Archive for July, 2012
Vote for your favourite post in July
Photo of the week: Eternelli
Posted by viivihoo in Photo of the week, Riding on 27.7.2012
If the best finnhorses raced against each other…
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 25.7.2012
From Kylmä totuus hallitsijoista (IS Ravit 24.7.2012)
Which horse is the best trotter king of all time? Or queen?
Times change, horses, tracks and weathers change. There are many opinions. There is no absolute truth. The king and queen races have been raced with current rules since 1984. If we look only at the times the horses have reached in the whole race, Saran Salama is the fastest trotter king of all time with 9 minutes, 27,2 seconds, where I.P. Vipotiina is the fastest trotter queen ever with result of 9.31,8 min, trotted in Tampere last year.
This Tuesdays Veikkaaja magazine published an infographic about the fastest trotter kings and queens, and how they would have placed on the track if they raced against each other with their best results. Horses that have won more than one crowns – e.g. Viesker and I.P. Vipotiina – are placed in the graphic only with their best result.
Click to enlarge
Trotting Championships Sunday
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 24.7.2012
From kuninkuusravit.fi
Finland got a new ruling couple
Stallion Erikasson is the new trotter king, mare sirun Valpuriina trotter queen. The thirteen-year-old Erikasson is owned by Helena Tuikka and Jaakko Varjonen. He is trained by Bella Varjonen and his trusted driver is Harri Koivunen. Erikasson was bred by Riikka-Liisa Tolonen from Hattula.
Erikasson did not win any of the part races but placed well in each of them. Second place went to Turon Myrsky for winning two of the three races, third I.P. Lento with his crushing performance in the long-distance race of 3100m.
- He is an unbelievable horse. One permille of horses is like him. I have never met a horse like this, told Harri Koivunen.
The 11-year-old mare Sirun Valpuriina is owned by Anu Hyytiäinen from Jämsä. Her trainer Aimo Vuorinen and driver Jouni Törmänen are also located in Jämsä. She was bred by Jorma Leppänen at Virrat.
Sirun Valpuriina turned the field around in 3100m race. She was a surprise winner, though known well as a long-distance horse. She won by meters, spurted the 6 second difference to leading horses in the queen race and won the crown by 0,4 second difference. B. Turolii placed second and Marimin third. To frost her cake even more, she made a new Finnish record on long distance, 1.25,5.
All honor from this victory has to go to Aimo and Jouni. I have been very lucky to have these people around to make this horse a queen, said Anu Hyytiäinen.
Link to final results of trotter queen and king races
Records in many levels
Mikkeli race track gathered a 27 910 people audience on Sunday, 24 108 on Saturday, alltogether 52 018. Tote exchange was 4,7 million euro.
43 min Video resume from trotting championships by YLE (available for 5 more days, viewable also abroad)
All photos: Hippos Photo bank
Finnhorse Trotting Championship races at Mikkeli
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 21.7.2012
From kuninkuusravit.fi
News from Mikkeli are positive after the first day of Finnhorse Trotting Championship races. The reported audience was 24 108 and tote betting exchange of 2,58 million euro.
Monté Finnish Championship
Rojali won the finnhorse monté championship Photo: Hippola / Irina Keinänen
This years winner in the traditional first race of the Trotting Championship weekend, the finnhorse monté championship, was the 7-year-old gelding Rojali, ridden by Eveliina Kakko. Their winning time in the 2100m race was 1.26,3.
