June 22, 2023

I still have my "special Tammy Bradshaw signed" bottle of Bradshaw Bourbon.

June 20, 2023

It's that time of the year again when "Polly Peony" blooms. Many years ago Mike and I and our friend Richard Kaufmann went to a horse sale at James Kifer's in Alabama. We met Terry and Karen Sartain and Lanis Noble there. Lanis and I looked over the horses and I picked out the mare that I thought was the best mare in the sale. She was sired by Obvious Prophet and was in foal to Kid Clu. She had been been consigned by Jim Snow. Mike was ready to go and was sitting in the car with Molly, our dog. I was still at the sale sitting with Lanis and Karen Sartain. Well the mare came into the ring and Lanis started to bid. We were partners with him in Exceptional Quarter Horses. He kept bidding and lo and behold we were the high bidders at $42,000. So when I went over to the truck and told Mike, his response was "There in no way you bought a horse for $42.000. I had to convince him that it was true by showing him the sale receipt. Needless to say it was long ride home. Well, the next year the mare laid down and had a gorgeous filly. I mean this was one of a kind filly and I was so excited about it. We named her Polly. But, as fate would have it, the filly broke her front leg in one of our muddy paddocks. At that time, I had cameras in the stalls so everyone on the internet could watch the mares foal. That is another story because I would get calls complaining about mice in the stalls and other things. One of the callers was Roseann Albert from out East. She called me at 2 in the morning and woke me up to visit right after the Prophet mare foaled. When I posted that we had to put the Polly down, the next day we received this peony plant and Roseann sent it from her hometown. She told me she kept the "sister plant" So of course I named the plant "Polly Peony" after the filly. Every year the plant blooms but I have lost touch with Roseann. I am posting a picture of the Kid Clu filly we named Polly and the peony plant.

June 18, 2023

I have a beautiful pasture that I thought would be a great place for 2 mares. It has an automatic waterer in the shelter and they could eat grass all summer. So, a couple weeks ago I moved them there. Fred (Classically) is in a smaller dry lot with a shelter and he was not happy because he could not see "his girls" So we moved the girls back into their dry lot. Yesterday I had the brilliant idea to put Fred in the big pasture. He could see his girls in the dry lot and I can move them onto a grass pasture with no shelter during the day. Fred loved it but when I went out last night to check on him, where do you think he was? He was in the shelter eating hay. I guess he just doesn't realize how good the grass is. I did snap a couple of pictures of the "big boy" who is now 15 years old. Remember when he had that long beautiful mane and we kept his mane and tail snow white? Well, he doesn't look that way anymore but he is happy.

June 15, 2023

Seven years ago, I had just posted pictures of a gray filly that we named Cookie. She was sired by Fred (Classically) and out of Malibukini by Malibu Ken out of Shanes Lady Romantic. I received a phone call from Marko Kaiser from Germany and he told me that he wanted to buy the filly. That phone call has resulted in the Kaisers buying several horses from us and I love watching the accomplishments of these horses. When I posted pictures of Barney, my NN stud colt by My Intention out of Wilma (Classically Kool) I had several people interested in buying him. In fact, I was in the process of completing the sale to a really nice man when Judith Kaiser messaged me that it was going to be her birthday and that Barney would make a really nice present. I told her I did not think they needed a stud colt but guess what---Barney is going to Germany. I am going to be excited to watch this colt as he grows and matures as I predict he will do great things in Germany. I took new pictures of him on Tuesday and you will see how much he has changed since the last pictures I posted. So today is Judith Kaiser's birthday and she is just recovering from surgery so join me in wishing her a happy birthday and a speedy recovery.

June 11, 2023

When I was a young girl, my father bought 2 Mobo Broncos and my brother and I had so much fun riding them. Let me tell you a little about them. They were made by D. Sebel and Co Ltd of England in the 1940s. The material is a pressed metal with a mechanism inside that makes the horse move forward by pressing on the stirrups. There are wheels hidden in the hooves. Well, I am a marketplace shopper and I found a box fan on the local site. While I was at the place I noticed a Mobo Bronco overhead and asked the owner about it. He said someone owned him money and he took the horse for payment. I couldn't stop thinking about that horse and the next day I called and made him an offer which he accepted. So now I have a remembrance of my childhood along with all the beautiful horses I got from my good friend, Linda Becker. Pretty soon there won't be room enough for me in the house but I do have plenty of empty stalls.

