THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
1
2
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
3
ABOUT THE COVER 4
Riverdreams LLC Chapel Hill, North Carolina THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Fresh Cooled Semen, LFG Stud Fee $4000
Standing at Monnington Farm Georgia & Lionel Ferreira Simpsonville, Kentucky 502-655-6095
WGC
2015 World’s Grand Champion Five-Gaited
MARC OF CHARM Santana’s Charm x Pretty Ribbons
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
5
ADVERTISERS CONTENTS
106 105 88 9 10 8 75 6 94 5 Cover 86 1 108 92 90 112 95
2 12 50
56 60 68 70
76
82
84
6
Alliance Stud Arrowhead Farm Aurora Farms Blythewood Farms CornerStone Harper Stables Hathaway Farm High Caliber Stables Matt Shiflet Stables Milestone Stables Monnington Farm Royal Winds Stables Stachowski Farm Stachowski Farm Tomahawk Tomcat Visser Stables Willowbank
About the Cover UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show Shawn Stachowski: A passion for breeding By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer Unsung Heroes By Christy Parker A Conversation with Breeders By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer Junior Exhibitor Profile: Michael Arquila The Cornerstone of Success: Fred Sarver By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer Jessica and Richmond DeHart: A Legacy in the Making By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer Meet the dynamic mother-daughter team of: Alicia & Kendyll Quackenbush By Julie Anne Bosworth Celebrating the marriage of Kimberly and Todd Graham
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE TEAM
EDITORIALS: Pieter Hugo pieter@silvermane.co.za (001) 502 321 8305 Johan Blom johan@silvermane.co.za (0027) 83 324 3709 Meghan von Ballmoos meghan@internationalshowhorse.com (001) 860 605 5041
Pieter Hugo Managing Director
Johan Blom Chief Executive Officer
DESIGN: Marguerite Odendaal mleroux@silvermane.co.za ADVERTISING: Madge Bass bass.madge@gmail.com (001) 502 299 8523 Julie Broder julie@internationalshowhorse.com (001) 502 419 8237 ORDERS & INVOICING: Gasnat Jaffer gasnat@silvermane.co.za 32b Whitlers Way, Hout Bay 7806, South Africa International Dialing Codes: Sa (0027) And Usa (001)
Madge Bass USA Sales Manager
Marguerite Odendaal Senior Designer
Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer Features/Profiles
Meghan von Ballmoos Features/Billing Director
www.internationalshowhorse.com Published by:
www.silvermane.co.za
Gasnat Jaffer Office Manager
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
7
8
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
9
10
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
11
12
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
13
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG Three Gaited Park Three Year Old JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH & EVAN ORR
Fine Harness MO/KS WINTERSBY & GARY DICKHERBER
Country Pleasure Driving CH ATTACHE’S CHOCOLATE THUNDER & LYNDA ST ANDRE Saddle Seat Equitation Adult SUNSET’S FLYING KISS & AVIS VAN ZOMEREN
Three Gaited Park Pleasure Three Year Old SOQUILI’S WRITTEN IN THE STARS & KAYLA WOOTERS KLAAS 14
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Saddle Seat Equitation 17 & Under MO/KS CH REEDANN’S WHY NOT & GABRIELLA SNYDER
Three Gaited Country Pleasure Adult STORM SEEKER & SYDNEY DAZZO
Harness Pony Denver Junior HEARTLAND OVER THE MOON & MAUREEN CAMPBELL
Three Gaited Park Pleasure Junior Horse SHE’S EPIC & NEIL VISSER Five Gaited Show Pleasure 18-38 CH MOONLIGHT MEMORIES & MCGEE BOSWORTH
Three Gaited Country Pleasure MO/KS KNIGHTTIME’S TOTAL KNOCKOUT & SIDNEY MURRAY Three Gaited MO/KS Am/Jr Exhibitor TALK IS MONEY & ELLEN ERCHUL THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
15
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG
Hunter Country Pleasure POETRY IN BLACK & JARIEN CRUMBLEY
Fine Harness Three Year Old DIVINELY DECADENT & TJ SANTAFERRA
Three Gaited Show Pleasure Veteran Horse DESIGNED FOR SUCCESS & NANCY EGEZEINO
Roadster Pony Denver Junior CENTURIAN’S GAMBLER & GEORGIA BLEVINS
Five Gaited Country Pleasure MONNINGTON SIR CHARLES & SUSANNA KRITZLER Five Gaited Show Pleasure 39 & Over CALLAWAY’S BOOKMARK & BARBARA GOODMAN MANILOW 16
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Fine Harness Open MADEIRA’S CODE RED & JAMES LOWRY
Five Gaited MO/KS Open VOLPAIA & MELISSA HUGHES SMITH
Three Gaited MO/KS SIR MAMBO & ALIX POLYDOROS
Three Gaited Over 15.2 NUTTIN’ TO JUSTIFY & MELISSA MOORE
Harness Pony Amateur HEARTLAND MONEY TALK & HOLLY NICHOLS
Three Gaited Show Pleasure MO/KS Jr. Exhib. EXPECT TO FLY & EMMA STEWARD THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
17
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG
Three Gaited Three Year Old PERSONAL LEGEND & NEIL VISSER
Five Gaited Mare LEXINGTON LIGHTS & WYATT RICHMOND DEHART
Three Gaited Amateur Under 2 BEAUTY MARC & VICTORIA WALZ
Three Gaited Park Amateur CH MY ROYALE PRINCE & LISA HOLT
18
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Three Gaited Park MO/KS DESIGNER INFLUENCE & RYAN REICHOW
Five Gaited Three Year Old THE DREAM POLICE & EVAN ORR
Roadster to Bike Amateur JAKE QUAIDER & DENISE JOHNSON
3-Gaited Show Pleasure MO/KS Amateur HARLEM’S FLOWER GIRL & KAYCEE REINER
Three Gaited Ladies Amateur SMART FORTUNE & MISDEE WRIGLEY MILLER
Roadster to Wagon INDIAN OUTLAW & MELINDA MOORE THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
19
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG Hackney Pony Amateur HEARTLAND ROUGH AND READY & GEORGE ANNE NASH
Three Gaited Park Open LITTLE BLACK DRESS & STEVE WHEELER Fine Harness Two Year Old MY IRRESISTIBLE CHARM & LYNDA FRESETH
Five Gaited Stallion UNEXPECTED ASSET & NEIL VISSER Five Gaited Amateur Mares THE BRIGHTEST BLUE & MISDEE WRIGLEY MILLER 20
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Three Gaited Show Pleasure 18-38 HS I’M HOT WIRED & LAURA DOZER
Three Gaited Ladies Under 2 ARROWHEAD’S NEW BEGINNINGS & DEBORAH ORR
Hackney Pony Denver Junior HEARTLAND GUN SHOW & MAUREEN CAMPBELL
Five Gaited Show Pleasure MO/KS HS KISS MY GRITS & EMMERSON STOY Three Gaited Two Year Old ALITA & NATALIE MARTENS
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
21
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG
Three Gaited Show Pleasure 39 & Over CH GRACEFUL SURPRISE & AMANDA MURCHISON
Roadster Under Saddle THE GENERAL LEE & BRITTANY MCGINNIS
Three Gaited Park Pleasure Open LADY COCO NUT CHANEL CC & HANNAH FULLER
Fine Harness Junior Horse MY CRAZY EX GIRLFRIEND & LISA STRICKLAND Harness Pony Open HEARTLAND DIXIE DANCER & ALICIA SCHUCKERT
22
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Five Gaited Two Year Old LOOKIN’ FOR LUCK & AUSTIN HAZELWOOD
Three Gaited Amateur Over 2 THE GREAT OZ & PIPER BORDEGON
Three Gaited Park Junior Horse UNDULATA’S COLORADO CRACKER & KAYLA WOOTERS KLAAS
Roadster Pony MO/KS JAVA JOE & MEGAN PLACE
Show Pleasure Driving Amateur KATHARINE THE GREAT & ANNA MARIE KNIPP
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
23
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG Fine Harness Amateur BEST SHOW IN VEGAS & ANNA MARIE KNIPP
Five Gaited MO/KS Am/Jr Exhibitor A SHARP TEMPER & HAYDEN NIELSEN
Roadster Pony Amateur MASTERCRAFT’S FORECASTER LF & GEORGE ANNE NASH Ladies Five Gaited Mare SHARE THE MOMENT & DEBBIE FOLEY
UPHA Excep. Challenge Cup WT L1 Finals DENNY & RENE PHIFER
24
UPHA Excep. Challenge Cup WT w/Assist Finals LEVEL 3 STAR & BRIGHNA DOTY THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
UPHA Excep. Challenge Cup L2 Finals CH SUPREME INHERITANCE & CHRISTOPHER MOLONY
Western Country Pleasure DOUBLE PARKED & CHARLOTTE KURTZ
Three Gaited Under 2 CLARA LYNN & JAMES LOWRY
Fine Harness Ladies CH OUR BRILLANT BELLE & MARY GISE
Roadster Pony Open UNEXPECTED 2 & GEORGIA BLEVINS Ladies Five Gaited Gelding WE MUST BE REALLY NUTS & VICTORIA WALZ THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
25
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG Three Gaited Junior Horse MY GIFTED LADY & MIDGE HUNT
Five Gaited Amateur Stallion/Gelding SENOR FROG & ALEX RUDDER
Roadster to Bike WHITE LIE & DEBBIE FOLEY
Three Gaited Ladies Over 2 CH HS BABY STEPS & MISDEE WRIGLEY MILLER Five Gaited Gelding CH THE DAILY LOTTERY & DANNY LOCKHART 26
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Adult HEARTLAND SUGAR PLUM & GEORGE ANNE NASH
UPHA Except. Challenge Cup WT w/Assistance (2020) EV CONQUISTIDOR & EVAN SAUNDERS
Three Gaited Country Pleasure 13 & Under CALLAWAY’S CONSIDER ME GONE & BELLA JETTE Walk/Trot Pleasure 12 & Under CH BROOKHILL’S KNOCKOUT & CLAUDIA ZARELLA
Three Gaited Show Pleasure 14-17 HEIDI & RYAN VISSER Three Gaited Junior Exhibitor 13 & Under PERFECT ELIZABETH & NORA WADE THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
27
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG
Three Gaited Show Pleasure 13 & Under CH HIS SUPREME REFLECTION & ISABELLE FISCHER
Show Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor CH BROOKHILL’S EXPRESS YOURSELF & BRIANNA TOLKACZ
3-Gaited Country Pleasure MO/KS Stake KNIGHTTIME’S TOTAL KNOCKOUT & SIDNEY MURRAY
Five Gaited Pony CH ULTIMATE SPITFIRE & SAMANTHA SWIGER
28
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Three Gaited Country Pleasure 14-17 REALLY REALLY RED & OLIVIA HORAN
Three Gaited Pony SINFULLY DELICIOUS & EMMA VON BALLMOOS
Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor EVANGELINA & CARTER CLOUSE
Five Gaited Junior Exhibitor 14-17 MAN OF MAGIC & SALLIE MASON WHEELER
UPHA Challenge Cup Adult CARRIGAN’S ENCORE & CAITLIN FERKILE Three Gaited Park MO/KS Stake DESIGNER INFLUENCE & RYAN REICHOW THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
29
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG
Five Gaited Ladies Amateur HS I’M A DREAMER & MADELEINE OLIVER
Three Gaited Junior Exhibitor 14-17 DON’T MENTION IT & SALLIE MASON WHEELER
UPHA Junior Challenge Cup Nat. Champ. Finals CH (EQ) MADEIRA’S FAME & ISABELLE FISCHER
Five Gaited Junior Exhibitor 13 & Under DANCING WARRIOR & KAMRYN SMITH
Western Country Pleasure Ladies SIR DIGNI PHI & CHARLOTTE KURTZ 30
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Hunter Country Pleasure Nat. Championship POETRY IN BLACK & JARIEN CRUMBLEY
Country Pleasure Driving Nat. Championship CH ATTACHE’S CHOCOLATE THUNDER & LYNDA ST ANDRE
Hackney Pony Open HEARTLAND JAMIN’ & ALEXANDRA LILLY Parade Horse Open JOHNNY’S FANCY AFFAIR & ROGER PRUDEN
Five Gaited Show Pleasure Jr. Exhibitor CH CALLAWAY’S BRIONI & SALLIE MASON WHEELER
3-Gaited Show Pleasure MO/KS Champ. HARLEM’S FLOWER GIRL & KAYCEE REINER
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
31
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG Five Gaited Junior Horse WITH LUCK & AUSTIN HAZELWOOD
Three Gaited Park Junior Exhibitor CH IT’S AEROSMITH & REAGAN CAMPBELL
Roadster Pony 13 & Under COOL MAX & ELLA REAGAN
Five Gaited Country Pleasure Nat. Champ. MONNINGTON SIR CHARLES & SUSANNA KRITZLER 32
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Walk/Trot Pleasure 12 & Under Champ. SOMETHING RED & KENDYLL QUACKENBUSH
Hackney Pleasure Horse/Pony Under Saddle THE BATMOBILE & MIA SCOTT
Five Gaited MO/KS Am/Jr. Exhib. Stake A SHARP TEMPER & HAYDEN NIELSEN
Three Gaited MO/KS Stake SIR MAMBO & ALIX POLYDOROS
Three Gaited Park Pleasure Stake LADY COCO NUT CHANEL CC & HANNAH FULLER Saddle Seat Equitation 13 & Under AMANYARA & BOSTLYN LEFFLER
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
33
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG Roadster Pony 14-17 HEARTLAND MAGIC MOMENT & OLIVIA TURNER
Three Gaited Country Pleasure Adult Nat. Chm STORM SEEKER & SYDNEY DAZZO
Western Country Pleasure Nat. Championship DOUBLE PARKED & CHARLOTTE KURTZ
Three Gaited MO/KS Am/Jr Exhib. Stake TALK IS MONEY & ELLEN ERCHUL
AHHS Hackney/Harness Pony Medallion FRESCHETTA & MATTHEW C SCHUCKERT 34
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
UPHA Fine Harness Classic Grand Championship MY GIRL NEXT DOOR & JAMES STACHOWSKI
