The Fjord Horse,
Norway’s national horse breed, is regarded as one of the world’s oldest breeds, and excavations of Viking burial sites indicate that they had the same kind of horse. The Fjord Horse, or “Fjording” as it is also called in Norway, has served in many capacities during the centuries; as a swift and agile horse for riding and driving up and down the steep hills, for packing, and for work on land or in the forest. To-day, it is mostly used for leisure and competition. Because of it’s mild temperament and versatility, it is also popular in therapy. To-day, there are approximately 5.000 Fjord horses in Norway.

Njål in the early 1900’s and Solli Gråen in 2008

Norges Fjordhestlag,
the national organization for the breed, was founded in 1949. Around the country there is county, or district, and local organizations which work for the gain of the breed. Some of the district and local organizations have stallions for breeding and most of them emphasize the activities with the horse. Norges Fjordhestlag has a membership magazine called “Fjordhesten” which is published four times a year and a website, www.fjordhest.no.
Every year, beginning in 1986, there is a national championship for the breed. The arrangement is delegated to one of the local organizations. The first official Nordic championship for Fjord horses was in Oslo, Norway in 2000 and is now arranged every other year in one of the Nordic countries. In these championships the horses compete in dressage, driving and show jumping.

Norges Fjordhestlag is one of the founders of Norsk Hestesenter which has the responsibility for the register and stud book, and for the organization of the evaluation shows for the breed.

Jon Lund and Hedda Gabler, Oslo 2005. Photo: Ingvild N. Sveen

Visit: http://www.fjordhest.no

Text: Tor Nestaas