Swedish Inspection
September 26, 2006

Owen and Suzin Daly of Halifax Farm hosted their fourth Swedish Inspection. Each inspection grows with horses to be presented and visitors wanting to learn more about the Swedish breed. This years inspection was exciting with having a variety of horses at varying different levels from performance horses to young weanlings.

The inspectors from Sweden
Dr. Heimdahl is a veterinarian specializing in horses. He has been in horse practice since 1977, working especially with jumping and dressage horses. Dr. Heimdahl does have a small breeding farm, which he says he does “at home for fun.” In Sweden, Dr. Heimdahl is conformation judge and president and veterinary member of the Swedish Warmblood Stallion Committee. He has also served as part-time breeding consultant ASVH. Since 1995, Dr. Heimdahl has been president of the inspection committees traveling through North America for the SWANA Inspection Tours.

The jumping inspector was Lars Berglund. Lars Berglund is the ASVH-appointed jumping judge for the 2005 North American Inspection Tour. He is a man of many talents: rider, trainer, judge, farrier, and breeder. His hotel and design company keeps him busy on top of all his horse related activities. Lars is one of four brothers who are all very involved with horses. He started showing horses and competing in jumping as a young boy. Qualifying for and competing in the European Championships for ponies is one of many highlights in his pony career. 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 trained.

Today he focuses on starting young horses and bringing 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 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. To stay on top of the development of the Swedish Warmblood breed, he visits Germany and Holland 2-3 times a year where he also looks at young horses and studies new influences in breeding. The upcoming North American Inspection Tour will be his second time in the US and Canada.

Baltic collection for 2006
all offspring by L.A. Baltic Sundance

Anne Perrotta presented Ferrari out of Sashay by Spartacus was presented for her 4 year old performance test. Ferrari is 16.1 1/2 hands. Ferrari has competed at schooling shows earning scores at Training level 69%.

 

 

 

Anne Perrotta presents Ferrari to the inspectors.

 

Patrick Horning, Suzin Daly's handler presents Baltic Serenity out of Sashay by Spartacus. Serenity is Ferrari's full sister. Patrick is whispering a few pointers to Serenity before she starts her performance test for jumping. Seems she is listening closely.

 

 

 

Serenity takes her final jump 3' 9" with a 3'10" oxer spread. She is in good form which ended up clinching a Class I status.

 

 

Patrick waits patiently for the results to be announced by Dr Karl Henrik Helmdahl. Serenity receives Class I in both dressage and jumping. With preparation for inspection over, Serenity will spend the winter in training preparing her for competition 2007 in dressage.

 

 

Baltic Freedom AKA Libby out of Mandy Plains xx by Jimmy Plains xx had a very bad cold at inspection. Libby was a trooper and showed of her excellent jumping skills earning her Class I. Libby had only been under saddle since May of 2006. Libby has already competed in schooling shows earning scores in the mid sixties. Libby is owned by Kelly Roan.

The picture at the top right of the page is Baltic Freedom jumping maximum height of 4' with spread 3' 10". Her correct form and talent earned her Class I. Libby also competed at the Raleigh Breed Show earning 3rd and 4th place in two under saddle classes.

 

Baltic Surprise AKA Reno out of Raise the Standard by Ima Cool Hand. Allyson and Darryl McNeill owners where very much surprised when their mare dropped a young colt with a perfect blanket. We where all so sure the color would be dun, palomino or light chestnut. He is a big colt with big gaits and keeps changing week to week. Reno competed at the Raleigh Breed show and earned a fifth place out of 12. Competition was stiff. He was in a growth spurt due to being butt high did not show is big over step earning him Class II missing Class I by a point. Allyson was thrilled. We all know they change dramatically. Many people can't wait to see Reno at his 3 year old performance.

 

Lady Baltic out of Princess Grace xx by Another Gambler xx owned by Shari Corn. Lilly, her nickname wowed the crowd with her antics and extravagant movement. She is a big filly, big gaits and long legs. Lilly received Class I made an exciting day for Shari Corn.

