Meet My Own Horses

Chance is a 16.3hh, bay, appendix quarter horse gelding (registered with AQHA) with a lifetime membership with USEF and USDF. Chance is now 16 years old. I bought him ten years when he was an extremely underweight, weak and neglected roping horse. The first two years with Chance were very difficult - but soon, we began to understand eachother and enjoy working each day. 3 years ago, Chance was showing 1st Level dressage at the rated Dressage Shows in South Florida and schooling 2nd Level. He was sent to a wonderful retirement facility for a couple of years due to changes in my personal circumstances. I finally brought him back home in September 2007. He is rusty on dressage but still remembers it and enjoys his work - especially working to music. But, by far, his favorite activity is going out for long gallops in Wekiva State Park. He is a patient and forgiving horse for advanced-beginner riders, not bad for a horse with 13 Hall of Fame Champion Racehorses in his bloodlines! A very, VERY special horse! THIS HORSE IS NOT FOR SALE OR LEASE!

Chance is available as a lesson horse to select, serious students only.

Ox aka PLUTO III OCTAVIA II

Pluto III Octavia II is my 27 year old purebred lipizzaner gelding. He will be 28 on 30 January 2008. He performed at the Arabian Nights Dinner Show in Orlando, Florida all of his life. I purchased him at 19 years old as he is a patient, upper level schoolmaster (not to mention how honored to have a horse whose breed is essentially the origins of dressage). Over ten years, this incredibly smart, wise, patient and loving guy has given me mileage and taught me lessons that no human instructor could teach. When a horse has given you his all - do you throw him away when his body can no longer perform? This story is dedicated to those who question why I choose to keep such an old horse:

''Only For Love''

The young couple had made their usual hurried, pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt the elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine which topped the hill behind the farm, and through the years had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the
countryside. The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, but they sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.

Crossly, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. "Why do you not at least dispose of "The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save where you can. Why do you keep her anyway?" The old man looked down as his worn boot scuffed at the barn floor and his arm stole defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her to him and rubbed her gently behind the ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Only because of love."

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. So it was, that because of the leave- taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the
ground, helpless before the fire's fury.

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife. They thanked those who had come to their aid, and the old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as he clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but
God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us, therefore, climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared."

And so, he took her by the hand and helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his hand. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they looked up and gasped in amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most
bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy as he pulled his wife forward. There, beneath the tree, was their Christmas gift. Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it.
Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping daintily through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of those she loved. Her body was brittle with years, but the golden brown eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift - because of love. Only because of love.

Author Unknown

Ocavia loves to go out and show off his upper level moves for 15-20 minutes a week. Other than that, he is used very, VERY lightly for walk/trot novice riders for a maximum of 30 minutes - although this is probably the fittest and most muscular horse at the barn!!

Ox is available for ON-SITE LEASE ONLY. Lessee must be an established first level dressage rider or better. Octavia's lease is $250 per month and he must stay at my barn. Lease includes 2 x lessons per week. He must stay on his current Smart Pak supplements and current vet, farrier and dental schedule (at lessor's expense). Full DELUXE Board is $500 which includes hay and grain twice daily, grooming, turnout on grassy pasture between 8am - 5pm, blanketing on cold nights or days, hosing off on hot summer days.

Jade aka NATIONAL DEBT

Jade is an athletic mare with 3 solid gaits! She has been used for hunter/jumper. She is Dutch Warmblood with blue registration papers from KWPN-NA. Her sire Anriejetto was a successful Prix St. George/Intermediare 1 competitor (info can be found at Cornell University). She is bred to G Walkabout , standing at River Oaks Farm. Walkabout is a very well-bred Warmblood stallion. His sire Guardian is a Grand Prix Dutch Warmblood dressage stallion by the famous Grand Prix dressage stallion Rampal, whose sire was the famous G Ramiro Z. His dam is a beautiful imported Dutch Warmblood mare Primarenia O by the famous Keur stallion Ulft, who is considered by many to be one of the great stallions of the world. (Ulft produced 6 licensed stallions before his death, including the 2000 Olympic Silver medalist Ferro.) Primarenia's dam "Wimona" was by the famous stallion Wagner. Walkabout's 2007 foal crop all went Premium with RPSI.

This foal is eligible for registry with the AWS (American Warmblood Society) and the PHR (Performance Horse Registry) as well as RPSI. Rheinland Pfalz-Saar International

Sire of Jade's Foal ... G Walkabout

Jade is currently pregnant and being lightly schooled only. She is not currently available as a lesson horse. She is only suitable for quiet and , intermediate or advanced riders only. JADE IS NOT FOR SALE OR LEASE.

