Posts Tagged Finland
Traveller’s thoughts on riding a finnhorse in Lapland
Posted by viivihoo in Art & Culture, Riding, Video on 21.5.2013
From Dashing Through the Snow… On a Saddled Finnish Horse (blogged 26.4.2013)
Kristin, a traveller from Australia, visited Kamisak Farm in Finnish Lapland in March 2013 and went for a ride on a finnhorse. You can read more about her adventures around the world in her blog “A Pair of Boots and a Backpack”, linked above.
What comes to mind when you think of animals in Lapland? Reindeer? Huskies? Polar bears (and no, they don’t actually live there)?
One animal I certainly wouldn’t have thought of before I went to Finnish Lapland was the horse. Like the cows that didn’t last very long in Honningsvåg, I thought horses wouldn’t survive in such a tough land, one that wouldn’t provide them with much food in the winter or temperatures that they would be comfortable in.
It turns out that I was very wrong. Finland is actually home to its own breed of horse, the Finnhorse, that is confusingly called a “cold-blooded horse.” No, they haven’t found a way to make a horse that’s not a warm-blooded mammal; in this case “cold-blooded” means that the horses are “muscular, heavy-set horses that are bred to be calm, steady, and patient.” Read more
What would you like to receive as a giveaway prize?
Posted by viivihoo in Statistics, contests & other on 20.5.2013
The first giveaway went well, so I’m already planning the next one for the summer. What to do, how to do it, and most importantly, what would be a good prize?
I have a few ideas in storage, but I would like to hear your suggestions. So please, tell me what would make you click that submit button?
Another beautiful video about finnhorses
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing, Riding, Video on 19.5.2013
A nicely edited and sporty looking video resume about all kinds of things you can do with a finnhorse. :)
Video by SpiderTiipa
Photo of the week: Tuulensuun Sinuhe
Posted by viivihoo in Photo of the week, Pony-sized horses on 18.5.2013
Tuulensuun Sinuhe, photo by Heini Luttinen
Video: Run, my little horse
Posted by viivihoo in Art & Culture, Video, Riding on 17.5.2013
Krisse posted this video on her blog where she writes about her 3-year-old young stallion Rohkelikon Into. “Ukko” has been in training for the last two months with Vilppu at Ypäjä, preparing for the annual young horse show.
The song on the video is “Juokse sinä humma” sung by Tapio Rautavaara. Translation for the lyrics at Lyricstranslate.com:
Run my little horse
Run my little horse,
Since the sky is so dark
And the travel ahead is rather long.
In the end that girl didn’t come to my ride,
For I’m a boy on the wild side.
refrain:
Hey my little horse, hey my little horse,
Huputiti hey my little horse!
Run my little horse,
Since the sky is so dark
And we are going by slowly with the two of us.
Horse is the only treasure of a boy,
No-one else has quite alike it.
refrain2:
Hey my little horse, hey my little horse,
Huputiti hey my little horse!
Run my little horse,
Since the sky is so dark
And shadows are covering my way.
Quietly my song echoes from the road
And my flaxen horse is swaying its mane.
refrain2
Run my little horse,
Since the sky is so dark
And a bell is under the shaft.
Ohh, how small pieces
Is my bread across the world.
refrain
Run my little horse,
When the sky is so dark
And wind is moaning in the wood.
There’s a small cottage in the curve of a road
And Cherrylip is staying there.
refrain2
Hey my little horse, hey my little horse,
Hey, stop here my little horse.
Splashed white gene found in finnhorses
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees on 16.5.2013
From Klemola oli oikeassa: Suomenhevosessa on Splashed White-kirjavuusgeeni! (Leena Alerini at Hevosurheilu.fi 11.5.2013)
Intiaani is a splashed white! (photo from the source article at hevosurheilu.fi)
It has been widely argued wether this rare color gene exists in finnhorses or not. Valto Klemola, a scientist who researched color genetics already in the 1930s, said it did, and now his theory has been proved true. Splashed white is said to be extremely rare and wanted color on horses.
