SOLFRIED

Solfried earned his place in the Lifetime Ridden Performance Awards by gaining:-
Category 1 - two wins in Dressage and five wins in Pairs Ridden.
Category 2 – a win in show jumping, two wins in Pairs Jumping and two wins in WHP.
Category 3 – a win in RDA, a win in gymkhana and two wins in Handy Pony.

Solfried’s dam, Lola, was an early import from Ireland, and she and the mares that arrived with her held Bavarian papers.  His sire, Maximilian, was imported by The Duchess of Devonshire in 1969.

 

Solfried’s story

Solfried – the Haflinger to pave the way which many were to follow.

Although Solfried sadly died in 1998, his legacy lives on and it is thanks to him that both Haflingers and ponies are entitled to compete as extensively as they do today in the world of endurance. A hugely successful endurance horse, Solfried was the first pony to compete in a one-day 100-mile race ride.  Not only did he finish 4th, but he also took the best condition award.  Solfried stood at 13.3hh, an inch too small to be allowed to compete at the major rides according to the rules of the time.  His talent was such that eventually he was granted approval to compete at the Golden Horseshoe, a gruelling 75 miles course over Exmoor.  Not only did he win a gold medal but he was also the catalyst for the rule-change allowing horses of any height to compete in the major endurance Championships.

Endurance was by no means the only discipline in which Solfried excelled.  His Breed Show wins include ridden showing, show jumping, working hunter, dressage, gymkhana and driving.  Solly was also successful competing in cross-country.

As an ambassador for the Breed, Solfried’s influence is hard to beat.  Apart from his competitive successes, paired with Helen Blairs’s stallion Nomad (also a Lifetime Ridden Performance Award winner) they led the parade at the Tercentenary of Rotten Row through London behind Tom Crane’s driven pair.  Solfried was also a member of the Silvretta Stud’s Haflinger Display Team, allowing the multi-disciplined Solfried to shine as the team’s vaulting horse.  As part of the ridden display, Solfried was instrumental in thrilling the crowds with a performance to music that culminated with the horses jumping through rings of fire - a testament to the Haflinger’s bravely, ability and obedience.

Solfried worked for many years in the riding school of the North Worcestershire Equestrian Centre, teaching hundreds of people of all ages and abilities the joys of riding.  For the beginner or nervous rider, Solfried was the perfect gentleman.  For the more advanced rider, Solfried was a great school-master capable of teaching the more advanced school movements and a fantastic jumper.  Those riders whose inflated ego outstripped their actual riding ability (especially those who deemed themselves above riding a 13.3hh Haflinger) were soon taught the error of their ways when teamed with Solfried!

It was also with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) that Solfried shone.  Gone was the independent, stubborn and hugely competitive Solfried.  Always understanding with the less able bodied, the RDA chose him to compete at numerous championships.

As many remember him – teacher, friend and inspiration.

Helen Blair

PHOTOS

 

Click on images for larger pictures.