NO, IT WASN’T THE MOTHER SHIP LANDING STRIP….
Posted by Karen on May 28 2008
I had to laugh out loud at that one! I don’t live in Roswell, ya know! Or maybe you guys think I’m strange enough to be from another planet. Whatever it was, your responses were very clever.
But the one who just about nailed it on the head was Jennifer from The House of Jones. She guessed it was “some kind of glow in the dark horse race.”
Ding ding ding!
They weren’t racing, per se, but they were running very fast! That and the sparklers that were somehow attached to their legs, it made for an interesting sight. Of course, maybe they were running so fast to get away from the bits of fire that was singing their leg hair!
We saw these Icelandic horses at the Pfizer Fantasia show last month. Here’s the story…we saw them a few years ago at Pfizer Fantasia. Then we invited my sister down to see the show and told her all about how great the Icelandics were. Turns out, that was the one year they did not book the Icelandics! Apparently so many people complained about it, they brought them back this year. I thought the group was just called the Icelandics because that’s what kind of horse they ride, but they really are from Iceland! The people who put on Pfizer Fantasia fly the horses and riders over! And it’s not like there are just two of them, they bring over about 12!
They do crazy stuff, like put sparklers on their horses’ legs and come out into a dark arena. They show off the speed of the horse by zipping into the arena on one end and zipping out the other end. And my personal favorite, they “Tolt” in carrying steins of beer and ride for about 5 minutes trying not to spill any. At the end, they toast the crowd and drink what’s left. Not that I approve of drinking and riding at all. Just so you know.
Here’s a video of them doing some of their well known gaits. I can’t believe how fast they can go and yet the rider barely looks like he’s moving. The Icelandic horse, in fact can do 5 different gaits whereas a regular horse can only do a few. Or so I read on the internet. And I believe everything I read on the internet.
Here are a couple of shots I took as we were leaving the arena. The horses and riders were at the rail for a meet and greet. Aren’t they so cute? I just wish I could get my hair like theirs! The horses, not the riders.
Now, I’m just waiting for this show to come to town. I will SO be there!
Ok, I wasn’t planning on giving out a prize, but I’m feeling generous and I’m very impressed that Jennifer was able to guess so accurately! So, woo-hoo, some lovely flannel wipes will make their way to Jennifer so she can use them to clean her new house! Now don’t everyone get all jealous!
on 28 May 2008 at 7:21 pm 1 Fran said …
Really an interesting post! Gosh those Icelanics are small…..like about pony size it seems. From what I’ve seen on this video, I don’t wonder that you would go see them again! Thanks for sharing.
on 28 May 2008 at 7:30 pm 2 Jennifer said …
WOW! You are so generous. And those horse….so beautiful. I need to see if they come around here anywhere. And I know I will love the wipes, thank you so much.
on 28 May 2008 at 10:26 pm 3 iceryder said …
I have Icelandic Horses and I love them! Yes, they are ponies:
http://iceryder.net/pony.html
Some Icelandic Horses are gaited and some are not. Some of the gaits that are seen in the shows are not natural gaits, but manufactured / artificial / mechanical gaits.
Here are some of the things that are used to force gait on Icelandic Horses:
http://iceryder.net/mechanicalaids.html
Note the severe noseband (one of the most severe there is!) used on the horse in your picture.
Heck, these are ponies! and these guys can’t ride them well, so they have to try to control them with severe equipment?
Many of the Icelandic Horse owners object to the way the horses are shown at these big exhibitions and demos.
on 28 May 2008 at 11:24 pm 4 Deb - Mom of 3 Girls said …
Well, I was somewhat close!
Congrats to Jennifer - and how very cool this is!
on 29 May 2008 at 1:17 am 5 Andrea said …
Iceryder has nothing nice to say about Icelandic horses and riders. She claims they are mistreated and that the gaits are not natural. This is incorrect.
I have about 15 Icelandics, they all gait naturally without being forced, both in the field and under the rider, with or without hoof and leg protection.
All my horses like me and love to be ridden.If I come to the field with a halter, they come running.
SO realize there are many owners and riders and iceys out there, and they do not mistreat their horses or use gimmicks, like Iceryder claims.
Hewr horses are overweight, three=gaited and made so docile that there is no energy or spark left. They appear comatose, but yes they can do circus tricks and clicker training….but no toelt. Instead she gives new names to faulty gaits and claims it is natural.
on 29 May 2008 at 8:01 am 6 Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You said …
Ok, that’s just wild. I’ve never seen them before. Too cool.
on 29 May 2008 at 9:14 am 7 Sue said …
OOPS! posted on Yesterdays…duh…
Anyway, had a great time with you guys last year…with the horses (ponies…whatever) Amazing…intelligent animals “they” are.
Would love to be able to ride again….miss that so much… Can’t get the video here though…
on 30 May 2008 at 9:27 am 8 reba said …
Cover up! Conspiracy! i know you are trying to cover up your alien heritage