There are multiple examples of finnhorses with exceptionally big white markings, both in living horses and in old photos. But still there seems to have been some lack of evidence that wasn’t known until now. The gene test had to wait until 2012. It was made in Davis University in California, and the test showed that this gene is indeed found in the finnhorse.
The horse that was tested is called Intiaani. She was tested for splashed white and sabino genes. Sabino test came out negative, but the current gene technology can only find one of the many mutations that gives the sabino coloring, so she might be a carrier of some other mutation. Intiaani is a heterozygous splashed white, which means that she got it from either her sire Turtuma or dam R.R. Vilma.
My first book came out!
Posted by viivihoo in Art & Culture on 15.5.2013
“Hevonen” by Viivi Huuskonen available at the Blurb Bookstore.
Just to inform and celebrate, since I can’t help but be excited about this. It’s a milestone! My first book!
“Hevonen” (horse) is my self-initiated college project. It’s a 20-page book with hard image wrap cover. I made the first order of these books for my friends and family, and got them a few days ago.
I can assure you it’s a quality print job, and I’m very happy with it. The poem I wrote and illustrated for the book is my ode for the horse, a way of showing my thankfulness for everything they have taught me during the years.
You can see the book on e-preview at the Blurb Bookstore. The bookstore price is 32.89€ or 38.24$.
For now it’s only available in Finnish, but here’s a translation of the poem:
“The Horse
They say that you live in a moment
but you have the knowledge of a thousand years in you
from this life and the past.
You carry the weight of the world
silently, without complain.
One earns respect only then
when he stops asking for it
you have taught me that
through countless mistakes.
When I’m telling others about you
I tell more about myself
what I am and what I would like to be.
You show me what I am.
Thank you, my friend, the horse.”
Three Cheers For The Horsey Mums!
Posted by viivihoo in Art & Culture on 12.5.2013
From Three Cheers For The Horsey Mums! (Haynet.co.uk)
Samantha wrote another great post to her Haynet blog in March 10th, (when the British celebrate Mother’s Day) thanking all those horsey mums who support their children and their horses and ponies over years. Many great horse people stories wouldn’t have had a chance to begin if those parents would have said no to their child’s wish to start riding lessons. in Finland we celebrate Mother’s Day on second Sunday of May.
There are also the mothers out there that do not have the funds or the interest in horses to bring riding to their children to this level, but they find money for riding lessons or sharing a pony. I am not from a horsey family at all, but my mum did pay for me, every week as a child to have lessons at the local riding school. They were still expensive in those days but she enabled me to ride and this is how my love for horses started. This paved the way for me to become involved with horses and without those lessons I am sure I would not have the horse bug that has been with me since those childhood riding school days. (Samantha)
Wood anemone, traditional gift on mother’s day. Photo by Artem Topchiy/Wikimedia Commons
There are many stories like this, including mine. My parents always wondered where did that horse bug come from to bite me, since they had no interest in horses whatsoever.
But my mum let me do it, later on granted my wish of a pony and looking back that must be the best thing that ever happened to me. Every child should have an opportunity to get in touch with animals, and in my opinion having a pony or horse is far from spoiling your child if they learn the right attitude towards life from them: respect, facing ups and downs in life, hard work, coping the pain that is inevitable, yet living one day at a time and most of all, never giving up. And they get plenty of fresh air and exercise while learning these important life lessons, too.
Experiencing foal fever…
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Statistics, contests & other on 9.5.2013
Mommy in a few months? First foal expected to be born in July, fingers crossed! Thanks for the photo Roosa L. (9.4.2013)
It seems that summer will be here soon. That big yellow bulb has been reported to be seen in the sky every now and then, the snow is melting -and many foals of 2013 have already been born!
My Facebook wall is full of photos of those tiny, ever-so-cute creatures trying to figure out their spider-like long legs, seeing and tasting the world… And soon galloping big circles around their mom outside in the field. Needless to say I can’t wait to see our first foal to be born in July.
