I am proud to announce that Winchester Performance will be taking part in a showing initiative that will provide many benefits to the community in which we live.
A recent discussion with other Quarter Horse breeders has yielded a general and popular consensus that there are TOO many stallions and not enough geldings. The wrong stallions are being bred to the wrong mares over and over, and it is resulting in sub standard stock that is too greatly deviating from what the purpose and mission of the American Quarter Horse.
In short, the Quarter Horses are slowing down, thinking less, and reacting more. The American Quarter Horse has long been the standard for versatility. They do it all. They can anywhere and do anything at any given time. A horse that has been used to tame the West and capture the hearts of dreamers everywhere is dwindling down to a sorry state of being.
I have been struggling with this issue since Sage passed away. Sage was the last Quarter Horse I bred to fly through the ranks and achieve his National Championship title. The several generations of foals since then, haven't been nearly as good, so it prompted me to reach out to the Quarter Horse community and voice my concerns. What I got was an incredible response from established, newly re-started, and fledgling breeders who had the same concerns. You can get in on that discussion here.
So, getting to the GOOD news, for my part I thought it would be great to start taking a critical look at my own crew and making hard decisions with regards to gelding and spaying. I am largely to blame for the state of the Quarter Horse because a lot of my foals are out there, breeding when in fact, they should have been gelded, then sold.
How do I plan to rectify this? My first step is to geld all of the babies who I KNOW aren't going to be good breeding stock. The next step is to put a really solid foundation of groundwork and greenbreaking on them and move them into a discipline. My final step is to market these horses to people who have just moved to ER and allow them the opportunity to own a really nice gelding or spayed mare in hopes that the young horse will help them earn money towards kick starting their ranch into overdrive.
Sounds great huh? I know this isn't going to be all rainbows and butterflies. I do realize that there is a risk associated with this, to include new players getting bored and leaving, or not knowing how to care for their horses. But as a breeder, I can't spend all of my time worrying about what happens when the horse leaves my ranch. As a breeder and competitor, my focus should always be on breed integrity and performance excellence. If that sounds callous, that is just where I have to be right now in order to believe that I am doing this in the best interest of the breed as a whole.
I am anxious to hear your thoughts!
Breeding and Training the performance horse. Focus on breeding the American Quarter Horse and the Appendix Quarter Horse.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
Just because...
They force me to work to fund my horse lifestyle, doesn't mean that I can't do a few things I want to do while I am on shift. So in that vein, I thought I would share this year's foal watch to the board. Dont you just get excited about babies? I sure do, I start getting itchy as soon as the Futurities are over!
Sage Bar Kelo makes a return to my breeding shed this year. After last year's successful foals hit the ground running, I decided to use this charming stallion once more.
BlackSmoke N Time also returns to sire duty this year, again as the result of his fledgling breeding record that just keeps producing the most promising foals! His very first foal, Back N Time Jackpot has already earned his beginner title and is currently steaming towards his intermediate!
The Iron Price was one of those horses that I could kick myself for selling! But, it's great to have the next best thing, Iron babies!
Gamez On was one of my most favorite Thoroughbred sires and I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. He was an extraordinary horse and will be putting his stamp on some Winchester Appendix Quarter Horses next year. He is greatly missed and I have high hopes that his foals will carry on his legacy for decades to come.
My beloved Burb is also going to be a daddy again this year. He has already given me one National Champion, so I am hoping for a World Champion!
American Quarter Horses
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| GCh Sage Bar Kelo American Quarter Horse Stallion |
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| BlackSmoke N Time American Quarter Horse Stallion |
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| GCh The Iron Price American Quarter Horse Stallion |
Thoroughbreds
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| GCh Gamez On Thoroughbred Stallion |
Appendix Quarter Horses
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| GCh Burpin On The Bay Appendix Quarter Horse Stallion |
In all, I am expecting 12 foals and all are Futurity nominated. I have high hopes that they will stay strong and train up nice and really offer the 216 contenders a run for their money!
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Year 213 has been one to remember!
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening to you (wherever on the planet you may be)! Its so good to see you back and I would be absolutely thrilled if you would like to have a cup of coffee in the office and let me tell you a little bit about what has been going on as of late!
Sheza Badd Tracker "BJ", is the first Appendix filly born here in quite some time. I stopped breeding the Appendix Quarter Horse for a few seasons while I was working on my getting my Kirghiz herd started. But, here she is and a nice looker to boot!
I used my LS mare and bred to my Thoroughbred sire of choice last season and The Edge of Honor "Sentinel" is what I came up with. He is fantastic and I am looking forward to seeing what he is going to be like. He has already developed speed overnight, so maybe I can dare hope to have a race horse on my hands?
Shez Fancy in the Smoke, or Lillith as she is called around here is another great example of exceptional breeding with less than exceptional results. She is stunning, she has an amazing temperament and she learns so fast (strength AND agility after her first month of training and hadn't had turn out yet), but man alive, she is MEAN. She bites, kicks, pushes, bolts, darts, and pulls like her life depends on it!
