Archive for April, 2012
Photo of the week: Repeliina
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Photo of the week on 27.4.2012
Repeliina was awarded as the best mare in the national three-year-olds’ foal show held in Tampere in April.
Photo: Hippos.fi photo bank
6000 hits!
Posted by viivihoo in Statistics, contests & other on 26.4.2012
National Treasure has reached it’s 6000th visitor today! Great!
What should we do to celebrate the 10 000th visitor in the near future? Any suggestions? :)
The best of 2011
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing, Pony-sized horses, Riding, Work horse on 22.4.2012
Suomenhevosliitto (the finnhorse union/association) held their annual meeting in Mikkeli 18th of March 2012. They awarded he best finnhorses of 2011:
Older stallion/gelding:
gelding PIHLAJAN AARONI
Owner: Stable Aaron Rowan
Breeder: Sari Lappi
14 st. 6-2-1 86.000 EUR, Suurhollola and Satakunta-race winner, record 1.20,3
Older mare:
I.P. VIPOTIINA
Owner: Rip Rap Team & Juvonen Seppo
Driver & trainer: Pertti Puikkonen
Trotter queen 2011 by winning or part-races, 15st 6-2-1, 94 310EUR, Suur-Hollola silver medalist
5-year-old stallion/gelding:
stallion SÖRKÄN SÄLLI
Owner: Chef Wotkin’s Stable
Breeder: Jorma Leppänen
7 st. 4-2-1, 44.600 EUR, 5-yo Fabritius Memorial winner, 5-yo Derby winner, 1.25,0ake
5-year-old mares:
MARTSA
Owner & breeder: Heikki Karjula
15 st 8-2-0, 35.400 EUR, Villimies 5-yo mare race winner 1.24,7 aly, 1.27,3 ke
4-yo stallion&gelding:
gelding ELMOORI
Owner:. Juhola Mirja & Reijo
Breeder: Mirja Juhola & Irja Marsala
7 st, 6 wins, Tapiola Pikkuprinssi, 4-yo Kriterium winner, 56.400 EUR
4-yo mare:
TÄRPÄTTI
Owner: Laitinen, Eero & Jaakko
Breeder: Kari Viitala
15 st 2-6-2, 14.920 EUR, Ilkka-race winner 1.25,5 aly
3-yo stallion/gelding:
stallion JOKIVARREN KUNKKU
Owner: Salmi Arto & Posti Alpo
Breeder: Seppo Kivimäki & Pekka Oravisjärvi
2 st 1-1-0, 5.600 EUR, 3-yo Junnustartti winner
3-yo mare:
VOITON TYTTÖ
Owner: Jaakko Vinkka
Breeder: Maria & Jaakko Vinkka
7 st. 2-2-1, 5.630 EUR, Varsat Vauhdissa final winner, 3-yo Junnustartti second place, 1.31,1
Monté:
mare PILSSI
Owner: Viljo Lindeman
Breeder: Markku Pihkala
Monté Finnish champion 2011 m1.27,3
Work horse:
mare VILPOTAR
Owner: Mässeli, Markku & Taina
Breeder: Markku Mässeli
Work horse champion 2011
Show jumping:
stallion SIRUN OLIVER
Owner: Taina Mansikkamäki
Breeder: Jorma Leppänen
Rider: Maija-Riikka Pellikka
Show jumping champion 2011, 13 st. 5 wins, 8 places
Dressage:
stallion CORLEONE
Owner: Talli Hermannin Nuorisoseura
Breeder: Mitja Nummenmaa ja Petra Rantala
Rider: Heidi Svanborg-Lodman
Dressage champion 2011, 14 st. 4 wins & 14 places
Eventing:
stallion PIMUN VILSKE
Owner: Laura Jalasto
Breeder: Mira Syrjänpää
Eventing champion 2011
Driving:
gelding HESSIN VIHTORI
Owner: Kalalahti Hannu & Leena
Breeder: Heidi Sinda
Drivers: Hannu Kalalahti / Essi Joronen
Finnish champion in finnhorses and ponies, international success, winner of an international pony class in Hungary
Pony-sized horse:
stallion HERKKO HUANA
Owner: Sinikka Iso-Herttua
Breeder: Kristiina Keski-Jyrä
Success in pony-sized finnhorses’ dressage classes
Photo of the week: Jämpti
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Photo of the week on 20.4.2012
Finnish work horse is endangered
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Work horse on 17.4.2012
MTT: Säilytysohjelmat eri roduilla (mtt.fi)
Säilytysohjelmat: suomenhevonen (mtt.fi)
Photo: Mari Laulumaa-Hirvonen
Finns have been keeping domestic animals for about 4 000 years. In the process of time the cows, horses, sheep, pigs and the fowl have adapted to arctic climate. These animals are often not as productive as highly selectively bred animals, and this has led to extinction of some domestic breeds, for example the Finnish pig is already extinct
Information about populations and genetic material of different species can be found in EFABIS (European Farm Animal Biodeversity Information System) database, which is connected to FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations) DAD-IS-database.
