Netherlands Horse Rescue 2006 with names of rescue riders

God bless those who save the horses, names at last.
The video answers why we are with horses - they make us better, stronger, bigger then ourselves could be without them. This was sent to me in 2006 as a file----I have no idea who the creator was but it is the first edit. I take no credit for photography or music or any content but it is priceless and inspiring. For almost 2 years I have tried to find out the horsewomen's names. Finally I have.
There were 7 woman critical to the rescue One woman risked her life cutting fence in neck high water and contacting authorities has never been recognized Norma Miedema. Then there were the 6 women (ages 19-40) who rode that day and were honored by their government for their bravery and courage for riding into frigid flood waters that had hidden ditches, strewn with broken fencing and other hazards.
Norma Miedema the first responder.
The riders' and horses' names
Susan Fransen riding Blizzard,
Micky Nijboer riding Berber,
Antje Dijkstra riding Humphrey,
Hinke Lap riding Guinever,
Christina Stormer riding Perfeft and
Fardow de Rueter riding King.
Norma Miedema started the Netherlands Horse Rescue must receive credit. For years no one has heard her story of the role she played in the Netherlands horse rescue which no one can forget. Her story is mostly unknown because there is only one report of it which is in Dutch. The waters were rising she was on her way home to her own animals and the horror would begin in Marrum. Norma Miedema was the one who contacted authorities of Marrum the evening of Tuesday, October 31, 2006. She began the rescue before the authorities could mobilize knowing there would not be time. She held a drowning foal in her arms as it died the first day, trapped by the wire under the water. She was one woman, 40 years old trying to save those she could waiting for help. She waded into the frigid water neck deep to cut the barb wire with bolt cutters to allow the horses escape to higher ground. During the first 2 days she fought to get the horses fresh water so they would not drink the salt water. She held sickened horses as they died. She would not relent on the authorities. She fought authorities to think outside the box. She offered to ride her own horse to lead the stranded they had "better ideas". It was them against one horsewoman. Finally with the international press taking the story and the authorities failed efforts, November 3rd , 2006 the other riders came on the scene. They were fresh and public opinion over ruled. Norma exhausted and becoming ill (eventually pneumonia) was still there the day of the ride out with her trailer to help transport them on her third day of hell. She is an unknown and unsung hero, quiet and modest, a loner who stays to herself. Perhaps that is why she remains unknown. She holds no grudge against those who have been recognized and has never cried out "unfair!" I'm sure there were others as well who were never recognized for the bravery because it was not captured dramatically on camera. I give gratitude and recognition to Norma Miedema a true horsewoman and hero and so should you.
The Riders came on the third day as again the waters were due to rise with the next storm. This next storm would be the horses end. The horses caught by the flooding were weakening and many were showing signs of giving up. The nature of the horse herd kept them from trying to save themselves.
For three days the media broadcasted the unsuccessful attempts to rescue them. Then a posting appeared on the Friesian horse forum, by Micky Nijboer: "horses and riders sought.....Only experienced riders with horses without fear of water" could try the idea of leading them off the small mound of land. They would meet the next day and the video is what they accomplished by risking themselves and their horses.
Fardow de Ruiter was 33 at the time of the rescue. She rode her horse King, the Paint Stallion. Her guest book can be found at www.tboek.nl/gastenboek/colouredstable
www.colouredstable.com
I know this video has been missing so here it is - pass it on to those who need inspiration to succeed when everything else has failed.
Please see for a better understanding of the dangers 1:47 one of the rider's horse trips with the island horses moving forward. He stands between them and her as she remounts: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrMjAKEfB8c
Awards ceremony introducing riders. It is in Dutch but identifies horses and riders www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvNZOqRc25Q
~Quintin de Verneuil BWP

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• netherlands
• horse
• rescue
• 2006
• Marrum
• rescuers
• names
• Norma
• Miedema

[QuintindeVerneuilBWP]

Netherlands Horse Rescue 2006 – The Unknown Hero Norma Miedema The woman who started the Netherlands Horse Rescue must receive credit. Norma Miedema is one special person who has never come forth to tell her story. If not for Norma the death toll would have been not 21 but probably all. She never received credit and should.

[Mechalina]

Quintin, please add Norma Miedema somewhere

[QuintindeVerneuilBWP]

@Mechalina can you be more specific in her participation. Her name has come up before but no one seems to know her role. Thank you for your concern.

[QuintindeVerneuilBWP]

@Mechalina please read the new new description. Thank you and the others who kept asking about Norma it is only fair her story be added although not captured in video..

[QuintindeVerneuilBWP]

CathelijnesSuperdogs --Het was zo mooi om te zien hoe eindelijk de paarden het water over durfde.. **It was this way beautiful to see how at last the horses dared water

[sterraful]

perfect! i love this video. i would have loved being there

[QuintindeVerneuilBWP]

Be carefule what you wish for. When its a happy ending its beautiful when the outcome is disaster you never sleep again. These horses only had days left and some were already dying.

[forseti10]

Good job ladies.

[AngelicDevilBabyTwin]

I saw this video, sent in an email, back when this first happened. I though about it today and decided to look it up, still 4 years later it had me crying!! The power of the equine herd and how they know who to trust and who if helping them, is just so amazing!!

This video sends shivers down my spine everytime i think of it. Is is the number one, most amazing thing i have ever seen.

God bless those women!! xxxxxxx

[Mechalina]

@QuintindeVerneuilBWP Thank You !!!

[Mechalina]

Thank You for adding Norma in the description !

[TheSpiritof1969]

Real men don't get tears of emotion. That is my story and I am sticking to it.

This rescue was clearly well planned and well executed, if it went wrong it would have been a disaster. Full credit to the women who led them out, they put themselves at great risk, but this magnificent rescue was also a great team effort.

[Mechalina]

She was with the horses the night before and phoned 112 while they were stuck by the barbed wire............

[Mechalina]

just google Norma Miedema Telegraaf (Marie-Therese Roosendaal wrote her story in the Telegraaf), Norma was with these horses all night long before the rescuedate !!!

[pan4ever]

I will never forget this day.

I saw it on the news and I was like OMD they must be saved!!!

I am so glad they were able to get out...seems like yesterday...