"Leto" is the first foal out my custom mare, Libberty. He hasn't dissapointed me at all. I am thrilled he isn't grey and I am even more thrilled that he has a good temperament. At this point in the Kirghiz program, I am just looking for marks average and above, but to keep moving in a positive direction, I am always on the lookout for better than average sires and dams. I want this Kirghiz population to mirror my Quarter Horses. This pretty fella is out the LS stallion White Winged Dante. He is heterozygous for champagne and clear of genetic defect. That's a pretty great starting point for me.
MissInvestment, or "Miss" is by a custom performance sire and an exceptional homebred mare. I have seen nothing but fabulous (even if still untested) foals come out of this girl's sire which gives me reason to think he just might be the one horse that throws better foals than himself. He is easily a diamond in the rough and is missed by many who are searching for their "it" stallion to breed to. Don't believe me? Check out his offspring already!
Couldn't you just die looking at him? He was listed for sale but Christee hadn't put out a classified for him (which proved to her I was stalking), so I made my offer. Several game months passed and I hadn't yet heard from her, so I thought I better meander on over and apologize for lurking like Gollum in the shadows at her place. She just grinned and thought I was hilarious and told me she liked it when I stalked her place, she likes the exposure and wants her horses to be seen. Works for me ;). Not only that, but Pride is being held for me until he weans.
Training/ Showing Experiment Update
As a lot of you know, I chose to participate in the Training/Showing Challenge sponsored by Tess over at Mustang Haze. There were two divisions, Novice and Experienced and of course you would know that I would have to go up against some of the biggest competitors on the planet! As if that weren't scary enough, I figured Tess would send her world class Morgan horses, but there was a weanling Yakut filly standing at my door! So, I would be up against some really tough and better experienced trainers with a rare breed horse. I love a challenge, so it was game on!
Nighttime Tsins hasn't taken it easy on me. She has challenged me at every turn and has tested my ability to be a leader to her beyond belief. She was very close to her two year old year before deciding that she finally understood what her ground work was all about. I started her green training at 20 months and wouldn't you know it, she would up with a two year old season ending ligament strain. I was so disappointed to be out of the running because of an injury. I let Tess know what had happened and put One out to pasture to heal.
She slowly got better and once she had most of her health back, I decided I wasn't going to send her home to Tess less than what she was when she came. I worked on her coat and groomed her daily. Gradually her coat improved and her health was ticking into the safety mark to start doing some very light ground work at the lunge. She absolutely soared and I started wondering about re-entering the competition with her. Time was getting short, I literally had 10 months left on her lease and she still had to learn whoa, backing, steering in both directions, and canter.
I decided what the hell and gave it a shot, praying I didn't re-injure her, I climbed into her saddle and off we went. Oh she bucked, she reared, she sidestepped, she bolted, she darted into directions unknown and she tried every trick she had ever learned before her injury. We got canter down pretty comfortably and she got, oh lets just say, "familiar" with the rest of her green training.
She entered the show ring on GM 2559, first thing and was disqualified. By her end of month classes however, she was in there, making a score and earning a mark. On GM 2561, she earned her very first point English Pleasure with a score of 53.68.
First of all, I need to point out that she was never supposed to have made it to the show ring with that injury holding her down for so long, so that she even earned ONE point has made me so proud and so very happy. Not only will I be sending Tess's filly back to her 100% healthy, but I will also be sending a young lady well on her way to earning a beginner title (even if I have 14 points left to go). My lease ends in 5 game months and I have chosen a discipline that is far too popular, but we are in the ring giving it everything we have. I have 9 more shows to enter her in, so we will see how she does.
213 Foaling Season
So last year's breeding season was started VERY late resulting in some very late foals this year. The final foal has finally been born, and I would love to show them off!
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| Sheza Badd Tracker Badd Karma x Tracker With Style Appendix Quarter Horse Filly |
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| The Edge of Honor Badd Karma x LS She Said So Thoroughbred Colt |
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| Shez Fancy in the Smoke BlackSmoke N Time x Sheza Fancy Jackpot American Quarter Horse Filly |
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| White Winged Libberty White Winged Dante x Libberty Kirghiz Colt |
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| MissInvestment Chromed Out Six Shooter x Investment in Perception American Quarter Horse Filly |
Miss is the final foal that I will be keeping from my crop. There are three foals left that have been pastured on spf, listed for sale. They are still sucklings but will be sold when they wean.
