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FHCSC Takes 2nd Place for Mounted Groups - 89th Cherry Valley Parade! Congratulations!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Don Rusk and Gigi Greene for the photos

It's Cherry Time again in beautiful Cherry Valley. CA. This year celebrated the third time the Friesian Horse Club of Southern California "FHCSC" joined me, Sonja R. Zinke from Sunshine A-Z Friesians, in the 89th Annual Cherry Parade.

Our group of Twenty-five FHCSC Members and their seventeen beautiful Friesian horses were an amazing site to see strutting their stuff down the boulevard. It was exciting to see the large group of club members (some of them drove up to 4 hours) who participated in this fun event.

Thanks to Sheri Rusk (Treasurer) and Carol Nolten (Secretary) who sent out information and reminders to all the members; everybody was on time and in the right attire. This year's theme was "Heavenly Cherries."

Even though, we had no intention to have our group prejudged (the whole group has to be dressed and tacked exactly the same down to the earrings and make-up) we were caught off-guard when the official Equestrian Judges (Mr. Neal & Harold White) ordered us to line up to get inspected. Even the explanation to the judges from our Club President, Lora Martin (who had 25 years of competition parade experience and knew the judges), "that we are a fun group just out to represent and have fun", did not stop them from walking from horse to horse with scrutinizing glare, and that clipboard (what were they writing down)? The judges did mention that we got extra points for Jennifer's girls, Maliya and Jordan, they had beautiful Cherrie hair styles.

Thanks to Marcia Goodwin, who came with her Gelding Griffin, and Terri Matera on Teun, and Stacy Kitchin on her Gelding, we all had matching neckties/scarves with Cherrie print (so cute). WOW, we were really a good looking equestrian mounted group.

After undergoing the scrutiny of the prejudging, we were released to move on to our starting point in the parade. Waiting for our turn to strut our stuff down the boulevard, 2 very loud, low flying (I mean low), 1941 Fighter Field Airplanes that had 3 different colors of smoke blowing out their ... fly over us, not just once but 4 times!!! I was so worried about everybody else that I forgot to be nervous about me and Seeske. YEK!! Wow, what a challenge for all riders and their horses, those airplanes were definitely Friesian eaters ... everybody handled the surprising moment with great courage. Even Teade on the Wagonett, owner GiGi Greene, gave driver Antonio Aldana no challenge. Lynne Johnson, who came all the way from San Diego with her stallion Fritz, showed the crowd a magnificent rear when the planes passed overhead. Lynne, we are so proud of how you handled the challenging situation "show must go on" and of course for the public "it was planned."

The Friesians were definitely a flashy entry, and the crowd sure loved us! The FHCSC received compliments, smiles and waves throughout the whole parade route. The ground troop (thank you, without you it would not have run so smooth and safe) Carol Nolten and son Nicolas and the head trooper and groomer of the FHCSC Carol Nieblas, who answered questions regarding the breed. We had a handful of newbies in the group of paraders, Edi on Gauke, owner GiGi Greene, Sheri Rusk on Kisha, owner Heidi Mahler, Kerri Rusk on Lemke, Brittany and her boyfriend Austin rode double on Berend, owner Lynne Johnson, Jose' on Ziggy, owner Heidi Mahler, Daphne Stoba on her new mare Korinda who did a terrific job, we knew you could do it! Last but not least, there were our tail riders, Cassandra Read on Rowiene and Erin Dileo on Lyra, owner Beth Sharp, they did a wonderful job keeping the distance, even though they got pushed from behind from those screaming cheerleaders.

I would like to say Thank You to all the FHCSC who participated in such an exciting and memorable event, who again did a wonderful job of promoting the Dutch Friesian breed in the 89th Annual Cherry Valley Parade. I hope to see you again next year !

Sonja R. Zinke