ARI

WW Auringon Ari

Here is an older custom of mine, but one of the most successful. WW Auringon Ari was his show name, so the resin edition will simply be called "Ari" to avoid any confusion or mispronunciation of his name. This stablemate-sized stallion represents the Finnhorse of trotting type. The Finnhorse is the only breed native to Finland and has been dubbed "The World's fastest coldblood", though some of these guys don't have that coldblood look. I have included some breed-related links and my own short little write-up about this versatil breed. This guy has many possibilities - from Finnhorse trotter to possibly standardbred. He could be altered to become a heavier Dole trotter or North Swedish trotter. He can become just about any of the Nordic trotting breeds! This "Ari" has won a Top Ten at NAN in 1999 as well as a Reserve Grand Championship at his only BreyerFest show in the CM Veteran Division...and therefore he wasn't allowed back! He has always done well!

WW Auringon Ari at BreyerFest 1996. He won his class (and my other remake, WW Finlandia took second in that class). He then took a champ in CM Halter and Overall Reserve Grand of the CM Veteran Division. Grand went to a Lynn Fraley CM that was also shown in performance. Ari was just shown in one halter class!! Quite an accomplishment for this little guy!

Here are some other pics - click on them to see larger images:

For Ari, I can say that there will be 50 castings. Possibly more, but I will probably only go for a one-mold run. He will be supported with acrylic rods which I will take care of for you. He does have wire reinforced legs. Castings will be sold for $55ppd each for unpainted. I am considering painting a few Artist Choice and perhaps also some custom colors. Extra customization may also be done to a few. There may be a guest artist or a few painting these as well. Every resin will come with a certificate of authenticity. Right now, I will take orders for unpainted resins and then I will get an idea of how many painted ones I can have. Please keep checking back! Thanks!

UPDATE for 5/25/02: I got the first 12 castings of Ari plus my original which I may have return to the showring to promote his "clones". It's the attack of the clones!!

UPDATE for 5/27/02: I have decided what the Artist Choice pieces will be. I will not be taking reservations yet (except for my mother!):

1. Liver chestnut, reddish m/t RESERVED

2. *Dapple black [Left view Right view] NAN'd Halter

3. Flaxen chestnut

4. Light flaxen chestnut

5. Dark flaxen chestnut or Silver dapple

6. Brown

7. Dark mealy bay

8. Dark red bay

9. *Medium bay [Left view Right view]NAN'd Halter NAN'd Performance FOR SALE: $125

10. *Black splash white pinto [Left view Right view] FOR SALE: $125

11. Bay tobiano

12. Bay roan

13. Primitive dun w/ feathers added (to be Døle Trotter)

14. Sooty palomino

15. Dark dapple gray

* denotes completed proofs.

UPDATE for 5/15/03: The first two Artist Choice pieces have been painted and shown. "WW Jett Laag" AC #2 Dappled Black has NAN'd in halter and now that I have a SM sized racing harness, "WW Time Traveler" AC #9 has NAN'd in both halter and performance as well as a performance reserve champ!! Interestingly, both these guys were shown as Standardbreds, so I guess that assignment works well for this resin! I am hoping to get more resins from Randy so I can get painting this summer... At this time, none of the completed AC pieces are for sale. Jett Laag has had problems with his peg, so unless someone wants to deal with his constant peg breakage, he won't be for sale.

UPDATE for 12/24/03: The splash white is now finished and will be for sale. Time Traveler has now several NAN cards to his credit in performance! See his pic above!

Here are some links!

An Introduction to Finnhorses

Breed Profile

A Brief History of Trotting in Finland

And my own little article regarding this versatile breed!

The Finnhorse is the only native breed of horse from Finland. It descended from the Native Finnish Pony once located on the Baltic coast. Later, they were crossed with warmbloods and coldbloods to develop the Finnish Universal. Today, there are four types of Finnhorse: a lightly built trotter (J), a heavier draft horse (T), a versatile riding horse (R), and a small pony-type horse (P).

Finnhorses are 14-16 hands high, strongly built with good limbs and long strong backs. Most Finnhorses are chestnut in color, often with a flaxen mane and tail, some are brown, black, or bay. Splashed white occurs rarely and is more often seen in the drafter type. Finnhorses are willing, forward-going, hardy and tough, and capable of thriving on sparse feed. They are even-tempered despite their relatively small frame. Finnhorses tend to be long-lived, very enduring and possessed of remarkable stamina. The head of the Finnhorse expresses its honesty and workman-like attitude.

The Finnhorse is one of the few multi-purpose breeds in the world. It is the fastest coldblood in the world, it is capable of pulling heavier loads than many larger draft breeds, and it is a very versatile riding horse. Finnhorses participate in dressage, showjumping, eventing and endurance competitions, as well as harness-driving and trotting races. Some have even been competing in dressage up to Prix de St. Georges-level, jumped in open 130cm classes and over 110 cm high cross-country fences. Also, Finnhorses are becoming increasingly popular family horses and riding school mounts. Finnhorses are bred in Germany as well as Finland. The stud book in Finland is run by: Suomen Hippos ry . The organization Suomenratsut (SUORA) works to promote the Finnhorse as riding horses. Suomen Hippos ry can be reached at:

Suomen Hippos ry, Tulkinkuja 3, 02600 Espoo, Finland (Suomi)

MORE PHOTOS of Finnhorses by Paivi Kokko:

cameron290700.jpg

joihuri290700.jpg

uja160700.jpg

viesker290700.jpg

vinkein.jpg

Please email me if you have any questions.