Guilty Pleasures
Ok, I have a secret to admit. While I have been fortunate enough to establish many lasting friendships and working partnerships with a lot of people, there is a single place that I visit so often, I am often on the verge of stalkerdom. Poor Christee over at Three Chimneys breeds the MOST beautiful Thoroughbred horses I have EVER seen, so she is seeing me far too often as I lurk and spy on her herds. Well, of course I would have done that again this foaling season and look what I found:
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| Pride Before the Fall Lay Down My Pride x My Beautiful Strike Thoroughbred Colt |
";) He looks like he may be a seedy fella as he showed speed after just grooming and pasture turnout. I will be excited to see how he does for you as his Sire is my best performer." Christee
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Whats Happening?
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| Back N Time Jackpot American Quarter Horse Colt Blacksmoke N Time x Invest In A Jackpot |
Breeding News
After taking the season before last off from breeding, Winchester Performance is beyond ready to see some new babies on the ground!
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| Smart Slidin Sage American Quarter Horse Colt Hott Sage N Silver x Really Reyning Big |
For now, that's all the moving and shaking going on, but I will be in touch when the foaling season gets into full swing and new babies start hitting the ground!
Thursday, August 15, 2013
A Sad Day for Winchester Performance
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| Hott Sage N Silver American Quarter Horse Stallion 188-205 |
Naturally, we all grieve when the greats leave us.
Somehow, knowing they lived full lives, that they were happy and healthy
to their last breath at a very old age makes us cope with that hurt a little
bit better. Sage lived a wonderful life, but would not live to be an old
man. I have struggled all day with how to memorialize him properly
because he is utterly deserving of respect and rememberance.
Sage was born on a
chilly winter morning in 205 to a futurity winning daughter of Lotto Jackpot.
His sire was Summer Sage. While not a highly
titled champion himself, Summer Sage really knew how to throw down the gauntlet
as a sire. His lines are the ones I seek the most next to Lotto Jackpot.
Sage began his life
on my ranch much like every other foal, but it didn't take long for me to
realize, my Sage was special. There was something about this inquisitive
little colt that I could not and adamantly refused to part with.
As a weanling, Sage
took to following me around the barn like a puppy. His little nose was
never far from my pocket and for the longest time, he was my little shadow.
He was naturally curious and eager to learn. Looking back on those
days, I am sure he was afraid of nothing and found a challenge in everything.
I took on Sage's
training myself. I started him on the ground and under saddle and
prepared him for his Reining Futurity. His 70.4 score in Reining earned
him the $50,000.00 paycheck and the coveted High Point Earner. His
show career took off after that. Out of 220 events, Sage was the High
Point Winner in 112 of them, earning him a whopping $5,653,982.00 in winnings and had an incredible
88 points in the National Divison before I retired him. In his show
career, Sage defeated 1,022 horses. He had an incredible run.
I just recently retired Sage and put him into the Stallion barn to begin marketing him as a sire for the future of the American Quarter Horse. He was stabled next to his long time show buddy, Burb who was with Sage as he began to climb the ranks in titles. This might be the saddest part of all. I knew that as much as these two stallions picked on eachother and gave eachother grief, they did it as two siblings might. Where there was one, there was the other. I know Burb knows that Sage is gone and there is nothing I can do to make him feel better.
Burb and I walked to Sage's resting place this evening and stood there silently as the sun went down on Winchester Performance horses. I watched that hillside remembering that tiny red colt running and whinnying, snorting and blowing, and pulling on tails. He was so full of life and promise, that I just cannot bring myself to believe he is gone.
Winchester will mourn Sage for years to come.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Plenty of business to catch up on!
Apologies to everyone! I have had a very busy week to include competing in my very first NRHA event. I haven't spent much time around Winchester Performance lately, so when I came through the doors this afternoon, my staff was talking a mile a minute to get me caught up on the comings and goings.
I had a much smaller breeding season than I am accustomed to. However, the foals I have decided to keep are really outstanding and I look forward to seeing how they will shape up.
Fancy Little Bella is a super sweet apricot dun filly out of the fantastic custom lined Jonn Snow and a brand new mare I just picked up Fancy Little Pepper.
Some VERY strange genetics have been floating around Winchester Performance lately! Classic Sagebrush Style is NO exception. I work very hard to keep my Quarter Horse lines free from patterns, but here is this lovely girl with one of my favorite lines (Classic Sagebrush) that are so hard to find! Because of that, I will keep her for now, she may find use in my Appendix breeding program depending on how she shapes up.
Country With Her Rock N Roll is an Appendix Quarter Horse filly out of Gunz N Rosez and Gonna Be Up All Night. Here again, I am keeping her because her sire is getting ready to be in short demand and he always throws such nice babies!
Sharp Shootin Whiz is a spectacular addition to Winchester Performance. He embodies all of the strengths I would like to see improved in my herd to include, strength, speed, movement, and conformation!
Heza Smokin Gun got his name as a tribute to the late great Colonel's Smoking Gun, simply known as "Gunner" in the Reining community. Albeit my colt's name is not original, he is a reminder to never forget legacys that are left behind. Gunner passed away from complications with laminitis and took with him the hearts of trainers, breeders, and showmen alike. He is sorely missed.