Perona out of Donautanzer by Peron also owned by Shari Corn was presented. Perona unlike her sister stood and showed herself off with nobility.

 

Baltic Destiny out of Taenzerin (Hanoverian) by Trapper (Hanoverian) owned by Owen and Suzin Daly handled by Patrick Horning. Destiny is a very sweet laid back little lady who has her sires head and soft eyes. She will have her dam's unique coloring of deep rich liver chestnut coloring and will dapple out. Suzin hopes with a champion dressage dam imported from Germany (full Hanoverian main stud book mare) and Grand Prix stallion Destiny will follow in their footsteps. The inspectors had good thoughts about Destiny and gave her Class I rating. It's a good start be we all know things can change as they grow. Let's hope is grows for the better.

 

Baltic Leap of Faith out of Winter Eclipse by Wallenstein owned by Gretchen Britt. This is Gretchen's first foal. Gretchen is thrilled with her. Faith is the sweetest of all the Baltic's of this years crop. She is a perfect match for Gretchen. Faith did very well at inspection. Gretchen said she had lots of fun and is very pleased with the results. Faith also competed at the Raleigh Breed show earning a fourth place among some of the finest horse's on the east coast, congratulations great start.

 

Baltic Raven RSH out of Fruelingsbrise by Hohenstein owned by Liz Stamey. This is Liz's second Baltic offspring. Liz also owns Baltic Summer Breeze out of Extra Lucky by Electron. Liz is a great supporter of the Baltic collection. The question is, will Liz go for a third one next year?

 

 

 

Baltic Teddy Bear out of Koko Sabi xx by Indian Wedding xx owned by Carol Bennett. Baltic Teddy Bear was presented with his dam who was accepted into the Swedish mare book. This was Carol Bennett's first warmblood inspection and she was thrilled with the results, Teddy Bear received Class I and the dam put in the book. What a great way to end the inspection.

 

The inspection is over and finally our schedule is slowly returning to it's normal scheduling. The inspection was fun and exciting. We have great horses that will excel in our sport. Always remember "Don't sweat the small stuff."  

To all my friends thanks for your help without you the inspection would not have been possible. To all my extended family of the Baltic Collection congratulations good job and great horses.

News from our Maryland member Laurie Platt and Teddy, inspection at Blue Bird Farm, Maryland September 25.

Teddy (aka Solaro) was really good at his inspection. Walked and troted around like a pro, very relaxed. He got an 8 an his free canter and 7's on the rest for a class II. About what I expected for a Quarter Horse cross.his owner is happy. I've attached the best picture I have, Teddy was pretty tired of the whole. ~ Laurie

 

 

Candid shots during inspections and thanks to Owen for the shots

 

Patrick Horning and Lars discuss the setting of the jumps, both a perfectionist.

 

 

 

 

Sidney takes a moment to love on one of the foals.

 

Amelia having the best job, scribing for Dr. Karl. This was Amelia's second inspection as scribe and did a great job. We can read very clearly the comments.

 

 

Inspection end allows time to chat with the inspectors. Shari Corn owner of Lady Baltic and Perona takes time with Karl and Lars.

 

Nancy Brockhoff, manager of Halifax Farm taking a moment out to breath during inspection.

 

 

 

 

 

Very little passes the eye of the Swedish inspectors.

 

Waiting to go in

 

 

 

 

Allyson, Darryl and Matt Britt hanging out waiting for their time to go in with Baltic Surprise.

 

 

 

Allyson McNeill takes a moment to view the inspection from another respective. After her young colts evaluation, Allyson stayed on to help during inspection.

 

 

 

 

 

Sharon Fitzgerald, Amelia and Dr. Karl take a break toward the end of the inspection. Only half a day, with excitement and moving things along everyone was wiped out.

 

 

 

There where lots of spectators interested in the Swedish horses. It was a fun day and very informative.

 

The next Swedish inspection will be in 2008. We hope to see more horses and all are welcome.

 

 

Feel free to email if you have any questions.

SZ