Cal-Poly's Kellogg Arabian Horse Center - Printed in Arabian Horse Times - Vol46 No3

A r a b i a n H o r s e Ce n t e r 2 015 9 0 Ye a r s O f K e l l o g g Tr a d i t i o n & N e w B e g i n n i n g s

by Catherine Cole Ferandelli

A A r a b Ci aanl - PHoolrys’ es

tradition frequently starts with a dream.

Surreal images take twists and turns, but ultimately, the dream turns into clear cut pictures. From there the dream develops and formulates a passionate plan of tactics resulting in

a strategy which creates the dreams’ final goal. One must have vision and unwavering determination to see through the completion of a dream, and such dreams become a tradition. Such was the case with William Keith (‘W.K.’) Kellogg’s love for the Arabian horse.

Kellogg Ce n t e r 2 015

9 0 Ye a r s O f K e l l o g g Tr a d i t i o n & N e w B e g i n n i n g s 270 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES

by Catherine Cole Ferandelli

Cal-Poly ’s Kellogg A r a b i a n H o r s e Ce n t e r 2 015 9 0 Ye a r s O f K e l l o g g Tr a d i t i o n & N e w B e g i n n i n g s

by Catherine Cole Ferandelli

A

tradition frequently starts with a dream.

Surreal images take twists and turns, but ultimately, the dream turns into clear cut pictures. From there the dream develops and formulates a passionate plan of tactics resulting in

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a strategy which creates the dreams’ final goal. One must have vision and unwavering determination to see through the completion of a dream, and such dreams become a tradition. Such was the case with William Keith (‘W.K.’) Kellogg’s love for the Arabian horse.

In 1925 Americans were becoming accustomed to a breakfast of crispy cereal—mostly Kellogg Cornflakes—and milk. Cornflakes created W.K. Kelloggs’ wealth; enough to indulge his passion for Arabian horses. Seeking healthy winter living in a temperate climate. Kellogg fulfilled his lifelong dream of creating a sanctuary to breed and keep his treasured Arabians.

After considering two locations in Southern Calif. for a winter home, Kellogg purchased 377 acres in Pomona, Calif. for $250,000. Pomona was then a sprawling rancho of citrus groves, and though only about 30 miles east of Los Angeles, all roads led to a country setting of hills and oak trees settling below the steep purple San Gabriel Mountain peaks.

Kellogg created a facility for not only breeding Arabian horses, but also to present them to the public. He proudly sought to show off their unique beauty, athletic talents and diversity to all who wished to see them.

At first the farm was a magnet for the “Hollywood set.” In early 20th century America, Arabian horses were exotic and rare; at the time only about 800 could be found in all of the U.S. Kellogg Arabians were used on many a Hollywood film set … even Rudolph Valentino’s silent film Son Of The Sheik, featured the romantic star riding the desert sands on Kelloggowned Jadaan, bringing the Kellogg Arabian horses to an intrigued movie going public. Even famed aviator Charles Lindberg, brought attention to the Kellogg Farm by initiating the local airport. Kellogg further raised Arabian horse awareness in 1926 by starting the “Sunday Shows”, a Cal-Poly tradition that continues every year from October through May. Kellogg and his wife spent only seven years at their Pomona winter home and Arabian horse farm; their children weren’t especially interested in Arabian horses and Kellogg was further involved with underprivileged children and creating the Kellogg Foundation. Both would ultimately include Kellogg’s Arabians, but that was yet to mesh. Determined to keep his breeding program operating his way, in 1932 Kellogg donated the then nearly 800-acre Kellogg Arabian Farm and its 87 horses to the University of California.

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At nearly 70 years old, Kellogg had strict instructions for continuing his Arabian breeding program and the ever popular Sunday Shows with his donation. The Kellogg Arabians would continue to be a top Southern Calif. tourist attraction by performing their acts in native costume, jumping, western and English riding and humorous equine tricks. Today, California State University-Pomona has the Kellogg Arabian Horse Center (now in its 73rd year) front and center with the help of the Kellogg Foundation and other non-profit donations. Donated stallion breedings have brought new blood to the program, keeping the Kellogg breeding program vital to the Arabian horse industry, thanks to the vision of the former Director, Norman K. Dunn. Still, Kellogg’s breeding origins of domestic and Crabbet bloodstock can still be traced forward to today’s broodmare band.

For a tradition to remain vibrant, relevant and desired, change, however, is often a necessity. Though short lived, the advent of World War II saw the Kellogg Arabian Horse Center used as the Pomona Quartermaster Depot by the War Department and assigned to the U.S. Army. War horses were bred on the property during those years, including the acquisition/ importation of 21 Polish Arabian horses, rescued ahead of the Russian army advance onto Poland. One of these horses was the prized stallion Witez II. With the Army ceasing its equine breeding program in 1948, the Kellogg Arabian Horse Center faced a tenuous future. The ranch was transferred to U.S.D.A ownership and much of the bloodstock was dispersed throughout the States. Fortunately, Kellogg’s dream remained alive, thanks to the determined tenacity of the Kellogg Company and Kellogg Foundation. Their dogged lobbying in Washington DC worked to save the farm and the Kellogg Arabian Horse program.