June 10, 2023

I had two beautiful mares out of Miss Bunny Tardee (by Tardee Impressive) and both were sired by Ima Cool Skip. You all know about Rebecca (You Bet Im Cool) and most of you also know Bonnie (CJ Miss Cool Tardee) Unfortunately I lost both of them but there are 2 fillies out of both of them and I am so proud of them. I own Rebecca's two--Wilma by Fred (Classically) and Ellie by My Intention. I also have one of Bonnie's offspring here and that is Pebbles (Kool to be Classic) by Fred. The other mare our of Bonnie by Fred is owned by my great friends, Marko and Judith Kaiser in Germany. I just heard from Judith and Marko showed Betty (My Secret Love) at the Luxembourg International Horse Show this morning and she was first under both judges in Amateur and Open and garnered all the Grands. In fact, Betty has not been beaten yet. Now her full sister Pebbles is outside eating grass and enjoying a life of leisure as she is in foal for the first time. It is things like this that make it fun to get up every morning and enjoy life.

June 5, 2023

Judith Johnson mentioned about giving Regumate with a regular syringe. The problem with them is that they have a rubber insert and dry out after a few uses. I suggested a breeding syringe which does not have the rubber inside. Years ago, I think it was the Regumate company that had these dose syringes and they are the clear choice. They fit on a small Regumate bottle and dose 10 cc with each squeeze. No more getting Regumate on your hands. If you are able to find one, I highly recommend them as it has been a "life saver" for me.

June 4, 2023

Wilma (Classically Kool) and Barney by My Intention.

This morning let me tell you about two stallions that I bred to in the past--Temon and Coosa Lad. I can't remember any of the offspring by these horses that I had so I must have sold them. Both stallions had wonderful owners. Dee Bartek became a good friend and she would join us at the World Show along with the "girls" Temon was sired by Mr Sonny Money and out of Poco Coeds Te N Te, a great daughter of Te N Te. To be honest, Temon really wasn't my kind of horse. He had a bit of length to his body and he could have had a prettier head. Besides that he only had one testicle. I can remember his daughter, Forever My Temon and how excited we were for Dee when she won the World. This mare was not only a show horse but she was also a great producer as she was the dam of Mr Elusive. In regards to Coosa Lad, Allen and Kay Neubauer were wonderful owners and I really enjoyed visiting with Kay. The horse was very pretty, He was sired by Coosa and out of Johnette Skip. There were many halter horses sired by him and also many pleasure horses. Both of these stallions were NN. I think he was very typical of he Coosa offspring----beautiful headed, deep bodied but lacking in the hip department. I wish I would have taken pictures back then. Perhaps some of you have more insight into these two stallions.

Happy birthday MARY MANCINI-----a big part of the "village" We have so much fun with our group. Here's looking forward to several fun trips this year and NO buying any horses. Well, maybe one or two. lol

June 3, 2023

Happy birthday to a wonderful friend----Joe St Clair. He has always been there for me and I can always count on him. In this day and age there are few people like Joe. We have been friends for more years than I want to admit.

May 29, 2023

Yesterday my good friend, Katie Samuelson came over and insisted I take pictures of Barney. The weather was perfect but by myself it is hard to get good pictures. Barney (named by Paul Stewart) is going to be 2 months old next weekend. He is NN and sired by My Intention and out of Wilma (Classically Kool) He is nominated to the Breeders Halter Futurity and the WCHA futurities and he needs to find a new home. I cannot have another stud to take care of. Fred (Classically) is not problem but little boys can be trouble. lol

Barney has a new home and I am so excited about his new owners. Thanks so much for the many inquiries I had on him. He is a really nice colt but Fred is enough stallion for me.

May 28, 2023

I am sooo proud of my "German kids" Marko and Judith Kaiser have given them a wonderful home in Germany and the "girls" are doing fantastic in the show ring. On 'Saturday at the big German show, The Bavarian Championship. , Betty (My Secret Luv) won all the open classes and Cookie (Move Over Darling) did the same in the amateur. Both of these mares are 5 panel NN and sired by Fred (Classically) Betty is out of Bonnie (CJ Miss Cool Tardee) and Cookie is out of Malibukini. Of course "Daddy Fred" got extra treats this morning. Not only do I have great customers in the Kaisers but I also have wonderful friends. That is what makes this horse breeding so much fun.

May 27, 2023

I thought this was a pretty picture of the 2 two year old fillies----Nicky on the left and Ellie on the right. Both are sired by My Intention. Nicky is out of Wilma (Classically Kool) and Ellie is out of Rebecca (You Bet Im Cool) so Ellie is Nicky's aunt.

If any of you are wondering what Gabriel is doing these days, well he is now buddies with Pebbles (Kool to be Classic) Pebbles is NH and is sired by Fred (Classically) and out of Bonnie (CJ Miss Cool Tardee by Tardee Impressive) She is also a full sister to Betty (My Secret Luv) who Marko and Judith Kaiser own in Germany. If you remember we got Gabe as company for the orphan Charlie and when Charlie left, he became a companion for Pebbles when we weaned her. After that he was with Rebecca until we had to put her down and then with Nicky ( the two year old) I had to take him away from Nicky and put him with Janie until we had to euthanize her. So, Gabriel is back with Pebbles. It amazes me how much my horses love him. The two old girls had to have him in their sight at all time and Nicky still whinnies for him when I lead him past her stall. The sad thing about all this is that I think Gabriel is a little depressed. He still thinks about Naomi Kreider, the little fat donkey of Julie Kreiders. Someday perhaps he will get to see her.