Five Gaited Show Pleasure Adult Nat. Champ. CH MOONLIGHT MEMORIES & MCGEE BOSWORTH
UPHA Hackney Pony Classic Grand Championship WP UP LIFTING & LYNDA FRESETH
UPHA Hackney Pony Pl. Driving Classic Grand Champ. HEARTLAND SUPERSONIC & AMY HEUSLEIN
UPHA Park Pleasure Classic Grand Championship TOP ASSET & STEVE WHEELER THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
35
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG UPHA Harness Pony Classic Grand Championship CRYSTAL CREEK’S KNIGHT RAIDER & JAMES LOWRY
UPHA Senior Challenge Cup Nat. Champ Finals CH (EQ) MOOI MOOI & MICHAEL ARQUILLA
UPHA Roadster to Bike Classic Grand Championship THUNDER ROLLS & SCOOTER SCHEURICH
UPHA Three Gaited Classic Grand Championship THE CROWD WENT NUTS & NEIL VISSER 36
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
UPHA Roadster Pony Classic Grand Championship HEARTLAND SPOKESMAN & ROSE MARIE WHEELER
Saddle Seat Equitation 16-17 CH REAL ACTION & ISABELLA PRIVITERA
Three Gaited Pony Stake SINFULLY DELICIOUS & EMMA VON BALLMOOS
Hackney Pony Showmanship UPTOWN FUNK & DARIEN WALKER
UPHA Five Gaited Classic Grand Championship MOSSBERG MARY & MARIA GILMAN
Five Gaited Show Pleasure MO/KS Stake HS KISS MY GRITS & EMMERSON STOY THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
37
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG
AHHS Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Medallion ROMEO’S POLITICIAN LF & ELIZABETH SESSUMS
Saddle Seat Equitation Junior National Champ. AMANYARA & BOSTLYN LEFFLER
Saddle Seat Equitation 14-15 CH (EQ) AUTUMN’S RAINMAKER & ABIGAIL TATE
3-Gaited Show Pleasure 13 & Under Nat. Champ CH HIS SUPREME REFLECTION & ISABELLE FISCHER
Roadster to Wagon Stake INDIAN OUTLAW & MELINDA MOORE 38
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Three Gaited Country Pl. 14-17 Nat. Champ REALLY REALLY RED & OLIVIA HORAN
Five Gaited Pony Stake CH ULTIMATE SPITFIRE & SAMANTHA SWIGER
Three Gaited Country Pl. 13 & Under Nat. Cham. CALLAWAY’S CONSIDER ME GONE & BELLA JETTE
Show Pleasure Driving Amateur Nat. Champ. KATHARINE THE GREAT & ANNA MARIE KNIPP Roadster Under Saddle National Championship THE GENERAL LEE & BRITTANY MCGINNIS THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
39
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG Three Gaited Park Pleasure Junior Horse Stake SHE’S EPIC & NEIL VISSER
UPHA Walk/Trot Nat. Challenge Cup Finals JAY GATSBY & SAVANNA GRAHAM
Saddle Seat Equitation Senior Champ. CH REAL ACTION & ISABELLA PRIVITERA
Fine Harness Amateur Championship BEST SHOW IN VEGAS & ANNA MARIE KNIPP 40
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
AHHS Roadster Pony Under Saddle Medallion HOPKINS (CAN) & LILLIA SHOPE
Three Gaited Ladies Am. National Stake SMART FORTUNE & MISDEE WRIGLEY MILLER
Parade Horse Open Nat. Championship JOHNNY’S FANCY AFFAIR & ROGER PRUDEN
Fine Harness Ladies Nat. Championship CH OUR BRILLANT BELLE & MARY GISE THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
41
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG
Harness Pony Amateur National Championship HEARTLAND MONEY TALK & HOLLY NICHOLS
Three Gaited Amateur Nat. Stake BEAUTY MARC & VICTORIA WALZ
3-Gaited Show Pleasure Amateur Nat. Champ. CH GRACEFUL SURPRISE & AMANDA MURCHISON
Five Gaited MO/KS Stake VOLPAIA & MELISSA HUGHES SMITH
Roadster Pony Amateur Nat. Championship MASTERCRAFT’S FORECASTER LF & GEORGE ANNE NASH 42
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Three Gaited Park Amateur Championship CH MY ROYALE PRINCE & LISA HOLT
Hackney Pony Amateur Nat. Championship HEARTLAND ROUGH AND READY & GEORGE ANNE NASH
Five Gaited Ladies National Stake CROSSFIRE’S NUTCRACKER IN GRAY & TIFFANY WHEELER Roadster to Bike Amater Nat. Championship JAKE QUAIDER & DENISE JOHNSON
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
43
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG UPHA Walk/Trot 8 & Under Challenge Cup (2020) SEA SIDE & STELLA KEITH
Show Pleasure Driving Jr. Exhib. Nat. Champ CH BROOKHILL’S EXPRESS YOURSELF & BRIANNA TOLKACZ
AHHS Roadster Pony 14-17 Medallion HEARTLAND VELVET TOUCH & GRIFFIN DAY
Five Gaited Show Pleasure Jr. Exhib. Nat. Ch. CH CALLAWAY’S BRIONI & SALLIE MASON WHEELER 44
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
AHHS Hackney Pl. Horse/Pony Medallion ROMEO’S POLITICIAN LF & ELIZABETH SESSUMS
Three Gaited Park Jr. Exhibitor Nat. Champ. CH IT’S AEROSMITH & REAGAN CAMPBELL
UPHA Walk/Trot Challenge Cup 9-10 (2020) CINDERELLA BLUES & BROOKLYN GASKILL
Hackney Pony National Championship HEARTLAND JAMIN’ & ALEXANDRA LILLY THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
45
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG 3-Gaited Show Pleasure 14-17 Nat. Champ. HEIDI & RYAN VISSER
Five Gaited Junior Exhib. 13 & Un. Nat. Champ. DANCING WARRIOR & KAMRYN SMITH
Saddle Seat Equitation 10 & Under WTC JIM CARREY & ELLIE RIVA
AHHS Roadster Pony 13 & Under GILCREST’S BILLY DOUX & ELLA REAGAN 46
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Five Gaited Ladies Am. Nat. Stake HS I’M A DREAMER & MADELEINE OLIVER
USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final MICHAEL ARQUILLA
Fine Harness National Championship MADEIRA’S CODE RED & JAMES LOWRY THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
47
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG
Three Gaited Ladies Nat. Stake TANGO’S TOKEN KISS & ALEXANDRA LILLY
Five Gaited Amateur Nat. Stake THE BRIGHTEST BLUE & MISDEE WRIGLEY MILLER
Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Am Nat. Champ. CH BUCKLE UP HS & VERONICA LINDSTROM 48
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Three Gaited National Championship SNOWPINE’S POLA VORTEX & DENA LOPEZ
Five Gaited Jr. Exhib. 14-17 Nat. Champ. MAN OF MAGIC & SALLIE MASON WHEELER
Roadster to Bike National Championship WHITE LIE & DEBBIE FOLEY THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
49
UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show PHOTOS BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG
Three Gaited Park National Championship LITTLE BLACK DRESS & STEVE WHEELER
Three Gaited Junior Exhib 13 & Un. Nat. Champ CH LULU GUINNESS & CAROLINE KATKO
Roadster Pony National Championship UNEXPECTED 2 & GEORGIA BLEVINS 50
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
ASB Five Gaited National Championship CH THE DAILY LOTTERY & DANNY LOCKHART
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
51
Shawn and WC Use Your Illusion at the farm.
Shawn as a young girl, with Arabian, Ali Nabiel, a horse her father had bought from Jim Stachowski.
By: Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer
S H AW N S TA C H O W S K I : A PAS S ION F OR BRE E D I NG
S
hawn Stachowski is no stranger to the winner’s circle. As the wife of legendary Saddlebred and Arabian trainer, Jim Stachowski, many incredible horses have passed through the doors of their training facility outside of Cleveland, Ohio. It’s clear to anyone that has met Shawn that she’s passionate about the horses. She enjoys all aspects of raising them and getting them into the show ring. But her true passion, a self-proclaimed obsession, is the breeding of these fantastic show specimens. “I’ve always been obsessed, I was always the type of person that investigated and figured out how they were bred, why they were good and not good, I memorized how they were bred. It’s my way of being good at horses.” Shawn Stachowski has been an indispensable asset to the success of Stachowski Farm over the years.With a discriminating eye and a photographic memory, she takes great pride in the breeding aspect of the farm, both with the Saddlebreds and Half-Arabians. “When I was a little kid, I used to sit in the stands at horse shows, with any horse magazine I could get my hands on and I would look up the pedigrees on every horse that caught my eye. At
52
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Tattersall’s, I would have all the horse’s pedigrees memorized beforehand. I would ask myself what are the qualities and traits from each horse - both positive and negative. I got experience through studying those pedigrees and hands-on experience dealing with the horses on a daily basis,” said Shawn. She grew up on a farm in New Jersey and began her riding instruction under the tutelage of Saddlebred trainer and instructor Liz McBride [Jones] as well as Babs Santarelli-Spencer [Williams]. She was exposed to the Saddlebreds early on, and their beauty caught her eye. She longed for a Saddlebred, but both her parents and sister preferred the Arabians, so when it came to showing and owning, the Arabian breed became their primary focus. As a teenager, her father bought her and her sister two Saddlebred mares, encouraging her to dabble in breeding to some Arabian stallions, and put her knowledge to use. “They let us learn, and we bred a mare to Bask for a $5,000 stud fee, which at the time was really high. The Arabian world in the 1980’s was really an exciting time,” she explained. “Horses were selling for a lot, and I started to realize that I was pretty good at this.” Shawn continued to hone her skills over the years, studying breeding lines in both breeds, and becoming more adept at
Some of the mares at Stachowski Farm.
identifying her preferred breeding crosses. She was also getting more confident with her skills in the breeding world. After dating for three years, Shawn married Jim Stachowki in 1995. While they were breeding many Arabians and HalfArabians for their customers, by the late 1990’s they began to do more breeding for themselves. In 2000, Stachowski Farm managed an unbelievable Arabian breeding stallion, Baske Afire, and Shawn went looking for a few Saddlebred broodmares to breed to him. It didn’t take long before she fell “head over heels, completely in love with the Saddlebred,” she said. She returned with not only Saddlebred broodmares, but with some show prospects as well. Shawn had clearly done her homework, and her breeding success with Arabians proved to cross into the Saddlebred world as well. “While I grew up riding Arabians, I had always looked over to the Saddlebred and thought it was the fanciest, most ultimate show horse there is. They are beautiful, and I’ve always been attracted to them. The power and the glamour, the way they look.They are elegant, and the ultimate saddle seat horse,” she exclaimed. In 2002, Shawn had her first chance to show a Saddlebred.The mare, Globetrotting Princess, and Shawn were the Amateur
Three-Gaited Reserve Grand Champions at the Rock Creek Horse Show. That same summer she showed at Lexington Junior League and the Kentucky State Fair for the first time. Jim appreciated a good horse regardless of the breed, and his interest in the Saddlebred continued to grow as Shawn’s did. In 2006, Shawn rode Santana’s Gypsy Gal to a reserve world’s championship title in the Adult Show Pleasure division. The following year, Jim competed his very first time with a Saddlebred, owned by customer, Curt Piotrowski, winning his first World’s Championship, with Callaway’s Local News in the three-year-old Fine Harness Mares class. While it seemed they were an overnight sensation in the Saddlebred show ring, behind the scenes, Shawn had been quietly pouring herself over the pedigrees of the Saddlebreds and building up quite a string of Saddlebred broodmares and show horse prospects. One of those prospects that quite possibly caused the biggest stir their first few years competing at Louisville was The DaVinci Code. Shawn had purchased the horse as a yearling, and in 2009, Jim and The DaVinci Code made their debut.The mares first-ever show was a memorable one, winning the Fine Harness Mares Stake and taking home the Reserve World’s Grand Championship in the Fine Harness division. She was an
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
53
Shawn and WC Use Your Illusion in 2015.
overnight success and was the talk of the show for her beauty and elegance, extreme motion and the pure excitement of her movement.
