Hugo, a Friesian gelding, giving the bride and groom a lift.
A few days ago, I actually got a google alert about “friesian horse” article that caught my eye. Like most alerts, it was just a brief mention of a Friesian, ridden by the true subject of the article. In this case, however, it was about a bride arriving to her wedding on a Friesian mare named Varinette.
“So taken was Jessica by her first glimpse of a Friesian horse that the youngster announced to parents John and Ethel Viveiros that she would have one someday — and would ride one of these magnificent black animals to her own wedding,” said the article.
Arriving at your wedding on a Friesian is, in my opinion, grand, memorable, and beautiful. And, hey! If you’re going with the traditional white gown and black tux, the Friesian matches perfectly! Especially if you use the tradition white rein and bridle they use for showing. My mother actually got married on a Friesian, right at the altar. If I get married, I definitely plan on incorporating Friesians into the ceremonies.
Another nice way to have a Friesian in your wedding, as well as being a bit “eco-friendly”, is to replace the customary black limo with a horse drawn carriage. There is actually a local Friesian-drawn carriage service called Storybook Carriages, owned and operated by Dana Story. A driver dressed in a formal driving outfit with a top hat in a beautiful white fairy tale carriage drawn by a elegant Friesian seems much more impressive than a limo, doesn’t it?
Hugo is very well trained, staying very still as the bride gets out.
There are some downsides. Friesians are big animals and can be spooked. Even a well trained horse can have its moments. Limos aren’t going to zoom off because someone’s chihuahua runs in front of it. While Friesians lend themselves to being photogenic…you need someone constantly clucking their tongue and waving their hands by the photographer to make them bother looking. Even then, you need to double your efforts in order to get them to make their ears come forward. An pissed off looking Friesian in your wedding photos isn’t very nice. Transportation is also an issue, since the carriage and horse need to be at the wedding a couple hours beforehand to get prepared. This means a trailer for the horse and carriage.
Let’s not forget road apples either. Thankfully, there is this wonderful invention that can discreetly capture and hide this offending problem. The “Bun-Bag”™! While it’s a bit unnerving, I’d much rather have it in a sealed bag than on the aisle.
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The Californian Friesian 