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2008 North American Swedish Warmblood Inspection Tour
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SWANA (Swedish Warmblood Association of North America) will be holding its annual North American inspection and tour from September 27, 2008 through October 7, 2008.
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On September 28, 2008, the Swedish inspectors will be at Kismet Farm in Martinez, California (4100 Barry Hill Court, Martinez, CA 94553) to inspect horses from Northern California, Nevada and Oregon. A total of ten inspections will be held in the USA and Canada. For a list of all the 2008 inspection sites, on-line enrollment and membership information, go to www.swanaoffice.org. |
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The Swedish Warmblood is one of the oldest warmblood breeds and has for centuries been bred for riding. This tradition dates back to the 17th century when Sweden was a dominant military power in northern Europe and the primary breeding objective was to provide the cavalry with sturdy horses.
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Today, the Swedish Warmblood has received international recognition as a top breed in all disciplines. Four Swedish bred horses |
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qualified for the jumping final in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Out of this highly successful team one horse placed in the 2002 World Equestrian Games jumping final and yet another horse received a third place in the 2003 World Cup final. The top ranked dressage stallion in the world in 2001 was a Swedish Warmblood. |
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Gauguin's Impression with Flaming Pheonix
at SWANA inspection 9-20-07 |
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In three-day eventing the bronze medal in the 2002 WEG was awarded to a Swedish bred horse.
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Over time, the Swedish Warmblood successfully evolved from battle on the field of war to battle in the arena? The Swedish Warmblood¡äs combination of power and grace were recognized long ago as serving a variety of purposes. Eventually the focus of breeding was extended to match the demands of farmers as well as the cavalry. This resulted in the creation of standards for each type of use and set the stage for a comprehensive breeding program with multiple objectives.
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Karl-Henrik Heimdahl DVM, President of the Inspection Committee during the 2007 SWANA inspection tour. |
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In 1928, the Swedish Warmblood Association (ASVH) was formed by breeders and supported by the army for the purpose of promoting the breed for riding. This was at a time when most other warmblood breeds were still being bred primarily for agricultural uses. |
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In 1928, the Swedish Warmblood Association (ASVH) was formed by breeders and supported by the army for the purpose of promoting the breed for riding. This was at a time when most other warmblood breeds were still being bred primarily for agricultural uses. |
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The inspection will be conducted by two judges from Sweden: |
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Lars Berglund and Christina Olsson. |
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Berglund is a man of many talents: rider, trainer, judge, farrier and breeder. He started showing horses and competing in jumping as a young boy. He qualified for and competed in the European championships for ponies. Moving up to horses, he successfully competed at 1.50 m. Training and showing stallions for the performance test was also part of his duties early on. Chirac 611, Furioso III 525 and Caruso 568 are among the famous sires that Lars broke and trainer. |
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A free-jumping photo from the SWANA
2001 Stallion Evaluation of Gauguin
du Cheval 9054. |
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Today he focuses on starting young horses and brining them up to 1.40 m., however much of his time is spent judging young horses throughout Sweden. Lars judges 400 - 600 horses in free jumping every year. He has also judged the finals for the |
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Swedish national foal championships several years in a row. He has judged horses in Holland and Germany as well as participated in international judge forums. Lars is a member of the ASVH Stallion Selection Committee. |
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Olsson holds a Master of Science in Agriculture with a specialty in horses and horse genetics and breeding. She also has a teaching degree. She has been breeding both dressage and jumping horses for over 30 years. A former rider, she has also worked as a riding instructor. |
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Gauguin du Cheval 9054 at the Event at Rebecca Farms, July, 2008 (Montana) ridden by Jolie Sexson.
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She has been a judge of conformation and gaits for about 20 years. She is Vice Chairman of the Stallion Selection Committee and has been on the board of ASVH. |
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ASVH and SWANA believe that by having the same judges that inspect horses in Europe perform the American inspection tour insures that American bred Swedish horses conform to the high standard set in Sweden. |
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The inspection tour will consist of foal and young horse inspections and branding, three and four-year tests, older horse inspection, stallion evaluation; and broodmare evaluation. The horses will be shown in hand, at liberty, free jumping and under saddle. |
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Gauguin du Cheval 9054 at the Event at Rebecca Farms, July, 2008 ridden by Jolie Sexson. They finished 5 th at Open Training. Gauguin du Cheval has been jumping under saddle for 9 months.
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The N. California inspection at Kismet Farms is being hosted by Georgia Langsam, a N. California breeder of Swedish Warmblood horses who stands the stallion, Gauguin du Cheval 9054, in training with Jolie Sexson. Spectators are encouraged, admission is free (recommended to bring a folding chair to sit on), complimentary coffee, tea, juice, donuts and bagels will be available in the morning and a bar-b-que lunch will follow the inspection ($10). |
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Swedish Warmblood inspections are very educational as the judges explain their scores at the conclusion of each evaluation and will be available for questions during the lunch. |
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Langsam requests that those desiring to attend and stay for lunch RSVP to her at (925) 831-9358 so she can coordinate the food and beverages. |
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A four-year old mare by Gauguin du Cheval will be inspected on September 28, 2008 for the 4 y.o. test.
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Read comments or post your own comments to this article at the bottom of this page. |
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Copyright © 2008 All rights reserved. The above article is the property of the Author and may not be duplicated or redistributed in any way without permission. |
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