“really, really exciting.” The result of this breeding that Shawn had thought long and hard about was Use Your Illusion, the 2013 showstopper who will go down in history as winning the three-year-old Three-Gaited class missing her front left “She was a completely gifted horse,” recalled Shawn. “It was shoe. The mare also won the Junior Three-Gaited under 15.2 funny that we knew how special she was, yet we didn’t know. World Championship in 2014 with Jim. Shawn’s fondest show She had natural talent and extra ability. She was a complete ring memory is her 2015 win at Louisville in the Three-Gaited athlete,” she added. Ladies 15.2-and-under division with the mare, in only their third show together.“Because she is a horse I bred and raised, I Another head turner on the green shavings was Wild continue to love her very much.” Carrissima. Shawn purchased the stud colt as a 2-year-old from a woman who was getting out of the business.They gelded him Use Your Illusion ranks at the top of Shawn’s list of her allin hopes it would help manage him. Once gelded, he became a time favorite Saddlebreds she has had the opportunity to very good training horse.“He did his job perfect all the time. He show over the years. Another favorite horse of hers is this was extremely gifted,” said Shawn. Jim showed Wild Carrissima year’s Three-Gaited World’s Grand Champion, five-year-old, to a reserve World’s Championship in the Fine Harness Stallion Callaway’s Ivanka. The stunning chestnut mare is by Callaway’s and Gelding Stake in 2010 before selling him after the show. Blue Norther and out of the Supreme Heir mare, Callaway’s Carnival Queen. Stachowki was thrilled with her breeding. “I At home in Ohio, Shawn continued to build up her Saddlebred love her second dam (broodmare hall of fame mare Callaway’s broodmare band, and in 2008 she purchased My Prom Night, Carousel) too. The Blue Norther’s are so nice and they just the exceptional black three-gaited mare that Jackie Tanner make wonderful show horses, and they are good thinking too had shown. Having previously owned her two-year-old filly and when you cross that with Supreme Heir they are pretty, by The Sky King, Shawn knew the mare at times could be and athletic, and the whole package.” really extremely fancy, but also not easy. “I wanted to breed her mother the way I wanted to breed her. Something with In fact, Stachowki went as far to say that her favorite cross is the Supreme Heir because I knew the mare was extra hot.” The Will Shriver and the Supreme Heir. Shawn knew she wanted stallion she chose was Mountainview’s Heir to Fortune. the mare from the moment she laid eyes on her at Callaway Hills in January 2017. At the time, she was an unshown three“When the filly was born in 2010, she was really phenomenal year-old just starting in the long-lines. By August, she was – she looked the part,” said Shawn adding that she was ready for her show-ring debut, and no better place than the
54
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Nutcracker’s Nirvana, 2014 World’s Grand Champion Fine Harness horse.
green shavings, where she turned heads in the three-year-old three-gaited class. She won the class and became the talk of the show, her fans eager to see her grace the show ring again. However, they were left on the edge of their seat an entire year, as Jim Stachowki did not show her again until the World Championships in 2018. “We are just not really into showing young horses a lot,” Shawn explained. “She wasn’t even broke to ride until later in her three-year-old year. I feel as though they are better horses if you don’t ask too much at a young age; they are going to be better later on and more mature thinking. I think they can develop bad habits when they are young, that’s how I feel.” Ivanka showed up at Louisville her junior year stronger and more mature. She took home the title in the Junior ThreeGaited under 15.2 World’s Championship, and also came back to win the Junior Three-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions.
Saddlebred stallion to their ranks. They were looking to breed with not only other Saddlebreds, but Arabians as well. Nutcracker‘s Nirvana was a green and young three-year-old in training at Melissa Moore’s in Kentucky in 2011 when Shawn found him. “I felt in my heart he would be a great breeding stallion,” said Shawn, encouraging Jim to make the trek down to Kentucky to look at him with her. They both loved Nirvana from the moment they saw him. While they bred just a few select mares that season, Jim continued to train the stallion as well.The pair entered the show ring for the first time at the Kentucky State Fair in 2012 where they wowed the crowd and were reserve in the Fine Harness Junior Stallion and Gelding Stake in their only appearance. In the breeding shed that year, Nirvana continued to breed more and more mares, and keep up his training routine as well. He was once again the Reserve World’s Champion in 2013, as well as the Reserve World’s Grand Champion Fine Harness horse. In 2014, he was crowned the Fine Harness World’s Grand Champion, and World’s Champion in the Stallion and Gelding Stake. He won that class again in 2016 in his last show ring appearance.
This year, she was once again prepared and ready for the competition. She handily won the Three-Gaited 15.2-andunder Open Stake, and came back victorious as the ThreeGaited World’s Grand Champion as well. While Shawn is eager to see the babies Callaway’s Ivanka could produce, there Nutcracker’s Nirvana truly solidified Stachowski Farms is no hurry, as she hopes to have her enjoy a long show career, presence in the Saddlebred industry. With over 150 registered Saddlebred mares, he continues to produce outstanding get, and plans to show her in the ladies division in 2020. with his many favorable qualities. “It’s been a long road with In addition to quality young show prospects, and broodmares, Nirvana,” said Shawn.“I feel as though it takes a lot to learn how Shawn has also been instrumental in adding an American to breed a stallion, I’m at the point now that I feel like I’m getting
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
55
Callaway’s Ivanka winning the Three-Gaited World’s Grand Championship this past August.
excellent at it, and I know what will work with him and what won’t,” she explained. “I know what he has that he will breed into his progeny, and what doesn’t. I feel like I’m to the point that I understand that.” His success as a breeding stallion is incredible for his young age. At just 11-years-old now, he has produced multiple world’s champions, and Shawn said what she is most proud of is that he produces really good thinking horses. “Every horse that I’ve raised and sold; I feel that they are all very good amateurfriendly horses. I’m very proud of that fact, I want to breed horses that are friendly and easy to work around.” Nutcracker Nirvana’s first foal crop included the standouts, WCC Nirvana’s Nevermind and RWC Nirvana’s Teen Spirit. His 2013 crop saw another World’s Champion in Empyrean out of their mare, Isabella DaVinci, and in Nirvana’s Lithium, out of the mare, My Prom Night. Before they even purchased the stallion, Shawn was dreaming of the results of that breeding. The gorgeous black weanling colt was a World’s Champion in the Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure division in 2018. Some of Nutcracker’s Nirvana’s other champions include: WC RWCC Snowpine’s Pola Vortex,WC She’s Epic,WC Northern Nirvana, RWC Bigly, RWC Nirvcracker, Blackberry Martini and RWC State of Nirvana. Another horse that he bred, Art of the Deal, is now beginning to make a name for himself as a breeding stallion as well. “He’s
56
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
going to have three foals coming along in 2020, and we are pretty excited about him,” said Shawn. For good reason, the young stallion is out of her all-time favorite mare, Use Your Illusion. “He’s very hooky up in the neck, and very correct moving. I think with that pedigree, he will produce even more upright than his sire. I have three promising babies out of three very nice mares so far.” Art of the Deal is still in training as well. “He’s three coming four. He’s put together super nice, and very high-headed, and I’m excited about him. He is easy to train,” she added. “But being a stallion is more difficult. He’s being worked now.”They considered entering him in the harness class at Louisville this past August, but for now will continue to breed select mares to him, and see what his future may bring. When asked what she looks for in a breeding stallion, Shawn says she weights pedigree more than show record. She looks for pedigree for her mares as well. “I like looking for first and second dam being a broodmare hall of fame horse, or a very good producer. I’ve definitely seen horses that have nice show horses in their pedigree, but I feel like that is a better predictor of what you are going to get. I want a mare that has a lot of motion, that is game.” Shawn admits she’s picky about her mares, but also said if it has enough good qualities, it might be worth trying to breed to overcome a shortfall. “If the mare has good motion, good attitude, and is trainable, but has one thing that needs
Some of the mares at Stachowski Farm.
improvement, I would still consider it a good broodmare, and try to breed it to make those improvements. As far as motion goes, I’m pretty picky about that and they need to be athletic. Attitude, motion and pedigree.” She also explains that she has a pretty set group of horse’s and breeding’s that she sticks with. Shawn’s advice for breeders, and the future of our industry is insightful. “My advice for a first-time breeder is to go to the experts and ask a lot of questions – go to the horse shows and look up the pedigree on the horses you like and the ones you dislike. Ask every question you could possibly ask. A lot of breeders are not breeding for temperament and attitude. Man and horse are supposed to work together. Talk to the trainers and see how that horse is to train, that line and that family, ask what they do or don’t like it and try to improve on the problems. Educate yourself. Listen to people that know what they are doing and have experience with that particular family of horses. As we go and get further away from horses being work animals, it’s important that we breed horses for temperament and good attitude,” she reiterated. “We want to promote our breed outside of our circle, to outside horsemen, and we need to be kid and amateur friendly in order to grow the industry. Our horses need to think correctly, and want to work with human beings. I love the fancy show horses, but I always remember that this is for fun. This industry is for fun, and really in order to grow a market, you have to feel good about what you are putting people on.” She loves the process of raising a foal, but admits it can be a
long road. For her, the rewards have outweighed the heartache that can often come with it. But, she says, those rewards drive her to go forward and do more. “It’s an exciting feeling.” While, the Saddlebred has won her heart for their elegance, beauty, and show-ring attitude, she acknowledges that not every horse produced is going to fit into the “saddle seat” category. “Saddle seat is my true love, but it does not bring different people in and expand the market, if you don’t allow those other divisions to bloom. It’s not fair to the horses, to pinhole them into something they aren’t. These divisions, like hunt seat and western, bring in people that may not be otherwise involved. Divisions need to be respected, and we need to respect ourselves better to know that our horses are being used for a good purpose.” Shawn has a mare she is currently working for the hunter division, and loves that the mare is happy, working well, and excelling at what she does. She is encouraged that people seem to be beginning to look for horses specifically for this division as well. Shawn is excited for the future of the Saddlebred industry, encouraged with the direction it is growing, and looking forward to continuing to produce outstanding show horses from their breeding program.The bottom line, she says,“Just like any other basic business model, success relies on the product. You can’t get people to buy the product, unless you are producing a good product.”
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
57
By: Christy Parker
U N SUNG HEROES
“One co ach w i l l imp a c t more young p e opl e in a ye ar t han most p e opl e do i n a l i fet i me.” Bi l ly Gra ham
I
magine days full of other kids, some work, lots of fun, tons of horses and if luck had it that day, beach rides. The amazing reality of growing up as a “barn rat” at Sea Island Stables.
Dusk ‘til dawn at the barn spending as much time as possible with horses. Learning was very hands on, often trial and error. Watchful eyes observed but if Mr Long, Amy or one of the “older” riders or employees offered advice it was very duly noted.
“Barn rat” duties included helping feed, tacking up trail horses and more often than not earning the chance to exercise the horses not being used that day. Ring time involved learning to dodge chickens, huge oak trees and the overhead strings of bulb lights. The ring was roadside, the occasional large truck or loud motorcycle taught a secure seat.
Respect for others and animals was learned quickly, Mr Long demanded it. Never bring a trail horse in hot. Sneaking in a quick race or trip over Mr Brumley’s jump course meant preplanning enough time to have the horse cool before crossing the street back to the barn.
One weekly lesson was required to hang out at the barn, plus helping with birthday parties, kid’s ring rides and racing up to the front when “Horses coming in, horses coming, need everyone at the front” came over the loudspeaker. Untacking and cooling out the trail horses was top priority. Summer time meant bareback swim rides in the ocean, coming home sunburned and tired. Jeep rides to rescue the trail customers and ride the horses back during a thunder storm.
58
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Winter and Spring meant cooler weather for horse shows at local barns, footballs fields, fairgrounds and exchange clubs. Showing was different back then. The ultimate goal was to show a Saddlebred at the overnight show in Albany, Georgia. Louisville was never a thought. The highlight of the season was the December show at the barn. The annual oyster roast was a cherished tradition the night before the show. On Saturday the entire community came and the rail was full of spectators watching every discipline, breed, color and level of rider fill the ring. At Sea Island, if it wore a bridle it was competing. No grooms, no fancy clothes at these shows. Suits were
always secondary to the horse. A quick pick from the “lending closet” or occasionally something new ordered from Hartmeyer Saddlery Catalog. A lucky few had hand me downs of custom clothes in colors other than the standard black and red. Memories of the pride when the equitation ribbon won matched the blue browband, blue braids and blue suit. Later lessons were learned about turnout and polish, this was all about experience and fun. Ever popular double bareback classes tested skill and balance of the riders and ultimately the patience of the horse in the lineup when the riders were asked to changed places without touching the ground. After the real show ended, horse shows on foot took over the ring, riders trotting as high as possible to mimic the fanciest horses of the day. Round and round, 3 gaited, 5 gaited, even driving classes were acted out by dozens of kids until pure exhaustion set in. Intense riding instruction was required every week. (Marvin Long was a former Cavalry Master!) Young riders could take those lessons into the world and they learned a horse’s mind by riding among the trees, on the beach, across the marshes, through the sand dunes and in the ocean. When it’s just horse and rider on the marsh with
a huge group of scurrying fiddler crabs on the move, one learns to anticipate a horse’s reaction. Quickly! Such an idyllic childhood unknowingly prepared us for the rocky road of adulthood. Horses served as the constant throughout life. Dealing with death, relationship issues, job or location changes and a return to the horse is imminent, even if for just a brief ride or a quiet moment. Yet for most, it was never really just any horse, Sea Island Stables put the American Saddlebred at the forefront of their program and in the heart of every kid that entered the barn. The number of those kids, still involved with Saddlebreds, far outweighs those that are not. Marvin Long, along with Patricia Garbutt, Lynn Pace and Amy Kutrufis should be enshrined in every hall of fame. Not only for introducing thousands to the Saddlebred but instilling the passion and knowledge that led to a career for so many of us. That little corner barn was there for over 60 years educating horse crazed kids.The foundation started at Sea Island is still felt throughout Southeast Georgia, if you personally didn’t ride there, your instructor did. Sea Island Stables is
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
59
no longer physically a barn but their riders have grown up and gone on to open no less than 10 other public barns, all teaching Saddle Seat. Lynn Pace and Patricia Garbutt were the first of the generation to open their own barns and are greatly responsible for the continuation of the Sea Island traditions in Southeast Georgia. Both still teach horse crazy kids and actively participate in the Southeast Georgia Horse Show Association that Mr. Long founded. Many others cut their teeth on Sea Island; Jim Harrell, Julie Kaufman, Madge Bass and Christy Parker, to name a few.