First up, this year's foal crop.
I had a much smaller breeding season than I am accustomed to. However, the foals I have decided to keep are really outstanding and I look forward to seeing how they will shape up.
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| Fancy Little Bella |
Fancy Little Bella is a super sweet apricot dun filly out of the fantastic custom lined Jonn Snow and a brand new mare I just picked up Fancy Little Pepper.
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| Classic Sagebrush Style |
Some VERY strange genetics have been floating around Winchester Performance lately! Classic Sagebrush Style is NO exception. I work very hard to keep my Quarter Horse lines free from patterns, but here is this lovely girl with one of my favorite lines (Classic Sagebrush) that are so hard to find! Because of that, I will keep her for now, she may find use in my Appendix breeding program depending on how she shapes up.
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| Country With Her Rock N Roll |
Country With Her Rock N Roll is an Appendix Quarter Horse filly out of Gunz N Rosez and Gonna Be Up All Night. Here again, I am keeping her because her sire is getting ready to be in short demand and he always throws such nice babies!
Custom Import News
Now that the new babies have been introduced, I do need to introduce two brand new Import babies. They come to Winchester Performance courtesy of Magik Dream Acres.
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| Sharp Shootin Whiz |
Sharp Shootin Whiz is a spectacular addition to Winchester Performance. He embodies all of the strengths I would like to see improved in my herd to include, strength, speed, movement, and conformation!
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| Heza Smokin Gun |
Heza Smokin Gun got his name as a tribute to the late great Colonel's Smoking Gun, simply known as "Gunner" in the Reining community. Albeit my colt's name is not original, he is a reminder to never forget legacys that are left behind. Gunner passed away from complications with laminitis and took with him the hearts of trainers, breeders, and showmen alike. He is sorely missed.
On the Lighter Side
Nakota kicks up his heels and lets loose! Thank you Ana for the WONDERFUL rendition of my blue eyed Thoroughbred stallion!
All other images property of Snow Wolfe Games.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Hott Sage N Silver Retires from the show ring
188 American Quarter Horse Stallion
Sage has officially been retired from the show ring and moved into the breeding barn full time. Sage has accrued more than $5,000,000.00 in winnings since he began his show career as a three year old at his futurity. Sage was the Western Futurity High Point Winner in Reining and Trail. He went on to win his Beginner title in Western before switching to English and ending up with his National title.
Sage will remain with Winchester Performance for the rest of his life. He has been an invaluable asset both in the ring and in the breeding shed, not to mention, he is my rock and my friend.
~Portrait by Eireann.~
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Year 204 Breedings
Its been a long winter this year at Winchester Performance. Impatiently waiting for the birth of new babies makes for a virtual stop of the clock! But Spring has just rolled in beautifully. I have been equally blessed with the warm sun and lots of pretty new foals to look forward to.
That in mind, my breeding took a turn this year. In light of all my recent goals, I used careful thought for this year's breeding. No more than two mares were bred to the same stallion and I have used quite a few new boys for the first time. It scares me a little bit to think these handsome horses have not been tested and proven, but as I am starting over and readjusting what I am thinking about when I am choosing pairs, I realize that this too is all part of the growing pains.
The first new stallion I used is BranNew Double Brrel. He has his Intermediate title in English and goes back to National Champ High Ball Shooter ROM (another one of my favorites). I have bred him to Bold Mover and LS Color Coded. The foal out of Code will be a brand new set of lines, top and bottom, so fingers crossed for a filly as I am about overrun with my precious stallions!
The next stallion I used is Xclusive. I wont lie, I used this horse purely to add a kick of color to my herd. I did breed him, but I was able to cross him on mares that weren't related. I am still dreaming of that amber stud colt that shows like Sage, is built like Blue, and wins everything in sight. Hey, we can all dream. Xclusive was bred to Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and Rare Form. These are probably the foals I am most excited about for next season.
Gonna Be Up All Night is my favorite guilty pleasure. Once upon a time, this horse was built just sensational. If I EVER regretted selling any horse, it's this one. I miss him desperately and my heart breaks for him to see him like this. But at any rate, he is an incredibly strong stallion and he sure makes some beautiful babies. I like to use him on untested mares because I know he will throw a foal with some potential. He was bred to Gunz And Rosez and Rainy Day Serenade (a custom I was happy to grab up in the open market, LOOK at her intelligence already!).
I was fortunate to grab up two brand new girls that don't trace back to my lines at all. I have no clue what they are like when they are in shape, so I used the wonderful Jonn Snow to give the babies a strong start for now.
~Ps~
Lil Lone Star Jake is a total mind reader. He is showing most of his fitness ratings now, but guess what his first two were? Intelligence AND speed. ;) Thinking a problem has just been put on the road to a solution!
