That lovely, lovable stud, Felix. At LTW, it all starts with... Born May 24, 1993 I’m Norwegian. We don’t talk much. But here are some facts: I am a famous stallion in Norway, I have 24 progeny (10 mares, 14 males) in the U.S and many more in Norway, and I have been bred to a number of Longtheway mares, including Tarrisa, Udine and Silviann this spring. At present I have one daughter, Bluebird Lane Ibis, at Longtheway. Another of my daughters, the lovely Zahra, is just down the road in Wisconsin. They share some of my more notable qualities, including an even temper, strikingly handsome head, and a dignified, ground-sweeping trot. And yes, I was the Single Driving Reserve Champion at the NFHR 25th Anniversary Celebration in Winona, in October of 2006. Born March 26, 2007 Hello, world! There’s not a lot to report since I’m so young, but here are a few facts: My mom is Tarrisa and my dad is Felix. I’m curious, energetic, and I love to eat (in fact, I started chomping on hay after just a week). And I’m a total mama’s boy. So be careful when trying to pet me because T and I are really tight, and at 1,000 lbs she’s a horse to reckon with! Born June 23, 1997 You’ve got to find your niche in life. Me, I like to work. It doesn’t matter what I’m doing – whether it’s mountain stuff, roping, jumping, pulling – as long as I’m sweating and snorting. I discovered this a few years back after getting sent to a schooling facility, where I walked in circles all day long. HATED IT. And eventually I had enough. One morning I stopped dead in my tracks and just took in the sun. They got rid of me fast. Now I’m part of the four-in-hand and, after a winter in Florida, this gelding has never been in better shape. Apologies to Mr. T., but I pity the fool who goes to school. Born April 26, 2006 Call me Pat, like they do in the barn. Just don’t call me a prodigy. That’s all I hear these days. Apparently, it’s almost unheard of for a horse my age to have performed as well as I did at the NFHR 25th Anniversary Celebration in Winona last October. My mom FC Gwendolyn and I did Produce of Dam with my older sister, Snow Flyer, and placed pretty well. We also accompanied our father, Smedsmo Graen, into the show ring for Get of Sire and placed again. Then Dad let us tag along for the Stallion Review presentation (I must say, I could get into this showing stuff). These days I’m hanging with three two-year-olds and nobody treats me like the little kid – except my sister Snow Flyer, who thinks she’s so mature because she’s a year older than I am. The cat, Mr. T, told me that Zeus and I are getting moved to our own pasture because I’m almost a year old and that could be a problem with the girls. Not sure what the issue is, but I’m confident that I’ll find out in time. Born January 17, 2007 What can I say, life is good! I was Born a couple days early and didn’t show much interest in nursing. That threw everyone into a panic, but then I came around and now people seem extra happy to watch me grow. I also get attention because I’ve got great parents – Udine and Felix. That makes me like the John-John Kennedy of Fjords! Maybe that’s why people can’t keep their hands off me – I’m always getting petted; they scratch my ears and nose; they pick up my feet; they stand in line to groom and massage me. See what I mean about life being great? Born July 28, 2005 First I ran into a fence post and had to have staples put into my cheek. Then I got gelded. Now I’m kind of waiting for the other horseshoes to drop. My mother Bella tells me not to obsess about the future, though. She says I’ve got my whole life ahead of me. Which is true. One day I might even go to a therapeutic riding program – if it’s for horses. |
Born March 27, 2004 You could say I’m confident. I think my mom, Edel Burger, taught me that. She’s the queen of confidence. But we’re not totally alike. I’m definitely more of a girly-girl. For example, I’m a gorgeous red dun (is that bragging?). And I’m super poised, with great movement. You’d expect the other gals to hate me, but they don’t because I’ve also got a really strong work ethic. I’m like the prom queen AND field hockey captain. Give me a job and I’ll do it. This spring I’m training in Colorado and I think everyone respects me for giving it my all! Born June 19, 1987 I’m only old in years but young at heart. Right now I’m feeling pretty miserable and hope that by the time this website launches I will have divested myself of this foal I’m carrying. When I was ultra-sounded, they found that I was carrying twins but the doctor assured me that they had fixed that little problem – though looking in the mirror makes me wonder. Mr. T said he overheard a conversation about this baby’s father, Fernando. I guess he throws foals with long legs, so let’s hope that’s the only reason I’m so uncomfortable. Silviann, who is stalled next to me, and I talk late into the night. We’d like to lie down, but I don’t think we could get up again. Still, it has been a special year for me: I already have a handsome son and a beautiful daughter on the ground. I’ve met the surrogate moms and they’ve been doing a good job – maybe a little too protective, but things have smoothed out now. Born May 30, 1999 Let’s just state the obvious: I’m not like the other females. I’m not sweet and gentle. I’m not soft and demure. If I were a car, I’d be a Porsche – the limited edition kind that’ll wreck you if you don’t know how to drive it. The fact is, I’m strong, precise and impatient. I don’t suffer fools. If you want to ride, let’s ride – but know what you’re doing because, baby, I ain’t for beginners. Born June 5, 1994 I’m a big girl with a big appetite and not a lot of patience for anyone who gets in my way. Don’t get me wrong, I can be nice. I can be your best friend – unless you make me your worst enemy by budding ahead in the chow line. I know I’m supposed to use this space to talk about my interests and attributes – like what a great riding horse I am – but you know what? We’ll all be better served if I take this opportunity to make one thing doubly clear: I EAT FIRST. Born April 20, 1997 I’m the mom of Snow Flyer and Silver Flyer. They’re good kids; gorgeous white duns – maybe too gorgeous, from what I hear about the way they turned heads at the 25th Anniversary Show. But they’ll figure things out without me hovering over them. In fact, I’m