suddenly,
the pole, turntable and front pair of wheels separated from the main body of the carriage. Lyn
leapt over the front of the carriage, keeping the reins firmly in her hands and skidded behind the
fjords, Roman style, eventually bringing them to a standstill. Those magnificent Fjords, who
were at a canter when the carriage separated, responded to their training and when they drew to a
halt they behaved as if nothing unusual had happened. The audience stood up and gave them a
standing ovation. To think what might have happened if the carriage was drawn by ‘lesser’
breeds..................... All that separated the audience from the arena was a rope.
Those Fjord mares are typical of the excellent temperament and level of understanding that the
Fjord Horse can achieve with Man.
We could fill these pages with Fjord Stories like this but we must now go back to the Maple .
Stud.
DISCUSSIONS
During another visit to Janet Kidd at her Maple Stud, the subject of a Fjord Society was
discussed. Lyn broached the subject as she was concerned that with more fjords entering the
country it would not be too long before keeping control on bloodlines would become almost
impossible. It had been Mrs Kidd’s ambition to form a Society in Great Britain to protect the
breed. She was delighted that some like minded people who shared her love of the breed also
shared her ambition to form a society.
CHARMING
Lyn & John visited Denmark and were whizzed around many of the top breeding farms by their
charming hostess - Birgit Mortensen, then Secretary of Fjordhesteavlen i Danmark. Breeding
lines were discussed together with methods. A future breeding plan for Great Britain was
formulated and this led to the eventual importation of two further stallions into Great Britain.
One, Ausdan Svejk, was for immediate use on the breeding programme and the other, Ausdan
Otto went on to be a great ambassador for the breed, appearing in many magazines and opening
many functions. He was also a fully trained member of the Moto Equestrian Display Team
mentioned earlier.
BIRTH OF THE SOCIETY
So, in the Winter of 1984, the Fjord Horse Society of Great Britain was born. Almost 74 years
after the first known Fjord Horse entered the British Isles via Jennifer Murray’s family in the
Northumberland countryside there was a society to help preserve the breed in our country.
PRESIDENT
Mrs Kidd agreed to become its President and gave the Society every possible assistance in its
research into fjords past and present. At one time when she was in Barbados she telephoned her
Secretary at the Maple Stud and instructed her to let us examine all of her records and to hide
absolutely nothing from the Society. She repeated ‘absolutely nothing’.
VERIFICATION
So the long and painstaking process of checking and verifying fjord lineage in Great Britain had
begun. In fact it has never ended as even to this day, we could discover a problem which may
make an owner a not very happy person. Janet Kidd was ruthless in her selection. If one of her
Fjords did not match up to its papers, it did not enter the Main Stud Book. She was absolute in
her quest for purity. Luckily, through the years, we have had almost 100% co-operation from
our members even though some of our findings have been painful for them.
DEDICATED
The Society is absolutely dedicated to purity and protection of our Fjord bloodlines and if there is
any doubt about lineage, then it does not enter our Main Stud Book Register until that doubt has
been resolved.
In the meantime time was ruthlessly marching on and Janet Kidd’s health was failing. Even
though she was still relatively fit, she decided that she would reduce the number of horses in her
Fjord Stud as she could not always personally supervise the work. So, in May 1985, a reduction
sale was held and many of the Maple Fjords went on to new lives.
During the weeks prior to the sale, before the date was finalised, Janet Kidd told Lyn & John to
choose any of the Fjords they wanted. She also made it possible for them to purchase Maple
Klaus as she did not want him to go to anyone else. One condition was that when the time came
they had to take charge of Agusta, her famous and much loved competition Fjord. And so it
came to pass that Maple Klaus became a serving stallion at the by now well known Ausdan Stud
and was one of the resident stallions at the Stud for around 10 years before the Ausdan Stud sent
him up to Scotland to try and improve their bloodlines. Sadly he died in Scotland before he
could make much of an impression.
THANK YOU
We thank the very many people both past and present for helping us to achieve the work we have
and without whose help that work would have been impossible.
One person in particular who has dedicated many hours of time to the work of the Society is
Chairman of Fjordhesteavlen i Danmark , Birgit Mortensen.
She is like a studbook encyclopaedia and her knowledge of bloodlines is immense. Nothing is
ever too much trouble for her and she has discussed breeding matters with the society for many
years. She is diligent in her work and has a great love of the breed that is part of her
Scandinavian heritage. We are very lucky to have her.
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We thank another Dane, the veterinary consultant Dr Sven Kold for his expert help during the
formation of the society. He also judged at our first Breed Shows to teach us exactly what to look
for from a Scandinavian point of view. He taught us to show our horses diagonally instead of the
traditional accepted ‘around the perimeter of the ring’ method. He was a great help and most of
our female members seemed to want to show their Fjords when he was judging! So it is not just
the ‘Blonde Viking Horses that swept people off their feet!.