That in mind, my breeding took a turn this year. In light of all my recent goals, I used careful thought for this year's breeding. No more than two mares were bred to the same stallion and I have used quite a few new boys for the first time. It scares me a little bit to think these handsome horses have not been tested and proven, but as I am starting over and readjusting what I am thinking about when I am choosing pairs, I realize that this too is all part of the growing pains.
The first new stallion I used is BranNew Double Brrel. He has his Intermediate title in English and goes back to National Champ High Ball Shooter ROM (another one of my favorites). I have bred him to Bold Mover and LS Color Coded. The foal out of Code will be a brand new set of lines, top and bottom, so fingers crossed for a filly as I am about overrun with my precious stallions!
The next stallion I used was Justifyed, a local stock horse that I purchased and got fit. I did sell him after collecting from him because I just dont have a need to have that many stallions standing around doing nothing. The lovely Delphinia has him now and she is working him towards Harness Racing on the fun circuit. Good luck to her!
I bred Justifyed to Saturdays Investment whose COI is through the roof, but I just cant bring myself to cull her from the herd. I have loved her since she was born and my sentimentality will not relent and allow me to be reasonable about her! I also bred Whole Lotto Winter to him. This will be her first foal.
The next stallion I used is Xclusive. I wont lie, I used this horse purely to add a kick of color to my herd. I did breed him, but I was able to cross him on mares that weren't related. I am still dreaming of that amber stud colt that shows like Sage, is built like Blue, and wins everything in sight. Hey, we can all dream. Xclusive was bred to Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and Rare Form. These are probably the foals I am most excited about for next season.
Gonna Be Up All Night is my favorite guilty pleasure. Once upon a time, this horse was built just sensational. If I EVER regretted selling any horse, it's this one. I miss him desperately and my heart breaks for him to see him like this. But at any rate, he is an incredibly strong stallion and he sure makes some beautiful babies. I like to use him on untested mares because I know he will throw a foal with some potential. He was bred to Gunz And Rosez and Rainy Day Serenade (a custom I was happy to grab up in the open market, LOOK at her intelligence already!).
I was fortunate to grab up two brand new girls that don't trace back to my lines at all. I have no clue what they are like when they are in shape, so I used the wonderful Jonn Snow to give the babies a strong start for now.
 |
And finally, Blue Eyed Wonder also makes the list with a single breeding to True Instinct. I do limit this stallion's exposure to my herd because he really throws fantastic babies and I will not part with him. So, to keep him fresh and viable, I usually skip a season with him and limit the mares he breeds. |
~Ps~
Lil Lone Star Jake is a total mind reader. He is showing most of his fitness ratings now, but guess what his first two were? Intelligence AND speed. ;) Thinking a problem has just been put on the road to a solution!
Pictures Property of Snow Wolfe Games
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Performance Horse Explosion!
The foaling season is in full swing and in a season I needed it to produce more lack luster horses (so my job of culling would be easier) you would have to know, some of the prettiest babies I have ever seen are running around my barn and making me groan.
Not all of them have made it hard on me, so I am just going to talk about my "keepers" at this point.
The first baby to make the "keeper" list is Velvet. She is by Extremely Good II and Velveeta. Her COI takes a significant drop down to 2.6%. Although her sire has a lot of my lines him, he also brings brand new names to Velvet's pedigree. I think she is a great start to my goals here.
The next filly is Dyla and she is out of the late Mr. Banned and Supernatural Asphixiation. When she weans, her dam will be for sale, but Dyla looks like a great addition to my Appendix lines, bringing the cream and sabino 2 genes, as well as her fantastic temperament. Her COI is an awesome 0.23%.
GR has to be one of the neatest colts I have ever seen. I fell in love with his mahogany bay coat, but then learned he is in fact, grey. He is out of NCh Bold Movin on the Bay and Gunz N Rosez. I am going to keep him for a bit to see how he develops. I am not being as critical of my Appendix Horses as I am the Quarter Horses, so we will see.
When I do make a decision GR's future at Winchester, it will be by comparison to his half brother Sho Stopper.
My next filly is yet another Appendix, Bravery. She is also out of NCh Bold Movin On the Bay. I am starting to see how restricting my stallions to a specific number of outside and home mares would work more positively in my favor. I have a lot of great potential show horses here, but generation by generation, I am tying them together, just as I have done with my Quarter Horse herd. At any rate, this beautiful filly will hang out with me for a while why I try to decide, filly or colts?
Tiberious is an American Quarter Horse colt and he brings a lower COI and new blood to my herd. Both his sire and dam have my lines in them, but they also have two seperate lines that have not been used in my program before.
I will update with another entry when the rest of the babies are born. I think I am doing a good job of being objective and trying really hard to not let the "shiney" as Bactris puts it, get to me. I have already sold several mares and foals, and have listed several colts, stallions, and show horses. I will be listing more as these foals are born and I can make preliminary decisions on their purpose with Winchester Performance.
