Wednesday, 27 October 2010

The 2010 Wold Percheron Congress!


#1 here. I fear this will be one of those occasions when I just hijack the blog for my own ends, but I will start with news from home. Everyone is fine. Tommy had an outing to Normandy and the kitties are all well. As for me, I am in horse heaven here in Des Moines, Iowa! I had my first full day at the World Percheron Congress today. The welcome I received was so warm and I am really enjoying getting to know the breeders and meeting some of the horses. One of the highlights was when young Abraham, son of the famed Windermere Farms (in Pennsylvania, Khyra!) showed me his mares!


It's great to see the next generation so keen on continuing the family business!

Also great was the sight of stallion Trademark getting a full manicure-pedicure with three people attending to him simultaneously!


Actually, the horses have full spa facilities available to them during their stay!


These guys, from Priefert Rodeo & Ranch Equipment are known as "Texas Thunder" and are famous for galloping into the show ring at full speed. Maybe I can catch them in full action later this week.


This six-horse hitch is from Shining Stars, local Iowa breeders with a twist. They combine Percherons with childcare and the two apparently make a perfect match!


Last but not least. I was interviewed by Iowa Public Television as part of an hour-long documentary they are making. It will be aired on November 28. Details are here.

All in well, a wonderful first day, and there are several more to go!

Posted by at

23 comments:

  1. Lola and also Franklin, too27 October 2010 at 05:18

    We're all just about in bed now, but I will tell Alpha Mom about this post for the morning. She's going to go nuts when she sees those horsies! They are beautiful, too. Glad everything is going well.

    lotsa licks, Lola

    ReplyDelete
  2. NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog!27 October 2010 at 05:24

    We see that farm is a bit further than the other one - Yahoo map shows 115 miles BUT Mom has been to that town -

    Her former brother-in-law married a woman from that area and they lived there - they might even still live there!

    Thanks for sharing those great horsedoggie pikhs!

    Glad to hear things are bonne au maison ;-)

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra and The Golden Khousins
    PeeEssWoo: Hi Tommy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Two French Bulldogs27 October 2010 at 06:07

    Are you a movie star? We are looking forward to the documentary.
    Benny & Lily

    ReplyDelete
  4. verobirdie27 October 2010 at 06:24

    The pictures and the horses are very impressive! So glad you are enjoying your stay!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Raymond and Busby27 October 2010 at 07:07

    Very exciting! We are glad the Chans and Tommy are doing well back in France and we are thrilled that you are having so much fun in Iowa.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Carolyon27 October 2010 at 07:17

    Sounds like #1 is going to be famous!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sparkle27 October 2010 at 07:19

    Whoa! Those horses are Gi-Normous! My human thinks they are beautiful. I think they are a bit scary - and I thought the dog here, at 50 lbs., was a monster! My human assures me they do not eat kitties. Whew! That is exciting that you get to be on TV.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Marlene27 October 2010 at 07:58

    How exciting! Those horses are beautiful. So glad you are hijacking the blog to share your news :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cat27 October 2010 at 08:38

    Cat here, I will take over the commenting today just like you took over the blogging! Thank you so much for the wonderful pictures of these really fabulous horses!! I bet you are in heaven among all of those horse lovers and all of those beautiful horses...I sure would be and I am what I consider to be just an admirer of horses (though I have done a fair amount of riding)...my sister, in South Carolina, used to be a horse breeder up in Washington State, but has moved to SC because there are also a lot of horses and horse people there...so I hear. But I'm sure you will find horse people most everywhere if you know where to look. The Percherons are really, really impressive animals..I am in awe of them and can see why you love them so much. I'm so glad you are having a great time and seeing so many people that share your enthusiasm for these special creatures. Of course, we love our 'little' creatures, too, but I have to say that horses are just out of this world!! Looking forward to seeing more of what you see! Have a safe and happy trip, Cat (Lautrec, Tiny and Ellwood)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Teddy Westlife27 October 2010 at 11:42

    Wow, what magnificent horses!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Forever Foster27 October 2010 at 12:52

    Aren't they amazing! What incredible, beautiful creatures. We're glad that your trip is going well! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Meezers or Billy27 October 2010 at 14:07

    beautiful horses! our the mom LOVES the percheron/belgian/clysdale competitions at the NY state fair. She sits for hours in the arena.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hannah and Lucy27 October 2010 at 15:43

    The horses are magnificent - they look so strong and make it look as the carriage is as light as a feather. There looks to be such a lot of preparation and grooming time before the action!
    We're happy to hear that Tommy is getting out and about and the cats are fine too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Niamh27 October 2010 at 16:47

    You will be famous #1! Glad you are having a great time although we see that they do lots of horse grooming torture there. We liked all the treats and toys in the previous posts.

    Your friends,
    Niamh & Ambrose

    ReplyDelete
  15. Remington27 October 2010 at 17:01

    Beautiful horses!

    ReplyDelete
  16. ♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥27 October 2010 at 20:34

    Kansas Thunder says that Texas Thunder is awesome!!! Glad to hear all is well at home, that must make your time away so much easier. So glad you are enjoying yourself. Too bad we couldn't have gotten to Iowa to meet you.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

    ReplyDelete
  17. Daily Dose of Dogs (aka Cats with your Coffee)27 October 2010 at 22:22

    Oh, THANK YOU for the pictures. It has been so nice seeing the midwest through YOUR eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oskar28 October 2010 at 00:49

    That's so awesome & the horses are beautiful!

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

    ReplyDelete
  19. Clive28 October 2010 at 01:00

    #1, we loved that post so much - the horses look amazing - we were all so impressed. Enjoy every moment!

    take care
    Clive & Co

    ReplyDelete
  20. Just Ducky28 October 2010 at 03:56

    Wow you are near where mum was borned many years ago. She has been to the Waverly Horse Auction about 10 years ago with her uncle and Grampie. Lots of wonderful horses to see.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sagira29 October 2010 at 00:21

    Those horses sure are pretty and getting a full treatment huh?

    Wow..you were interviewed? You're a celeb!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Dexter29 October 2010 at 00:58

    I can see why #1 is so happy! The horses are so magnificent. How proud they look all hitched up and ready to go>

    Slobbers,
    Mango

    ReplyDelete
  23. JB's Big and Small Worlds29 October 2010 at 19:06

    The horses are just amazing. Will #1 be famous?
    --JB

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting our blog! We love getting comments.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)