West Virginia is another great Saddlebred area. If you ever have a chance to sit and talk with Sandy Lilly, ask her about the beginnings of Mercer Springs Farm. She is a true inspiration and success story proving what hard work can accomplish. She started many new riders and the tradition is continued by Alexandria and Smith. Not only did they innovate an incredible apprenticeship/trainer program but they also started many riders, most of whom are still competing on the green shavings. Their riding program built their business from the ground up!
Simultaneously, similar places throughout the country were introducing Saddlebreds to the future of our industry. The influence of John & Anita Cowart’s Heathermoor Farm is still felt in Birmingham. Former students Jennifer Fernambucq, Courtney Huguley and Jackie Hale all have successful Saddlebred barns in the area. In tradition with keeping the horse shows accessible to the community and fun, Alabama has a series of six one day shows held at barns in the area.
Dotty Martin started many future instructors and trainers in West Virginia. Georgia Morrison is carrying on the tradition at Meadow Dream Farm. In addition to their typical camps, they host an annual “Jimmy” Camp to give students some insight into the daily life of a professional trainer.
Annalisa Hall, Jo Cornell, Jimmy Glidewell, Anne Speck, Martha Thompson-Hoyt, Dick Gray and Evelyn Stephens are now legendary for producing so many of our professional trainers and instructors in addition to hundreds of riders. If Innovative camps are getting horse crazy kids involved with you were not born into the industry chances are these are horses past their scheduled lessons. “Show Rider Camp” the places and people responsible for instilling your lifelong where each kid is totally responsible for the horse they passion for Saddlebreds. take to the show, drill team, trail rides and intense advance rider camps are keeping Saddlebreds at the forefront of the In the moments, days and years at these barns unforgettable Birmingham community. lessons were learned.
60
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
How far does that influence go? How many thrilling victory passes, great riders and grand horses would never have happened if it wasn’t for this group? Most importantly, who will raise our future generations of Saddlebred enthusiasts? While liability issues, huge increases in operation costs and helicopter parents have changed the barn scene over the years, creative instructors are still encouraging kids to be “barn rats” and to become our breed’s future.
Large lesson programs are introducing thousands of riders to the American Saddlebred each year. Academy programs are starting in many barns that used to only take training clients. Producing your own has become a big priority. Just think; where would we be without the new junior exhibitor performance riders produced annually by Knollwood, Zubrod, Cascade, Boones Farm, Judd Stables, Fiesta, Wingswept, Equitate, Cater Stables to name a few?
Louisville Equestrian Center’s Betsy Webb is well known for her ideas that keep riders of all levels busy at the barn. Among her most popular is the “Survivor Camp” based off the popular reality show. In North Carolina, Maura Dalton and Matt Lightner ran a creative barn challenge against each other last month for “No Stirrup November.” It increased barn activity, strengthened the riders and grew barn comradery.
Barns are aiming to produce dedicated and educated riders. Top riders do not just show up and hop on, these kids are spending hours in the saddle and in the barn, which is not always easy in today’s overscheduled world of high expectations. Helping instructors, taking on project horses, working their practice horses at home and serving as mentors to younger riders. It’s become apparent that if riders get involved at the barn and in the industry on multiple levels, the horses become top priority and a lifelong passion. A world almost within itself.
Working student programs and barn helper programs are a bit more formal than the “barn rat” days but they are helping reduce costs, increase barn experience and raise our next generation of professionals. These programs are flourishing all over the country at barns such as Lenux, Chrisler, Kismet, Palos Hills Stables, High Caliber, Cape Cod, Landon, Knollwood and Louisville Equestrian Center among many others.
Instructors, both past and present are the greatest asset to promote our breed and discipline. Their reach and influence go further than any advertisement or horse show. The future of the show horse depends, almost entirely, on the notion that “little girls (or boys) will always love horses.” It is the beginning riding instructors who give those children the opportunity to love a Saddlebred. These are the true unsung heroes of our industry.
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
61
By : D e veau Zubrod Kreitz er
A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H B R E E D E R S
KRISTEN BAGDASARIAN My farm name is Diamond View Farm in Versailles KY. I currently stand two stallions, Mooncracker and Two Times Blue. We are a full-service breeding operation. We have our own mares along with customer mares. I do all of the foaling out for all the mares here, along with a large group of outside mares that comes here just to foal. Last year 48 foals were born here. What qualities do you look for when considering to stand a stallion? Of course, pedigree. I really like a stud with a strong dam side. Our young stallion Two Times Blue I have had and worked his mother and grandmother along with several of their foals and of course he is by our beloved Master Class. It took a long time to find a stud colt that we felt was worthy of staying a stallion to take over his father place in our breeding program. This particular stallion was the choice due to his dam’s side and the success of the mares on his dam’s side. I like a stud with a lot of quality and athleticism. When choosing to keep a colt a stud or not I like to ask myself if I would want a whole barn full of horses just like him and his parents. What qualities do you look for in a mare? A lot of our mares now are mares we have raised, so we know their families very well. I think that is very important.The mare should be the biggest factor in breeding. I like to breed a mare that I love all of her qualities, and choose a stud that will compliment her. I think people underestimate the importance of the mare in breeding. I like a mare with a lot of quality, a strong dam side, gameness and good conformation. I can’t stress enough the importance of the mare!
Breeding is one of the most rewarding things you can do. I encourage everyone I can to breed; but we have to breed responsibly. Find a professional or a successful breeder and ask their advice and opinion.The best breeders always put the horse first.That applies to choosing a stallion for their mare, the care of the mare and foal once it’s here, to choosing a trainer for the colt. It’s a process that often times feels very slow, but if done right can be very successful and rewarding. What about the future of the Saddlebred industry with regards to breeding? I am very encouraged seeing the numbers rise on foal registration. People are breeding, and people are having success at it. We need to keep the gene pool open and not lose some of the older lines that have been so successful.There is a high demand for top quality show horses and we have to make sure we are able to produce that.The addition of hunters at the World’s Championship Horse Show this year is a great step in broadening our market, and I think will have a positive impact on our industry. Anything positive in the industry is positive for breeders. We have to keep moving forward, keep ideas going of how to help breeders and getting new people breeding responsibly. After two days of ASHA Board Of Directors meetings, I am encouraged at the state of our industry and how it will positively affect breeders.
How do you determine what stallion would be a good match for your mare? In choosing a stallion for a mare I go on what I think would complement the mare. Her strengths and weaknesses and what I’ve seen in the stallion’s offspring all go into the decision. We have worked a lot of colts by a lot of different studs along with our own studs. I take traits from those colts and the colts the mare has previously had and decide. For a maiden mare, I base it off of if we have worked her or any siblings. When considering a young unproven stallion, I go by what his family has produced.You can learn a lot by searching the ASHA website and pedigrees. What’s your view on line breeding and in-breeding? Has it done the industry more good than bad over the years? I have not done a lot of line breeding but I have followed breeding programs who have had great success with it. I think if you do your research it can be a positive thing.You would be surprised the successful horses showing that are line bred. Any words of advice for a first-time breeder? My advice for the first-time breeder would be to do your research! Start with a really good mare. Make sure you have both the time and resources to give the foal everything it needs. Raising a foal is a big commitment and you need to be able to see it through. Do not skip corners. Breed to the stud you think is best. Not the one you get a free breeding to. Make sure you are able to give the foal the best of everything. Kristen Bagdasarian with the late stallion, Master Class.
62
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
By : D e veau Zubrod Kreitz er
A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H B R E E D E R S
LIONEL FERREIRA I am the owner and trainer of Monnington Farm. We stand WGC Marc of Charm for Owners Carolyn Koch of Riverdreams, LLC and we have around 30 breeding mares on the farm for clients and some of our own. What qualities do you look for when considering to stand a stallion? Disposition, performance in a show ring, conformation, and quality. And proven lineage. What qualities do you look for in a mare? The same things as a stallion. Disposition, performance in a show ring, conformation, and quality. And proven lineage. How do you determine what stallion would be a good match for your mare? I try and find mares that have lines that have proven to cross with your stallion’s lines in the show ring. What’s your view on line breeding and in-breeding? Has it done the industry more good than bad over the years? I think line breeding is a good thing on the mare’s side especially if she represents the good qualities of both lines that are similar. If she does then she will be a good contender to breed to studs that are an outcross. It is important to make sure that the good of both lines that are similar is apparent in the mare.
Any words of advice for a first-time breeder? Make sure that the mare you are using has all five of the qualities that I find paramount for a good broodmare. She needs to have been proven in the show ring, good conformation, good disposition, quality, and paperwork to match. What about the future of the Saddlebred industry with regards to breeding - where do you think we stand, what needs to be done, etc.? I think it would be wonderful if every owner that has a horse in training would own a broodmare as well. It would ensure the longevity of our industry. It also helps owners understand the process in getting a horse from field to the show ring.There is so much of a development process that goes into raising and showing a homebred horse and it bring so much depth and satisfaction. Lionel Ferreira along with wife, Georgia.
DU PLESSIS AND SONS My late grandfather, Charel du Plessis (1919 – 1972) bought our first broodmare in 1965 from the pioneer importer, Mr. Fanie Fouché. The entire Ruigetevlei Stud originated from this mare, Special Serenity. In the years that followed many of the best imported and local stallions and mares were used in the stud’s breeding program to produce several South African champions. We believe in quality above quantity and never breed more than ten foals a year. I don’t believe in multiplying horses and always study and hand-pick the mating for every mare. What qualities do you look for when considering to stand a stallion? The combination of beauty, ability and royal bloodlines that can produce a high strike rate. What qualities do you look for in a mare? Femininity, substance, hind quarters and pedigree. How do you determine what stallion would be a good match for your mare? I study the pedigree and try to use horses that can complement each other without going too far out of my dam line. What’s your view on line breeding and in-breeding? Has it done the industry more good than bad over the years? I am a supporter of line breeding that can, at times, lead to in-breeding with the understanding to be responsible. I believe
responsible line breeding and in-breeding does the industry more good than bad. I believe that the South African Saddlebred industry has a more diverse gene pool due to factors such as distance between breeders and more stallions to choose from. Any words of advice for a first-time breeder? Don’t multiply horses. Rather try to improve the breed with each mating. The broodmare is very important. Use technology to study which combinations worked in the past. Take good care of your breeding stock. What about the future of the Saddlebred industry with regards to breeding - where do you think we stand, what needs to be done, etc.? Although I am not against embryo transplants and artificial insemination, I think that it makes it more difficult for the newcomer and historic breeders to compete. I think there is a lot of good broodmares that never even got the chance to show their potential.
CJ Du Plessis
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
63
By : D e veau Zubrod Kreitz er
A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H B R E E D E R S
ROSS MILLIN NEWLINE Saddle Horse Stud is in a unique and fortunate position that we have breeding operations both in South Africa, (Paarl, Cape Town) and in the United States (Cornerstone Farm, Carlisle, KY). In South Africa, Newline stands three stallions, all of them were imported as foals: Quantum of Solace (Undulata’s Nutcracker x Believe in Love (SA) BHF), Undulata’s Made In Heaven (Undulata’s Nutcracker x Katharine’s Perfect Night), and HS Daydream’s Premier Night (CF First Night Out x A Daydream Believer BHF. In the USA, Newline has syndicate shares in the imported SA stallion, (SA) Tango’s Daylight. There are also broodmares in both countries. One does not need to have many broodmares to be successful. What qualities do you look for when considering to stand a stallion? The most important factor to decide if a stallion will be a good sire is to look at his dam line. The bottom line should have successful broodmares and consistently produced show horses. This genotype should also fit the phenotype of the stallion. He should look like a sire and must have a wow factor. He must also have the look of the perfect Saddlebred as defined in the breeding standard.
Any words of advice for a first-time breeder? Breeding horses can be very fulfilling, but can also be very depressing. There are a lot of highs and lows in breeding horses. It is definitely not for the faint-hearted. There are a lot of obstacles and one needs lots of luck to be able to raise that special foal that one day can become a World’s Champion or a SA National Champion. It always takes a lot of patience! What about the future of the Saddlebred industry with regards to breeding? I believe the future of the industry looks bright. We should not be too worried just about the foal numbers. If the quality of the horses competing at the World’s Championship Horse Show is as good as it was this year in the Junior Classes, it bodes extremely well for the future. I believe in quality over quantity. The new Hunter classes also exposes the Saddlebred to a new division and a new group of exhibitors, although I do not think it will change my breeding philosophy to one day be the breeder of one of the World’s Grand Champions!
What qualities do you look for in a mare? The mare’s phenotype is very important and she should also come from a family of producers. In South Africa, we sometimes decide to breed a mare if she is not successful as a show horse. You will have to depend on a lot of luck if that is your philosophy. One has a much better chance of breeding a show horse if both the sire and dam comes from proven show horse lines. How do you determine what stallion would be a good match for your mare? One should always breed your mare to the best stallion available that you can afford, and not to the one that is the nearest to your barn. If it means that you only breed one good foal, it is better to be patient and use a stallion that has proven himself with bloodlines and show horses over the years. I believe that one needs to breed horses, not produce them, like on a cattle farm. What’s your view on line breeding and in-breeding? Has it done the industry more good than bad over the years? One should be careful with too much line breeding and also in-breeding. If it is done too many times in a breeding program, it always carries a risk, as one can select unfavorable traits. Genetic diversity is good in a breeding program as it produces very good performance offspring. I have seen this in South Africa with the stallions that I have imported. The first generation off-spring, however, is sometimes not that pre-potent and one needs to line breed in next generations to correct this. Ross Millin with imported South African stallion, Undulata’s Made in Heaven. Three-time SA National Three-Gaited Grand Champion.
