Strawberry Banks Farm Three Generations, Four Decades … by COLLEEN SCOTT
It’s not many Arabian breeders who can say their next milestone will be half a century. But that’s precisely the case with Strawberry Banks Farm, East Aurora, NY. When Barbara and her late husband Neil founded their program and built their first farm more than four
Strawberry Banks Farm Three Generations, Four Decades … by COLLEEN SCOTT
It’s not many Arabian breeders who can say their next milestone will be half a century. But that’s precisely the case with Strawberry Banks Farm, East Aurora, NY. When Barbara and her late husband Neil founded their program and built their first farm more than four decades ago with a small four-stall barn, they had no idea they were embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. Fast forward to today, and Strawberry Banks Farm has survived the ups and downs of the market through the years and is thriving under the vision of not just Barbara, but two additional generations of horsewomen, her daughter Lissa Tehan, and granddaughter, Sawyer Tehan. With strong, insightful and knowledgeable women at the helm of Strawberry Banks Farm, it’s not surprising their breeding program has long been based on the strength of their broodmares. Early into their research and Arabian adventure, the Churs discovered they were most attracted to the Bask-bred horses and began building their program with A Love Song (*Bask x Elkana). Tonki (*Bask x Boltonka) and Elegant Crystal
Barbara Chur
Sawyer and Lissa Tehan Barbara Chur
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Sawyer Tehan
“Horses are our love ... Arabians are our Passion.”
(*Aladdinn x *Elkana) rounded out the band of broodmares that would be the foundation. Their influence is still clear today, as the program has produced consistently athletic, beautiful and talented horses, all with a unique Strawberry Banks “look.” Through the years, there have been many memorable horses, too many to name. There was Ericca (Tempter x Elegant Crystal), a multi-national champion in both halter and English performance; Allience (*Aladdinn x A Love Song), another product of their breeding program who was often in the U.S. National Champion winner’s circle; and the home-bred stallion A Temptation (Tempter x A Love Song), a special horse whom Barbara has been quoted as saying was “her love, and the heart and soul of Strawberry Banks.” A Temptation was joined by the U.S. and Canadian National Champion English Pleasure horse Hey Hallelujah (Huckleberry Bey x Hallelujah Bask), and the legendary National Champion producing stallion Baske Afire (Afire Bey V x Mac Baske), rounding out the farm’s trio of stallions.
A Temptation
Hey Hallelujah
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Baske Afire
Extraordinalily
(Baske Afire x Emayzing Grace, by Hey Hallelujah)
Chennin Blanc
(Inception x Chardonnay DGL, by A Temptation)
With the foundation of Bask-bred mares and three incredible stallions, the Strawberry Banks program has produced hundreds of show ring successes and this year looks to be no exception. “Our foal crop of five this year has been by far the best yet,” says Barbara. “With our amazing collection of broodmares by Baske Afire, A Temptation and Hey Hallelujah, we are breeding to some select stallions outside our barn gates. Enchanting Memories (Baske Afire x Emayzing Grace) and Chardonnay DGL (A Temptation x Chamorrita Afire) have given us an extraordinary colt and filly by Inception (IXL Noble Express x Bonita Afire). “We were also very fortunate to get an amazing Half-Arabian colt by Baske Afire out of the multi-national champion producing Saddlebred mare Only Girl in Town,” she adds. An additional breeding of A Temptation to the multi-national champion mare Princess of Baske produced a beautiful filly. Lastly, the farm’s “blue hen” mare, Emayzing Grace (Hey Hallelujah x Ericca) produced a full sister to the stunning Enchanting Memories. While the farm relies on a long history of great producing pedigrees, there is also longevity in the people that make up Strawberry Banks Farm. Besides the Chur family, Melanie and Brian Murch have been “We couldn’t be what we are without all our dedicated, caring employees.” —Barbara Chur
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an integral part of the team for nearly two decades. Of the farm’s other eight full-time employees, seven of them have been with the farm for eight to 28 years, an amazing accomplishment for any employer to achieve. “We couldn’t be what we are without all our dedicated, caring employees,” says Barbara. “We thank them so much; the horses do too! “This year, we proudly added Lance Lewis to our training team. Lance is a talented young trainer and Brian is happy to have him on board. Together they have been working with a great group of young horses and 2019 U.S. National contenders bred by Strawberry Banks Farm. We will also be watching the beautiful mare Ready for Love (A Temptation x ROL Fire Mist), recently purchased by Sugar Hill Arabians. Mitch Sperte will show her off in the Arabian English Pleasure Futurity.” While the cards are not yet in for the upcoming U.S. Nationals, there’s no doubt the Strawberry Banks Farm horses will meet with the same kind of success they have previously in the show ring. If Sawyer Tehan’s performance at this past Youth Nationals is any indication, the winner’s circle is definitely in the future for the U.S. Nationals contenders. Showing four horses, she came home with a top ten and three reserve champion titles. “We are so blessed and have gotten so much enjoyment from our affiliation with the Arabian breed,” says Barbara. “It’s especially wonderful to share these experiences with family,” she adds. “We are all looking forward to what the future still holds for Strawberry Banks Farm.”
Pretti Woman (A Temptation x Princess Of Baske)
Arabian Country Pleasure Jr. Horse AEPA Arabian Saddle Seat Futurity with Brian Murch
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Smooothe Operator (Baske Afire x Siereusi)
H/A English Pleasure Junior Horse with Lance Lewis
A True
Temptation (A Temptation x A Blessing)
Arabian Country Pleasure Junior Horse and AEPA Arabian Saddle Seat Futurity with Lance Lewis
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H/A Country Pleasure AAOTR 36-54 with Lissa Tehan
Thrillicious
era
(Baske Afire x Koriene)
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Emagin (Baske Afire x Emayzing Grace)
AHPA Arabian Hunter Pleasure Futurity with Lance Lewis Available at Nationals
Enrico (A Temptation x EA Candy Girl)
Arabian Native Costume AAOTR with Lissa Tehan Arabian Native Costume with Lance Lewis
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Hannah
trgr
(Aregal Heir TRGR x Hadassah TRGR)
Arabian Country Pleasure Open with Lance Lewis Owned by Lissa Tehan
Evolutionist (Baske Afire x Evalina V)
Arabian Country Pleasure Driving with Brian Murch Owned by Joni Hyrick Available at Nationals
Strawberry Banks Farm Barbara Chur, owner | Brian Murch, trainer, cell: 716.983.3099 | Lance Lewis, asst. trainer 716.652.9346 | East Aurora, New York | info@strawberrybanksfarm.com
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www.SugarHillArabians.com | Owned by Betsy Kubiak Trainer Mitch Sperte | 480-201-5113 | info@SugarHillArabians.com
O 2019 Buckeye and Region 14 Champion English Pleasure Junior Horse
VJ Royal Heir | Joleen WB by MHR Nobility out of a full sister to AA Apollo Bey 2014 Stallion | Bred by Tim & Marty Shea
E
U.S . N at i o n a l C o n t e n d e r
volutionist
(Baske Afire x Evalina V) • 2011 Gelding
Regional Champion Arabian Country Pleasure Driving Regional Champion Country English Pleasure Junior Horse Available at U.S. Nationals Suitable for an Amateur Rider & Driver
Arabian Country Pleasure Driving with Brian Murch Bred and owned by 401K ARABIANS | Joni Hyrick | Pendleton, New York Contact Brian Murch | Strawberry Banks Farm | 716-983-3099
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