EDIT To add Foals!
I am not sure what this little girl is just yet, but Sketches sure is adorable! She is Appendix bred and out of Sage, but wow this baby is beautiful! She has low COI and I do plan on keeping her :)
Mystery is one of the newest colts born. He got his name because he got the cream gene from somewhere making him a smoky black. The latter part of this season has got my mind boggled trying to figure out where these dilutions are coming from! :)
Flare will be the one foal I keep based on her color alone. I absolutely LOVE her pangare and hope to make lots of apricot dun babies with her!
Pictures Property of Snow Wolfe Games
Not all of them have made it hard on me, so I am just going to talk about my "keepers" at this point.
The first baby to make the "keeper" list is Velvet. She is by Extremely Good II and Velveeta. Her COI takes a significant drop down to 2.6%. Although her sire has a lot of my lines him, he also brings brand new names to Velvet's pedigree. I think she is a great start to my goals here.
The next filly is Dyla and she is out of the late Mr. Banned and Supernatural Asphixiation. When she weans, her dam will be for sale, but Dyla looks like a great addition to my Appendix lines, bringing the cream and sabino 2 genes, as well as her fantastic temperament. Her COI is an awesome 0.23%.
GR has to be one of the neatest colts I have ever seen. I fell in love with his mahogany bay coat, but then learned he is in fact, grey. He is out of NCh Bold Movin on the Bay and Gunz N Rosez. I am going to keep him for a bit to see how he develops. I am not being as critical of my Appendix Horses as I am the Quarter Horses, so we will see.
When I do make a decision GR's future at Winchester, it will be by comparison to his half brother Sho Stopper.
My next filly is yet another Appendix, Bravery. She is also out of NCh Bold Movin On the Bay. I am starting to see how restricting my stallions to a specific number of outside and home mares would work more positively in my favor. I have a lot of great potential show horses here, but generation by generation, I am tying them together, just as I have done with my Quarter Horse herd. At any rate, this beautiful filly will hang out with me for a while why I try to decide, filly or colts?
Tiberious is an American Quarter Horse colt and he brings a lower COI and new blood to my herd. Both his sire and dam have my lines in them, but they also have two seperate lines that have not been used in my program before.
I will update with another entry when the rest of the babies are born. I think I am doing a good job of being objective and trying really hard to not let the "shiney" as Bactris puts it, get to me. I have already sold several mares and foals, and have listed several colts, stallions, and show horses. I will be listing more as these foals are born and I can make preliminary decisions on their purpose with Winchester Performance.
EDIT To add Foals!
I am not sure what this little girl is just yet, but Sketches sure is adorable! She is Appendix bred and out of Sage, but wow this baby is beautiful! She has low COI and I do plan on keeping her :)
Mystery is one of the newest colts born. He got his name because he got the cream gene from somewhere making him a smoky black. The latter part of this season has got my mind boggled trying to figure out where these dilutions are coming from! :)
Flare will be the one foal I keep based on her color alone. I absolutely LOVE her pangare and hope to make lots of apricot dun babies with her!
Pictures Property of Snow Wolfe Games
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Beginnings of Change
I was going to wait until after foaling season, but patience was never one of my virtues. I have been thinking about and discussing changes coming to Winchester Performance and I have begun the process of culling my herd. So far, I have sorted 14 horses for future sale and I am going through my stallion barn to see who is next. In the mean time, I have given some thought to the shape I want WP to take in the future. With that in mind, I contacted ER Imports and told them what I was looking for.
They sent me 4 colts and 1 filly. That's a lot of colts to the one filly, but fresh blood is fresh blood, boy or girl.
The first new colt (and my favorite) is Chromed Out Six Shooter. He is agreeable and clear of genetic disorder but that is about all I can tell you about him at this point. In theory, he should add to the intelligence, conformation, and temperament of my herd. I am excited to see how he will develop as he grows.
The second colt (and the prettiest imho) has been named Showdown Matt Dillon. I am sticking with a Western theme with these boys to pay homage to their home here in San Antonio. Here again, if I am doing this correctly, I am assuming this young man will be built strong towards helping me breed and train the perfect reining horse.
The third colt is (and I love this name ;)) Texas Lies N Alibis. Alibi shows the most promise to add speed and intelligence back into my lines. He also has an agreeable temperament and is clear of genetic defects.
And the final colt in the new lineup is Lil Lone Star Jake. His pedigree hints at strong conformation and temperament, stamina and surefoot.
And finally, the single filly with a bunch of big brothers to hide from, Miss Kitty's Faith. She too has strong potential to help WP put speed and intelligence back into ER's American Quarter Horses.
I am really excited about how things are starting to shape up. I haven't done the hard part yet, which is getting everyone ready to list for sale and then the following interviews with potential new owners. But, this is what I love and continue to do because of that love.