Sumiainen, photo by Peppi-Emilia Salmi
The sire of this next king/queen is the 1st prize R-stallion Sumiainen. He unfortunately died in October 2012, so this will be his last age-class. He succeeded well in national dressage arenas as well as in show ring for years and has sired 7 foals until 2012. This little one will be a rarity! :)
The “foal project” as we like to call it with my friend, started last summer first just as a joke, but it caught on quite quickly and soon we were looking at stallion ads -why not?! The Finnish summer is short, the ideal time for a foal to be born would be May or June to provide them the longest possible time for grazing outside. Still we weren’t too slow with the decisions and the first covering was an instant success. A few weeks later we could start thinking about the possible names we could be giving to this newcomer.
So far the winter has gone by the book with no problems whatsoever. I can only hope that the foaling will be like that as well and Elyse will prove herself as a good mother. Luckily we have one other mare foaling in the same stable this summer, and she has had a few foals so there is also support available for the newbie. ;)
(We are semi-secretly hoping for a flaxen-mained colt, but we’ll see…)
Photo of the week: Lorentso
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Photo of the week, Riding on 4.5.2013
Lorentso, photo by Heini Luttinen
Two finnhorse stallions in private inspection
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Harness racing on 30.4.2013
From Neljä oritta yksityistarkastuksessa Vermossa (Hippos.fi)
Four stallions were privately inspected for breeding in Helsinki on April 15th. Two of them were finnhorses and two standardbreds (Aaron de Veluwe and Tannerman Can).
You can see more statistics and information on stallions here (pdf).
A.T. Visku 1149-03J
A.T. Visku, photo by Eero Perttunen
Born 2003, breeder Aapo Teperi, Köyliö.
Conformation points 8-7-8-6/-8-6, II prize
Starts: 131, 9-21-15, 63 375 € 1.22,3a – 1.24,4
Turbo-Urpo 1093-05J
Turbo-Urpo, photo by Eero Perttunen
Born 2005, breeder Jokinen Jari & Päivi, Humppila
Conformation points: 8-8-9-7/8-6, II prize.
Records 1.23,8aly, 1.24,6ke Winnings 84 720 e, race statistics 72: 15-10-7
Photo of the week: Saaren Kiho
Posted by viivihoo in Photo of the week on 27.4.2013
Saaren Kiho, photo by Heini Luttinen
Tips for coldblood races 21st April 2103
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 21.4.2013
See also How to bet on Finnish Horse Races
My apologies for not making it in time for Tornio races at 12 o’clock!
Toto75 at Pori was exceptionally moved to Sunday because of a big ice hockey match taking place in Pori.
Here are some tips for today’s races (see the race card here).
Pori Toto 75, 15.00
by Jouni Toroska
Race 4
A) 12 Kuultava, 8 Valenssi, 11 Loimun Casimir, 5 Säikän Syke, 3 Torakles
B) 7,6,10,4,1
C) 9,2
Race 5, Satakunta Senior
A) 5 Siirin Älli
B) 7,3,13,4,12,9,15,14,10
C) 11,6,1,16,8,2
Race 7
A) 2 Multi Tella, 8 Akin Passi, 7 Aaron Hem, 12 Fannikka, 10 Suitero
B) 9,1,11,5,3
C) 4,6
Race 10
A) 1 Rapin Aatos
B) 10,2,8,5,3,4,9,6
C) 7,12,11
Race 12
A) 12 Topin Musta
B) 1,7,9,5,4,6,10,11
C) 2,8,3
TOTO75 (races 5-11)
small system
I 5 (7,3)
II 1,2,4,5,8,11,12,13,15 (16,10)
III 2,7,8,10,12 (9,1)
IV 2,9 (3,11)
V 2,4,6,10 (11,3)
VI 1 (10,2)
VII 10 (2,3)
360*0,05 €= 18€
Big system
I 5 (7,3)
II 1,2,4,5,8,11,12,13,15 (16,10)
III 1,2,7,8,9,10,12 (11,5)
IV 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,11,12 (8,10)
V 2,4,6,10 (11,3)
VI 1 (10,2)
VII 10 (2,3)
2520*0,05€ = 126€
TOTO4 (races 9-12)
Small system
I 2,4,6,10 (11,3)
II 1 (10,2)
III 10 (2,3)
IV 1,12 (7,9)
8*0,20€ = 1,60€
Big system
I 2,3,4,6,10,11 (7,12)
II 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10 (7,12)
III 10 (2,3)
IV 1,4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12 (2,8)
486*0,20€ = 97,20€
TROIKKA (race 12)
Small system
I 12 Topin Musta
II 1,7,9
III 1,4,5,6,7,9,10,11
21*0,50€ = 10,50€
Big system
I 1,12
II 1,4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12
III 1,4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12
112 *0,50€ = 56€
More 75-tips at IS Ravit
Photo of the week: Vuohimäen Hilla
Posted by viivihoo in Photo of the week, Pony-sized horses on 19.4.2013
Vuohimäen Hilla, photo by Sini Tuhkunen
Summer is coming, I can feel it!