64
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
By : D e veau Zubrod Kreitz er
A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H B R E E D E R S
GARLAND POIL Bridgewaters Stud was established in 1983 in the Magaliesburg valley of South Africa by Harold Poil and continues under the direction of his daughter, Garland Poil. It is the home of Harold Poil Stables and the Nite Legacy of Champions. The first stallion to be included in our program, Karismar Rose Street (two-time South African Grand Champion Five-Gaited horse), forms the basis of our current broodmare line with multiple Broodmare Hall of Fame mares among his offspring. He was followed by the legendary Enja Hell of A Nite, who is a four-time South African Breeders Association Junior Sire of the Year, seven-time General Sire of the Year and eight-time Senior Sire and still holds this title to date. We currently stand the South African Breeders Association Junior and General Sire of the Year title holder Bridgewaters Stake Nite, he is proudly following in the hoofprints of his legendary father Enja Hell of A Nite and is proving himself equal to the task. We do not stand more than 15 broodmares at any one time, and do offer services to select outside clients we feel have the right mares for our stallion. Our philosophy has always been to breed quality not quantity. What qualities do you look for when considering to stand a stallion? We focus on good conformation, athletic ability, character and quality in a stallion. We prefer to use stallions that are highly trainable; meaning that they are intelligent and learn at a rapid pace, as in most cases they will pass this on to their foals. We also require that they be good and proven show horses in their own right. In addition, we specifically look if their dam produced multiple good show horses in her breeding history. In particular, we prefer a stallion that is game and shows lots of stamina as a show horse.
those families. Although the caveat in this case is that it should only be done in the case of both an exceptional mare and stallion. Any words of advice for a first-time breeder? Keep in mind that breeding is a long-term commitment, so be certain you are prepared for the expense and you have the patience.You will have to wait until your foal reaches maturity to truly know if you have been successful. Most people overestimate their ability to spot a future champion. A huge part of our success has been in the refusal to judge a foal or yearling on appearance. All the youngsters on this farm get an equal opportunity to prove themselves. Don’t judge a horse without tack! If you do, you’ll let some great horses fall through the cracks! Most importantly remember: Performance breeds performance! The mare is as important as the stallion, so make sure you choose the very best mare and stallion you can. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that breeding a spectacular mare/stallion to a mediocre mare/stallion will achieve the desired result because the one will compensate for what the other is lacking. What about the future of the Saddlebred industry with regards to breeding - where do you think we stand, what needs to be done, etc.? One concern going forward may be the shrinking gene pool as the result of the overuse of certain bloodlines to the exclusion of others. We also hope that the restrictions on exports will abate at some point in the future and allow easier exchange across borders as we truly believe both countries could contribute significantly to one another in terms of genetic material.
What qualities do you look for in a mare? Mares are selected based on conformation and quality. Her bloodlines are then considered to see if her ancestors are both good performing horses and good breeding horses themselves. Young mares in our program have always been brought in to work in order to assess their attitude, trainability and athletic ability. If they have enough of the aforementioned qualities then they are put aside to join the broodmare band in future when they are mature. How do you determine what stallion would be a good match for your mare? When selecting a stallion for a particular mare we consider the mare’s bloodline and examine crossings with the mare’s bloodlines that have had a high success rate of producing good show horses in the past. Bloodlines are not the only thing that matter however, you need to make sure that the stallion also has the desirable qualities mentioned for stallions and mares above. If your first foal out of that match proves to be a success then stick with that stallion, because in our experience four out of five foals from that pairing will be a success.This is one of the principles that secured our success as a breeder. What’s your view on line breeding and in-breeding? Has it done the industry more good than bad over the years? In some cases this can be beneficial and has proven very successful. We recommend going to a crossing in the third generation (breeding a sire back to a mare that is his great granddaughter OR a mare to a stallion that is her great grandson). Often this will breed back the best characteristics and qualities of
The late Harold Poil, who’s stable continues under the direction of his daughter, Garland.
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
65
By : D e veau Zubrod Kreitz er
A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H B R E E D E R S
JUDY WERNER Redwing Saddlebred Farm, Waterloo, Illinois has been an active American Saddlebred breeding farm for over 30 years. We stood Radiant Sultan prior to Designed. Radiant Sultan was purchased as a weanling from Ruxer Farms and we raised Designed. We have mares of our own and also board mares that are either bred to Designed or another stallion by transported semen. What qualities do you look for when considering to stand a stallion? The qualities I look for in a breeding stallion is a strong bottom side. I look at the females in the pedigree and looks for mares who had good show records/and or excellent producers. Stallions who have Broodmare Hall of Fame mares in abundance rate high with me. What qualities do you look for in a mare? The qualities I look for in a mare are the same I look for in a stallion. I want a mare who comes from a producing line of females. I like mares who have a show record-and if they are a Champion or World’s Champion, that is a bonus. I do a lot of research on mares, which is easy to do on line, and I will look to see the produce of her female line. How do you determine what stallion would be a good match for your mare? Research. Saddle Horse Report has under its results tab a Breeder’s Report, Sibling Search and a Progeny Search and ASHA produces the Journal of the American Saddlebred on a yearly basis-all easy to understand and a great way to check out what a stallion’s offspring are doing in the ring. I try to pick a stallion that will compliment a mare-and will add something to the offspring. I like a stallion who produces offspring that are pretty consistent in their athletic ability. An example would be that Designed-almost without exception-puts good hocks on his offspring-that is a consistent quality. It gives me the ability to breed some mares to him that come from lines that do not produce average or less than average hocks on their offspring.
your mare in foal and also save you money. Understand that some mares-especially older maiden mares can be tough to get in foal-that it is a long 11-month pregnancy and mares do abort the fetus-and things do go wrong in the foaling process. Breeding is very rewarding-but you have to know the upside and the downside and be prepared for both. For me-breeding allowed me to win World Championships on horses we raised and that I probably would have never been able to buy-I love the breeding part of the business-but I learned very early that you have to take the bad with the good. What about the future of the Saddlebred industry with regards to breeding? I worry about the future of breeding American Saddlebreds. With our country becoming less and less rural-with the animal rights people taking aim at all animal industries-and with the fact that we really have not really marketed to the people already owning American Saddlebreds to consider owning and breeding one mare. We worked long and hard to get the breeding of horses that are advertised-but very seldom to you see a breeder listed. That would be a way to give back to the breeder-who often is the forgotten portion of a horse’s background and actually they did the hard work in creating a winning horse. I love seeing our breed in different disciplines. I am hoping the fact that breed is growing outside the saddle seat ring-it will give breeders another option to place a colt that in an earlier time was considered a reject. We need to think outside the box and support and market all American Saddlebreds-not just those that win in our traditional show ring.
What’s your view on line breeding and in-breeding? Has it done the industry more good than bad over the years? There have been some very interesting studies done on line breeding-and it is a tool for a breeder-but it needs to be understood. One study compared line breeding to building a house. Line breeding allows you to connect bloodlines-a stallion or mare that has line breeding often creates success. A house --is not created by stacked up loose bricks. However, too much mortar will result in concrete and unskillful bricklaying in poor quality. Balance is word for the effectiveness of line breeding. I have successfully done it with Designed-actually with daughters of his dam Sultan’s Dianna. Inbreeding -in my opinion -is a bigger risk. Do I think either has hurt the breed? I don’t-but we might be getting to a tipping point due to the fact that we are registering fewer horses. When we were doing our blood typing at KU-Dr. Gus Cothran who was head of the lab and an expert in gene mapping-did a study on in-breeding and line breeding for us-and at that time the percentage was remarkably low and he considered it to be a very safe percentage-it would be interesting to do one now. Any words of advice for a first-time breeder? My advice to a first-time breeder is do your homework! Do research-talk to breeders about your mare’s lines-make sure you have a good reproductive veterinarian if you are breeding by transported semen-that ensures a better percentage rate of getting
66
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Judy Werner showing Designed for the last time at the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show in 2002
By : D e veau Zubrod Kreitz er
A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H B R E E D E R S
TRÉ AND EMILY LEE We own and run Prospect Lane in Versailles, Kentucky. We bought our first broodmare at Tattersalls in 2009. She went on to be the dam of WC Vegas Moon and RWC It’s No Wonder. Since then we have bred and raised several World’s Champions and we currently own 20 mares of our own. We currently stand WGC Top of the Mark. Aside from our training operation our breeding operation consists of collecting, shipping fresh cooled semen, breeding mares, foaling mares and then finally weaning. What qualities do you look for when considering to stand a stallion? We have been fortunate to stand Top of the Mark for his entire breeding career. He knows his job both breeding and training and is able to separate the two jobs. That is important when considering to stand a stallion that is still showing.
ask questions. Ask trainers what crosses they like to work. Ask other breeders what to expect and talk realistic numbers. Breeding is a long road that can be very rewarding, but you have to be patient. We are fortunate to have customers that own their own mares and enjoy breeding as well. Redd Crabtree always encouraged his customers to own a mare or two and because of that we are seeing fruits of his great advice. I will always encourage our customers to breed. What about the future of the Saddlebred industry with regards to breeding? I am encouraged with the future of our breed. The registry has reported numbers are up this year and I am optimistic that they will continue to increase. I think we need to continue to encourage breeding. We need to continue to promote our wonderful breed.
What qualities do you look for in a mare? Most of our mares are big, strong mares. Not many have been show horses. We like to have a mare that is pretty but is maybe big-boned with a good, strong foundation. We have selected our mares based on who we feel will cross well with the stallions that we like to breed to. We have also kept some daughters that may have been near misses in the show ring but we feel will be excellent producers. How do you determine what stallion would be a good match for your mare? We like to study pedigrees and select mares and stallions based on horses that we have trained or liked that have been successful. For instance, According to Lynn was a very successful show mare who is out of Carol Lynn who is by CH Talk of the Town. We bought our first mare because she was a daughter of CH Talk of the Town as well. Of course, Top of the Mark is out of Carol Lynn so Talk of the Town has been very good for us. We like to study what characteristics the stallion and mare passes on and try to match them up based on what will complement each other. Sometimes this is trial and error. Starting as many babies as we have over the years, we have a good idea of what we like to work and we try to stick with what works for us. What’s your view on line breeding and in-breeding? Has it done the industry more good than bad over the years? I have seen where line breeding and in-breeding has produced undesirable results if done too much. I think a little line breeding every once in a while, can be good however. Any words of advice for a first-time breeder? I would tell a first-time breeder not to be afraid to Tré Lee aboard WGC Top of the Mark
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
67
By : D e veau Zubrod Kreitz er
A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H B R E E D E R S
IRENE VAN DER WESTHUIZEN Our Barn is called Mountain View Stables. We are situated in the Sundays River Valley, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The rich acreage of grass fields surrounded by stretches of dense bushy meadows, so adequately suited for our equine breeding program. Our passion for the American Saddle Horse was ignited in 1980 when my father, Charlie Bolton, introduced us into the discipline. In 1980, we visited the heart of the American Saddlebred industry in Kentucky, in search of a firm foundation for our breeding program. We were introduced to the Crabtree family, where we lost our hearts on the stallion Valley Music and three exceptional broodmares, Wild Valley, Designers Model and Wild Woods Lovely Creation. It didn’t take much to convince us that this was our way forward. We bought this breeding group and imported them. They became the alpha and omega of our newly found breeding program. We were indebted to the wisdom shared with us on our overseas trip and we remain forever thankful to Mr. Charles Crabtree and Mr. Redd Crabtree for their sound guidance and the solid platform sold to us on that special USA visit. The four horses purchased changed our perspective and created a whole new vision. In 2006, we broadened our vision and strategized a plan to incorporate a new and dynamic gene pool to our program. We approached a renowned breeder, Miss Joan Hamilton of Springfield, Kentucky, USA, whom, warm heartedly assisted us to the next phase of our
breeding program. Miss Hamilton simultaneously advised us to purchase My New Year’s Eve and My Snapdragon. Miss Hamilton managed the mares at Kalarama Farms on our behalf. My Snapdragon was in foal to I’m a New Yorker when we took possession of her. We were thrilled by the birth of the filly Kalarama’s Morning Star in 2007. Miss Joan Hamilton further suggested we collect embryos from My New Year’s Eve and implant them in donor mares during her first breeding season with us. Through the collection and implanting of embryos, two fillies were born to her in 2009 at Kalarama Farms, United States of America. These two fillies, Valley’s Chilli Pepper (sired by General Steel) and Valley’s Lady Eve (sired by Sir Silver Knight) were bred with the intention of later importing them to South Africa. An in-depth study of the shortfalls of our South African breeding program, led us to pairing My New Year’s Eve to the world renowned, Undulata’s Nutcracker. She foaled another beautiful filly in 2010, Nutcrackers African Dream. With the new bloodlines and secured starred genetic pools, we decided to import our four US born fillies, Nutcrackers African Dream, Valley’s Chilli Pepper, Kalarama’s Morning Star and Valley’s Lady Eve as well as the broodmare, My Snapdragon to our South African breeding program. We bred the imported mares to our Stallions Valley’s Rising Sun and Valley’s Cloudburst. One of our special deliveries was the birth of our young
Irene van der Westhuizen aboard their current stud, Valley’s Rising Music.