They sent me 4 colts and 1 filly. That's a lot of colts to the one filly, but fresh blood is fresh blood, boy or girl.
The first new colt (and my favorite) is Chromed Out Six Shooter. He is agreeable and clear of genetic disorder but that is about all I can tell you about him at this point. In theory, he should add to the intelligence, conformation, and temperament of my herd. I am excited to see how he will develop as he grows.
The second colt (and the prettiest imho) has been named Showdown Matt Dillon. I am sticking with a Western theme with these boys to pay homage to their home here in San Antonio. Here again, if I am doing this correctly, I am assuming this young man will be built strong towards helping me breed and train the perfect reining horse.
The third colt is (and I love this name ;)) Texas Lies N Alibis. Alibi shows the most promise to add speed and intelligence back into my lines. He also has an agreeable temperament and is clear of genetic defects.
And the final colt in the new lineup is Lil Lone Star Jake. His pedigree hints at strong conformation and temperament, stamina and surefoot.
And finally, the single filly with a bunch of big brothers to hide from, Miss Kitty's Faith. She too has strong potential to help WP put speed and intelligence back into ER's American Quarter Horses.
I am really excited about how things are starting to shape up. I haven't done the hard part yet, which is getting everyone ready to list for sale and then the following interviews with potential new owners. But, this is what I love and continue to do because of that love.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
The thing about change....
It's unavoidable and neccesary, and for me it's downright SCARY! I have spent several generations shaping and forming my Quarter Horse lines into what I wanted. On the upside, I now have a herd of incredible horses with talent, but on the downside I am watching the COI slowly creep through the roof. I am always searching for fresh blood and new lines that wont reduce what I have worked so hard to build, but alas, this is beginning to affect my herd in ways I don't want. For example, I am seeing a universal trait across the board with reductions in speed and now intelligence.
The problem comes in with trying to decide who stays and who goes. Each and every one of my broodmares have something to offer my program that I am either in need of or hoarding. Precious blood lines such as Reyn, Silver Duet, Lotto Jackpot, and My Own Mudpit are hard to find, but run plentiful through my herd. My problem is that I know other breeders will benefit from the use of some of my mares with their existing lines and by hoarding these horses I am playing a part that isn't beneficial to the future of the American Quarter Horse on ER.
So now that I have established two solid reasons for culling down my herd, the really tough part is deciding who goes and who stays. I am waiting to make any big decisions until the foaling season. Once the culling has been done, I will be in a position to rebuild. That also leaves two very important decisions to make. Do I incorporate the use of local stock (as that is exactly what I did when I started breeding) or do I invest in Performance Customs? I am iffy on Local Stock as each one brings tremendous strengths and tremendous weaknesses. I have worked incredibly hard to eliminate weakness and have created it, so using Local Stock does put me in a position to incorporate new lines and add exciting genetic possibilities to my future generations, but am I brave enough to try it again? The other possibility of using Performance Customs I find much more appealing, however, like the Local Stock, it can be a bit of a gamble.
I am at a cross roads in this decision and it's a choice that will not be made lightly. I am very fond of each of my horses and I know that despite what the foaling season brings, I will lose sleep trying to make the right choices for what is best for my herd and my future.
The problem comes in with trying to decide who stays and who goes. Each and every one of my broodmares have something to offer my program that I am either in need of or hoarding. Precious blood lines such as Reyn, Silver Duet, Lotto Jackpot, and My Own Mudpit are hard to find, but run plentiful through my herd. My problem is that I know other breeders will benefit from the use of some of my mares with their existing lines and by hoarding these horses I am playing a part that isn't beneficial to the future of the American Quarter Horse on ER.
So now that I have established two solid reasons for culling down my herd, the really tough part is deciding who goes and who stays. I am waiting to make any big decisions until the foaling season. Once the culling has been done, I will be in a position to rebuild. That also leaves two very important decisions to make. Do I incorporate the use of local stock (as that is exactly what I did when I started breeding) or do I invest in Performance Customs? I am iffy on Local Stock as each one brings tremendous strengths and tremendous weaknesses. I have worked incredibly hard to eliminate weakness and have created it, so using Local Stock does put me in a position to incorporate new lines and add exciting genetic possibilities to my future generations, but am I brave enough to try it again? The other possibility of using Performance Customs I find much more appealing, however, like the Local Stock, it can be a bit of a gamble.
I am at a cross roads in this decision and it's a choice that will not be made lightly. I am very fond of each of my horses and I know that despite what the foaling season brings, I will lose sleep trying to make the right choices for what is best for my herd and my future.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Winchester Performance Welcomes Home a Brand New National Champion!
When Blue loaded was loaded up onto the trailer this morning, I had a sneaking tiny suspicion that I would be welcoming home a National Champion instead of the phenomenal Grand Champion. My intuition proved to be correct this evening when Blue's rig arrived home. This makes Winchester's second homebred National Champion.
