Short News

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in memoriam:
Sietze RV

July 30th, 2010:

My most noble ambassador lay before me now, silent of breath.  Unable to stand, I kneel, consumed by tears, and gently brush the mane-feathers that now comb the winds in heaven.  After three separate surgical procedures on his eyes, complications from confinement resulted in a devastating lameness and at dawn on July 27, 2010 the imported Friesian stallion, Sietze RV was humanely euthanized.

Sietze RV was the winner at his stallion performance testing, and was touted at that time as being the first stallion in the history of the Friesian breed awarded a perfect temperament score of ten. Sietze RV was a silver medalist in 2007 and a gold medalist in 2009, at the IFSHA Grand Nationals and World Show Competition.  In 2009 at the age of thirteen, Sietze RV was recertified for life with the FPZV as a First Premium stallion.

Although listed as “owners” upon his registration, Dr. Anna Hopla and Ms. Jeannie Patton would be the first to admit “ownership” of such magnificence is not possible.  As his trainer, I was granted a glimpse into heaven for the last decade of his life.  To the thousands of people who saw him perform, to the many who visited his stall, he blessed us all with brightness.  There are no words I can offer to assuage your grief.  He was the gateway to the big trot; he was a cornerstone of collection; he could speak volumes without words whose dialogue was without text.  His breath was just upon me and my heart will weep without him.

J. T. Burnley

To commemorate this stallion there will be a Sietze Memorial Trophy and cash award presented to the wining Dressage horse at the International Friesian Sport Horse Association’s World Show competition.  Please contact Ms. Nancy Nathanson at the IFSHA office for further information.