Jim Willems and his "Haflinger horses of the Kirschtal" (Cherry Valley)

    At a very early age, Jim lived on a working dairy farm in Whatcom County surrounded by cows and horses. All work on this farm was accomplished by two large Belgian horses.
     Jim's first horse, a Palomino named "Honey," was a brood mare and from this horse Jim's father started selling and buying horses for children. Projekt Bayern members Heinz and Claudia Hohmann remember purchasing a horse from Jim's father. "At that time we lived in Ferndale," recollects Claudia, "and we wanted to buy a horse. We heard about Jim's dad. We called him, went out to his place and bought a big, wonderful horse. Jim's dad was the kindest man, really a nice man!" 
     Today Jim owns a cherry (Kirsch) orchard in nearby Cashmere and enjoys involvement supporting the Bavarian theme of Leavenworth. After attending the "Gauterfest" in Zell am Ziller in the famous Zillertal (Valley) in Austria and witnessing the teams of Haflingers pulling wagons in the parade, Jim fell in love with this breed of beautiful horses. After much research and encouragement from friends, Jim began his search including Oregon, Washington and Canada. M & B Farms owned by Mike and Beverly Davis, located in Vernon, British Columbia offered the answer. Jim was very impressed with Stefan Bundshue, originally from Kufstein, Austria, director of the horse academy at M&B Farms and his breeding knowledge. Jim said, "the setting and the entire operation was very similar to famous home of Haflingers in Austria known as "Fohlenhof Ebbs".
     Fall of 1997, Jim purchased a breed mare named "Gaja" and a gelding named "Strauss" from M & B Farms. Easter Sunday 1998, "Gaja" gave birth to her first colt, "Nachtstern" (Nightstar). The 29th of May 1999 brought a filly named "Golden Mädl," (Golden Girl ) or "G.G.," as she is fondly called. "Gina," another filly, Jim's newest baby, was born April 2000. In 1999 Jim also purchased a five-year-old gelding named "Mogly" bringing his Haflinger family total to six. All three foals were sired by "Nordstern-MB" a registered stallion imported from Germany. To say Jim loves his horses is definitely an understatement! "They each have their own distinct personality," Jim maintains. During birth of each foal Jim is on the scene and claims, "When they are born you get up right into their face and they bond with you." 
     While visiting M & B Farms, after death of his parents, Jim found an old carriage stored in a barn. The carriage, possibly 200 years old was made in Osnabrück in Northern Germany. Jim used funds from his inheritance to purchase this beautiful antique carriage. "I couldn't think of a better tribute to my Dad's memory than to purchase the carriage to be pulled by my Haflinger horses," stated Jim.
     A few years ago Jim visited Bad Tölz in Bavaria to view the famines annual "St Leonardiritt" parade full of wagons, some pulled by Haflinger horses. The amazing sight and speed of these wagons rumbling over the cobblestone streets impressed Jim immensely. The proud, prancing horses donned in traditional elegant harness motivated Jim to seek harness for his Haflingers. In small village of Wallgau ( near Mittenwald ) Jim met Herr Gleisner, observed his tremendous talent in hand stitched work and immediately purchased hand-made harness for his horses with the enthusiastic goal to present his equestrian unit, including special carriage pulled by Haflingers authentically attired in Bavarian handmade harness, in upcoming Leavenworth parades. 
     For past several years, Jim with his antique carriage pulled by Haflingers wearing their unique harness have appeared in many parades including Apple Blossom in Wenatchee, Maifest and Autumn Leaf parades in Leavenworth. His beautiful carriage also carried the "Brautpaar" (wedding couple) during the authentic Bavarian wedding presented by Projekt Bayern in 1998.
     When Jim purchased his harness, he bought enough to outfit four horses and is in the process of training his horses in order that in near future he can present what in horse terms is called a 4-up team. As tribute to his father's memory, Jim dreams of building an arena and continue promoting his dad's joy of horse rides for children with hope to develop and offer a unique program for children with special needs.