68
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
By : D e veau Zubrod Kreitz er
A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H B R E E D E R S stud Valley’s Rising Music. Our import, My Snapdragon was bred to the South African, Valley’s Rising Sun, specifically to reinforce and enhance our original imported lines from the early 1980’s. The G5 lineage, Omans Desdemona Denmark, fully represented in both the sire and the dame, added a new, yet proven, gene pool to our existing program. Our current Stud is Valley’s Rising Music, the three-times winner of the World’s Open Air South African Five-Gaited Grand Champion Horse. One of our future Stud’s will be Valley’s Firecloud. What qualities do you look for when considering to stand a stallion? Our goal when breeding is to breed better progeny than the sire and dam. We also consider the temperament of both parents as well as conformation. But most importantly when we select our gene pool, we lean towards natural ability rather than just a pretty horse. What qualities do you look for in a mare? One needs to use a stallion which is versatile enough to match up with most mares. What’s your view on line breeding and in-breeding? Has it done the industry more good than bad over the years? I believe that careful line breeding can produce amazing horses. Correctly done it is definitely beneficial to the industry especially when some of the older bloodlines are reintroduced as they are known for their natural abilities. Any words of advice for a first-time breeder? Make sure your mares are in good condition before you put them in foal as this will impact the size and health of your foal. It is imperative that your foal does not have any access to concentrates until they are weaned and only a handful of concentrates once they are weaned. Over feeding could lead to foals growing too fast resulting in boxy hooves, going over at the knee, etc. Turn your foals out in hilly paddocks thus making them walk up hills from day one, thereby encouraging maximum muscle development in preparation for when you start working them as two-year-olds. When you wean your foals, separate your colts and fillies as they become sexually active at nine months old. Always put an older horse, which has a stable temperament in with each group of weaned foals thereby ensuring they continue their Equis-language development (preferable a gelding). Foals who grow up under the guidance of a herd leader (older horse) will respond to you as their herd leader once training commences. You don’t want your horses to be competing with parasites for their nutritional needs, a deworming program is imperative beginning at two months of age.
JOAN LURIE Located in Simpsonville, Kentucky, Willowbank Farm is one of the premier stallion stations in the country.The breeding program has produced World Champion show horses for more than three decades. Standing at stud in 2020 will be: A Rare Temper, Call Me Ringo, Deep Blue, Glamorous Nuts, Renaissance Man’s Medici, Samur, Sedgefield’s Legacy, Simbara’s Rio Bravo, Sir William Robert,Thundergun and Undulata’s Nutcracker What qualities do you look for when considering to stand a stallion? I like to have horses that I believe in and that have something to offer the breed. Pedigree is most important. I also like to have some diversity to offer people. What qualities do you look for in a mare? I try to stick with families of horses that have been successful in the show ring, I’m really not at all concerned about how they look. Even more so than the stud; a good strong pedigree on the mare is of upmost importance. How do you determine what stallion would be a good match for your mare? Well, first of all...unless you are into line breeding, pick things that are an outcross. I always try to look for what has been successful. Patterns of things that have worked. I like to stick with families that I know and stay with those. And I’ll always try them. If I have a young mare that I really like, I breed her at least three times before I make a decision whether to keep her.You could look at a foal, and say you like it or don’t, but you really don’t know until you put the horse to work. What’s terribly important is what’s in their heart and their mind if they want to be show horses.You have to give them a chance and they will tell you if they like it. What’s your view on line breeding and in-breeding? Has it done the industry more good than bad over the years? I’m fine with line breeding – I’ve done a good bit of it and it has been successful for me, I’ve never done in-breeding. I don’t know how every horse out there is bred – so, there may be some horses out there that are quite successful with breeding that way, but not me personally. Any words of advice for a first-time breeder? If they have a mare that they want to breed I would suggest picking out a few stallions that they like and talk to someone that has bred a lot of horses and ask their opinion. I have people call me all the time, and I can offer suggestions. Sometimes I will say I wouldn’t do that.The experienced breeders out there will guide you. What about the future of the Saddlebred industry with regards to breeding - where do you think we stand, what needs to be done, etc.? I think we are in jeopardy, every year the breeding pool gets smaller and smaller. Many things factor into it. It becomes expensive, and our market is such that the middle market is hardly there, and people are reluctant to breed, because they are worried that unless it’s the greatest horse, it won’t sell. Having said that, the overall quality of horses we are raising is terrific.You used to watch Louisville and there would be two to three great horses, and the rest were okay, and now they are all amazing! Joan Lurie of Willowbank Farm.
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
69
JUNIOR EXHIBITOR PROFILE
MICHAEL ARQUILA
How old are you? 17 Where do you go to school/what year are you in school? I am a senior at Downers Grove South High School. What would you like to be when you grow up? A professional horse trainer. Name your family/Siblings/pets: My mom Sharon, my dad Mike, my sister Lauren, my dog Calvin, and my four horses, Spree, Mojo, Colin, and Nelson. Who was your first riding instructor and what made you want to continue to show American Saddlebreds? Karen Greenwell started my riding career. My love for the industry and the breed is what made me want to continue showing. Where do you ride now? Have you always ridden there? I ride at Equitate LLC and Rancho Real currently, but I have ridden at Northern Tradition Farm and MBA Equestrian in the past. How long have you been showing? I have showed for 13 years. How often do you ride? Normally I ride 4 times a week but before a major show like Louisville or Kansas City I will ride 7 days a week. What is a typical practice session like for you? Lots of starts and stops(mostly while standing in my stirrups), pattern work, and occasionally lunge line lessons. What are some of your favorite horses you have shown? Ch-EQ Mooi Mooi What horse(s) do you currently show and in what divisions? Ch-EQ Mooi Mooi in equitation.
70
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
What has been your most memorable riding moment thus far? My 2019 UPHA Challenge Cup Unanimous Win. What has been your biggest challenge to overcome? Patience What are your riding goals for the future? Become a professional horse trainer. How has riding American Saddlebreds shaped your life and made you who you are today? It helped me learn real life skills like keeping my emotions in check.
QUICK FACTS Of the places to which you have traveled, which is your favorite? New Orleans Louisiana What is one place you would love to go? Australia What is your trainer’s favorite phrase or words of advice? “KEEP HIM SLOW” What are your hobbies? Working out and hanging at the barn. What do you do in your free time for fun? Workout, ride, and go to my chiropractor. Do you have any nicknames? “Bug” What is your favorite food? Goat cheese What is your favorite music, singer or band? Waylon Jennings What is your favorite movie? The Aviator What’s one thing you couldn’t live without? Animals What’s one thing you wish you didn’t exist?(or something you could live without)? Social Media What’s something no one knows about you? I twirl my hair when I’m concentrating Use one word to sum up “You.” Disciplined
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
71
Leatherwood purchased the stallion, Sultan’s Santana in the early 1980’s for a price tag of $1-million.
By: Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer
THE CORNERSTONE OF SUCCESS:
FRED SARVER
F
red Sarver is synonymous with success in the Saddlebred industry. No stranger to hard work, he has dedicated a lifetime to promoting the Saddlebred breed.
Sarver grew up in Bluefield, West Virginia, a town unique because it is literally divided – half of which is in Virginia, and the other half in West Virginia. His first exposure to the breed was through the historic Leatherwood Farm on the Virginia side of town. It had an extravagant barn for the times, and he grew up driving by the historic farm, which had hosted American Saddlebred horse, but was a public boarding stable. Leatherwood Farm was first founded in 1938, by Laurence and Lewis Tierney, creating a quality Saddlebred breeding farm. Nestled in the rolling foothills of the beautiful East River Mountain, the farm was named for the springs, whose waters flowed through the farm. Eventually, Laurence’s daughter, Ann, would run the farm, along with her husband, John Smith.
72
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Fred Sarver had horses and ponies as a young boy, and eventually began boarding his horse at Leatherwood. After studying Pre-Med at Bluefield College, Sarver attended West Virginia University where he received his BS in Animal Science in 1973. After college, Sarver found himself back at Leatherwood, where he then began working full time. It was through the horses that Sarver also met his wife, Karen.They had met at Leatherwood, as Karen also rode and showed American Saddlebreds. Just a few years after Sarver ended up back at Leatherwood, he and Karen were married. Karen taught riding lessons, and they both trained as well, but Sarver always had a real interest in breeding. The year was 1982, and farm owner, Ann Tierney-Smith made history for Leatherwood with the purchase of Sultan’s Santana for more $1-million. At the same auction, they also purchased the young royally-bred stallion CH Starlike Sultan. “When the owners of Leatherwood bought Sultan’s Santana, I was about thirty-years-old, and now managed the farm that had this iconic stallion,” recalled Sarver. “It was the opportunity of a lifetime” “It was the beginning of a long career.”
One of Kentucky’s many historic limestone fences lines the road just outside Cornerstone.
At the time, transported semen, and embryo transfer was not permitted by the ASHA, but artificial insemination, on the farm was within its rules. While working at Leatherwood, Sarver was on the cutting edge of technology, using artificial insemination, and ultrasound in the breeding process. At the time of Sultan’s Santana, mares were shipped to Leatherwood from across the country and Canada for breeding. During the three years that Sultan’s Santana was owned by Leatherwood Farm, he was bred to more than 300 mares on the farm. From Leatherwood, Sarver was fortunate enough to be offered a position as manager of Betty Weldon’s acclaimed Callaway Hills Stable in New Bloomfield, Missouri. It was the late 1980’s, and he and wife Karen were welcomed to Missouri with open arms. Callaway Hills had a wealth of resources for breeding success, and at the time there were nearly 600 horses on the farm. They were still standing the World’s Grand Champion and standout sire CH Will Shriver as well. Sarver’s experience at Callaway Hills allowed him to continue to gain even more knowledge about breeding technology and techniques; and the farm was really at the forefront of the exploration of semen transportation and
embryo transfer. “It was really a tremendous opportunity,” added Sarver. In the 1990’s Sarver made the move back to the southeast, where he had the opportunity to work for C. Norman Jones and his Jones Mountainview Saddlebreds in Aroda, Virginia. In 2004, the farm dispersed and Sarver once again went to work for Leatherwood Farm, as they announced they would be moving their long-time operation from Bluefield to Paris, Kentucky to begin Leatherwood Stud, LLC for Ann TierneySmith and her daughter, Barclay deWet. Leatherwood Stud was home to stallions that included: Leatherwood’s Starlight, I’m A New Yorker, Callaway’s Wish Me Will, Callaway’s Gold Rush, Callaway’s Northern Kiss, Mountainview’s Heir to Fortune, and Nureyev. Around 2006, Sarver filed an LLC for Sarver Equine, and continued to manage the breeding operation of Leatherwood Stud. Around 2008, Sarver found the historic farm that is now Cornerstone through some friends from church who lived nearby. He explained the name choice was simple; being a property on the corner of two roads, and with a stone
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
73
Karen Sarver
Fred Sarver with WGC Sultan’s Santana.
The sun sets over a pasture at Cornerstone’s broodmare annex.
fence, the name Cornerstone was appropriate. And it didn’t hurt that the meaning also implies that the farm itself is the foundation, or an important part of something. His hope was for Cornerstone to become a premier choice for breeding in the Saddlebred industry. Fred and Karen now have two more properties, for a total of 270-acres on the edge of Nicholas County, Kentucky. If you follow historic US-68 east outside of Lexington, you’ll come to Paris in about 20 minutes, and if you continue following that road, you’ll end up at Cornerstone, in Carlisle. It’s about 35 miles northeast of Lexington. With lush green pastures, and rolling hills, the scenery is purely Bluegrass. Mares and foals make their way through the fields, and a large training barn is at the epicenter of the farm, along with a state-of-theart reproduction lab. Sarver credits much of his success to the outstanding clients that have stood by his side throughout the years, and with that, the fantastic broodmare hall of fame mare, A Daydream Believer owned by Scott Hagan, Hagan Saddlebreds, Inc. “There’s never been a more prolific mare in the Saddlebred industry,” stated Sarver. Cornerstone Equine has a large international component as well, with clients from both Europe and South Africa. He handles all the US breeding for
74
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Dr. Ross Millin and has exported popular stallions for him. Close friend, Dr. Martin Gueldner, originally from Germany, is another client. He now has horses in the United States, with his own farm adjacent to Cornerstone. “Having wonderful clients makes my business much easier.” Cornerstone currently stands Brookhill’s Apollon, HS Castle Vision, HS Daydream’s Dignity, HS Daydream’s Masterpiece, Phlaggs Phyling, and Mountainview’s Heir to Fortune, as well as the imported South African stallion,Tango’s Daylight. When looking for a stallion, Sarver says that most importantly, they should be phenotypically correct. “They should be athletes, and meet the description of an ideal American Saddlebred.” “We all want to have the most popular horses,” he added. “It runs in cycles. My breeding selections, tend to outcross.” Show ring performance is definitely important. “At Oak Hill Farm, as an example, Jean McLean Davis kept all her good show mares as broodmares. When I was at Callaway Hills, we would get a really nice filly in the training barn, and Mrs. Weldon would want her for a broodmare. I later saw the wisdom behind it; if you can keep your best mares
Karen enjoys riding with their grand-daughter, Amelia.
This past year, Fred was inducted into the ASHA Breeders Hall of Fame.