May 26, 2023

Another picture perfect day in Wisconsin and the two year old sisters are in the pasture scratching each other. Both are sired by My Intention. The one with the profile is Nicky who NN and is out of Wilma (Classically Kool) and the other is Ellie who is NH and out of Rebecca (You Bet Im Cool) I guess it is "all in the family" as Wilma is also out of Rebecca.

May 25, 2023

A "family gathering" on an a beautiful 60 degree sunny day in Wisconsin. On the other side of the fence is Ellie (Rebecca's two year old filly) on the left and Nicky (Wilma's two year old filly on the right) And on this side of the fence is Wilma and her little boy, Barney who is taking a nap. Wilma and Ellie are half sisters and Nicky and Barney are full brother and sister. Wilma is sired by Fred (Classically) and out of Rebecca (You Bet Im Cool) and the other three are sired by My Intention.

May 21, 2023

What a beautiful day in Wisconsin and everyone is happy. We moved Fred's girls to a pasture so he can see them again, It amazes me how much weight he could lose in a week. Well, the girls and Fred are happy which also makes me happy.

May 20, 2023

Fred (Classically) tonight. He is 15 years old, NN and the last foal out of Miss Bunny Tardee and sired by Kids Classic Style. I moved his girls to the pasture and he is not happy as he cannot see them. Guess I will have to figure out something because I just can't have Fred unhappy.

May 19, 2023

I came across 2 pictures of Mr Elusive that someone took and sent me years ago. I don't even remember where he was at that time. Even though they aren't the best pictures, I thought you would enjoy seeing them.

May 18, 2023

After losing my 2 "old mares" I guess I just haven't felt like taking pictures but know that I have to start doing it again, So, yesterday I tried to take pictures of Barney (named by my good friend D Paul Stewart) but as you all know it is very hard to get good pictures. I will keep trying and promise a profile picture soon. Barney is NN and is sired by My Intention and out of Wilma (Classically Kool) He is 6 weeks old now.

May 17, 2023

Mothers Day was not a very happy day for me. On Monday we put Janie (Kids Classic Gal) to sleep. She was the last of the "old girls" as I owned her mother and her grandmother. I loved this mare and she was so good to me over the years. It is kind of like the end of an era as the only horse I have left from Miss Bunny Tardee is Fred (Classically) and he is now 15 years old. Everyone that visited loved Janie as she had the most gorgeous head and disposition. It is hard to get old and see the horses you loved and cared for have to be put down. I am posting pictures of Janie as a baby, a yearling and an older mare. She is buried next to Rebecca (You Bet Im Cool) on our property.

May 15, 2023

The beautiful "Frau Heather" (TF Kids Covergirl) who will be joining her other Wisconsin friends in Germany. I love this mare who is sired by Kid Coolsified and out of the great mare, Fashions by Mr by Mr Conclusion. Fashions by Mr had 426 halter points. Besides being a World Champion and High Point in the nation, she is also the dam of Ima Mr Cool Skip, a stallion I loved. Marko and Judith Kaiser are going to love this mare, not only for her looks and pedigree but she is also the sweetest mare to be around.

May 14, 2023

Mother's Day, 2023 and I am sitting here reflecting on my life. I lost my mother in 1974 but I still have wonderful memories of my childhood and growing up with her. I am the oldest of 4 children and I guess my love of horses was inherited from my father as his father was a blacksmith. I think about the difference in todays children verses the times we were brought up in and to be honest, I am happy I was able to enjoy those more carefree times. Watching mares with their foals and the way they look after them reminds me of the way parents treated their children back then. It is funny how some things make an impression on you. About a week ago, Mike Hughes posted a poem that he wrote that really got me thinking. I have never met Mike but he is the owner of Wild Horse Fudge in Texas. I thought I would share it with you and I hope it has the same impact on you.

Moments Alone

by Mike Hughes.

There are times when you are alone, and have time to think.

Have you noticed the thoughts are not humorous, but down right frank.

Like your parents want you to come by and visit for awhile,

But you're just so busy, and you'll do it later, and then leave them with only a smile.

And you know, your folks understand that you want to be successful real bad.

Sure they understand, because after all, they are your mom and dad.

After all, if it weren't for them, we wouldn't be here.

And they are only asking for a little time; something to bring them cheer.

You are their all; you are their everything.

You are their winter and summer; their drought and their rain.

They took their time to get you out of the nest.

Is it not fair now that they should be put to the test?

They molded you into whatever you might be.

Is it not fair now for them to want to see.

What their finished product is, and share it for awhile?

All they are asking for payment is a small visit, a hug, and a smile.

We keep promising ourselves we will stop by just as soon as we get the time.