Tips for coldblood races 18th April 2013
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 18.4.2013
See also How to bet on Finnish horse races
Thursday 18th April
Lahti 18.00 (GMT+2) Toto5
Race 2
A) 3 Lopun Huiske
B) 11, 1, 13,6,7,10
C) 14,9,8,5,4,2
Race 7
A) 5 Rikelme, 10 Pyrypolun Dumdum
B) 4,7,1,2,12
C) 8,6,11,3,9
Video: Kajon Koru
Posted by viivihoo in Breeding & pedigrees, Video on 15.4.2013
Winter fun. :)
Video by KatanTalli1.
What is the deal with pony-sized finnhorses?
Posted by viivihoo in Pony-sized horses on 13.4.2013
Friisin Paletti. Photo by Jasmina Sulkumäki
Pony-sized finnhorse, small horse, yet not a pony, but in my opinion a bit more describing term would be “finnpony”. One breeding section of the finnhorse, but
What is it actually?
Finnhorse was originally a small horse breed to start with, standing 105-130 cm in height. Crossbreeding gave them bigger size in pursue of strong working horses, resulting in the modern, 150-160 cm high finnhorses by average.
P-studbook was founded in 1971, when there was only a small population of these pony-sized horses left. There are breeders who are looking for these smaller individuals. The criteria for P-studbook is pretty similar to other pony breeds: the horse has to stand 148 cm or below at highest and be well proportioned, meaning small in every aspect, not just a big horse with short legs. Inspection consists of showing and riding or driving tests, which do not include very difficult tasks and passing is considered generally easier than to other studbooks.
So you could say that the P-studbook was founded to answer the growing demand of riding ponies. Importing riding horses and ponies grew vastly in the 70′s. Nowadays finnhorses have made their way to riding arenas but pony-sized finnhorses seem to be left behind. Or is this just my feeling?
Color range is quite rich among pony-sized finnhorses. Black stallion Millin Nokinen, photo by Hippos/Eero Perttunen
What can you do with them?
Short answer: Anything.
Longer answer: Most often Finnponies are used for riding and driving. They are advertised as a multipurpose pony, since you can race them, ride them or use them as work horses same as the bigger ones, the only limit being the horse’s small size, which on the other hand makes them good for pony classes in riding and combined driving. A few finnponies have already shown their skills in combined driving, for example Hessin Vihtori and Vuohimäen Havu both placed in international Baltic Cup in 2012 and also in the Finnish championships.
Personally I think that the biggest problem in riding competitions are the age limitations for riders. After you turn 16, you either have to take your pony to open classes against bigger horses or switch to horses yourself. This means that very few adult riders are seen in the saddles of ponies in Finland. Luckily the Pony-sized Finnhorse Association has noticed this flaw as well and organizes their championships for both senior and junior riders on finnponies. But that’s only once a year…
There are also a few successful trotters that are pony-sized, the most famous of them must be stallion called Liptus, who competed altogether 412 times in his career with record 1.21,4 and over 300 000 € winnings, standing only 144 cm in height. Most often small horses are considered less good for racing, though, since the horses with longer legs seem to get an obvious advantage on the track.
Finnpony has its own fan base, but from the marketing point of view it could have a bit clearer brand so it would be easier to introduce to new people and possible buyers and future breeders. “Anything, but not exactly everything” doesn’t work very well as a motto for today’s market.