############
We must extend thanks to our Secretary, Lyn Moran who has dedicated hundreds of hours to
the breed. It is thanks to her great organising ability, her ability to work under pressure and to
converse easily with people from all walks of life, her vast knowledge of the breed and of the
equine mind that we have the great society we have today with its well documented archives of
information. She is always willing to give advice, whatever you catch her doing..
############
Thanks must also be given to our Chairman, John Goddard-Fenwick who has, with his
diplomatic skills, steered the society to its present day success. His working knowledge of law
has proved useful on many occasions and his expert commentating skills at shows have given
many a person an in depth insight into the Fjord Horse. He has made the breed ‘come alive’ like
no other person can. He has the ability to speak to people at their level and has often been
thanked for being fair minded. He is usually the Society Ambassador, participating in meetings,
social functions etc which take him all over the country.
############
We thank our Honorary Veterinary Surgeons. In the past, we had the great and experienced help
of Mr Mike Daniells MRCVS of Park Veterinary Centre ( Johnson & Daniells Veterinary
Group). He on many occasions, used to pop in when passing just to chat about the Fjord and
keep up with the latest news and have a cup of coffee. He continued his long association with
the Society well into his retirement until he moved to the South of England.
.
His very worthy successor, Mr Jeremy Jones MRCVS Senior Partner of Tysul Veterinary
Group, has been a great support and is always ready to give expert veterinary advice when it is
needed. Nothing is too much trouble for him and we thank him for his continued and much
valued support. He has an excellent working knowledge of the breed & Society Rules and
certainly puts his point of view forward if he thinks any improvement could be made, especially
in veterinary matters but not always.
He is always right (but we won’t let him read this. It might make him more chauvinistic!).
Thanks also to our Society Lawyer, Mr. Norman Macleod. He has dedicated more hours than we
dare think about to Society matters and has never charged for his time. He allows us to contact
him at all hours and is always ready to give legal advice on any matter large or small
.
############
Thanks also to Paul , a dedicated member of our Committee for many years. He can always put
the ‘human touch’ to matters, and like our Chairman John, he is a born diplomat.
He has put in many hours of work to all aspects of the promotion of the Fjord Horse and we
thank him for his dedication.
############
Also many thanks to Jennifer. She has been a fantastic supporter of the breed and has been very
successful in the Show Ring over the years. Her Hearsay Stud has bred many champions and
her part bred Fjords have proved their worth time and time again We must also thank her
husband Angus who is our Society Treasurer. He is a pillar of strength and sensibility and our
funds could not be in safer hands.
############
We extend thanks to everyone whose work over the years have made the success of our British
Society possible.
SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY EXAMINATION
Further to our Government recognition in 1994, under the terms of Commission Decision
92/353./EEC., we have just completed a stringent examination by ADAS on behalf of our
Government body - the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (MAFF).
We are pleased to announce that our Government recognition as the Fjord Horse National Stud
Book Association of Great Britain has been re-affirmed so we are
ALL SYSTEMS GO
EC RECOGNISED
We are EC recognised and appear on the Official List of Approved Societies, as sent to the
European Commission in Brussels. This list is obtainable from MAFF in London should
anyone wish to check on our credentials.
HIGH STANDARDS
The society will continue to insist on high standards and many fjords may still have to be
rejected for the Main Breeding Studbook because of insufficient information about breeding
lines. Thankfully, because of the fact that there is now more public awareness about lineage and
also because of modern technology (Bloodtyping/DNA typing and microchip implantation are
now mandatory within our Society) we are coming across this problem to a lesser and lesser
degree.
Having said that, there is a register for every category of Fjord and a comprehensive upgrade
system is in force.
We hope you have enjoyed our potted history of Fjords in Great Britain past and present.
As to the future - let us continue to uphold the traditional standards of the breed by strict control
of bloodlines, genetic purity and freedom from hereditary problems.
FREE EQUINE PASSPORTS
We are so concerned about correct identification of this breed with its very few individual
distinctive differences that we are issuing free equine passports to all registered fjords and fjord
crosses.
The name ‘PASSPORT’ might just conjure up the wrong idea. It is not just for taking your Fjord
out of the country, it is a comprehensive document which should accompany your horse
wherever it goes. It will contain details of your Fjord’s vaccinations, operations, in fact all
veterinary records will be contained within its pages. It will contain a full description of your
Fjord including its lineage or registration details. Everything of importance will be together in
one document.
E.mail us with your details and we will do the rest.
HAPPY
Above all we are a happy society. We have countless testimonials from people telling us how
friendly and approachable we are. Not just the Committee but our members who are after all the
core of the Society.
We must all remember -
The horse is a pleasure horse, please get pleasure out of him and give
him pleasure in return.
If you have not done so already, please visit our fabulous Gallery before you go and why not visit
our Chat Room.
Do contact us for further information and happy Fjording.
NOTE
FRIDTJOF NANSEN is the correct spelling