How three Friesian horses from Hooversville became world champions
Earlier this month, Elizabeth Wyandt, of Hooversville, and her Friesian horses Tjebbe E, Magic Moonshine SRS and Jagaer LSI attended their first International Friesian Show Horse Association, aka IFSHA, World and Grand National Championships in Ohio.
They returned to Somerset County with five world championship titles and three reserve titles.
“It’s always been a dream to show at the world championships,” Wyandt said. “I just wanted good rides and to have a fun time and enjoy my horses. I never believed we would come home with this.”
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Wyandt and her husband, Curt, board and train horses at their stable, Curtitsy Acres, Inc. Equestrian Center in Hooversville. They have owned Friesians for four years, and they also show Morgans and other saddle breeds in competition, she said.
What is a Friesian?
A Friesian is a rare breed of horse that is native to The Netherlands and are becoming a popular breed in North America as well, Wyandt said.
“There are not many around in this area,” she said. “They are considered a ‘magical’ breed. If you think of a ‘knight in shining armor,’ that’s the type of horse (he rides).
“They are very personal horses. They connect with their owner and riders — and they are beautiful to look at.”
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First-time show success
Tjebbe E, aka “Jeb,” is an 8-year-old black gelding. Wyandt got him this summer, after Otje, her main show mare, died suddenly in June.
Losing Otje was hard, Wyandt said, but she was determined to still compete at the world championships, which took place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
Jeb won two world championship ribbons, placing first in Friesian English Pleasure Hunt Seat Novice (shown by Katie Baird) and in Friesian English Pleasure Hunt Seat Open Walk/Trot. He also won three reserve world champion ribbons, in English Pleasure Hunt Seat Walk/Trot (shown by Katie Baird), Friesian English Pleasure Hunt Seat Amateur and Masters All Seats.
Magic Moonshine SRS, aka “Shine,” is a 10-year-old, part bred Friesian gray mare. She won three world champion titles, in these categories: Part bred Friesian Mares 6 and over (shown by Madeline Snyder); part bred Friesian Masters Class Walk/Trot and part bred Friesian English Pleasure Hunt Seat Open Walk/Trot.
Shine also won reserve world champion in part bred Friesian English Pleasure Hunt Seat Amateur Walk/Trot and placed third in part bred Friesian Mares All Ages (shown by Madeline Snyder).
Wyandt’s third Friesian, a 3-year-old black stallion named Jagaer LSI, received a world champion ribbon as Friesian Junior Stallion (ages 3-5). Jagaer is trained by Myron Yoder of New Paris Equine Center in Topeka, Indiana.
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The success of their first IFSHA championships took a little time to sink in.
“It didn’t hit me until we came home,” Wyandt said. “I’m very proud of myself and my horses. It was a lot of work, and it paid off.”
She thanked everyone who supported them and helped them get ready for the show, including her husband, their children Quintin Wyandt and Charlie Shields, her coach Madeline Snyder, of Snyder Performance Horses, trainer Myron Yoder, Katie Baird, Curtitsy Acres’ barn employees and their farrier and veterinarian.
Training for next year's show
Horses have been a much-loved part of Wyandt's life since her first experience at age 5, when she was allowed to ride with her older sister on her horse.
Working with Friesians over the last four years has been a great experience for her as well.
“Every day, every time you work with them or touch them, it’s a learning experience (for the horses),” she said.
“(Friesians) are very intelligent. They learn very quickly and they’re very willing to learn.”
Now that the IFSHA show is over, the horses are enjoying a well-deserved break before training begins again.
“We’ll give them a month or two of rest and start training again in December or January,” Wyandt said. “We’re going back next year to defend our titles.”
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Curtitsy Acres owner and three Friesian horses win at IFSHA championships