What do you think could be a good slogan for finnponies? :)
Related articles
Photo of the week: Euro-Turo
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing, Photo of the week on 12.4.2013
Euro-Turo at Turku 25.1.2013, photo by Sini Tuhkunen
Tips for coldblood races 11th & 12th April 2013
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 11.4.2013
See also How to bet on Finnish horse races.
Thursday 11th of April
Kouvola Toto5, 18.00
Race 1
A) 16 Vihjeen Veto – 6 Räiskäys – 8 Chillaus – 11 Salaus B) 2 Tähen Taika – 3 Roosa Juulia – 1 Servori – 10 Veli Vinkaisu – 12 Jalomortti – 9 Ankeliini – 14 Sirun Sisu
Race 6
A) 11 Vennelmon Voima B) 1 Retro – 9 Krigori – 14 Aarteen Vilperi – 5 Kaino Kipinä – 10 Aristoteles – 3 Heristella – 2 H.M. Into
Race 9
A) 7 B. Tuuma B) 8 Vietteli – 4 Tatsia – 2 Muiston Hurja – 10 Tuikun Poju – 3 Tärpätti – 11 Lycker – 1 Madrid – 5 R.R. Veera
Race 9, Troikka:
I7 B. Tuuma
II8 Vietteli, 4 Tatsia, 2 Muiston Hurja, 10 Tuikun Poju, 3 Tärpätti
III8 Vietteli, 4 Tatsia, 2 Muiston Hurja, 10 Tuikun Poju, 3 Tärpätti, 11 Lycker, 1 Madrid ja 5 R.R. Veera
35 combinations with 0,50 € bet = 17,50€
Friday 12th of April
Mikkeli Toto4, 12.00
Race 5
A) 2 B) 8,4,9,11,12,3,1,13 C) 6,5,7
R.R. EROTAR – HEKOHEKO – VASALLI – ARIMAN
Turku, Toto5, 18.00
Race 1
A) 1 B) 2,3,12, 8,7,14,6,9 C) 10,11,4,5
Race 5
A) 2,9,10,1,5 B) 11,8,7 C) 4,6,3
Race 10
A) 8,6,1 B) 5,2,4,3 C) 7
Tips for coldblood races 9th & 10th April 2013
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 9.4.2013
Tampere 9th April, Toto5 18.00
Race 1: A) 13,4,15 B) 10,8,6,14,1,3,16,8,12,7,11,9,2,5 C) –
Race 6: A) 11,8,2 B) 9,1,3,5,6,7,10,4 C) -
Race 8: A) 2,12,8 B) 7,10,11,1,14,6,13,4,5 C) 15,3,9
Oulu 10th April, Toto4
Tips weren’t ready when I wrote this post, but follow the link to find the updated page. :)
Helsinki 10th April, Toto65
Race 4:
A) 1-10-2
B) 12-4-6-11-5-3-7-9-8-13
WARRIORI – TUIKUN POJU – ROKIN MAXI – HENKAN HUIMA
Race 8:
A) 6-2-8
B) 1-5-4-3-7
DIORI – STUNTTI – IRO-NEITO – VIATOM
Recognize the royals -competition on Facebook
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing, Statistics, contests & other on 8.4.2013
Lohdutus and Eri-Aaroni, not featured in this competition. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
From Kuninkaallinen kuvavisa! (Kuninkuusravit Facebook page)
This competition is not organised by this blog, but I wanted to help promoting it because I love the idea. It requires a bit of investigation work, but is not too difficult task thanks to Sukuposti‘s well organized site. I found them all, can you? :)
The idea is to find names for each horse. All the pictures come from Sukuposti database.
You can find the pictures here.
Do not comment the pictures on Facebook! Let’s give a chance for others too. ;)
- Send your answers to kuninkuusravit@kuopionravirata.fi
- Just a list: 1. “Horse X” 2. “X and X”.
- Remember to give your contact information in the e-mail, so they can send you the prizes if you win. First prize is two tickets to finnhorse trotting championships weekend in July.
- Only correct answers get to participate the raffle!
- The competition is open until 19th of April, 2013
Translated clues for pictures:
1. What is the name of this Pikkukunkku winner?
2. Trotter king
3. Trotter king
4. Pikkuprinssi winner
5. Trotter queen
6. Trotter king
7. Trotter king
8. Trotter queen
9. Trotter queen, dam for a Derby winner
10. Trotter queen AND the king -you have to know both
11. Pikkuprinssi winner and sire for a trotter king
12. Pikkuprinssi winner
Have fun!
Turoveli won the Finnish Cup 2013
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 7.4.2013
Final stretch, thanks for the photo Hannamari Huhtanen
Turoveli was crushing in the Finnish Cup final. He took the lead right from the start and the others didn’t have a chance against his speed. The final kilometer time 1.25,5 is very good for a six-year-old. Biggest challenger and the other favorite for the race, Rapin Aatos, lost his chance breaking to canter 300 m left, but thanks to his tremendous final spurt he still managed to stretch for second place.
See the race video at Fintoto video archive
| Horse / Driver | Time | Prize | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 6 | Turoveli / Hannu Hietanen | 25,5 | 15 000 € |
| 2. | 1 | Rapin Aatos / Esa Holopainen | 26,3x | 7 500 € |
| 3. | 13 | Pyrypolun Dumdum / Arto Hammar | 24,8 | 4 500 € |
| 4. | 14 | Calimero / Mika Forss | 25,4 | 3 000 € |
| 5. | 2 | Tosi-Jänkä / Juha-Matti Paavola | 27,0 | 750 € |
| 6. | 5 | Histuli / Henri Bollström | 27,2 | 750 € |
| 7. | 12 | Helmen Vili / Iikka Nurmonen | 26,2x | 750 € |
| 8. | 9 | Multi Tella / Harri Sulku | 28,0x | |
| 9. | 10 | Esperiina / Arto Laaksonen | 28,2x | |
| 10. | 16 | A.T. Veli / Teemu Okkolin | 27,5 | |
| 11. | 11 | Turon Kaiku / Mauri Jaara | 28,4x | |
| 7 | Flavio / Juha Utala | disqualified | ||
| 8 | Prontus / Janne Räisänen | disqualified | ||
| 15 | Keisar / Hannu Torvinen | quit | ||
| 3 | Mirkan Mirri / Terho Rautiainen | scratched | ||
| 4 | Valvi / Ilkka Korpi | scratched | ||
Turoveli at the last curve – Thanks for the photo Hannamari Huhtanen
Related articles
Tips for coldblood races 7th & 8th April 2013
Posted by viivihoo in Harness racing on 7.4.2013
For more tips, follow the links. :)
See also:
- How to bet on Finnish horse races
- Tips for finnhorse races 5th and 6th April
- Fintoto.fi
- Race calendar
Sunday 7th of April
Kaustinen, 17.30 Toto5
Race 1, Pertti Rantala: A) 7, 13, 1 B) 14, 11, 3, 16 C) 10, 12, 4, 5, 6, 8, 2, 15, 9
Race 2: A) 6, 9 B) 11, 4, 5, 7, 11 C) 8, 1, 10, 3
Race 3, Monté: A) 11 B) 9, 10, 8, 6 C) 5, 2, 3, 4, 7
Race 6, Silenos Stable: A) 5, 13, 12, 11 B) 10, 2, 3, 7 C) 9, 8, 4, 6
Race 10: A) 2, 15, 13 B) 1, 14, 9, 5 C) 8, 6, 12, 11, 13, 16, 8, 7, 10
Monday 8th of April
Oulu, 18.00 Toto5
Race 3: 9. Meliisi – 3. Demon – 1. Primatonna (6. Svartsjöfax – 7. Mister Suomi)
Race 4 : A) 8,7 B) 1 C) 9,13,11,10,14,16,6,12,3,4,5
Race 10: 7. Jonkkari – 8. Ellan Kymppi – 5. Tähti Kepu – 4. Vaiva (2. Mian Mari)
Photo of the week: Suopellon Muisto
Posted by viivihoo in Photo of the week, Pony-sized horses on 6.4.2013
Suopellon Muisto
Photo by Sini Tuhkunen