Haley Richards working in the lab at Cornerstone.
for the breeding program, it will serve you well.” Sarver is passionate about promoting the Saddlebred, and has worked tirelessly to strengthen the equine industry. He is a founding board member, and current president of the Kentucky Saddlebred Owners and Breeders Association. In addition, he has served as past president of both the American Saddlebred Horse Association and the American Saddlebred Registry, as well as a past board member of USEF. He was the 2018 recipient of the ASHA Lifetime Breeder’s Award, and the 2010 recipient of the C.J. Cronan Sportsmanship Award. He’s also served on the Kentucky State Fair Board, and numerous committee’s and task forces. His experience is not just limited to the Saddlebred industry either. Most recently he has also been recognized by the University of Kentucky Equine Advisory Committee as a 2018 Recipient of the Friend of UK Ag Equine Program. “There is a lot of talk about how we need to breed more mares. He explains. “Demand will decide how many mares we need to breed. We aren’t breeding as many mares as we used to, but what we are doing is breeding smarter. The quality and athleticism of the horse is not taking a back seat.”
He also explained how the horse business really needs to be sure they are making a good impression to the public, especially in light of everything that is going on in the equine industry right now. “We are competing with every sport and activity, with rural America much smaller, and the future depends on how many young people we can get to explore riding. The farms and stables that provide lessons and Academy Programs will determine our growth as a sport” While Sarver manages the daily operations of the breeding program, he also has recognized the importance of getting young people involved in this aspect of the equine industry as well. “We need to keep training people to fill the voids. There are very few commercial breeding establishments now. It’s a lot different when private farms that were the primary breeding farms in years past. I’m maturing in my career, and my goal right now is to be active as long as my skill set allows me to.” In the meantime, he works hard to bring in new people to train them and bring them into the role of assisting with the technical aspects of reproduction and assisted reproduction techniques.
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
75
Inside the training barn at Cornerstone.
Imported South African stallion, Tango’s Daylight, stands at Cornerstone.
This time of year, Sarver and his crew are focusing on sales. They raise about fifty foals each year, and they spend a lot of time on groundwork with them, so they are easier to handle once they become yearlings. Foaling season for the Saddlebred is longer than many other breeds, and will begin foaling in January, sometimes end as late as August. They bred mares as late as the first of October this year. Sarver oversees the operation, gearing up for breeding season, overseeing the training of the colts now up for the winter, and those that will soon follow in those footsteps. For Sarver, teamwork is paramount to his farm’s success. “We have three main groups; the breeding, training, and the farm and maintenance, which includes the feeding and care of the livestock. I’ve had the privilege of having Hugo Deloya with me for almost 25 years now, he does a phenomenal job with the horses, he is particularly adept at gaiting a colt. He has common sense, and a slow approach. I have a number of people with me, Haley Richards is an Auburn graduate, and my breeding technician. South African, George Borcherds, now farm manager, has been with me since mid-summer
76
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
and has taken a lot of the physical work off my back,” said Sarver. “We have a really strong and good group of people that I’m very proud of right now. I let them have a lot of leeway, and they are picking it up and really running with it.” He also has several interns that work with him in various capacities. “I have always impressed on them to try and strive for excellence. We work very hard to provide our clients with the best service we can, and we try to do everything we can for them.” His interns in the breeding program must learn a lot about techniques and the science behind it. “You don’t get an easy ride,” he laughed. “There is a lot to learn with hormones, drugs, the physiology in stallions and mares.Young people need to carry the torch,” he added. “They need to understand the techniques that are ongoing, to learn about the breed, and learn about how to cross certain horses and the Saddlebred gene pool.There is a sharp climb from good to excellent and you must understand the scientific side of it. I have extremely good veterinary support; I couldn’t do it without them.”
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
77
Jessica and Richmond DeHart.
By: Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer
J E S S I C A A N D R I C H M O N D D E H A RT:
A LEGACY IN THE MAKING
H
er arms cradled the sleeping baby as she walked quietly back and forth across the floor, rocking the little girl to sleep. As she looked out the window, her eyes were drawn to the babies in the field with their mothers, a picturesque sight as the evening sun set across the field. Jessica DeHart was filled with a sense of accomplishment and peace. Life was good. She and husband, Richmond, had all the things they could hope for at their young age; a beautiful five-monthold girl, a string full of quality horses with great customers, a broodmare band that is producing fantastic young stock, and a picturesque farm they lease. Jessica and Richmond DeHart’s farm is located in Clinton, Wisconsin, just two minutes over the Illinois border. Just an hour from Milwaukee and close to Chicago and other major cities, the farm is located right off a major highway, and has been ideal for them to start their business. Married in 2016, they opened Hathaway Farm together in December 2017, named after one of the first horses they had great success with, The Hathaway Man. Their logo even bears his image. Both Jessica and Richmond grew up in the horse business, with trainers as parents. Jessica grew up on the east coast, the daughter of divorced parents, Nealia McCracken and Jose “Mayo” Moctezuma. Her mother, opened North Wind Stables in 1985 outside of Chicago, Illinois, and then in 1999, when Jessica
78
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
was ten-year’s-old, Nealia’s husband, Mark, was transferred to NYC, and they moved the barn to Hardwick, New Jersey. Jessica began riding and showing at an early age in many different divisions; from hackney pony under saddle, western, equitation, and pretty much everything in between. In addition to running North Wind, her mom was also one of the founders of Saddlebred Rescue, and Jessica rode, evaluated, and helped rehabilitate over 200 horses through that program. She had the opportunity to catch ride many horses over the years as well. Her true passion as a junior exhibitor was equitation. She enjoyed success in both pleasure and trimmed equitation. One of the most memorable partners she showed as a junior exhibitor was CH-EQ Callaway’s Royal Request. She claimed her first reserve world’s title with him in the show pleasure 11-andunder division in 2001, and the following year was the winner of the UPHA 11-and-under equitation finals. In 2003, they were the UPHA junior equitation reserve national champions. In 2004, she was teamed with another favorite, CH-EQ The King’s Talent, and they enjoyed many high honors together. They were the UPHA pleasure equitation national finals champions and the S&B pleasure equitation medallion champions, and once again the UPHA junior equitation reserve national champion. She was also reserve world’s champion in the 16-year-old age division that year. In 2008 she received the prestigious USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year award, one of only five Saddle Seat riders in history to be bestowed that honor. That year she was also crowned
Richmond as a young boy taking a victory pass with his dad, Wyatt. DeHart. .
Jessica’s first victory pass with Pat Johnson, aboard Great Days Buccaneer in 1992.
the champion of the senior equitation division at the Lexington Junior League Horse Show.That win was one of her most highly coveted, as she was teamed with the tough, inexperienced equitation horse, Top Beat. That year, she took him through several patterns, and with patience and perseverance, she was able to turn the sometimes-wild horse into an equitation champion. At the World’s Championship Horse Show that year she made the cut in the senior equitation championship, and coming out with a ribbon in that class is one of her proudest moments. She recalled how he was nervous while waiting to do his pattern and leaping through the air at the end gate, and then when it was their turn, they managed to execute a technically perfect pattern. She laughed that she had never been so proud of a brown ribbon. She was also that year’s UPHA senior reserve national champion out of a field of more than twenty riders. Jessica was a two-time United States Saddle Seat World Cup rider. In 2008, she was the high-scoring rider in the three-gaited and five-gaited World Cup trials at William Woods University, which qualified her to compete on the five-gaited team at the Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup held in South Africa that fall where she took home a silver medal.And in 2010, she competed on the three-gaited team taking a gold at the competition, held in Kentucky. While she loved the horses, and riding; it had become her entire life. With both of her parents being horse trainers, most of her childhood revolved around horse shows - missing social events, school activities, and more. She decided to explore other options for her future in college.
Lexington Lights won the Open Five-Gaited Mares Stake at Kansas City this year, and finished second in the grand championship behind The Daily Lottery. Photo by Howard Schatzberg
“In high school, I thought I maybe wanted to do something else for a living, because horses were everything I had ever known,” she explained. “I went to community college to study early childhood development.The scholarships I got during my days as an equitation rider actually paid for my college.” It didn’t take long for her to realize that the horses were her true calling, and she went to Illinois to settle in at her dad’s as an assistant trainer in 2010. “Horses were all I had know for my whole life, and I thought I may want to do something else, but then I fell back in love with horses,” she said. “Honestly, being able to put teams together and watch horses transform, from breaking them to becoming show horses, really hooked me because I could see the process.” It was that fall, while she was working for her dad, that she reconnected with Richmond DeHart, who was working with Brian Chappell at Roselane Farm.They were stabled across from each other at Kansas City. They hadn’t talked to each other in years, but had been sweethearts briefly as young teenagers. “When I was just ten-years-old, I remember I saw him at Louisville and I fell in love with him right then. He didn’t notice me, but for the next five years I would walk up and down past his barn at all the shows,” she laughed.“Finally, Friday night at Lexington in 2005 I was hanging out withTori Heck and Richmond’s dad,Wyatt, said, ‘you know that girl’s been smiling at you all week, you should go talk to her’. So, he did.” They dated for a couple months, but the long-distance
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
79
Richmond and Jessica with their daughter, Aurora Rose.
They were married in December 2016.
Jess and Richmond with Madeline Vanguilder in 2017.
relationship wasn’t easy for the young teens, especially when they weren’t really competing on the same show circuit. They didn’t talk for years after that, until that night in Kansas City, when the stars finally aligned. “We talked for a while, we had so much in common, we decided that we should try dating again,” she said. They still had the hurdle of overcoming the many miles between them, with Jessica in Illinois, and Richmond in Kentucky. “We did the long-distance thing for about a year,” added Richmond. “It was hard, we made it work. And then her dad offered me a job up there. Roselane Farm was kind of closing down, and it was good timing, so I moved up to Illinois.” Richmond, the son of Wyatt and Dawn DeHart, was also surrounded by Saddlebreds from a young age. He first started riding when he was just a young boy. “My mom put me on this little pony we had in the bull pen, and when she turned around to close the gate, the pony dumped me,” he recalled. “I was like four-years-old, and I didn’t really want anything to do with riding after that. I wouldn’t even go to the barn.” Things changed when he moved to Kentucky from Minnesota when he was about eleven. He started taking lessons with Sarah Byers and would help get horses ready for her. His mom still lived in Minnesota at the time, and she had a big lesson program there, so he would visit and do lessons and camps too. “When I was about thirteen, I started getting to where I could ride the show horses. Me and Dad always had a hackney pony, my first real ‘show horse’ was Boxford’s Courageous Spirit, that I showed in the road pony under saddle division,” said Richmond. He was fourteen, and won at Rock Creek, Lexington Junior League, and Louisville that summer, in his first-ever appearance on the green shavings.
80
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Jessica and Top Beat were reserve UPHA national champions in 2008.
The following year, when Richmond was just fifteen, his dad gave him a three-year-old prospect to gait.The horse was Rebel Rooster, and he showed him at Louisville in the three-year-old five-gaited futurity that summer, before he was sold. By now, Richmond knew he wanted to be a horse trainer. “My dad always had some special gaited horses, so it’s always been something we could really enjoy and do together, and talk about what to do. I still talk to my dad every day,” explained Richmond.“We bounce ideas back and forth. One of the things I value most about our relationship is that the fact that we can really talk, we are so close because of the horses.” “At one point, I wanted to drop out of high school, but my dad wouldn’t let me,” laughed Richmond. “I graduated six months early, and then went to work for Tré Lee in Versailles for two years.” Richmond was just seventeen-years-old at the time.“I did a lot of breaking colts, and learned a lot from watching him,” recalled Richmond.“He did things a lot differently than I had ever seen, and had lots of really nice horses, so it was a really good experience.” After his time with Lee, he went to work with Peter Palmer at Meadowlake, outside of Louisville for the next two years.There he was able to work his own string of horses. He credits Palmer for letting him figure things out on his own, and really letting him learn by doing. After getting more experience there, Richmond landed with Brian Chappell at Roselane Farm. “He was really good at going out of his way to make sure he explained everything,” recalled Richmond. “He is a really good teacher, and an amazing horseman. He is still one of the biggest influences of the way I work my horses today.”
Richmond with Fort Chiswell’s Retained Assets and her foal, Northern Chill, a full brother to Noble Braveheart.
Richmond and The Hathaway Man. Photo by Howard Schatzberg
When Richmond left Roselane in 2013 to work for Mayo Moctezuma, he took his experience with him, to Illinois.Together, their team continued to expand Moctezuma Stables, and added several amateur pairs to their show string. “We both learned a lot from my dad,” said Jessica. “He let us have our own string of horses, work with customers, take the lead at horse shows, and let us learn what it was like to run a farm as a business.” They were grateful for the opportunity to continue to gain experience in the industry, and while continuing to work with Mayo, they decided to create Hathaway Farm when they began breeding a small string of broodmares in 2016.
Jessica with Lady Lark (Powerful Charm x Whoa! Man) who’s dam is the dam of The Hathaway Man.
was named Kissed by Royalty, and the DeHart’s later sold her to Elisabeth Goth.The following year, they tried the same breeding, and the result was the stunning, Noble Braveheart, now owned by Juliette Dell, and standing at Stachowski Farms.“He was special from birth,” said Jessica.“He loved attention, and was such a show horse. It was really hard to sell him, but Juliette is an amazing owner, and part of being a responsible breeder is finding good homes for your horses.”