Just as soon as we get the time; that's the same old story, same old song, same old rhyme.

And now, after Mom and Dad have gone.

And we find ourselves sitting here all alone.

We find that we would eagerly trade a lot of those busy times that we had for just a few moments alone with Mom and Dad.

May 4, 2023

When I woke up this morning, I had a message from Judith Kaiser that Betty (My Secret Luv) won all her classes and all the Grands at the big show in the Netherlands. And one of my memories that popped up on Face Book this morning was a picture of Betty as a foal and her dam, CJ Miss Cool Tardee (Bonnie) She is the last foal out of Bonnie as we had to put her down. Marko and Judith Kaiser from Germany bought Betty when she was a very young filly. She is 5 panel NN and has grown into a huge gorgeous mare. She is the last foal that I raised from Fred (Classically) and I am so proud of her. Time goes so fast as Betty is now 3 years old. I couldn't have found better owners of my horses than the Kaisers. They are people who really care for their horses. I guess I will go outside and give Fred (Classicallyl) a treat for siring such a gorgeous mare.

April 28, 2023

It has been quite a while since I wrote about some of my past horse experiences so I thought why not tell you about my relationship with Tardee Impressive. Homer Danielson brought Bunny Nightshade to breed to Impressivist and Miss Bunny Tardee was less than 2 weeks old when I first saw her. I was in awe with the amount of muscle she had and I followed her development and loved her ever since. She hurt her eye as a two year old and Homer took her to Iowa State where they were not able to resolve the issue and ended up removing her eye, At that time there were several trainers who wanted to show her but the eye issue made her a broodmare. Homer brought her to Wisconsin to breed to Impressivist as a two year old and Mike and I ended up buying her. So, a couple years later, Mike and I went to Iowa to look at mares for Dudley Pillow. We stopped to visit Bob Lee and he showed me his mares at 6 in the morning in the bitter Iowa cold weather. I loved them. Bob suggested we partner on breeding them and he made a list of stallions he liked. On the list were My Conclusion, Obvious Conclusion, Tardee Impressive and Sierra Te. My choice was Tardee Impressive as I had Miss Bunny Tardee who I loved. We agreed and bred the mares to Tardee. We got 4 gorgeous foals, Arazzi, Azarri were the stud colts and we had 2 palomino fillies. We liked the foals so much that we even hauled the mares to California to rebreed them. I became good friends with Bill Morris and Mike and I flew to Canadian Texas to visit him and Sue. What a great experience that was. Bill was branding calves and we got to watch that and that evening we went to a dance in Canadian. Bill had to take a bottle of liquor as they did not sell liquor at the dance but you could bring your own, Over the years, Bill and I became good friends and he and Bill Edmundson came to visit us. Bill Morris loved th Azzari horse and we sent him to him along with a Sonnys Security filly that Bill Edmundson bought out of one of our partner mares, Trouble Yes. After the government seized Tardee and sent him to Will Woods place in Texas, Mike and I went to Texas and I finally got to see the horse that I was so infatuated with. I can still remember Will leading him out of the stall and he had a massive front end. Of course at this time he was getting a little age on him but to me his hip did not have the mass and carry down to match the front end and he was out of balance. I came to the conclusion that my pride and joy, Miss Bunny Tardee got her massive front from Tardee Impressive but her hip and hind quarters from her dam, Bunny Nightshade as the mare by Sonnys Nightshade had an outstanding hip, deep heart and short back.

April 14, 2023

"Baby Barney" at 10 days of age. Our weather finally got warm so he was able to go outside for the first time yesterday. Poor thing had been confined to his stall until then. I think he made up for it yesterday but setting a new running record. He is NN and sired by My Intention and out of Wilma (Classically Kool) I had decided that I cannot keep anymore horses so since he is a boy it will be easier for me to let him go to a new home.

Old age has finally caught up with me. It seems as though all of a sudden my knees are aching and even my hands hurt. I guess I have to face reality and realize that I have to slow down a bit. However, just watching my 13 day old colt Barney playing in the sun gives me so much pleasure. I can't imagine not having a foal to enjoy every year so I have come to the conclusion that I am only breeding one mare this year. The one I have picked is Pebbles (Cool to be Classic) She is a maiden mare and is sired by Fred (Classically) and out of Bonnie (CJ Miss Cool Tardee) who is by Ima Cool Skip and out of Miss Bunny Tardee.

April 12, 2023

I took this picture the other night of the moon and my flagpole was in the foreground. I think it is a neat picture.

April 7, 2023

The world has lost a great horseman and a wonderful person. Reece Burchell from Australia could not beat cancer and he left the world to be with the Lord. I marvel at the outpouring of friendship and love from the many Australians whose lives he touched. I have never met him but when Jackie Hardwicke was still in quarter horses, I had the opportunity to talk to him and of course heard so many stories from Jackie of how talented he was with the horses and showing. I did send a pair of cowboy boots that he wanted and ordered to Australia for him. Cancer is such a devastating disease and why we can't come up with a cure for it is beyond me.

