Thursday, October 22, 2009
Keep on truckin...
Well, I'm sad to report that due to a misunderstanding, Tator was never entered in his Congress class and now it's too late. A disappointing month this has been for sure. I guess I was due after three successful Congress' in a row. Oh well, nothing else to do but keep on truckin' for the rest of the shows to come.
It's that time, already?
It's time already for mare breeders to start shopping for the perfect mate for their mare in the spring. I would like to invite you to consider our stallions here at Top Line. Here is a brief rundown of each stallion and information. After 15 years of learning and trial and error, we have narrowed our selection down to what we feel are some of the nicest AQHA stallions available. Not only do we specially select from the top bloodlines from the industry, and the desirable movement to be competitive at the top levels, we dig deeper for attributes for our stallions.
Each stallion is absolutely gorgeous in his own right. We look for performance halter quality conformation. Not only is each stallion correct in conformation, but they all are absolutely gorgeous headed. Dishy faces, big, expressive eyes, refined muzzles, broad between the eyes, small ears, tying into beautiful toplines. They are uniquely colored, varying from the more rare and well liked liver chestnut, to the ever popular classic bay with a rabicano roaning for some variety, to the always desirable palomino.
However, the most important factor I would like to stress about our stallions is their MIND. I'm very proud to say that not only are they extremely quiet for stallions, they are extremely quiet horses in general. These are stallions that don't spook on a regular basis and handle everything with a calm head. I have had countless people observe that they cannot believe how quiet these young stallions are at home and at a horse show. They all have a "do anything" personality and take everything you hand to them in stride. They love their jobs, and always approach you with their ears forward in a friendly, curious manner. They are lazy, you never have to worry about hanging onto them or taking off, and don't need tons of lunging. They are extremely intelligent and are already showing talent in a multitude of events at a young age. These are stallions that are not "studdy". No "nipping". No inappropriate or dangerous behaviors or vices. If you are looking to quiet down a hotter mare, or just carry on the quiet gene, you CANNOT go wrong with these guys if you are looking for a smart, trainable, level headed match for your mare.
Finally, our stallions are still out there competing at the top levels. They each hold an impressive show record for their young age that we will continue to expand upon for years to come. Many stallions do not make it to the show pen, you would be surprised if you looked into how many stallions at stud have actually done anything in the pen themselves. Many stallions are gelded after being unsuccessful or hard to manage in the show pen. Many, in fact the majority of stallions are retired after a year or so of showing, or after they win one major title, whether it is because of being hard to manage in the pen or because the owner feels they have done enough to prove their worth as a stud. Here at Top Line, our stallions are also our show horses. Even though all have made achievements on top of their already desirable attributes for the breeding shed, they will continue to show for years to come in a multitude of events, as evidence of their trainable minds and athleticism.
If you aren't familiar with our stallions, here is a rundown:
A Chance For Romance - 2006 16.3 hand dark bay rabicano stallion. "Chance" is very much still growing and should top out over 17 hands. Chance is the only standing stallion with his combination of bloodlines, and ALL the famous stallions in his pedigree are deceased, so if you want those lines, this is your guy! His bloodlines are absolutely the elite of the elite for english events.
Sire: The late, great, World and Congress Champion, and World and Congress Champion producer, Luke At Me. (deceased)
Dam: Miss Patricia Lark, producer of WORLD CHAMPION and FULL brother to A Chance For Romance, Good Lukin Lark.
Dam sire: The GREAT, Rugged Lark. 'nuff said. (deceased)
More interesting pedigree notes: Miss Patricia Lark is full sister to the great Regal Lark, multiple World/Congress Champion. (deceased) As well as My Royal Lark, Lynn Palm's late show stallion that appeared in all of her more recent advertising and videos. (deceased)
Show Record: 2007 Congress Top Ten Open Yearling HUS Longe Line (6th)
2008 Congress Top Ten Open Two Year Old Hunter Under Saddle (7th)
2008 Top Five Southern Belle Futurity Open Two Year Old HUS
Chance has won national titles at the biggest of the big shows since a yearling. He had minimal preparation and minimal showing before these shows. He hasn't been pushed and is now beginning his training for all-around events. Not only do we plan to continue his successful HUS career, but we are adding pleasure driving and over fences for next year. Also, his quiet mind is showing promise for the pattern events that stallions are very rarely found in, i.e. showmanship, horsemanship, and equitation. His slow legs and athletic body enable him to do some western events as well, expect to see him in trail and western riding events in the future. This versatile stallion is a true all-around horse. I would not hesitate to breed him to either western or english type mares.
