
Sirukko, photo by Satu Pitkänen / Rozpravka photogaphy
Sirukko, photo by Satu Pitkänen / Rozpravka photogaphy
From Kansallinen Poninäyttely (poninayttely.com)
Silver coloured filly Ahonkukka, photo from Wikimedia Commons
The national pony show is an annual event that takes place in Vermo, Espoo, Finland. There are altogether over 500 ponies participating, including show- and riding classes and seven different pony breeds (Connemara pony, Welsh pony, New Forest Pony, Shetland pony and Minishetland, Gotland Russ pony, Pony-sized finnhorse and partbreds). The show takes place 3rd-4th of August and there is no entrance fee if you wish to go and see the show and loads of pretty ponies. :)
This year the pony-sized finnhorse (finnpony:) show rings got 29 participants (Sunday 4th of August):
Name | Sire – Dam – Broodmare sire |
Hagelundin Aarre | Tintin Timjami – Pikku-Onerva – Kelmi |
Leiskan Luoti | Postipoju – Myrskyn Helmi – A.T. Ukko-Myrsky |
Tuokkonen | Jepon Julius – Vuohimäen Tuohi – Pölyke |
Unita v-12 | Millin Nokinen – Unita – Mikker |
Millin Velmupöly | Pölyke – Vuohimäen Silmu – Tussari |
Sirukko | Sibbo – Riikan Siru – Hiprakka |
Tintin Neilikka | Tintin Timjami – Oksasimana – Varjo-Luonnos |
Tulilumme | Murron Valo – Tulililja – Portteri |
Kuukson Josefina | Voiveikko – Aatafina – Aatami |
Tintin Lipstikka | Liptus – Vieno-Kaneli – Jessimo |
Merimaan Ruu | A.T. Unikuva – Vätsäri – Pysteri |
Tulileimutar | A.T. Unikuva – Tulilumikki – A.T. Vinski |
Väisälän Veenus | Millin Nokinen – Vilin Leija – Tähen Muisto |
Myntti | Liptus – Helan Hilkku – Jeppo |
Pikku Roo | Ruuvin Roope – Solitar – Rick |
Penny | Tussarin Luonnos – Helan Hilkku – Jeppo |
Tuhkimon Telma | A.T. Ukko-Myrsky – Epona – Virkamus |
Vuohimäen Silmu | Tussari – S.O. Jessiina – Jessimo |
Vieno-Kaneli | Jessimo – H.H. Veera – Hilun-Valtti |
Millin Xpertti | |
Millin Yösydännä | Pölyke – Vuohimäen Silmu – Tussari |
Rannan Rakkaus | Pikku-Jätkä – Tuhkimon Telma – A.T. Ukko-Myrsky |
Timilän Pisara | A.T. Ukko-Myrsky – Penny – Tussarin Luonnos |
Tintin Sahrami | Pölyke – Vieno-Kaneli – Jessimo |
Tintin Timjami | Tussarin Luonnos – Vieno-Kaneli – Jessimo |
Villin Vilkeri | Villeri – Miisa – V.T. Valtteri |
Raja-Hurrikaani | Patrik – Hili Teri – Hilu |
Elomyrsky | Sibbo – A.T. Pikku-Unelma – Portteri |
Ukkoralli | Ukkosen Poika – Rilla Lai – Vokkerilla |
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by Viivi 3 Comments
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? :)
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by Viivi 2 Comments
From Vuoden parhaat 2012 (suomenhevosliitto.fi 28.3.2013)
Erikasson
Tähti-Vokker – Erika
Owner Tuikka Helena & Varjonen Jaakko, Breeder Tolonen Riitta-Liisa
Marimin
Turo – Donna-Min
Owners Haukivaara Terhi & Heikkinen Esa, breeder Pentti Haukivaara
Ekoloki
A.T. Eko – Imun Ilo
Owner Jaakko Mikkonen, breeder Matti Mikkonen
Carmela
Viesker- Cordiitta
Owner/breeder Ravitalli Suuronen Oy
Siirin Älli
Liising- Siirin Piirto
Owner Tapani Krapu, breeders Belt Outi & Idström Hannu
Werna
Viesker – Hiskin Vimma
Owner/breeder Pekka Lillbacka
Veeran Poika
Erikasson – Ruutu-Veera
Owner Palmroth Henri&Kyösti&Terno, Breeder Palmroth Kyösti & Terno
Meliisi
Liising – Kihin Ihme
Owner/breeder Heikki Karjula
g. Laaserin Kuva
Laaseri – Peilikuva
Owner Teija Lehtonen, breeder Lasse Ritala
s. Suikun Lukko
Suikun Ero – Luonto-Riina
Owner Jarmo Korkeaniemi, breeder Markku Pajunen.
s. Corleone
Erovisku – Karine
Owner Talli Hermannin nuorisoseura. Breeder Mitja Nummenmaa & Petra Rantala
g. K.P. Sampo
Teme – Helli-Eeva
Owner Tmi Laura Niinimäki & Damski Saara. Breeder Kauko Pietiläinen
s. Vuohimäen Havu
Ellun Voi – S.O. Jessiina
Owner Miina Äkkijyrkkä. Breeder Helena Lindahl
r. Tuli-Kisa
Rallaus – Kisa-Posti
Owner Ida & Emma Björkman, Breeder Juha Mäkelä.
r. Hessin Vihtori
Vahto – Vilkku-Valo
Owner Leena & Hannu Kalalahti, breeder Heidi Sinda