Richmond and Jessica continued to expand their breeding program, doing their research and breeding a few mares, while continuing to work full time for Mayo. They were also training Jessica hadn’t been exposed to as much breeding growing up, horses privately for one of their customers at another barn, and as her family’s barn focused more on amateur and juvenile were maintaining that barn as well.They were burning the candle combinations, and the rescue worked with mostly older, at both ends, often beginning their day at 4:30 am, and not getting unwanted horses. But Richmond had been surrounded by their work completed until after nine at night. mares and foals his entire life, and his experience with breeding continued when he went to work with other trainers as well. It “There are not a ton of people that are raising a large number was actually Jessica’s birthday present that spurred her interest in of Saddlebreds in Wisconsin, so for me to do what I really enjoy, breeding. “Wyatt always had a ton of mares out in the field. For breaking colts and working young horses, I felt like we needed to my birthday, he said go pick out a mare, so I did,” explained Jessica. raise our own. If you want something really nice to bring along to “Of course, I picked the easiest mare to catch, and she was the show or sell, we felt like we could do that ourselves,” explained sweetest. She foaled just a few weeks later, and I had the bug. I Richmond. was totally obsessed,” she laughed. They now have around six personal mares, that are all are bred Soon after, they acquired another mare from Wyatt as well. differently. “We try to find the best cross for each mare. We Unbeknownst to Richmond, Wyatt had traded his son’s old like to see what mixes well with out broodmares. We are big Monte Carlo car for hay, and when Richmond found out, instead Northern Kiss fans, so we bought a couple that cross really well of the money, he wanted his dad’s Royal Memories mare that with him,” said Jessica. was in foal to Northern Kiss. It turned out to be a good tradeoff, as the mare, Fort Chiswell’s Retained Assets, has been the Both her and Richmond are excited about the future of the foundation of their breeding program.The foal she had that year industry as well.“I think that registrations are down because
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
81
Richmond riding a Pasofino at in Cannon Falls in 2001 when he was 12-years-old.
Richmond and his dad.
Jessica with her mom and dad.
people are more selective with their breeding, I think we have amazing stock out there.” When breeding, for them it’s very important to consider the mare. “I think the biggest importance is a horse that is safe, sound, and a good thinker.When you have a special mare, you want to continue on her legacy, so you have to look at what you want to make better and improve on. It’s important to watch horse shows and look at what you like, and then look at how that horse is bred. Try to find a pattern, and know what your type is, and see what the stallions are crossing well with.”
definitely one of their most memorable as well, has been Kiss My Cuervo, who is by Northern Kiss and out of the CH Heir to Champagne mare, Miss Cuervo. It was truly a team effort with the horse, owned and bred by Lisa Balcerak, he was started by Jessica, and then gaited by Richmond.“We put in all the time, and he had all the good qualities you want. We developed him and made him into what he was, so that was really meaningful,” said Richmond.Together, they took their time, allowing ‘Tito’ to come into his own at his own pace. Never rushing the process, even though it wasn’t easy.
“We put a lot of trust in the mare,” added Richmond.“We try to study and see what works, and what has proven itself in the past, and what we get along with training. We try to breed and raise things that we know we would like to work with, so we can raise good show prospects. We have a lot of success with Northern Kiss, and that goes back to what we get along with, they are very trainable horses, game, they like to rack, and they like to work. We really mesh with those kinds of horses.”
“We showed him for so many years. As a five-year-old at Louisville, he didn’t get a ribbon, and then as a six-year-old he got hurt and didn’t get to show back.When he was seven, things finally fell into place. He was big and strong, and it was just very rewarding to see him be successful, and for him and Jessie to be so in tune to one another,” said Richmond. His win in the ladies five-gaited gelding stake in 2016 will be one that will be hard to top for Jessica as well.
As their breeding program slowly grew, Richmond and Jessica were enjoying success in the show ring as well. One of the first success stories for them, was even before. The grand gaited gelding, The Hathaway Man, became the namesake for their own barn. Out of one of their broodmares, Lady is a Captain, Richmond first saw him in longlines at his dad’s, and they purchased him for customer, Rocco Litrenta in 2013. Richmond gaited him and showed him in the junior five-gaited division in 2014, with an exciting third place finish in the junior five-gaited stake at the World’s Championship Horse Show.
“Tito brought Richmond and I even closer together,” added Jessica. “We worked together to win that world’s championship, and it took years. It was really special to experience that.The last time I showed him, was the best ride of my entire life. He was in my mind; I didn’t even have to tell him to do anything. I’ve never felt that connection with a horse. We were both in tears knowing that we had done the best we could.”
Probably the most well-known horse under their direction, and
82
Stony Mountain High winning the five-gaited ladies championship at Madison Classic Horse Show with Jessica this past May.
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
They have continued to breed and develop top showring stars for themselves, and also for their customers. Some of their other top horses in recent years are; Snowpine’s PolaVortex, Callaway’s When the Stars Go Blue, Anniversary Kiss, Zensational Kiss, and
Jessica won the Ladies Five-Gaited Grand Championship with Kiss My Cuervo in 2016.
one of their most exciting recent stars, Lexington Lights, who continued to improve throughout the 2019 show season, ending with a reserve in the gaited stake at Kansas City after winning the open five-gaited mare class there. “She’s really developed into a really powerful, strong open stake horse,” said Richmond. I showed her all year long, and each time she hit the ring she got a little better. For me to be able to show her at the Royal, and win the mare stake, and then get reserve to The Daily Lottery, was a big accomplishment for me. I knew she had what it took, and she had all the potential, she just needed the time.”They are looking forward to what next show season will bring with her.
major complications, and Wednesday, August 14th Aurora and Jessica were released from the hospital. Later that same evening, Richmond had to leave to drive to Louisville. It wasn’t easy to leave his newborn daughter and wife, but he said, “this is what we live for, and the World’s Championship Horse Show is what it’s all about. It’s the biggest event of the year, and we are really blessed to have good customers, people that are willing to help out and be understanding, we have a really good client and friend that stayed with her those first nights, and Jessie and Aurora were able to come to Louisville to be with me later in the week.”
They have been grateful for the help of William Woods student, Madeline Vanguilder, who has worked with them in the summer and school breaks.They also have two other full-time employees, and one part-time as well. While they have had to adapt to the needs of their new little one, they have really found that it has helped each of them become even better at what they do.“I’ve been really lucky that Richmond is there for me,” said Jessica. “He will take over and give lessons, he has really adapted, and it has made him an even better trainer,” said Jessica, adding that Richmond is the world’ best dad.
“it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me, it’s been a life-changing experience in all the good ways. It puts everything in perspective, and makes me remember why we do what we do,” added Richmond.
After a minor accident this summer, when Jessica was 36-weeks pregnant, she had an ultrasound, and the doctors discovered that she was carrying an IUGR baby. Intrauterine growth restriction refers to a condition in which an unborn baby is smaller than it should be because it is not growing at a normal rate inside the womb. There had been no previous signs, and at the appointment they were informed that she would have to be induced just a few days later on Sunday, August 11th. Thankfully, their daughter was born without any
“Being a mother has been so amazing, the women in the industry have been awesome. It really gave me a new outlook, to being a woman, a mother and a trainer in this tight-knit community.” The passion and love that both Richmond and Jessica have for the Saddlebred is obvious. They are so enthusiastic about the process, and excited about the future – not just the future of their own barn, but the future of the industry that they are proud to be a part of. With the arrival of their daughter, their perspective has changed a bit as well.They are looking forward to continuing to grow their business, with hopes that perhaps one day, they can leave their legacy to their daughter.They are optimistic about purchasing their own farm in the future as well, either where they are now, or elsewhere, and are excited for the prospect of the stability of their own permanent place.
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
83
MEET THE DYNAMIC MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEAM OF
A L IC IA & KE N DYL L
QUAC K E N B USH ALICIA QUACKENBUSH
Where were you born and raised? Arvada Colorado Where did you go to school? Started at Colorado Christian University playing volleyball then finished in Chicago at College of Dupage for Nursing. What was your first exposure to horses? When I was in 5th grade I had a friend with a thoroughbred I rode for fun. How did you get involved with Saddlebreds/ Hackneys in particular? My mom bought a retired Five-Gaited saddlebred and I started taking lessons on her. At that time I had four kids under 7 at home and riding was such a nice break for me. Our barn family helped us a lot and made it possible for new green riders to be successful on a hot gaited mare who had a ton of go! We learned a lot and we learned fast! How (and when) did you meet your significant other? My husband and I are high school sweet hearts and started dating as seniors in high School.We did long distance in college at first then got married after a few years. What are some of the favorite horses/ponies you have shown? I’m new to showing so have only shown our 2 Friesians in open saddleseat classes. I’m privileged to get to ride many of our saddlebreds at the barn though.
QUICK FACTS Favorite Food: Queso Favorite Movie: I don’t have one I like a lot One thing you couldn’t live without: My Faith One thing you wish didn’t exist (or you could “take it or leave it”): humidity Favorite Horse Show and why: Almost Summer Horse Show in Estes Park Colorado. It’s a mini vacation with a horse show in a very beautiful place during a beautiful time of year. The show is outside against Rocky Mountain National Park and you can’t beat the pictures. Favorite destination: Kauai, Hawaii
84
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Mother Daughter bonding at it’s finest – Alicia and Kendyll share a mutual passion for the sport and are looking forward to the 2020 season!
What horse(s)/ponies do you currently show and in what divisions? I currently own and show my Friesian gelding in open saddleseat classes. I got him last spring and this past season was his first season showing. What has been your most memorable show ring moment thus far? For myself, it was the first time I rode my new horse in just his second time in the show ring.The biggest moment though was when my daughter won her 12 & Under Walk-Trot Pleasure Championship class at the Royal (she showed this year as a 10 year old). How has showing horses shaped your life and made you who you are today? I always wanted my own horse since I was a little girl and now later in my adult years that dream has come true. Showing has been challenging but has given me something to work for and also gives you great sense of accomplishment. Plus we get to do it together as a family with my parents, and we are so thankful to them for making it all possible. What do you do in your free time for fun? I’m a busy mother of 4 young kids so I don’t have much free time but when I do its at the barn riding or playing volleyball. What advice would you offer to others starting out on the “horse show adventure?” Make sure you have a good team and don’t take things so seriously. One of my friends who taught me how to ride always said no matter the circumstances just be grateful you get to ride.
KENDYLL QUACKENBUSH How old are you? 11 years old, but I showed as a 10 year old this year! Where do you go to school/what year are you in school? Lincoln Academy Charter School and I am in the 5th grade What would you like to be when you grow up? Teacher Name your family/Siblings/pets: Kyle & Alicia (parents) Korbin, Kassidy, and Koen (siblings), Pets – Spider & Val (horses), Baru & Luna (dogs), Jack (turtle) Who was your first riding instructor and what made you want to continue to show American Saddlebreds? Shenia Beyer. I was good at riding and I loved to ride. Where do you ride now? Have you always ridden there? Fantasy Farm in Wheatridge Colorado Always have ridden there. How long have you been showing? 3 years How often do you ride? Twice a week sometimes more What is a typical practice session like for you? I help get my horse ready then we go outside if its good
weather and practice walking and keeping Spider up in the bridle, then start trotting and practice my equitation while also pushing Spider to be his best. We do a lot of practicing of my transitions and changing directions. If Spider is good then we are done. I help put him away and give treats. What are some of your favorite horses you have shown? First show horse in Academy - Ariel (Friesian mare) and of course Spider (Something Red) What horse(s) do you currently show and in what divisions? Something Red (spider) 10 & under walk trot and 12 & under walk/trot show pleasure. What has been your most memorable riding moment thus far? Winning my 12 & under walk/trot pleasure Championship at the Royal What has been your biggest challenge to overcome? How to overcome disappointment when I don’t get a blue ribbon. What are your riding goals for the future? Go to the world championship horse show and winning. How has riding American Saddlebreds shaped your life and made you who you are today? Taught me how to be a good sport and work hard
QUICK FACTS Of the places to which you have traveled, which is your favorite? Caribbean What is one place you would love to go? Kentucky What is your trainer’s favorite phrase or words of advice? Comprende o no comprende (do you understand or not?) What are your hobbies? Soccer, riding horses, piano, volleyball What do you do in your free time for fun? Play with my sister Kassidy Do you have any nicknames? KK What is your favorite food? salmon What is your favorite music, singer or band? Unspoken What is your favorite movie? Harry Potter series What’s one thing you couldn’t live without? family What’s one thing you wish you didn’t exist?(or something you could live without)? stress Use one word to sum up “You.” motivated Kendyll and Something Red “Spider” winning the 2019 12 & Under Walk/ Trot Show Pleasure Championship at the 2019 American Royal. THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
85
86
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Celebrating the marriage of
Kimberly and Todd Graham December 7, 2019
Photos by Stevie Bagdashian THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
87
88
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
89
90
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
91
92
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
93
94
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
95
96
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
97
106450
DEEP BLUE
Callaway’s Blue Norther x Yorkshire Pudding (BHF) by New Yorker
Owned by Fox Grape Farms, Inc. Roanoke, VA 98
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
WILLOWBANK 502-722-8073 w8073@aol.com www.willowbankfarm.com
106450
DEEP BLUE
Callaway’s Blue Norther x Yorkshire Pudding (BHF) by New Yorker
Owned by Fox Grape Farms, Inc. Roanoke, VA
WILLOWBANK 502-722-8073 w8073@aol.com www.willowbankfarm.com THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
99
100 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
101
102 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
103
104 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
105
106 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
107
108 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
109
110 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
111
112 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
113
114 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
115
116 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE