Summer 2014

What an incredible summer we're having at SSF.  The gardens are gorgeous; we have one of the best foal crops we've ever had; knock on wood, six mares are pregnant so far for next year; and, our mare in Holland was just invited to the National Championships in Ermelo.  On top of all this, Keagan, Michaela, Carol, and I have had multiple adventures and lots of time together.  Life is good.

Of course, we've had our fair share of "balancing" situations, as well, this year.  Our vet bills are closing in on $10,000. for a combination of Jubilation SSF's umbilical surgery, Princess's check ligament, Mazey's hematoma, and Frenchy's trashed hind leg...when you have horses, it never takes long for the tragedies to balance out the joys.  Fortunately, there is, normally, a balance.

So, our most recent big news is the success of Gazania (Bon Bravour x Santano x Biotop).  She became a ster mare a few weeks ago with very good scores for movement and conformation.  In Holland, the ster mares have to go to a central inspection at a different time for their keur eligible evaluation. Well, Gazania somehow hurt her hind leg in her stall one night, so she missed the central keuring in the region where she's in training with Wim Cazemier.  Consequently, Wim took her and three other mares he has in training to the Drenthe location.  In a huge class of mares (the pedigrees would have boggled your dressage-loving brains), Gazania took first in the ringing order, and, better yet, was the only mare selected for the National Championships.  Since we are not breeders in that region, she was not eligible for champion of the keuring itself, but, since she was the only mare invited to Ermelo, she would have been champion if she were eligible. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to get to go to the finals in Ermelo next month.  We just have too much going on and buying a plane ticket at this late date is especially cost prohibitive.  I think I'd rather put the $3,000. I would have spent going to Holland toward her import in the Fall.  She will stay in Holland until November to do her riding test and complete her keur predicate.  I'm really hoping to have her home for the winter so she can deliver her Eye Catcher foal here at the farm.

Speaking of Eye Catcher, he was just selected for Verden!!!  I love this horse.  He hasn't bred that many mares in Holland because, one, he's chestnut and, two, there are a number of other Vivaldi sons that aren't chestnut.  However, I thought his foals were the best of the three or four Vivaldi sons' offspring I saw in Ermelo last year.  They're super adjustable with very good leg technique.  I'm excited about this cross.

Speaking of crosses, we've got some super exciting foals on the way for next year:  The Eye Catcher x Bon Bravour, a Fairytale x Donatelli, a UB-40 x Freestyle and a UB-40 x Sir Sinclair, and...a Governor x Contango and a Governor x Samber!  Pretty exciting!  I just bred Mistral (Vincent x El Corona) back to UB-40 and I just short cycled Orchis for one more try with Fairytale.

This year's foals are proving to be outstanding individuals.  We're going to keep Orchis's Everdale colt, JaBam SSF.  There's no telling if we'll get another shot at a stallion son from her, plus he's pretty special.  The other four foals are all worth keeping, and I have family members routing for each of them, but I'm the one who sees the farm income/expense totals at the end of the year--we need to sell some babies this year.  Therefore, for the first time ever, we're offering two fillies out of Orchis's mareline. One is Jubilantes SSF (UB-40 x Werites x Freestyle x Orchis) and the other is J'Orites SSF (Florianus II x D'Orites x Donatelli x Orchis).  Both fillies are fancy movers and really nice types.  Either one could end up being a sport mare or a top producer for a breeding program. The two colts available have the two people with the most pull routing for them to stay on the farm, Carol and me.  Carol is in love with Jelisco SSF (Florianus II x Elsicia SSF x UB-40). He is truly a black beauty.  Tall, gorgeous, sweet, laid back, and a crazy good mover.  I'm in love with the youngest, Jubilation SSF (UB-40 x Mistral x Vincent).  He's one of the prettiest foals we've ever had--type-wise, he's a 10. Since he just went through the umbilical surgery, he hasn't had a chance to really exercise and get as strong as he could be, so we hadn't seen his movement until this weekend at the Open House. Holy shit. Uphill, supple, incredible leg technique.  He's a special boy. I've begun posting some pictures and videos from our Open House of Facebook.  If we're not friends or you're not on Facebook, email me, and I'll get you access.  As usual, our foals are not cheap, but we offer extremely generous terms.

I'm going to stop here on this entry and try to get a separate entry written about our Open House and one on Princess and her recovery.