b"B o r n T o B e a F a m i l y F j o r dWritten By Wendy Bauwens, Sunnyside Farms, Inc.Wendy, Caylee and Lare, Celebrating their Accomplishments.Caylee ground hugs with Lare. One week old conformation. PC Syonna Meyers & Jacklynn MatthewsPhoto and permission by JacklynnPC Jacklynn MatthewsMatthews and Syonna Meyers Phillip Odden developed the Family Fjord (FF) tests andpartners well, whether in a family or casual situation, or at proposed them to the NFHR as a tool by which people couldhigher levels of performance.increaseandtestnotonlytheirhorsemanshipskills,butThe skills needed for these activities are basic horsemanship also that of their equine companions. Additionally, the testsskillsthattransfertootherperformanceactivities.Since are a great way in which people can display their horse'sthese tests are intended to evaluate the performance and temperamentandwillingnesstoworkwithpeople.Theyabilitiesofthehorsealone,coachingofthehandlerby are an excellent alternative to typical show patterns, andanother person during a test is permitted. However, points can be used beyond the outlines of an arena. The FF testswill be lost if the coach must handle or restrain the horse include 4 different sequences that range from young-stock/ in any way. The Evaluators may even ask the exhibitor to in-hand patterns to draft patterns. They show and prove therepeat a task and provide some coaching to see if the effect versatility of the breed and challenge each participant withon performance can be altered.obstacles that they may encounter in real life experiences.NFHR Evaluation Program - Family Fjord TestsThetestsinclude:theFFFoundationTest,theFFRiding Test, the FF Ground Driving Test, and the FF Driving Test. All pattern images and test descriptions can be found on the NFHR website under the Evaluation Program Section (go to section 4 -Performance Tests pages 5-13).WithcarefulconsiderationandinputfromEvaluators, breeders, owners, and trainers, the Evaluation Committee has developed the Family Fjord Tests. The purpose of these tests is to establish benchmarks in training and to assess the ability of the horse to be a calm, willing, and obedient partner in accomplishing basic activities that would be useful on a trail ride, driving outing or a draft situation away from home. Assessment will be facilitated through tests requiring basic levels of performance, the successful completion of which will require both a good foundation of basic training and good working relationship between the horse and its handler. This is a foundation that can serve a horse and its 10 Fjord Herald Issue #147Summer 2023"