b"A Tribute toThe Grey Fjord Stallion Smedsmo Gren May 26, 1996 - July 25, 2023By Phil Odden and Wendy BauwensAn Extraordinary StallionSmedsmo Gren Throughouthistory,humanshaveexperiencedsome extraordinarystallions:Adios,leadingsireofharness racehorses; Curlin, the richest North American horse of all time; Huaso, famous Chilean jumping horse that holds the record for the highest jump (2.47 m); Hickstead, Olympic gold medal winning Show Jumper; Niatross, a Pacer considered to be one of the greatest harness racers; Secretariat, U.S. Triple Crown Winner (1973) and one of the most famous horses in Thoroughbred racing; Rex, a black Morgan stallion that was in the film industry for 15 years and starred in over 12 films; Trigger, Roy Rodgers palomino stallion; and Tortilas, firsthorsetoscoreabovea90%indressage.TheSheiks selected superlative Arabian stallions for speed, refinement, endurance, and strong bone; the Brits raised Thoroughbred stallions for speed, agility, and spirit; and, the Norwegians selectively bred their Fjord stallions (one of the purest and oldest equine breeds on the planet) as an all purpose horse forheavyworksuchasplowing,pullingtimber,andlight work such as riding and carriage driving.Njaal 166 is a well-known Fjord stallion from Norway who was very influential in the breed's development.Throughout Norways history, the Fjord Horse has been used by Norwegians for work and play. For centuries, due to the breeds strength and durability, the Fjord was indispensable at the farms in the steep fjord landscape of Western Norway. Farmers used the Fjord as a general-purpose pony to pull loads up to their farms in addition to working in the fields. Besides its value as a farm horse, the Fjord was essential as a means of transportation of people, food, and equipment through the regions mountainous terrain. Many farmers who owned Fjord Horses were able to profit by hiring out their horses to visiting tourists as well as for local transportation.Intheearly1900s,specificbreedingguidelinesforthe Fjord Horse were not established. However, with growth in the perception of the Fjord Horse as a symbol of Norwegian culturalheritage,advocatesofapureFjordHorsewere becoming increasingly vocal, and eventually came together in establishing protection mechanisms for the original Fjord. Throughtheseearlyefforts,controlledandsystematic breeding practices were effectively initiated. The Fjord Horse has become one of the worlds only horse breeds to retain all of its original physical characteristics. Regular young stock, mare, and stallion shows and inspections have assured high breeding standards and approval of only the finest stock for the continual success of the Fjord Horse. BredbyRonnySmedsmoandLilBenteLianofVogel Norway,SmedsmoGren(N-96-2695)wasfoaledMay26, 1996.Lil and Ronny, a young couple in an area not common to Fjord Horses, brought a breath of fresh air to Norways Fjord Herald Issue #149Winter 2023 13"