currently at CSU in Fort Collins, Colorado doing the embryo thing, and then I’m going on vacation in Utah for a couple of years (sorry, brood mares!). Until then, I’m stalled next to Anvil’s Rethel, who goes on and on about his father Leidjo. I’m actually due to meet Leidjo out in Utah. Let’s hope he’s not the talker his son is. Born May 30, 1987 When my previous owners decided to sell me, I was pretty concerned. Not everyone appreciates the wisdom that an older mare brings to the barn. Besides being pregnant and due sometime in the future (I was a bit of a wanton mare – we’re not totally sure who the father of my foal is right now), I’ve been playing nanny to two of the sweetest little white dun fillies who arrived via Canada from Germany. Luna and Carla are very special. Little Carla will be leaving for South Dakota shortly, so it will be my job to keep Luna from getting lonely. The farm has this great cat named Mr. T who is able to get information out to the outside world and he will let you know when my foal is born and who the father turns out to be. Born 4-29-2005 To be honest, I feel a bit of a burden being the daughter of Felix. Whenever anyone finds out, suddenly they treat me like I’m something special. The thing is, right now I don’t want to be special. I just want to be part of the group of young horses on the farm and try to fit in, and then see how things develop. It would be cool to train and stuff, but probably not until I’m three, and even then not to push things too far. Some of these horses with celebrity parents get so full of themselves and I kind of want to avoid that fate. Is that enough information for you? If you have any follow-ups, just contact my dad’s publicist, okay? Born August 4, 2000 I know I’m not the supermodel of the stable. Shoe me in high heels and I’ll tip over. But you know what? I’m pretty, perky, self-directed and nothing stops me (They say, “Millie, you’re the Katie Couric of Longtheway.”). When it comes to dressage and driving, I’m definitely a workhorse; and even though I was sick during most of the NFHR 25th Anniversary Celebration in Winona, I performed like a pro in the Evening of the Dancing Fjords. When we dropped a trace during the Dancing Fjords presentation – not once but twice – my mom (MVF Sara) and I were cool as could be. Born April 23, 1998– Is it conceited to admit the truth – that I’m basically perfect? I’ve got a killer body. My kids are gorgeous (my daughter Yenna? A rare yellow dun, thank you very much). I’m a rock-solid wheeler in the four-in-hand. And I put up with embryo transfers uncomplainingly. In fact, that’s the story of my spring, 2007 out here at Colorado State. They thought I wouldn’t notice, but there has been more than one. It’s no big deal – we did the same thing last year – and it lets a girl keep her figure and keep on working. Sure, there’s a little resentment around Longtheway (my sister Sylviann can’t stand that I was the only mare that wintered in Florida this year), but that’s okay. Among my other virtues is an ego that’s impervious to envy. Born May 20, 1998 I’ve still got those eyes. When I’m pregnant, bloated and feeling less than attractive, I can at least look in the mirror and tell myself, “You’ve still got those eyes.” My other features are pretty nice, too, I suppose. And I must have good genes because I’m one very busy brood mare. But I’ll tell you, gestation is no vacation. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a lot harder than driving. Heck, driving is recreation compared to carrying a stilt-legged foal for 11 months! Born April 22, 2005 Being a big sister who’s way more mature than her little brother, I endeavor to assiduously fulfill my sororial obligations. After all, I’m a role model. It would be inappropriate to engage in counterproductive behavior that might in any way lead Silver Flyer astray. Indeed, one of the reasons my brother did so well in Winona was because of the example I set in the stallion review. I was, like, totally perfect there. Born May 11, 1998 Being of rather renowned Dutch parentage (my father is Olsen, Jr., a famous performance stallion in the Netherlands), I had it hammered home that I should conduct myself in a dignified, almost aloof manner. But the fact is, that’s not me. I’m more empathetic. If you’re having a bad day, I’ll rest my head on your shoulder, just as you’d rub my nose if I needed a little nuzzle. I don’t require lots of recognition. The important thing is to do what’s right, and I feel very strongly about that. That’s why I’m so proud that my first daughter, Sherie, is at the Colorado Boys Ranch now. I’m equally sure that my new son, Christian, will turn out to be sweet and gentle, too. I think it’s just a family trait. Born, June 24, 1999 One must always carry oneself with a certain amount of dignity. That’s what my father Halldor always said, and it’s what I believe, too. Dignity, duty and stoical acceptance of one’s responsibilities. First and foremost, I am a mother. You may be aware that I have recently given birth to Xilef, an outstanding colt stud, and I will raise him with a firm muzzle. I’m not soft like that Tarrisa. MY foals won’t be coddled. Born April 23, 2002 I’m special – but I’m not. I mean, being a yellow dun, I’m a rarity and everyone wants to be around me. I know I’m pretty and I photograph well, and there’s something about me that’s just kind of…in control. I’m not bossy (my mom Mykleblakka is bossy) but I’m definitely a leader. Yet at the same time, I don’t feel like I’m better than anyone else, and I certainly work as hard as any of the others. Teach me a new move in dressage, give me something to pull – I’m champing at the bit! By the way, I can’t wait to get home this fall and see my new little sister, LTW Katherine. I’m going to call her Katie. Born March 25th, 2007 Hi. I’m Zinnia. I was just Born in March, and already I’m a big sister. My brother was Born on Friday, April 13th. He and I have a lot in common, and not just our parents, Bragda and Erland. For one thing, we each have surrogate moms, and we were both quite large at birth. I was the first of the embryo transfer babies, though. Plus, I’m definitely prettier than he is – with long legs and coquettish eyes. All I have to do is bat my lashes and even the dogs roll over for me. It’s no wonder I’m a child star. Check out my first film here. |
![]()