I would like to introduce myself. My name is Barb Renico and I am owned by my Friesian horse Limkjelien HF, or Lena as she is affectionately known. I’ve been a FHANA member since Lena came into my life in the Fall of 2004. That date started a whole new and wonderful chapter in my life and our involvement in the Friesian breed has made a powerful impact.
I can’t pinpoint the first time I saw a Friesian, as it was many years ago, but can certainly remember the fainting feeling of love at first sight. I have the first magazine picture I ever saw of a Friesian framed in my kitchen. It was a defining moment. My first experience with one up close and personal was at Equine Affaire in Columbus, Ohio, and I knew at that moment that someday I would have one of those magnificent horses in my life.
Lena and I are very active in promoting the Friesian horse, and have participated in many breed demos and events. We have been outriders at the Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park and at the World Equestrian Games and have been part of the FHANA breed demos during Rolex. We have participated in Breyerfest , and Lena has had the honor of being in the Parade of Breeds at the Kentucky Horse Park. We have manned the FHANA booth and helped represent the breed at Equine Affaire, and this past year we had our own demo “Horses in Law Enforcement.”
Lena is my partner on the Sheriff’s Office Mounted Deputies Unit, which we have done for the past 5 years. Along with me, she is a fully commissioned officer. We attend training every year and qualifications for us to serve as Mounted Deputies. We participate in parades, serve as law enforcement officers at our county fair, and are on call for search and rescue and special duty.
I am a founding Board member of the Ohio Valley Friesian Horse Association, a chapter of FHANA, and served two terms on the Board. As a new chapter we grew quickly and provided many events in which to participate. We were a presence at Equine Affaire, Breyerfest, parades, hosting the local keuring for FHANA, and started the annual OVFHA Classic show. We also hosted Jan Hendrics clinics and a Friesian Information Day. As a board member I was involved in the planning and execution of events.
I’ve had a wonderful journey through the Friesian world, and would like to continue my efforts in giving back to the Friesian breed with working to promote the breed, align FHANA with the FPS, and work on a national level with members, Friesian owners and Chapters. FHANA has come a long way in the last few years with an updated website that provides a wealth of information to owners, breeders, and those looking to get their first Friesian horse. FHANA is working with the Fenway Foundation on health issues and a database of information, necropsy and DNA collection, and providing for the Friesian who is in need of assistance. I would like to help initiate and institute further improvements within FHANA and reach out to the existing chapters to see how we can best partner and use our existing resources. Our members have much to offer FHANA and I would like to continue to promote a more user friendly organization.
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