Gibson aka DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

This guy is one of the barn favorites. He is just an all-around laid back, cool dude! I rescued this guy in September 2007. When I got him, he had not been fed for 10 days. He had no skills or manners. He would not stand to be mounted and he did not comprehend that one could mount up without him having to charge off at full speed. He does not have a mean bone in his body and is truly a huge, oversized puppy dog. He will now stand quietly to be mounted, he has his walk/trot and canter established. He faces any challenge or obstacle with a good old college try and is not easily phased. He is very clear in his communications. He dislikes dressage intensely but he lives to trail ride. He trail rides out alone. He is only 5 years old and just a super, solid horse that if I could ever think of selling him, would make the PERFECT family horse. At only 15.1hh, he is not a tall horse, but he is stocky and of substance. He was sold to me as an American Warmblood but as he is unregistered, I will say he is simply a draft x quarter horse. This awesome boy is worth his weight in gold and is just an all around fun, FUN, horse. Still a little green for a complete beginner but a horse like this will teach you to ride - he will make you ask correctly before he gives you the answer. This goober is just improving daily - he was originally 300lbs underweight - but he is gaining weight, his roached mane is (thankfully) growing out, his boo-boos are clearing up, his coat is dappled and his eyes shine with health. Watch his transformation by bookmarking my Photo Gallery Pages.

Before: Day 1

Before: Day 2

2 Months Later! Stay Tuned For More!

3 Monhs Later!! Stay Tuned ....

GIBSON is available for an on-site lease ONLY. Lease is $250 per month (which includes 2 x lessons per week). Full DELUXE Board is $500 which includes hay and grain twice daily, turnout on grassy pasture between 8am - 5pm, blanketing on cold nights or days, hosing off on hot summer days and grooming. You will be required to continue providing his Smart Pak supplement sand maintain current vet, farrier and dental schedule (at lessor's expense). . This is a great trail horse - lots of fun. WIth 600 acres of incredible trails out the back of our barn - you will have the best time!

Sir aka HOEHENFLUG

Hoehenflug is a 16 year old, 18hh, imported Hanoverian gelding who was originally trained to 4th Level Dressage overseas. He has been used as a Hunter/Jumper in the USA but dressage is in his heart! This sky-scraping, handsome guy is not available as a lesson horse. He is ALWAYS in the ribbons and has won several, several Championships and Reserve Chapionships at local shows. He is truly magnificent and a crowd pleaser. A surprisingly 'push-button' ride for such a big horse. Sir was only purchased at the end of December 2007 - so watch this space for updates.

SIR is Devon's main competition horse and is not available for sale or lease. Only used for lessons for serious dressage students ONLY.

Tuesday aka GIBSON TRUCK WORLD'S DADDY'S GIRL

Tuesday is a heart-stealer! A solid liver chestnut 4 year old Thoroughbred x Morgan mare. Standing at 16.1hh, this elegant, classy and very dainty girl has the potential to excel in any sphere. She is just green broke at this time and will be trained in dressage. She will probably make an outstanding jumper. Purchased on 1 January 2008 ~ stay tuned for more photos and videos of this precious girl.

This picture is taken after 2 weeks of Tuesday being under my care.

Tuesday is available for ON-SITE LEASE ONLY. Lessee must be an EXPERIENCED english rider or better. Tuesdays lease is $250 per month and she must stay at my barn. Lease includes 2 x lessons per week. She must stay on her current Smart Pak supplements and current vet, farrier and dental schedule (at lessor's expense). Full Board is $500 which includes hay and grain twice daily, turnout on grassy pasture between 8am - 5pm, blanketing on cold nights or days, hosing off on hot summer days and grooming. Ideal for a talented hunter/jumper who cannot afford to buy a horse. She is definitely a ladies horse as she is so refined and dainty.

Click HERE to see a video of Tuesday's first day of training!

Sundance aka CARLINIA KIM

Sundance is a real head-turner. All the chrome that will drop any jaw and snap any neck around! A beautiful golden chestnut with picture perfect blaze and four high white stockings. The modern day "Champion The Wonder Horse". Standing at 16.1hh, this beauty turns 5 on 10 April 2008. Jockey Club registered. Sundance is only green broke and she, too, will be trained in dressage. She will also make an outstanding broodmare - with great conformation, text book perfect markings, wonderfully straight legs, a floating trot with all the "schwung", and most importantly, the sweetest and most affectionate personality. A horse like this comes along very rarely. Purchased on 17 January 2008. I am eager to put at least 200lbs on this baby, get her muscled up, clipped out and glowing with health and happiness. Watch this space for updated photos and videos! Sundance will be for sale in the future. Serious Enquiries Only. This horse is PERFECT!

Click HERE to see Sundance on her first day of round pen training!

Please click HERE to view a 13 minute movie of all 7 of our horses peacefully grazing on a damp and foggy Friday morning! Video was taken on 18 January 2008.