Maaseudun Tulevaisuus Monté Finnish Championship, finnhorses 2100m auto
| Horse / Driver | Time | Prize | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1 | Rojali / Eveliina Kakko | 26,3 | 5 000 € |
| 2. | 16 | Laaserin Kuva / Sanna Riikonen | 24,1 | 2 500 € |
| 3. | 9 | Santeriina / Jenni Nevalainen | 26,1 | 1 500 € |
| 4. | 15 | Jonnan Emeritus / Susanna Visuri | 25,3 | 1 000 € |
| 5. | 2 | Muusan Salama / Henna Romsi | 27,7 | 500 € |
| 6. | 4 | Tinori / Karoliina Sinkkilä | 28,8ep | 500 € |
| 7. | 5 | Järvi-Turo / Taru Ahonen | 28,8 | 500 € |
| 8. | 12 | Poika-Hermo / Kati Mäenpää | 29,1 | 500 € |
| 9. | 14 | Manaman / Nelly-Janiika Korpikoski | 29,2 | |
| 10. | 13 | Tujaus / Jenni Kaija | 29,9 | |
| 11. | 3 | Pirttilän Figo / Susanne Klemola | 32,2x | |
| 12. | 7 | Cherokee / Mari Vähänikkilä | 31,6 | |
| 6 | Sundets Zeb / Satu Liitiäinen | disqualified | ||
| 8 | Senaattori / Merja Ikäheimonen | k | ||
| 10 | Unelman Ralli / Liisa Nummi | k x | ||
| 11 | Hästhagens Hugo / Heli Perkiö | Scratched | ||
Tapiola Pikkukunkku, 4-year-olds
Virikari won the Pikkuprinssi race
Virikaris win was a celebration for Torvinen family as the young stallion was driven by only 20-year-old Hannu Torvinen, and trained by Hannu’s father Heikki. The whole family was in the winner’s circle to congratulate the young horse and driver for the biggest win of their careers so far.
| Horse / Driver | Time | Prize | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 6 | Virikari / Hannu Torvinen | 26,1 | 10 000 € |
| 2. | 9 | Siirin Älli / Ahti Antti-Roiko | 26,1 | 5 000 € |
| 3. | 11 | Frankker / Seppo Sarkola | 26,3 | 3 000 € |
| 4. | 4 | Jokivarren Kunkku / Antti Ojanperä | 26,9x | 2 000 € |
| 5. | 1 | Merran Emil / Antti Teivainen | 27,6 | 500 € |
| 6. | 12 | Ekebo Monique / Niko Jokela | 28,0 | 500 € |
| 7. | 8 | Kupori / Teemu Okkolin | 29,0 | |
| 8. | 7 | Brändi / Kari Rosimo | 29,1x | |
| 9. | 5 | Krobi / Tero E Mäenpää | 29,4 | |
| 2 | Ainon Ilo / Reijo Irri | k | ||
| 3 | Tuli-Ritari / Ari Moilanen | disqualified | ||
| 10 | Venlan Passi / Risto Tupamäki | disqualified | ||
Queen race: Only small differences
| Horse/Driver | Queen race | 2100m | 1609m | 3100m | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| place | time | difference | place | Km time | time | diff. | place | Km time | time | diff. | km time |
time | diff. | ||
| B. Helmiina / A Moilanen | 1 | 2.54.6 | 0.0 | 1 | 23.1a | 2.54.6 | 0.0 | ||||||||
| Oktaavia / K Venäläinen | 2 | 2.54.8 | 0.2 | 2 | 23.2a | 2.54.8 | 0.2 | ||||||||
| Marimin / A Hammar | 3 | 2.54.8 | 0.2 | 3 | 23.2a | 2.54.8 | 0.2 | ||||||||
| Velin Vinke / A Teivainen | 4 | 2.56.6 | 2.0 | 4 | 24.1a | 2.56.6 | 2.0 | ||||||||
| B. Turolii / K Rosimo | 5 | 2.56.7 | 2.1 | 5 | 24.1ax | 2.56.7 | 2.1 | ||||||||
| Tsingiska / H Kamppuri | 6 | 2.56.9 | 2.3 | 6 | 24.2a | 2.56.9 | 2.3 | ||||||||
| Sirun Valpuriina / Jou Törmänen | 7 | 2.57.2 | 2.6 | 7 | 24.4ax | 2.57.2 | 2.6 | ||||||||
| R.R. Ruskariina / T Perttunen | 8 | 2.57.3 | 2.7 | 8 | 24.4a | 2.57.3 | 2.7 | ||||||||
| Helmin Roosa / H Kotilainen | 9 | 2.58.8 | 4.2 | 9 | 25.1ax | 2.58.8 | 4.2 | ||||||||
| Poljento / Ju Kolkka | 10 | 2.58.9 | 4.3 | 10 | 25.2ax | 2.58.9 | 4.3 | ||||||||
| Siirius / M Forss | 11 | 2.59.0 | 4.4 | 11 | 25.2a | 2.59.0 | 4.4 | ||||||||
| Aino-Ilona / Han Hietanen | – | disqualified | |||||||||||||
King candidate’s situation after first race
| Horse/Driver | King race | 2100m | 1609m | 3100m | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Time | Diference | Place | Km time | time | diff. | place | Km time | time | diff. | place | km time | time | diff. | |
| Turon Myrsky / T E Mäenpää | 1 | 2.54.8 | 0.0 | 1 | 23.2a | 2.54.8 | 0.0 | ||||||||
| Erikasson / H Koivunen | 2 | 2.54.8 | 0.0 | 2 | 23.2a | 2.54.8 | 0.0 | ||||||||
| Juppe Hoo / Jo Tarvainen | 3 | 2.54.9 | 0.1 | 3 | 23.3a | 2.54.9 | 0.1 | ||||||||
| Köppinen / A Teivainen | 4 | 2.55.1 | 0.3 | 4 | 23.4a | 2.55.1 | 0.3 | ||||||||
| Frans / J Utala | 5 | 2.55.2 | 0.4 | 5 | 23.4a | 2.55.2 | 0.4 | ||||||||
| Franko / J Ruotsalainen | 6 | 2.55.5 | 0.7 | 6 | 23.6a | 2.55.5 | 0.7 | ||||||||
| Vieskerin Valo / P Niveri | 7 | 2.55.6 | 0.8 | 7 | 23.6ax | 2.55.6 | 0.8 | ||||||||
| I.P. Lento / A Moilanen | 8 | 2.55.7 | 0.9 | 8 | 23.7a | 2.55.7 | 0.9 | ||||||||
| Lötens Piruett / P Puikkonen | 9 | 2.57.3 | 2.5 | 9 | 24.4ax | 2.57.3 | 2.5 | ||||||||
| Villihotti / K Rosimo | 10 | 2.57.3 | 2.5 | 10 | 24.4ax | 2.57.3 | 2.5 | ||||||||
| Tähen Tuuri / T Rautiainen | – | scratched | |||||||||||||
| Boker / E Holopainen | – | disqualified | |||||||||||||
Tight differences -will the ruling king Villihotti be able to sprint up to 2,5 seconds to reach Turon Myrsky and Erikasson? Will B. Helmiina have the queen’s crown after a few years break or will there be a totally new queen, perhaps one of the long-time challengers? Stay tuned for Sunday’s races!
Seahorse?
Video by Martti Aikio on youtube. Looks like they were trying to get the young horse to swim after the boat across the river for pasture, but she thought otherwise. Too slow transport? ;)
Photo of the week: Herkko Huana
Posted by viivihoo in Photo of the week, Pony-sized horses, Riding on 20.7.2012
32 pony-sized finnhorses in the National Pony Show 2012
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Pony-sized horses on 18.7.2012
From Vermo National Pony Show 2012
Stallion A.T. Ukko-Myrsky, last year winner. Photo by Heini Luttinen
This year altogether 32 pony-sized finnhorses are stepping in the show ring at Vermo in August, as the national pony show takes place 18th-19th of August 2012 at Vermo race track in Espoo. This annual pony show is organized by six pony breed organizations in Finland: the Connemara-, New Forest-, Shetland pony-, Gotland russ-, Welsh- and Pony-sized Finnhorse association are combining their forces and having a major event with about 500 ponies participating annually, in association with the local horse breeding association, Tapiola insurance company, Hippos, Vermo race track and Finnish Horse Owners’ Association.
This is even better than last year, when there were 26 pony-sized finnhorses. See the results here.
| 2012 foals |
| “Hagelundin PikkuAarre” FOR SALE |
| Tintin Lakritsi |
| Tuokkonen |
| Aureaa |
| Tintin Neilikka FOR SALE |
| 1-year-olds |
| Millin Velmupöly |
| Toppå |
| 2-year-olds |
| Hopeamyrsky |
| Sirukko |
| Kuukson Josefina |
| Troijan Jolanda |
| Merimaan Ruu |
| Tulileimutar |
| Tuliliekitär |
| Villin Viritys FOR SALE |
| Väisälän Veenus |
| 3-year-olds |
| Kuukson Amaliia |
| Vilman Vilppi |
| Studbooked mares |
| Dallidens Vimma |
| Pikku-Onerva |
| Vieno-Kaneli |
| Anastaasie |
| Oksasimana |
| Studbooked stallions |
| Jepon Julius |
| Tussarin Luonnos |
| Voinokka |
| Mirlakka |
| Geldings |
| Merlinin Velho |
| Tuliellu |
| Uninspected mares |
| Millin Nelli |
| Pikku Roo |
| Vuohimäen Tuohi |
Video: Hessin Leevi
Stallion Hessin Leevi performing on a dressage course in 2011.
Photo of the week: Herkko Hurmaus
Posted by viivihoo in Photo of the week, Riding on 13.7.2012
Participants announced for trotting championships
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 11.7.2012
Franko at a press conference held in Kenkävero, Mikkeli. Photo: Hippos/Satu Meriluoto
Trotter king race
Boker
Erikasson
Franko
Frans
I.P. Lento
Juppe Hoo
Köppinen
Lötens Piruett
Turon Myrsky
Tähen Tuuri
Vieskerin Valo
Villihotti
Reserve:
Suikun Rilla
B. Vilunki
Queen race:
Aino-Ilona
B. Helmiina
B. Turolii
Helmin Roosa
Marimin
Oktaavia
Poljento
R.R. Ruskariina
Siirius
Sirun Valpuriina
Tsingiska
Velin Vinke
Reserve:
Wizard Stina
Edla
A very unlucky incident was I.P. Vipotiina’s dropout. She got tendon injury in her leg just before the signing for the race, so she can not race. So the new queen shall rule the next year, but which of these tough mares it could be? Who’s your favourite and why?
100 followers!
Posted by viivihoo in Statistics, contests & other on 11.7.2012
I can proudly announce that National Treasure has got over 100 followers now!
Thank you all:
83 Facebook followers
17 WordPress.com followers
4 Twitter followers
Three finnhorses in this year’s foal auction
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Harness racing on 10.7.2012
This year’s foal auction catalogue has been published. There are 85 warmblood trotter foals and three finnhorses. The trend is lowering, I remember last year there were five finnhorse foals?
| Gender | Name | Sire | Dam | Dam’s sire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| colt | Mylverin Jytky | Cameron | Putuliina 53,9 | Utun Ruutu |
| filly | Erriina | Erikasson | Riinan Muisto 34,3 | Tähti-Pampu |
| filly | Mylverin Repekka | Humeeti | Suvinella 29,4 | Suvin-Sälli |
These three are quite promising by their pedigrees, I don’t know why the auction hasn’t got more breeders to participate -maybe they think a good foal sells itself and don’t want to take it all the way to Ypäjä in September. Well, good for them if their horses get sold. :) I have never been to the auction personally, but I have understood that the event has grown every year and the breeders have even got quite good prices for some of the foals.
I made this little chart to summarize the auctions so far. It shows all listed foals (black) and finnhorses (red). Warmblood trotter breeders have found the auction quite well, but there has been never more than 8 finnhorses for sale. Last year 21 out of 93 foals were not sold (22%).
To compare, here are last year’s results (finnhorses), and the full results here.
Photo of the week: Hilton Jäpä
Posted by viivihoo in Photo of the week, Riding on 6.7.2012
Ypäjä Stud 75th Anniversary Seminar in English
Posted by viivihoo in Art & Culture, Riding on 6.7.2012
From Suomenhevonen 2012 (issuu.com web magazine)
Finnhorse Union (Suomenhevosliitto) published its annual Suomenhevonen magazine, including stories of finnhorses, their owners, trainers, future stars, statistics, breeding… lots of articles! The magazine is mostly in Finnish, but if you go to the last pages, you will find one article in English too on pages 52-53.
Another very interesting international event seems to take place on Finnhorse riding championships weekend too, since the Ypäjä Stud is celebrating its 75th anniversary -and the seminar is held in English! This is an excellent opportunity to get to know the finnhorse without having to learn Finnish language first, see a huge variety of Riding section finnhorses of all ages, stroll around the traditional Ypäjä Stud grounds and visit the Equestrian Museum of Finland, all in one weekend, guided, and at one place!
INVITATION
Ypäjä Equine College proudly presents and invites you to the yearly highlight of Finnhorse, section riding:
NATIONAL FINNHORSE BREEDERS’ COMPETITION 2012
Ypäjä Stud, 30th August – 2nd September 2012Quality tests for young horses, final – classes:
3 years, 4 years, 5 years
Championship for 6 year old in Dressage and Jumping
Finnhorse National Dressage Championship 2012
“Samuli Puissance”
Stallion Show with top siresPLEASE KINDLY CONTACT US CONCERNING YOUR PARTICIPATION
by the 15th August, paivi.laine@hevosopisto.fi
tel. +358 40 8607601 or kurssisihteeri@hevosopisto.fiFriday the 31st August:
The 75th Anniversary Seminar
Program:
14.00 Guided tour in the Stud area (start at “OPPILASRUOKALA”)
16.00 Visit to the Finnish Equestrian Museum (in the Stud area) At “KARTANON KOULU”
18.00 Opening the Seminar
18.15 FINNHORSE -background and future of the studbook and breeding
19.15 YPÄJÄ NATIONAL STUD – the 75 years of education and research
20.30 Festive (informal) dinner in the Cavalry School Restaurant (price 25 EUR, please do the dinner reservation as soon as possible – there is a restricted number of places)WELCOME TO YPÄJÄ
(Seminar in English language)From Suomenhevonen, page 39
Finnhorse riding championships 2012
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Riding on 3.7.2012
This year’s finnhorse riding championships take their traditional place in the end of August, starting August 30th and continuing to 2nd of September 2012.
The best dressage and show jumping finnhorses gather to Ypäjä to contest their skills as well as 3-, 4- and 5-year-old finnhorses have their own “Breeder’s prize” type of contest where their gaits, body structure and free jumps are judged. The best 6-year-olds contest in show jumping in Tapiola breeder’s prize.
It is time to set the mood -have a look at photos and videos from the last few years.
Results from finnhorse riding championships (NT 10.9.2011)
Video: Etu-Kihinä (2011) (on Youtube)
Video: Herkko Hurmaus (2011) (on Youtube)
Video: finnhorse riding championships 2010 compilation (on Youtube)
Video: Linkker (2008) (on Youtube)
Suomenratsujen kuninkaalliset 2011 (villa.kuvat.fi)
Suomenhevosgalleria (“Suomenratsujen kuninkaalliset”) (sininiitty.net)
Suomenratsujen kuninkaalliset 2009 (jouhi.kuvat.fi)
Suomenratsujen kuninkaalliset 2008 (suomenhevosia.galleria.fi)
Suomenratsujen kuninkaalliset 2007 (kuvanna.fi)
Vote for your favourite trotters -win tickets to trotting championships!
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 2.7.2012
Äänestä Mikkelin ravisuosikeista kaunein ja komein! (Länsi-Savo 27.6.2012)
Newspapers Länsi-Savo and itä-Savo are looking for miss and mister finnhorse. The candidates are top-class finnhorse trotters, most probably this year’s trotter queen and king among them.
You can vote your favourites by SMS, cost is 1,10 EUR per SMS. Write LS ORI and number for stallion and LS TAMMA and number to vote your favourite mare, for example LS ORI 1 and LS TAMMA 1. Send your SMS to 13540.
The voting closes 16th of July. The grand prize is two VIP tickets to the trotting championships races 22nd of July 2012 in Mikkeli, Finland, and a few more lucky winners get free tickets to the races.
The voting results are published on championships race’s eve, Friday 20th of July.
STALLIONS
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1. Villihotti The ten-year-old ruling trotter king has improved to every race this year. He is a stallion full of strength and often solves the races to his own good with his good spurt. Villihotti is one of Seppo Suuronen’s three open class trotters at the moment, he also owns the horse with Toni Lasila from Lahti. |
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2. Tuokkolan Touho Nine-year-old Tuokkolan Touho has had some bad luck this year, but is making a comeback for summer. He placed second in trotter king final just slightly after his stable mate Villihotti. He is also trained by Seppo Suuronen and owned by Ravitalli Suuronen Oy and JMR Talli Oy. |
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3. Franko 8-year-old Franko has made his way to open class races and finnhorses’ elite during the last year. This godly looking flaxen-mained stallion makes on thrill, and is Seppo Suuronen’s third link in the top-class chain of quality trotter horses. Maybe even the “black horse” for trotter king race? |
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4. Boker Boker, also 9 years old, has made his way to open class races. This athlete has participated in every big race for finnhorses this year placing well in each of them, including international Elitkampen race in Sweden, bringing many good moments for his owner team Team Boker, which includes members from both his home town Puumala and from Hollola. |
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5. Frans The eleven-year-old steel stallion Frans is the fresh Grand Champion, Derby winner of his time, Little king of his age-class and participant of all big races through the years. He is good on any distance raced and has a tremendous spurt ability. He is owned and trained by Jouni Hakkinen from Kuhmoinen. |
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6. Erikasson The thirteen-year-old stallion is one of the best finnhorse trotters ever by his talent. He has had disadvantages and set-backs in his career, but he has always made his way back to the top. His winning percent is nearly 50! He is trained by Bella Varjonen and owned by Helena Tuikka, Varjonen’s mother, and her fiancé Jaakko Varjonen. |
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7. Tähen Tuuri The ten-year-old Tähen Tuuri is also a threat to any contestant on any distance. He brought honor to finnhorses in 2011 by winning the international Prix des Pays Nordiques in Vincennes, France. He is trained by Terho Rautiainen from Kangasniemi, and owned by Talli Moukantuuri Oy, formed by four long-time horsemen from southern Savonia. |
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8. Virijori Virijori places to group “young challengers”, since he is only seven years old and just making his way to the top. He won the Savo-race in May, and placed always well in his age-class races. His trainer is Tero Mäenpää from Maaninka, who has a few more open class trotter stallions in his stable, too. |
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9. Köppinen Köppinen has also given a good effort towards the open class. He is a threat to anyone, if he only has the patience to trot whole time. This dark casanova is an example of a versatile horse, as he serves also as riding horse for his owners Jyrki and Maija Korhonen. Jyrki Korhonen also traines the horse himself. |
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10. I.P. Lento I.P. Lento, age 11, has also participated actively in big races, winning e.g. the Erkon Pokaali race and the Kirppu-race twice. This sporty stallion is owned by Sivolan Tila from Kajaani. He is bred by Parviainen family, who have bred all the well-known I.P.-trotters. Heikki Parviainen won the trotter queen’s crown with I.P. Sukkula in 1996 when Mikkeli held the championship races last time. |
MARES
 |
1. B. HelmiinaThe fourteen-year-olf twice-crowned trotter queen from the years 2006 and 2007. She seems to have endless speed storages when she is at her best, the golden nugget of Brogstöm family from Lappeenranta. This fiery-tempered mare does not take the winner’s rug on her when she is harnessed. |
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2. B. TuroliiTwelve-year-old B. Turolii is B. Helmiina’s little sister, also owned by Borgström family. This blonde beauty is as fast as the wind, probably on high ranks for trotter queen race this year. Reijo Borgström, known for his B.-horses has also won the trotter king’s crown once with stallion Vekke. |
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3. NorikoNoriko comes from northern Savonia, from Kiuruvesi. This open-class challenger might be the black horse in this year’s queen race. Trainer Timo Vääränen is known as extremely careful when it comes to choose races for his horses -Noriko has won almost a half of the races she has participated. Vääränen has rented Noriko with A. Harmonen and K. Sirviö. |
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4. I.P. VipotiinaThis thirteen-year-old mare has a tremendous list of success on her career -including three wins in the trotter queen races and a world record. She is owned by Rip Rap Team and Seppo Juvonen. The trainer is Pertti Puikkonen, who comes originally from Mikkeli but currently lives in Espoo. I.P. Vipotiina has had almost magical trotting career, including also Kriterium and Derby race wins as 4- and 5-year-old. |
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5. Oktaavia Oktaavia, age 12, is well-known for her tremendous final spurt, which has often brought her over the winning line as the winner. Oktaavia comes from Ypäjä, where she is owned and trained by long-term horsemen Lauri Malinen and Taisto Nurmio, who have had many succesful trotters over the years. |
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6. Marimin The thirteen-year-old Marimin comes also from the traditional horse county of Ypäjä. Marimin’s strengths are wind-like speed and the fact that she does not gallop easily when racing. She is owned by Esa Heikkinen and Terhi Haukivaara. Marimin has had some setbacks often just before the trotter queen races. We just have to hope that this year everything would go smooth and she could participate in the race that all finnhorse owners and breeders are hoping they could some day participate. |
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7. Helmin Roosa The eight-year-old Helmin Roosa is another challenger along Noriko in open class circles. She has a good final spurt, which comes in handy also in open-class races. She is owned by team Järvenpää & Järvenpää & Honkonen & Kotilainen. Trainer Harri Kotilainen has also driven the mare in all of her races. |
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8. Velin Vinke The trotter queen of 2008. This red chestnut mare is smooth-moving speeder, who has the speed to challenge others in demanding conditions. Owner-trainer Aarne Halla-Aho got to harness racing after retirement. |
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9. Poljento Poljento is an eager racer, who needs her driver more as a passenger. She can handle exptreme speed in long distances, so this flaxen-mained athlete is a familiar sight as the leading horse in races. Poljento is owned Petri Koskenmäki from Alajärvi. |
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10. Aino-Ilona Eleven-year-old Aino-Ilona is an experienced contestant in both harness racing and beauty. She won the vote for Miss title held before Tampere’s championships races. Aino-Ilona is owned by Kiia-Karoliina Nieminen from Vantaa. She is trained by Kiia-Karoliina’s father Jukka Rintamäki from Ylöjärvi. |
Vilpotar, the gentle giant
Posted by viivihoo in Work horse on 1.7.2012
Kuukauden työhevonen: Vilpotar (tyohevosharrastajat.net)
b. 26.7.1997
s. Vispok 1918-87J
d. Vilma-Neiti 1127-81J
Vilpotar, nicknamed Viltsu, is homebred by Taina and Markku Mässeli, the gentle giant with her height of 167cm at withers. Markku had planned a trotting career for her, but since she had more easy-going nature than a trotter maybe should, Markku thought she might be better at work horse’s profession. She is unbelievably kind by nature, even small children can lead and groom her without any concern. She is always ready to work, easy to ride and drive.
Vilpotar and Markku have competed in work horse contests. She placed second in 2009. Markku joked to co-contestants at Kannus 2011, that they should win since they had the longest way from home -650km. Did she listen to him or not, Vilpotar brought home the 2500€ first prize and the title of Work horse champion in 2011. They have also participated in Finnish horse plowing championships placing second, paired with another finnhorse mare Lento-Suukko. This year’s main goal is to defend the championship at Jyväskylä.
Vilpotar has not required any special training for the contests, since she works daily at home ranch on everyday tasks. She has foaled twice, gelding Aarteen Etsijä (2008, sire Aarteen Aprik), is aiming for harness races. The second foal, colt Viltraus (s. Valtraus) had to be put down as six months old due to an accident.
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