April 4, 2023

I can't remember how many years it has been since I have been sick but last weekend I felt exhausted, had chills and was almost nauseous. So on Sunday I told Bob Luebker for the first time I was not going to the barn and I would tell him what to feed. The night before I checked Wilma (Classically Kool) as her udder was quite full but no wax. She was due to foal on April 9 (my Easter filly) About 9 o'clock pm I went to the barn and watered and noticed that Wilma was laying flat out. She got up and I checked her---no discomfort and no wax but for some reason I moved her out of a matted stall to the stall I wanted her to foal in. Our course, I didn't put any straw in the stall as I was sure she wasn't gone to have the filly. I did leave a light on for her but Bob stopped out later and turned the light off. I looked at my phone a couple of times during the night but nothing. In the morning I told Bob what to feed and a few minutes later he called and said "Sandy you better come out here. There is a baby running around in the stall with Wilma" I rushed out and sure enough----unfortunately it is not my filly but a healthy baby boy instead. Now after raising horses all these years, how did I miss this foaling? Wilma never waxed, in fact she never sweated or even got the stall or her tail wet. Now to tame the little guy as momma is quite proud of him. I ask myself what I did differently to get a stud colt. After all, Georgia Snow sent my semen from My Intention and wrote "Fillies Gone Wild" on the box and Wilma foaled early. The only answer is that a had a blue halter on her as you can see in the picture. Next year----I am trading all my blue halters for pink ones.

March 23, 2023

Lately I have been thinking about the state of our world today and it makes me happy that I was born in a different time. A few days ago 2 wonderful people who own the cheese factory where I get my cheese were shot and killed. The same day another woman was killed in another nearby town. And, when I turn on the television all l hear are more killings around the country. What in the world has happened to us since my youth? When I grew up I walked to school every day with no fear of being molested or run over by a motorist. We rode our horses in the streets of New London and played cowboy and Indian in the park and in the cemetery. It was customary to play baseball in the street and never fear getting hit by a car. We never locked our cars or even our house. As I got older and became a school teacher, the thought of the students not respecting me never entered my mind. I could tell high school seniors to behave and they would listen to me. I feel sorry for anyone who is a teacher today with the toxic situations in the schools. Why do you think this has happened? I wonder if it isn't the change in the way we were brought up. "Back then" our parents raised the children and the discipline was different. Now days most of the time, both parents work and the upbringing is left to others. I guess I really don't know the answer but I am happy for my wonderful youth and to be honest, I feel sorry for the younger generation. This is a picture of me in my "fancy outfit" on Butterscotch. My dad took the picture in our back yard.

March 6, 2023

Well despite threats to my friends if they posted that yesterday was my birthday, Donna Davis must think she lives far enough away from me and betrayed me. lol Thinking about it, I guess the alternative to birthdays is really not that good anyway. So, I want to thank so many of you for your comments and private messages. I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends. I couldn't ask for better friends who live near me. Since I lost Mike, they bring me food and we have so much fun going out together. Then there are my Face Book friends who I enjoy sharing my "stories" with and talking "horse" on the phone and through messages. All in all, I feel as though I am a very lucky person and I want you all to know that I appreciate you being in my life. As you can see my love of horses goes way back and it still exists today. This is me and Sailor, my palomino gelding that I enjoyed riding when I was a young girl.

March 2, 2023

A few days ago, I heard from an "old friend" Mary Langdon. She and her husband TJ are living in Florida. In fact they live close to another old friend and classmate of mine, Sandra Murphy. Of course, Mary and I started reminiscing about the old days when we would meet at the World Show. During the conversation she mentioned that her husband, TJ had been at Dudley Pillow's years ago and had some pictures. Of course, I had her send them to me. If you remember, I think Dudley had more influence on my horse knowledge than anyone else. I guess it was because we discussed horses on the phone daily---conformation and bloodlines. I am going to post the pictures that Mary sent me and tell you a little about Dudley's place in Mississippi. Mike and I visited him and he of course gave us the big tour. His home was magnificent---a true Southern plantation and it was named Willow Glenn. He and his beautiful wife, Janie and their children lived there and he raised cotton and soybeans. The pictures I am posting are of the horses at Willow Glen. Dudley also owed land across from Vicksburg along the Mississippi River. Of coursed Mike was very interested in what he told us about that land. It was where the Union army camped during the siege of Vicksburg during the Civil War. I wish I had paid more attention to the history but I was only interested in the horses. Mike of course being a history buff, was fascinated with Dudley's stories and the artifacts that were found on the land. Huge levees were build and Dudley kept many of his horses there. They would swim in the Mississippi River to cool off from the heat. I probably have some of this wrong but it is the way I remember it. I will post the information I know under each picture. Remember that these pictures were taken at Willow Glen and not on the levy.