His first foal crop is due in 2010 with six foals expected from excellent "test" mares, so we can prove his siring ability. I've never been so excited for a foal crop. He is bred to outstanding mares, including a two time Reserve World Champion Sky Blue Walker daughter, a Zippo Jack Bar daughter who is full sibling to multiple Congress Champions, our best producing mare Southern Sensations, a stunning Investment Asset/Zippos Old gold mare, and to prove Chance as a sire in OTHER breeds, a gorgeous red dun snowflake ApHC mare with multiple World Champion bloodlines.
Breeding information:
2010 introductory stud fee is $850. We feel that Chance is one of the best huntseat bargins on the market.
Booking fee: $250, goes towards stud fee.
Collection: $100
Shipped Semen: $250
On Farm available.
Multiple mare discount ($100 off each additional mare), early booking discount ($100 off if booked before Dec. 31), proven mare discount, World and Reserve World Champions, Congress and Reserve Congress Champions, superior earners, or producers of such, breed FREE! This includes, AQHA, APHA, ApHC, PHBA, IBHA, and ABRA mares. World Show, Congress, major national futurity Top Tens or producers of such breed 1/2 off. ROM earners or producers of such breed 1/2 off.
A Blazing Impulse - 2006 liver chestnut stallion, 15.2 hands. If you want to get "Mocha's" bloodlines, you also have to breed to a son as his sire is no longer standing. Also, he has one of the strongest mare lines of any A Sudden Impulse stallion on the market.
Sire: The great, World Champion A Sudden Impulse.
Sire's sire: The legendary Impulsions.
Dam: Blazing Hot Star, a young mare who has foals on the ground by the best of the best sires including ASI, Lazy Loper, and Invitation Only. Owned by the Farina's, owner of IO himself. Expect to see Mocha's siblings in the show pen.
Dam sire: The great mutiple World Champion and producer Blazing Hot.
Additional pedigree notes: Not only is Mocha's dam by the great Blazing Hot, she is out of a daughter of Starrific on her bottom side. Starrific was a great producing stallion with one of his most notable offspring being the late, great, Don't Skip Charlie.
As you can see, Mocha is bred to the hilt for Western Pleasure on both sides. He would be an excellent cross for your Zippo bred mares as he carries limited Zippo himself. What an outcross for Zippo mares, Invitation Only mares, Goodbar mares, Invester mares, etc! There are a variety of breeding possibilities for this boy if you want an outcross for your mare while still keeping with popular, proven bloodlines.
Show Record: 5.5 OPEN Western Pleasure Points
FQHA Labor Day Circuit Champion
Mocha has had the least showing of our available stallions due to a devastating trailer accident when he was a yearling, of which no one thought he would recover enough to show. Not only did he recover, but he won HALF his Open WP ROM and Circuit Champion in one horse show! As evidence of his GREAT mind, all of his recovery, rehabilitation, training, and finishing for shows up until that point was done by myself, an amateur rider. Mocha sadly developed an abscess before his WP class at the Congress this year where we expected him to do well, poor guy can't catch a break! However, good news is that it's an easy recovery and he'll be back to the shows next month. We expect him to easily finish his ROM in no time and our goal is to qualify for the World in JR Western Pleasure, as well as adding western riding and trail. He shows great promise for those events, he is an excellent lead changer and is very cunning on a trail course.
Breeding information:
2010 introductory stud fee is $850.
Booking fee: $250, goes towards stud fee.
Collection: $100
Shipped Semen: $250
On Farm available.
Multiple mare discount ($100 off each additional mare), early booking discount ($100 off if booked before Dec. 31), proven mare discount, World and Reserve World Champions, Congress and Reserve Congress Champions, superior earners, or producers of such, breed FREE! This includes, AQHA, APHA, ApHC, PHBA, IBHA, and ABRA mares. World Show, Congress, major national futurity Top Tens or producers of such breed 1/2 off. ROM earners or producers of such breed 1/2 off.
Twenty Four Karat Chip - 2008 palomino stallion. "Tator" is our youngest yet most accomplished stallion here at Top Line. Because of the outstanding interest and our hope for him as a sire, we have decided to offer Tator to an extremely limited book of mares.
Sire: The legendary World Champion Zips Chocolate Chip.
Sire's sire: The founder of modern western pleasure, the great Zippo Pine Bar.
Dam: El Bee Cream O Wheat, a Sonny Dee Bar bred mare that is a multiple World Champion producer, multiple major Futurity winning producer, and a Congress Top Ten producer.
Pedigree notes: Tator's dam has a full sister to Tator on the ground and is expecting a 2010 by One Hot Invitation. Tator's siblings are all equally talented and expect to see his young palomino sister conquer the longe line next year just like he did this year.
Show Record:
Tom Powers Futurity Non-Pro Color Longe Line CHAMPION, first under three judges.
Tom Powers Futurity Open Color Longe Line CHAMPION, unanimous!
Southern Belle Futurity Open Breeders Color Longe Line, CHAMPION, unanimous!
Palomino World Show Open Longe Line WORLD CHAMPION, first under three judges.
Reichert Futurity Open Color Longe Line CHAMPION, unanimous!
Reichert Futurity Open Western Longe Line TOP FIVE
UNDEFEATED at all major futurities in Open Color Longe Line 2009!
Congress results pending as of tomorrow!
Currently LEADING the nation in Open NSBA Longe Line for 2009!
As you can see, Tator has accomplished a show record many horses can only dream of just in his yearling year! He is one of the best movers in the country and certainly the best moving Palomino stallion available. He is the ONLY palomino son of Zips Chocolate Chip. He is gorgeous, a golden dapple palomino, with an almost Arabian looking head. Very lazy, laid back, reacts to nothing. He was shown by some of the top Trainers in the country this year including Gord Wadds, Kathie Kennedy, and Russ Smith, all of which marveled at his quiet, unphased attitude at the horse shows. Expect GREAT things from this horse, we are so excited for his riding future and for his foals in years to come.
Breeding information:
2010 breeding fee is $1000 payable AFTER your mare conceives in foal.
A Booking fee of $250 included in the stud fee is required before any shipment of semen.
Tator will be collected via chemical ejaculation as we feel he is too young to physically breed.
Please email me for more information on chemical ejaculation and the specifications of this breeding.
Outside breedings will be sold first come first serve.
Well, I hope you have had your fill of anything you could ever hope to know about the stallions here at Top Line, and that I have answered any possible questions. If you do have additional questions, feel free to leave a comment on here or send me an email at TopLineQH@aol.com. Thank you for reading and considering a Top Line stallion for your mare!
In other news, Tator shows tomorrow in the Open Longe Line at the Congress, stay tuned!
~Amy
Each stallion is absolutely gorgeous in his own right. We look for performance halter quality conformation. Not only is each stallion correct in conformation, but they all are absolutely gorgeous headed. Dishy faces, big, expressive eyes, refined muzzles, broad between the eyes, small ears, tying into beautiful toplines. They are uniquely colored, varying from the more rare and well liked liver chestnut, to the ever popular classic bay with a rabicano roaning for some variety, to the always desirable palomino.
However, the most important factor I would like to stress about our stallions is their MIND. I'm very proud to say that not only are they extremely quiet for stallions, they are extremely quiet horses in general. These are stallions that don't spook on a regular basis and handle everything with a calm head. I have had countless people observe that they cannot believe how quiet these young stallions are at home and at a horse show. They all have a "do anything" personality and take everything you hand to them in stride. They love their jobs, and always approach you with their ears forward in a friendly, curious manner. They are lazy, you never have to worry about hanging onto them or taking off, and don't need tons of lunging. They are extremely intelligent and are already showing talent in a multitude of events at a young age. These are stallions that are not "studdy". No "nipping". No inappropriate or dangerous behaviors or vices. If you are looking to quiet down a hotter mare, or just carry on the quiet gene, you CANNOT go wrong with these guys if you are looking for a smart, trainable, level headed match for your mare.
Finally, our stallions are still out there competing at the top levels. They each hold an impressive show record for their young age that we will continue to expand upon for years to come. Many stallions do not make it to the show pen, you would be surprised if you looked into how many stallions at stud have actually done anything in the pen themselves. Many stallions are gelded after being unsuccessful or hard to manage in the show pen. Many, in fact the majority of stallions are retired after a year or so of showing, or after they win one major title, whether it is because of being hard to manage in the pen or because the owner feels they have done enough to prove their worth as a stud. Here at Top Line, our stallions are also our show horses. Even though all have made achievements on top of their already desirable attributes for the breeding shed, they will continue to show for years to come in a multitude of events, as evidence of their trainable minds and athleticism.
If you aren't familiar with our stallions, here is a rundown:
A Chance For Romance - 2006 16.3 hand dark bay rabicano stallion. "Chance" is very much still growing and should top out over 17 hands. Chance is the only standing stallion with his combination of bloodlines, and ALL the famous stallions in his pedigree are deceased, so if you want those lines, this is your guy! His bloodlines are absolutely the elite of the elite for english events.
Sire: The late, great, World and Congress Champion, and World and Congress Champion producer, Luke At Me. (deceased)
Dam: Miss Patricia Lark, producer of WORLD CHAMPION and FULL brother to A Chance For Romance, Good Lukin Lark.
Dam sire: The GREAT, Rugged Lark. 'nuff said. (deceased)
More interesting pedigree notes: Miss Patricia Lark is full sister to the great Regal Lark, multiple World/Congress Champion. (deceased) As well as My Royal Lark, Lynn Palm's late show stallion that appeared in all of her more recent advertising and videos. (deceased)
Show Record: 2007 Congress Top Ten Open Yearling HUS Longe Line (6th)
2008 Congress Top Ten Open Two Year Old Hunter Under Saddle (7th)
2008 Top Five Southern Belle Futurity Open Two Year Old HUS
Chance has won national titles at the biggest of the big shows since a yearling. He had minimal preparation and minimal showing before these shows. He hasn't been pushed and is now beginning his training for all-around events. Not only do we plan to continue his successful HUS career, but we are adding pleasure driving and over fences for next year. Also, his quiet mind is showing promise for the pattern events that stallions are very rarely found in, i.e. showmanship, horsemanship, and equitation. His slow legs and athletic body enable him to do some western events as well, expect to see him in trail and western riding events in the future. This versatile stallion is a true all-around horse. I would not hesitate to breed him to either western or english type mares.
His first foal crop is due in 2010 with six foals expected from excellent "test" mares, so we can prove his siring ability. I've never been so excited for a foal crop. He is bred to outstanding mares, including a two time Reserve World Champion Sky Blue Walker daughter, a Zippo Jack Bar daughter who is full sibling to multiple Congress Champions, our best producing mare Southern Sensations, a stunning Investment Asset/Zippos Old gold mare, and to prove Chance as a sire in OTHER breeds, a gorgeous red dun snowflake ApHC mare with multiple World Champion bloodlines.
Breeding information:
2010 introductory stud fee is $850. We feel that Chance is one of the best huntseat bargins on the market.
Booking fee: $250, goes towards stud fee.
Collection: $100
Shipped Semen: $250
On Farm available.
Multiple mare discount ($100 off each additional mare), early booking discount ($100 off if booked before Dec. 31), proven mare discount, World and Reserve World Champions, Congress and Reserve Congress Champions, superior earners, or producers of such, breed FREE! This includes, AQHA, APHA, ApHC, PHBA, IBHA, and ABRA mares. World Show, Congress, major national futurity Top Tens or producers of such breed 1/2 off. ROM earners or producers of such breed 1/2 off.
A Blazing Impulse - 2006 liver chestnut stallion, 15.2 hands. If you want to get "Mocha's" bloodlines, you also have to breed to a son as his sire is no longer standing. Also, he has one of the strongest mare lines of any A Sudden Impulse stallion on the market.
Sire: The great, World Champion A Sudden Impulse.
Sire's sire: The legendary Impulsions.
Dam: Blazing Hot Star, a young mare who has foals on the ground by the best of the best sires including ASI, Lazy Loper, and Invitation Only. Owned by the Farina's, owner of IO himself. Expect to see Mocha's siblings in the show pen.
Dam sire: The great mutiple World Champion and producer Blazing Hot.
Additional pedigree notes: Not only is Mocha's dam by the great Blazing Hot, she is out of a daughter of Starrific on her bottom side. Starrific was a great producing stallion with one of his most notable offspring being the late, great, Don't Skip Charlie.
As you can see, Mocha is bred to the hilt for Western Pleasure on both sides. He would be an excellent cross for your Zippo bred mares as he carries limited Zippo himself. What an outcross for Zippo mares, Invitation Only mares, Goodbar mares, Invester mares, etc! There are a variety of breeding possibilities for this boy if you want an outcross for your mare while still keeping with popular, proven bloodlines.
Show Record: 5.5 OPEN Western Pleasure Points
FQHA Labor Day Circuit Champion
Mocha has had the least showing of our available stallions due to a devastating trailer accident when he was a yearling, of which no one thought he would recover enough to show. Not only did he recover, but he won HALF his Open WP ROM and Circuit Champion in one horse show! As evidence of his GREAT mind, all of his recovery, rehabilitation, training, and finishing for shows up until that point was done by myself, an amateur rider. Mocha sadly developed an abscess before his WP class at the Congress this year where we expected him to do well, poor guy can't catch a break! However, good news is that it's an easy recovery and he'll be back to the shows next month. We expect him to easily finish his ROM in no time and our goal is to qualify for the World in JR Western Pleasure, as well as adding western riding and trail. He shows great promise for those events, he is an excellent lead changer and is very cunning on a trail course.
Breeding information:
2010 introductory stud fee is $850.
Booking fee: $250, goes towards stud fee.
Collection: $100
Shipped Semen: $250
On Farm available.
Multiple mare discount ($100 off each additional mare), early booking discount ($100 off if booked before Dec. 31), proven mare discount, World and Reserve World Champions, Congress and Reserve Congress Champions, superior earners, or producers of such, breed FREE! This includes, AQHA, APHA, ApHC, PHBA, IBHA, and ABRA mares. World Show, Congress, major national futurity Top Tens or producers of such breed 1/2 off. ROM earners or producers of such breed 1/2 off.
Twenty Four Karat Chip - 2008 palomino stallion. "Tator" is our youngest yet most accomplished stallion here at Top Line. Because of the outstanding interest and our hope for him as a sire, we have decided to offer Tator to an extremely limited book of mares.
Sire: The legendary World Champion Zips Chocolate Chip.
Sire's sire: The founder of modern western pleasure, the great Zippo Pine Bar.
Dam: El Bee Cream O Wheat, a Sonny Dee Bar bred mare that is a multiple World Champion producer, multiple major Futurity winning producer, and a Congress Top Ten producer.
Pedigree notes: Tator's dam has a full sister to Tator on the ground and is expecting a 2010 by One Hot Invitation. Tator's siblings are all equally talented and expect to see his young palomino sister conquer the longe line next year just like he did this year.
Show Record:
Tom Powers Futurity Non-Pro Color Longe Line CHAMPION, first under three judges.
Tom Powers Futurity Open Color Longe Line CHAMPION, unanimous!
Southern Belle Futurity Open Breeders Color Longe Line, CHAMPION, unanimous!
Palomino World Show Open Longe Line WORLD CHAMPION, first under three judges.
Reichert Futurity Open Color Longe Line CHAMPION, unanimous!
Reichert Futurity Open Western Longe Line TOP FIVE
UNDEFEATED at all major futurities in Open Color Longe Line 2009!
Congress results pending as of tomorrow!
Currently LEADING the nation in Open NSBA Longe Line for 2009!
As you can see, Tator has accomplished a show record many horses can only dream of just in his yearling year! He is one of the best movers in the country and certainly the best moving Palomino stallion available. He is the ONLY palomino son of Zips Chocolate Chip. He is gorgeous, a golden dapple palomino, with an almost Arabian looking head. Very lazy, laid back, reacts to nothing. He was shown by some of the top Trainers in the country this year including Gord Wadds, Kathie Kennedy, and Russ Smith, all of which marveled at his quiet, unphased attitude at the horse shows. Expect GREAT things from this horse, we are so excited for his riding future and for his foals in years to come.
Breeding information:
2010 breeding fee is $1000 payable AFTER your mare conceives in foal.
A Booking fee of $250 included in the stud fee is required before any shipment of semen.
Tator will be collected via chemical ejaculation as we feel he is too young to physically breed.
Please email me for more information on chemical ejaculation and the specifications of this breeding.
Outside breedings will be sold first come first serve.
Well, I hope you have had your fill of anything you could ever hope to know about the stallions here at Top Line, and that I have answered any possible questions. If you do have additional questions, feel free to leave a comment on here or send me an email at TopLineQH@aol.com. Thank you for reading and considering a Top Line stallion for your mare!
In other news, Tator shows tomorrow in the Open Longe Line at the Congress, stay tuned!
~Amy
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Annual Disappointment
Well, it's becoming a trend. Second year in a row, a disaster at Congress time. Last year, my former horse, So Riveting, put his foot through the stall door the day before his class. This year, Mocha, the one I have been SO excited about, developed an abscess. That could be the cause of him being not as on par as usual in his class last week, and now by the day of his JR WP class, he is lame.
Sometimes you have to wonder why life throws you these curveballs. As you all know, this was to be the most exciting accomplishment of my life. Now, lots of time, effort, and money later, he gets all the way to the show of the year to get an abscess. Poor Mocha cannot catch a break, first his injury, now when he's about to make his leap into the limelight, this happens.
On a positive note, at least this will heal, and Mocha and I will keep on truckin. No matter what obstacles life throws in our path, we will do our best to get him shown and proven as the great show horse he is. He's still behaving excellently, and apparently everyone who sees him, loves him.
Fingers crossed for Tator on the 23rd. We decided to go ahead and show him regardless of the subpar haircoat. We'll just get him looking as pretty as possible, and he's going around great, so there is still a possibility he could at least garner a Top Ten, which certainly a Top Ten at Congress wouldn't be peanuts on his show record. It looks to be a good, tough class, with more high class longe liners than I have ever seen, this was a tough year to longe for sure.
C'mon Tator, our last hope for Congress 2010! :)
Sometimes you have to wonder why life throws you these curveballs. As you all know, this was to be the most exciting accomplishment of my life. Now, lots of time, effort, and money later, he gets all the way to the show of the year to get an abscess. Poor Mocha cannot catch a break, first his injury, now when he's about to make his leap into the limelight, this happens.
On a positive note, at least this will heal, and Mocha and I will keep on truckin. No matter what obstacles life throws in our path, we will do our best to get him shown and proven as the great show horse he is. He's still behaving excellently, and apparently everyone who sees him, loves him.
Fingers crossed for Tator on the 23rd. We decided to go ahead and show him regardless of the subpar haircoat. We'll just get him looking as pretty as possible, and he's going around great, so there is still a possibility he could at least garner a Top Ten, which certainly a Top Ten at Congress wouldn't be peanuts on his show record. It looks to be a good, tough class, with more high class longe liners than I have ever seen, this was a tough year to longe for sure.
C'mon Tator, our last hope for Congress 2010! :)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Too "Green" for the Green
Well, the good and the bad to report from Congress. The good, Mocha behaved WONDERFULLY. I could not ask for more with his disposition and behavior at the biggest horse show of all horse shows.. a green, three year old stallion at his third horse show ever, that just happens to be the Congress! The horse I trained held his own out there, definitely looked like a Congress horse, and many said he should have made the finals. Unfortunately, in the open green western pleasure class, he was one of the very few three year olds, more than likely the only three year old to be under saddle for less than a year, and likely the only horse to be at his third horse show! So, despite being super quiet and on his best behavior... there were still things to look at. Even though his neck did not move the whole time, occasionally the head would look inside, look outside, etc. Very, very subtle, but still, when you're at the biggest horse show with the best of the best, the little things can kill you. Also, the majority that placed were NOT better movers than Mocha.. however, they were just slow, slow, slow. Did not come off the rail, did not put a toe out of line. For a Green western pleasure class, the horses were darn broke. Mocha had it rough, he was in the 5th and final split before the finals. Therefore, the judges had already seen the best of the best in his class by the time they reached his split, and likely would have already made up their minds. They only picked THREE from his split, and had no semi-finals. You never know how he would have made out if he had been in the first split or two... oh well!
It was a great experience and after showing at the Congress, he should do well at ANY horse show. It takes an amazing minded horse to go from injured and unbroke this time last year, to showing at the Congress in an open WP class this year... while being a stallion to boot. I believe Mocha will be one to contend with in the future, and I'm very excited to see what's in store for him. With how quickly he's racking up the points, he may easily make it to the World Show next year! I bet by the time that arrives he will be a flawlessly broke western pleasure horse. I'm also excited to announce that after the big bucks spent on showing this year, he will be returning home for awhile to give my wallet a break... meaning that he and I will again be partners and finish what we started together. We will also add western riding and trail, I can't wait!
In other not-so-hot news from the Congress, Tator has decided to sprout a hair coat. If you've ever had a palomino, you probably know how hard it is to keep their coats in tip-top shape through the winter. After I sent him away to prepare for Congress, there was a big cold front, and I guarantee that's what happened. Gone is the beautiful, deep gold, dappley, shiny Tator from the summer. Now we have a poofy, dull, cream colored, dapple-free Tator. :( He also has developed a cough, possibly the horsey version of "Congress Crud". So... I'm sad to announce that his showing in the Western Longe Line on Oct 23 is now up in the air. I have too much pride in my show stock to let him go in the pen looking like he was pulled from the pasture and sent to Congress. He had a chance to win this class or place very high up. However, I haven't totally given up hope.. we're going to see how cleaned up we can get him, and if his cough fades... maybe his moves will still garner the appreciation he deserves while in the class. He may not place as high as he would of... but if he can still at least place at the Congress, that would still look good on his show record. So... I guess we will wait and see what we have in a week. If he does show, and if you are a Tator fan and will be at the Congress, we'll need a big cheering section to help show that his haircoat doesn't matter, LOL!
Stay tuned...
~Amy
Sunday, October 11, 2009
...and we're off!
...to Columbus, OH, for the Quarter Horse Congress! Leaving tomorrow a.m. to see Mocha show in the Green Western Pleasure on Tuesday a.m. I am already nervous! It just recently hit me that this is MOCHA I'm going to watch this year. I am always excited to have any of my horses show, but this year is just extra special and emotional for me. This is just one of those rare experiences in life.. to have raised, rehabbed, and trained a horse from crippled to Congress! It just goes to show that if you know your horse, and put in the work, that you don't have to be a big name or a professional to train a Congress contender. This is just doubly exciting for me since not only did I rehab him, but I trained and finished him up until a month ago.
This is Mocha after 30 rides with me. It's the earliest footage I have of him riding. I wanted to post something so you can get a feel for how far he's come in a year, unfortunately I don't have where he REALLY started on video, which was in the round pen, not knowing how to canter, and not picking up the right lead. This was right after I finally was able to get him to pick up the right lead, but you can still see he was off to the right at this point in time, although substantially better than he was at first, not even being able to hold the right lead.
So here is his "before video":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7jfANxd8t8
And his after video, less than a year later, from the QH Congress will be posted on Tuesday! WAHOO, what a dream! :)
~Amy
This is Mocha after 30 rides with me. It's the earliest footage I have of him riding. I wanted to post something so you can get a feel for how far he's come in a year, unfortunately I don't have where he REALLY started on video, which was in the round pen, not knowing how to canter, and not picking up the right lead. This was right after I finally was able to get him to pick up the right lead, but you can still see he was off to the right at this point in time, although substantially better than he was at first, not even being able to hold the right lead.
So here is his "before video":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7jfANxd8t8
And his after video, less than a year later, from the QH Congress will be posted on Tuesday! WAHOO, what a dream! :)
~Amy
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