Denise Vogel, Ddungard LLC
May 4, 2025
The first week(end) in May is full with exciting horse events, besides the Kentucky Derby, it's also the weekend of the annual Hingsteutstilling (Norwegian Stallion Show/Licensing) in Norway, the mother country of our beloved Norwegian Fjord Horse.
For many many years we have been following the Stallion show, studying bloodlines, judges comments and the direction the Norwegian judges are guiding the breed towards by awarding or even revoking breeding licenses. In general, the 3 year old stallions will be awarded an annual breeding license (Kåret) when earning good enough scores in free movement, veterinary inspection and driving test. In the past these young stallions could earn their 3 premie in their initial year.
The next category are the 4-5 year old stallions who want to renew their breeding license and have to prove themselves in an extended usage test including riding (own and unfamiliar rider) in the arena and outside and draft. In the past they could only earn a 2 premie (or a 0 premie which means revoked license) as a 4/5 year old, but now with exceptional quality, they can even earn their 1 premie in this category.
Traditionally, only 8 year old stallions could earn a 1 premie.
This year Nygårds Gurven (Fjell Fin x Høylands Luna by Frederik Skovå) earned his 1 premie with scores of 10 for both trot and canter!!! He also was awarded "Dagens Hest" (best stallion in show over the whole event) and was first in quality!! Huge congratulations to his owner and breeder Sissel Marie Gurvin and team for this expectational result! Gurven's son, Birkelid Truls, who was in the 4-5 year old category also earned his 1 premie!
Nygårds Gurven is the sire of our 2024 imported grey colt ØstFin from Sweden. We have been watching Gurven for years and followed his journey getting approved in Sweden and Denmark as well. We knew he was one to watch and are thrilled to have been able to add ØstFin last year to our program.
We are grateful to our European breeder friends for sharing their bloodlines with us and helping us enhance the gene pool in the USA! We would like to extend our congratulations to all breeders, owners and exhibitors who have worked hard to breed, develop and show these exceptional horses no matter the scores. It's an inspiration for us and we are looking forward to the stallion show every year!
Nygårds Gurven Photo Credit: Lisa Otten ØstFin Photo Credit: Denise Vogel