FAO:s classification for endangerement:
- Extinct
- Critically endangered: there are less than 100 breeding females or less than five breeding males or population is below 120 and less than 80% of the population is purebred.
- Endangered: there are less than 1000 breeding females, less than 20 breeding males or population is 80-100, population is growing and more than 80% of population is purebred, or population is 1000-1200 and population is decreasing in number and less than 80% is purebred.
- Not endangered: more than 1000 breeding females and more than 20 breeding males or population is over 1200 and growing.
So FAO classifies the Finnish work horse (T, työhevonen) to endangered animals, since there are only about 500 finnhorses in work use, but not the finnhorse in general. Finnhorses’ population dropped about 95% during the 1950s to 1980s, the whole population is nowadays around 20 000. The pedigrees are narrowing down in increasing speed, mostly because of trotter breeding. There are more differences in riding- and pony-sized horses’ pedigrees, but the pedigrees have not yet differentiated much.
The most important issue to finnhorses in general is to grow their demand and usage, by finding more positive and supporting solutions in horse sport, travel and special working projects.It is common to freeze studs’ sperm during the breeding process, but so far the gene bank has stored sperm from only a few stallions.
First rankings for trotting championships
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 16.4.2012
From mikkelinkuninkuusravit.fi
The first rankings for this year’s trotting championships have been calculated. The ranking is based on purely mathematics, emphasizing horse’s winnings during his/her whole career and the fastest km-time. Only stallions and mares that have been inspected for studbook can attend the trotting championships. The rankings will be calculated at least three or four times before the championship races 21st and 22nd on July, but we can already start looking forward dor THE weekend for the finnhorse people and guessing which horses will, could or should be crowned as the trotter king and queen this year.
Stallions
1. Frans 83p
2. Tuokkolan Touho 66p
3. Boker 57p
4. Kilun Peedro 55p
5. Hepori 49p
6. Franko 40p
7. Veeran Turo 37p
8. Köppinen 36p
9. Tähen Tuuri 33p
10. Suikun Rilla 33p
11. Virijori 14p
12. Turbo-Urpo 11p
13. A.T. Veli 10p
14. Provinssi 10p
Mares
1. Marimin 90p
2. Velin Vinke 73p
3. B. Helmiina 72p
4. Sirun Valpuriina 51p
5. B. Turolii 47p
6. Oktaavia 41p
7. Maijuli 28p
8. Siirius 28p
9. Mokomani 22p
10. Noriko 22p
11. Vaiva 16p
12. Hissun Virva 13 p
13. Rituhelmi 12p
14. Ulleri 8 p
These lists lack still eg. the ruling pair I.P. Vipotiina and Villihotti, but the reason is simple: they have not raced yet this year. Both of them are starting on Saturday 21st of April at Kouvola, we’ll see how fierce the sparkles hit as the ruling couple will take their first steps on tracks for this summer. ;)
Video: Dressage show at Helsinki Horse Fair 2011
Two finnhorses showing off at Helsinki Horse Fair last year.
Video by HeelCa 2011.
Photo of the week: Friisin Paletti
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Photo of the week, Pony-sized horses on 13.4.2012
Results from Kiuruvesi Inspection
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Harness racing, Riding on 12.4.2012
The annual inspection at Kiuruvesi was held this year at 28th of February. There were nine trotters and one riding horse stallion inspected, Tähti-Paroni and Löytävä were renewing their licenses.
s. Sipori 19,4a (J)
d. Nuotteli 31,4a
s. A.T. Eko 21,1a (J)
d. Imun Ilo 26,2a
s. Turo 23,8a (J)
d. Pedrita 26,1a (J)
s. Cameron 22,7a (J)
d. Vokkerin Palsami 30,7
s. Viesker 19,9a (J)
d. Ukulele 29,8 (J)
s. Kihin Hiski 21,3a (J)
d. Fanniina 38,4
s. Viesker 19,9a (J)
d. Arvan-Vinku
s. Totilo 31,0 (J)
d. Nukeva 32,4 Valio (J)
s. Tähti-Vokker 25,6a (J)
d. Katrik
s. Murron Valo (R)
d. Knuutilan Muska (R)
All photos by Eero Perttunen/Hippola
Kokeva is Matti’s best friend
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing, Video on 10.4.2012
Matti Honkonen tells touchingly about his trotter stallion Kokeva, as tv-show Kierroksilla visited their stable. This episode was aired 14th of March 2012.
Matti tells about Kokeva:
- He was born in Orivesi, and I have had him since he was two years old.
- He’s more like a dog than a horse… We have a very good relationship, he’s my best friend, practically a life partner. He’s got an interesting character, one-man horse so to speak. If my house just had not the small entrance it does, he would live there with me.
- At home he knows his value, he’s the king here. He still feels like a 3- or 4-year old, not at all like a fifteen-year-old horse…
- Kokeva’s racing license grows old at this year’s end, when he turns 16. He’s standing at stud at Ordenoja. We have been planning about renting him for next summer, and they are getting me and my other horse Vertical Limit moving there as well. I wouldn’t get along without Kokeva, so they are getting the whole package.
(interviewer) So we can say that Kokeva is the horse of your life?
- Absolutely. He is my life, and there will never be another horse like him.
Photo of the week: Anton H
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Photo of the week, Pony-sized horses, Riding on 6.4.2012
Statistics from young horses’ races in 2011
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 5.4.2012
Tuloksia nuorten hevosten kilpailutoiminnassa (Juoksuradalta-blog at Hippos.fi 8.3.2012)
Vennelmon Voitto. Photo: Hevosurheilu
In 2011 a new program was put in action: to activate the racing of young horses. It has been common not to race the finnhorses until 4-, or 5 years of age, and there has been a demand for races that would give a chance of success also for the good, but not exceptionally mature, young horses so that they could also gain proper training and experience from races already at young age.
The elimination point system was changed, the mare races were opened for horses that had been brought to Finland at young age, young horses’ races were re-profiled with different prize levels, the new JunnuStartti race series and renewal of preliminary races seem to have got a warm welcome among the horse people. Results are encouraging.
The preliminary was opened for two-year-old finnhorses in autumn 2011 (earlier only for three-year-olds). The first two-year-old to attend was Vennelmon Voitto with result 2.05,3. Altogether 36 two-year-olds attended the preliminary.
The new JunnuStartti (JuniorStart) race series for two-year-old warmbloods and three-year-old finnhorses gained a very positive attendance rates and gave a fair chance to race beneficially eith a three-year-old. The series will be continued in 2012 in Toto75-races and the finals will be raced with first prize of 5000 euro.
Here is a table comparing the years 2010 and 2011:
| Finnhorses | ||
| 2010 | 2011 | |
| 2-yo 1st preliminary | 0 | 36 |
| 3-yo 1st preliminary | 321 | 267 |
| 3-yo 2nd preliminary |
230 | 186 |
| 3-yo raced horses |
47 | 55 |
| 3-yo starts | 77 | 117 |
| 3-yo winnings |
22 660€ | 47 480€ |
| 4-yo raced horses |
228 | 203 |
| 4-yo starts | 1253 | 1063 |
| 4-yo winnings | 473 540€ | 423 593€ |
Prizes rised for national foal show
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees on 3.4.2012
3-vuotiaiden suomenhevosten valtakunnallisen varsanäyttelyn palkinnot nousivat (Hippos.fi 30.3.2012)
3-year-old stallion Wauhdikas was the best trotter foal at autumn 2011 foal show. Which youngster will be the best three-year-old 2012, will be solved at Pirkka-Halli at Hevoset2012 fair 20th of April.
The annual foal show for thre-year-old finnhorses is held again this year at Tampere 20th of April. Pohjois-Hämeen Hippos foundation has gifted a bonus for this year’s prizes. The best foal will gain a 1000 euro prize, 500€ for second best, 300€ for third, 200€ for fourth and a 150€ prize for the fifth best foal. There are 17 young horses signed for the show so far, and horses can be signed until 10th of April. The elimination show will be held on Teivo racetrack and the five best horses will get to the last round which is held at Pirkka-Halli.
Do you own a horse?
Another poll for you :)
This time I would like to know more about you -do you have a horse of your own?
I have one 7-year old finnhorse mare (our covergirl at facebook by the way ;) ). For the past few months I have been schooling her for riding, and maybe some day we will have a comeback at harness races too… How about you?
Twenty-seven fine years with Avaruus
Posted by viivihoo in Work horse on 1.4.2012
Kuukauden työhevonen: Avaruus (tyohevosharrastajat.net)
(Avaruus on the left)
Gelding AVARUUS 2319-85
b. 7.5 1985
s. V.T. Ajatus
d. Lohko-Muisto
owner & breeder Jarmo Varjonen
Varjonen has bred Avaruus himself. Though there was some argues with the young stallion, he has developed to a decent worker. Varjonen told that he was a great-looking wedding carriage horse. His only lapse was to neigh very loudly at his own image that mirrored from store windows… To a big disappointment to his owner, Avaruus had to be emergency-gelded in the age of five.
Jarmo got fond of plowing in the 80s as watching a plowing competition. It looked interesting and the horse seemed suitable for the work. Besides practising Jarmo has show-plowed in events, but they did not participate in any competitions until 2007. Jarmo’s “trade mark” has been to teach his horses take half steps in front of the plow, so that the pull would be more settle. He works with a pair of horses, Avaruus has worked with Tähti-Hetki, E.V. Kenraali and Hallanvaara.
Until the 60s Jarmo got his living by working with horses, mostly with wood and logging. When the last horses were to disappear from farms, he was considered old-fashioned, but as the times have passed, he has been asked to teach younger people who have not seen the working with horses.
Avaruus is already 27 years old. Jarmo speaks respectively and mildly sentimentally about this horse, with whom he has experienced so much and who has brought many moments of joy.
original text & photos byKirsti Forssen
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