February 28, 2023

Today is a special day because it is my good friend Donna Davis' birthday. I don't think there are or have been many days that Donn and I don't visit on the phone Over the years I have watched her become successful raising world class halter horses. I don't know how many world Champions she has raised or shown. Both of us believe in the power of good broodmares and matching them with stallions that will compliment them. Her small group of mares is as good as any ones and they prove it by their produce. Not only is Donna interested in halter horses, she also loves riding and of course, the horse she rides has to be a good one. She is pictured here on Whiskey, her "heart horse" I told her that she needs to get back to showing again and her response was "but it would interfere with my trail riding"

February 23, 2023

We had a major snowstorm the last two days. In fact 16 inches of snow and blowing besides. Everything was shut down yesterday but my very loyal helper, Bob Luebker showed up in the morning. Now Bob has a full time job in a mill and works 12 hour shifts. Yesterday be finished at 6 in the morning and came out to clean stalls, help me check a mare and feed outside horses. He went home around 10 AM to sleep. I had semen coming via plane and I am not a good nigh time driver, especially with the blowing snow. Bob got up and made the trip to the airport for me. Luckily the plane it was on was the only one not canceled although it did get in late. We were able to breed the mare and luckily Bob was able to drive to his home in Neenah. This morning he showed up at 8 am as usual and plowed and shoveled snow and cleaned stalls and outside shelters. We also had to ultrasound a mare.

I am so lucky to have Bob Luebker in my life. He showed up at our place 39 years ago and has been helping ever since. He will and can do about anything out here. I wish our younger generation would have the work ethic that he does.. It is kind of sad how things have changed over the years and it is so hard to find good people who are willing to work.

February 19, 2023

A few days ago I posted a picture of Sacred and told you that I would tell you a little story about her dam, Miss Katy Cool. Mike and I would go to Oklahoma City for the World Show for several years but Mike was not interested in horses so he would tour the city and see the sites while I looked at horses. I do remember the time that I saw Jerry Wells standing in the warm-up pen and to me Jerry was an icon. I pointed him out to Mike and Mike said let's go and meet him. I was so embarrassed as he walked right up to Jerry and introduced himself and me. Of course, Jerry was so nice and he made me feel comfortable. Our good friend, Dudley Pillow from Mississippi would meet us at the World and Dudley and I would watch the show and attend the sales. Back then, there were two sales----one at the fairgrounds and one at Heritage Place. We would drive back and forth to see the horses we wanted to see sell. That is where we met Grace Berton, who became a great friend. She brought horses from California to sell. At this particular sale she had 2 awesome yearling fillies and they brought good money. One of them, Jim McKillips bought for Percott Corp. which is located in Wisconsin. Well, back to Miss Katy Cool. Dudley bred probably 25 mares a year to Ima Cool Skip. He would haul them to Southgate Farm in Louisiana where Skip stood. Dudley had such a great personality and he became friends with Mickey Gunthrop who managed Southgate. In 1991, Southgate consigned several yearling fillies to the Heritage Place sale. I have always thought that one of them was Miss Katy Cool. I remember that they had several fillies in pens and Dudley and I really liked Miss Katy Cool. There was a lot of confusion at the sale and when the filly went through the sale ring, Dudley bid on her and ended up buying her for a really cheap amount. I think it was $3500. After the sale, Mickey Gunthrop realized the mistake and Dudley gave the filly back to him. We always talked about that when Sacred was winning as she was out of Miss Katy Cool. Dudley would say that if he owned her she would be living on his plantation and never have the chance to be the great producer she became. Those World Show times were so much fun and so educational. A group of us would eat every night at the old Steak and Ale----Doug Tallent would join us and we would of course talk "horse".

February 18, 2023

I woke up this morning to these awesome pictures that Marjorie Gallardo sent me of her newborn stud colt by Hes So That. If you remember I sold Righteous Indulgence to Marjorie. I had told her that I thought the mare would throw color, Righteous Indulgence is by Righteous Mister and out of The Sharpest Edge by Mr Conclusion. She is a mare I bought from Wade Yager and Heather Olson. I kept the mare here last year and bred her for Marjorie. When I "thought" she would throw color I never expected to see color like this. Needless to say Marjorie is thrilled beyond belief as she is a "paint person" I will be anxious to see how the little guy grows and develops. Right now I love what I see.

February 6, 2023

Last night I watched our friend and fellow horseman, Terry Bradshaw on Who's Talking to Chris Wallace on CNN. What a wonderful interview and I strongly suggest that if you didn't see it, you check out your "on demand" and watch it I just can't say enough about it so you will have to watch it yourself. It was heart warming and yet very entertaining.

February 5, 2023

Our horse community is wonderful. On Tuesday I called Select Breeders in Aubrey Texas and was told that due to the ice storm they had not been able to get to the office since Monday but hopefully on

Wednesday that would be possible. I needed frozen semen shipped to Wisconsin. Wednesday morning I got a message from Scott Trahan telling me that High Point Performance Horses had collected Evincible and that even though Fed Ex wasn't picking up, Christi Christensen was planning to drive the semen to Fed Ex in Dallas. I asked if he thought I could work something out and he gave me Christi's number and I messaged her. She called back immediately and told me that they had someone at Select Breeders at that time picking up semen and if mine was ready she would pick it up and Christi would drive it to Fed Ex with hers. Awesome, I thought and when the semen arrived in Memphis, I gave the mare Desorelin to make her ovulate. Little did I realize that the flights weren't getting out of Memphis. So on Friday I watched the Fed Ex site and it said the delivery was to be made by noon----then by the end of day. I sat in my office all day as it required a signature and I was here alone. I was able to get in touch with a very nice person and she told me that it would not get out of Memphis that day but would be delivered Saturday. So, in the middle of Friday night I looked at the Fed Ex site and saw it was in Appleton, Wisconsin and then I noticed "to be delivered Monday by end of day". No way was that going to work so I intended to be at the Appleton Fed Ex office and retrieve it as soon as they opened. I "assumed" that would be 8 AM, but it was 9 AM. I rushed home with the container of frozen semen and checked the mare at 10 o'clock and she still had the follicle. My wonderful veterinarian Dr Katherine Fox drove here and inseminated her just after she ovulated. My trustworthy and loyal help, Bob Luebker had plans to go out to eat with his wife that night but he came back after and we lavaged and infused the mare. Now hopefully this mare will be in foal with 13 year old semen.

January 14, 2022

I always heard what a great horseman George Tyler was. Cindy Buchanan posted this great story about him and I thought I would share it with you.

Cindy writes: 

We can’t let the Fort Worth Stock Show end without mentioning George Tyler... a great horseman and a real character! Mr Tyler was the ring steward for the halter classes at Ft Worth for many years. Back in my youth when I first started showing, George was the highlight of showing a halter horse at Fort Worth - no matter if you won or got the gate his humor and continual movement and grouping of the class was a show in itself!! One of my fondest memories of the Fort Worth Stock Show.

A little bit about this legendary horseman …

**George Tyler, or “Mister George,” as he was affectionately known by Jerry Wells, Larry Sullivant, Frank Merrill and countless others, appreciated fine horse flesh.

Tyler knew horses and was linked to some of the greatest in the industry. Tyler bought the best, made it better and then made a profit. He made his first horse trade, in his hometown of Gainesville, Texas, when he was 13. He made $35. By the time he reached high school age, Tyler was trading horses and roping calves for a living. Soon, he started a bullfighting career, and even clowned alongside the singing cowboy Gene Autry.

Keeping a promise to his mother to give up bullfighting, Tyler discovered the brand-new American Quarter Horse Association and began fitting and showing horses. He fit and showed the King Ranch show string and also exhibited Hank Wiescamp’s Skipper W-bred horses.

“He could tell more about a horse at 100 yards than most can at 10 feet,” said Sullivant. “George could walk around any horse and tell you his good and bad points in about three seconds.”

Because of his keen eye, Tyler became one of AQHA’s most valued judges, and throughout the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s, he officiated shows across the country, where he was variously described as “quick, brilliant,” and, “honest and fair about his evaluations.” He served as ring steward for the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show in Fort Worth, Texas, for more than 25 years. He also judged the first All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio, entirely by himself.

Tyler had the opportunity to own and show some of the best Quarter Horses in the industry. In partnerships with Matlock Rose, G. B. Howell, Lester Goodson, Rex Cauble and B. F. Phillips Jr., Tyler had a hand in showing some 11 AQHA Honor Roll horses. Horses that he is associated with by either owning or exhibiting include Poco Bueno (Tyler showed him at halter), Leo San, Stardust Desire, Peppy Belle, Miss Jim 45, Leo San Siemon, Ricky Jane and Drifting Bar.

Tyler was a shrewd horse trader, but his mentor, Arthur O’Mary, taught him not to pass off nags as quality stock. Throughout his life, Tyler searched for quality, but would just as well quickly turn around and sell it.

“He was the smartest horseman I ever knew,” said Rose, “and the best friend a man could have.”

Tyler died in 1983 and was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1998.

February 3, 2023

Wind chill -20 today and I had to ultrasound a mare in the cold barn. Trying to warm up in the warm office and thinking about our first breeding season, 1973, standing a stallion. The stallion was Impressivist and he made me realize that some horses are photogenic and some are not. He definitely was and our good friends and neighbors, Barbara and Dick Waltenberry were able to capture some awesome pictures of him. We advertised monthly with a full color page in the Quarter Horse Journal and had an awesome Journal artist who designed the ads. The response was overwhelming and we bred 100 mares a year for 2 years. Now, that was before the time of shipped semen so the mares had to come to our place. The first year we were full the first of February and we had portable stalls in both outside shelters as we kept the mares under lights. I remember thinking that we would breed these mares and they will go home before the next group arrives. WRONG---some didn't settle and some -people wanted to leave them here longer. Mares came from all over the country--Washington, Canada, Texas, Virginia, MIchigan to name a few states. Mike and I knew nothing about collecting a stallion but we found Howard Nelson who had worked at ABS, the big bull breeding place in Wisconsin. He drove here from Mauston which is about an hour away every other day. Diane Baier and Joe St Clair were here also, along with Bob Luebker and a few other young guys. Dr Gay from Hortonville was the vet. Bob still reminds me that we would start cleaning stalls in the morning and finish by the end of the day. Every day we would go to McDonalds to eat and I can still remember what each of us had and it was always the same thing. Looking back, it was a lot of work but I sure met some wonderful people and many of them are still friends today.

January 29, 2023

Last evening a good friend and fellow "Villager", Dr Bob Story was inducted into the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame. For those of you who know him, I don't have to tell you what kind of person he is. But, let me concentrate on his association with the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association. A little background: Bob attended Oklahoma State University to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine. OSU approached him to implement a horse production program which had been absent for 14 years. During that time, the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association asked him to serve as advisor for the 1978 Oklahoma Quarter Horse Youth Association and prepare them to compete in the AQHJA World Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bob attended the 1977 show and reported back to the board of directors. A member of the board expressed doubt that they could ever beat the Texas team. Well, that was all Bob needed. He recruited great professionals like Jerry Wells, Dale Livingston, Laureen Mc Kenzie and Neil Gwaltney to coach the participants. At the show he had a large banner and the whole Oklahoma team was required to sit under that banner and cheer for each other. At the end of the competition the Oklahoma team had accumulated enough points to become World Champions. In the fall of 1979, Story had been accepted into Vet School so he planned to coach the team only one year. However, the same board of directors member considered the win a "fluke" so Bob decided to show him and the team won the World Championship again. Last night, many of the team members flew in from all over the country to celebrate Bob's induction. From what I understand they had such a wonderful time reuniting after 45 years of not seeing each other. I will post some pictures that Nancy Wells posted of the event. For those of you who don't know Dr Bob Story, you are missing knowing a wonderful horseman and a fantastic individual who is always there to help and advise. In the future, I will tell you about his life with horses and how he made a Supreme Champion quarter horse.

January 15, 2023

Watching Terry Bradshaw's video the other day got me thinking. When Mike and I got married in 1971, I had quit teaching school and relied on the horses for my income. At that time I had Bar Fly Bailey a AAA AQHA Champion and a few mares. I advertised in the back of the Quarter Horse Journal and was able to sell quite a few of his foals. Mike, meanwhile was in the Wisconsin State Assemble and his salary was only $48,000 a year. We bought our original 15 acres of land and made monthly payments to the bank of $129.86. Luckily the horses were good to us and through selling them we were able to buy more land and build Ellis Quarter Horses. My father helped us by lending us the money to buy first of all, Royal Tailwind and then Impressivist. The picture I posted is of Mike and me the day we brought Impressivist home. Both of these stallions made us money and through selective breeding and being very good at buying stud fees in the stallion service auctions, we were able to raise some high dollar foals and sell them for good money. You ask what is the point of this? Well, thinking back if we didn't have the help of my father we never would have been able to accomplish what we were able to do. Terry and Tammy Bradshaw have given so many small breeders the opportunity to be able to breed to high class stallions at a very reasonable price and I commend them for doing that. Talking to a good friend of mine from Mississippi who booked several mares to their stallions during the $500 new breeders special, he told me that at that price he could afford to breed all of the mares instead of only one and leave the others open. Sometimes I wonder if back then we would have had the money to pay $5000 to breed to Impressive, what my horse business would have been. Kudo's to the Bradshaws for helping so many small breeders get their start in the horse business.

January 8, 2023

Well, tonight is the "big night" for the Green Bay Packers---win over the Detroit Lions and they are in the playoffs--- lose and all is over until next year. A few years ago my good friend and awesome graphic artist, Vicki Livasy sent me these pictures of Fred (Classically) when the Packers were playing the Lions then. I hope poor old Fred doesn't have to come out of retirement to help the Packers get a win today.

January 7, 2023

One of my good friends and a great horse woman passed away yesterday. Joanna Strickland from Yazoo City, Mississippi lost her battle with cancer. Joanna owned Casino Cool, a 1994 NN stallion by Ima Cool Skip out of a daughter of Quincy Feature. I met Joanna through Dudley Pillow and we kept in touch all these years. Joanna would call me her "sister" and we were so much alike in our love of horses. If you recall, Joanna is the one that I bought Bonnie (CJ Miss Cool Tardee) from several years ago. I was happy to hear that my good friend, Monte May ended up with Bonnie's NN daughter by Telasecret.