The turbulent post war years for the farm saw an Army equine breeding facility converted back to a college setting where, yet again, students learn and live around the beautiful Kellogg Arabian Horse band.

We all know it today as the Cal-Poly Pomona Kellogg Arabian Horse Center. Its alumni are spread far and wide through key positions of influence within the Arabian horse industry to this day … far too many to name.

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With 2015 marking the 90th anniversary of the Kellogg Arabian Horse Farm, it has been a year of celebrating nine decades of existence. The farm currently houses over 100 Arabians, including 13 foals born this year. As the Kellogg Arabian Farm legacy continues, 2015 has also been a year of profound personnel change, the first of which is the hire of nationally acclaimed John Lambert as Head Trainer.

Though born about 100 years apart and in two different centuries, one can easily imagine Kellogg and John at first meet, sitting down to an amiable chat.

They would realize that much of their lives were spent in Michigan, and that they both share their deep love for the Arabian horse and their sensitive, empathetic nature; pedigrees interwoven through world history, and willingness and unique love for humans. Kellogg and John both honor Arabian horses by preserving their legacy while building for their future.

By nature, John is a teacher; always seeking a better future for his horses and those who love them.

Reflecting on his training career, John explains, “I am drawn to forward thinking and have been blessed to have mentors who embraced the same. Even when all is going well, I am asking myself about the details … what can be improved? How can we make this better?

Clearly the Kellogg Arabian Farm has had many leaders with the same philosophy as reflected by the farm’s astoundingly top notch bloodstock.”

John continues, “Despite knowing of the Kellogg Arabian Horse Center (as does anyone in our business), I had never had the opportunity to visit the farm nor had I ever trained or owned any Cal-Poly horses.

Michigan State, my alma mater, has an Arabian breeding program too, but I’d had very little direct exposure to the horses from Cal-Poly.” When Bob Battaglia and Ray LaCroix told John about the head trainer position opening, he quickly did some research.

The opportunity to be part of the Kellogg Arabian legacy offered top pedigreed horses, an equine friendly facility, long-term staff and continued relationships with his fellow professional peers. “In doing my research of the Cal-Poly Arabians,” John explains, “I was so impressed by the rich history and loving care of these horses. The basic pedigrees of the program remain in place, yet some years ago Norm Dunn had

John Lambert and 2014 U.S. National H/A Pleasure Driving Champion JB Cat Scratch Fever.

the foresight to bring in top notch outside stallions to bred to the Kellogg mares. Continuing to this day, the strategy has strengthened the Kellogg broodmare band and kept top breeders and horsemen in touch with the Kellogg program. We fully intend to embrace this as we go forward.’

Hired June 15th of this year, John had a few days at the farm and then departed to complete previous judging commitments for Regions 13 and 3. John laughs, “Here I am newly hired, and then fly off to perform other jobs! During my off time judging Region 13, I was thinking about the brief time I’d spent at the Kellogg Farm and my initial impressions of how we could go forward. First, I wanted to return and pare down some of the 3-year-old stock. Many had not been started. I wanted to move them to make room for the 2-year-olds

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we would start in early 2016. We had some recipient mares and a few other green broke horses I thought we should sell too. When I returned to work, I pushed hard to put on an exclusive Cal-Poly Arabian Horse Auction through Addis. In fact, we firmed up the Addis Auction the day I left to judge Region 3. Early August was the perfect time for our auction as we were between regionals and Canadian Nationals. We had a scant two weeks to get 18 horses out of pasture, cleaned up, videoed for viewing and vetted before our August 5th auction date. Thanks to our very hard working staff, we were able to pull this off and even exceed expectations!”

The first ever Cal-Poly on-line auction reaped nearly $75,000 in sales with a top purchase of $26,000 for 3-year-old mare CP Charmming Notions. The proceeds of the auction will go to support the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center’s operations.

Scott Dunn, a member of the committee that advises Cal-Poly Pomona on the Kellogg Arabian Horse Center, feels the university has embarked on a new and exciting era at the center. The first step was the hiring of a nationally recognized trainer in Lambert, he said. “The next piece in the renaissance was this online auction, and by my estimation, there were some very good horses who brought very good prices. I can’t wait to see how they perform for their new owners.”

The next step is to fill the now open Kellogg Arabian Horse Center Executive Director position. Interviews are commencing to fill this post.

John continues with similar feelings of Dunn, “We have 11 foals due in 2016. It will take about five years for the program to reveal the results of these foals.

I’d like to see the Cal-Poly breeding program be the premiere ‘go to’ for top trainers to come in and fight over our young stock. Perhaps we will have an annual sale, perhaps we will show a few of our great young mares we intend to keep for our breeding program.

Whatever the tactics will be, the goal is to preserve the Kellogg Arabian legacy, raise its awareness world-wide, and teach students who come to us desiring to work alongside these incredibly special Kellogg Arabians.” n

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