Blue had a very rough start. In fact, it was so bad, that he never should have survived to see his first birthday. A heavy handed trainer was too hard on Blue when he was just a suckling and disabled him during his first week of training. Blue wasn't the only one. Several of his brothers, sisters, and friends were also killed or badly injured during the ordeal. I made a tough decision. Blue was in a lot of pain and my vet refused to put him down. I couldn't just watch him suffer as his quality of life diminished, so I did the only thing I could think of, despite how sick to my stomach it made me. I sold him to the kill buyer and prayed that his time left on this earth would be short and he would run greener pastures in Rainbow Ridge.
After I sold Blue, I got home and prayed and prayed for him and all the others like him. My neighbors also took significant losses with this group of trainers and we were all reeling from our shared sadness. The next day as I was going over what was left of my stock, that kill buyer and his rig rolled up on my property and I walked out to him to give him a piece of my mind for making the "rounds" at my house. I was already feeling HORRIBLE about Blue, no need to rub it in! He raised both his hands and defense and said, "now hold on a minute ma'am." He opened up the back of that rusted trailer and out jumped my little Blue....SOUND as a whistle. His bright blue eyes were shining and locked on me as he dragged that butcher back to me. I started to cry when that buyer said I was a lucky girl and my colt was a lucky boy. Said he saw him running this morning and he just couldn't slaughter him. I hugged that little colt and thanked my lucky stars that he was healed.
I personally began his training the next day. He is the one horse that I refused to let a trainer get near until he was a stallion. I did so because by then, he was a big boy that wouldn't be pushed around by heavy handed trainers.
And the rest they say is history. Blue took off in the show ring, and has never looked back upon those dreadful days.
Blue had a very rough start. In fact, it was so bad, that he never should have survived to see his first birthday. A heavy handed trainer was too hard on Blue when he was just a suckling and disabled him during his first week of training. Blue wasn't the only one. Several of his brothers, sisters, and friends were also killed or badly injured during the ordeal. I made a tough decision. Blue was in a lot of pain and my vet refused to put him down. I couldn't just watch him suffer as his quality of life diminished, so I did the only thing I could think of, despite how sick to my stomach it made me. I sold him to the kill buyer and prayed that his time left on this earth would be short and he would run greener pastures in Rainbow Ridge.
After I sold Blue, I got home and prayed and prayed for him and all the others like him. My neighbors also took significant losses with this group of trainers and we were all reeling from our shared sadness. The next day as I was going over what was left of my stock, that kill buyer and his rig rolled up on my property and I walked out to him to give him a piece of my mind for making the "rounds" at my house. I was already feeling HORRIBLE about Blue, no need to rub it in! He raised both his hands and defense and said, "now hold on a minute ma'am." He opened up the back of that rusted trailer and out jumped my little Blue....SOUND as a whistle. His bright blue eyes were shining and locked on me as he dragged that butcher back to me. I started to cry when that buyer said I was a lucky girl and my colt was a lucky boy. Said he saw him running this morning and he just couldn't slaughter him. I hugged that little colt and thanked my lucky stars that he was healed.
I personally began his training the next day. He is the one horse that I refused to let a trainer get near until he was a stallion. I did so because by then, he was a big boy that wouldn't be pushed around by heavy handed trainers.
And the rest they say is history. Blue took off in the show ring, and has never looked back upon those dreadful days.
Picture property of Snow Wolfe Games
Sunday, July 21, 2013
New Addition to the Show String
It's no secret that Western World Champion Lotto Jackpot is missed terribly beyond words by anyone who knew him, so I when I spoke with his owner, Eireann about purchasing any semen she might be willing to part with after he passed away, I was completely stoked when she answered me....
Initially, there were 4 straws listed in the semen sales for $100,000. I didn't bat an eye when making that purchase. Only one of my mares caught and from her, I got a gorgeous filly. What I wanted was another LJ stud colt, but Invest In A Jackpot looked incredibly promising. I don't usually add mares to the show string because I would rather use them for breeding, but I just cant stand the idea of not letting my little LJ get out there and try to earn titles befitting a daughter of Jack. She will begin her show career in the morning, so fingers crossed that she is does more than just look like her daddy!
Getting back to my original point, Eireann did answer my request for additional semen. She had only 2 straws left and was willing to part with them. I started sweating bullets trying to imagine who on my ranch would take the first time. These last two straws were golden and my one last chance at a colt. I ended up breeding to a lovely filly who was just coming of age, and she took!! 11 months later, I was the proud owner of a brand new filly. Yep, another filly. So, I have another mare to add to the show string in a few months. I just refuse to let these LJ babies go unnoticed! Lotto Supernatural Blues is Jack's final foal as far as I know.
But, not to worry, Eireann, has a simply gorgeous stud colt that I plan to visit VERY soon. Hey Big Spender is absolutely the kind of horse that I am known for breeding to and I can't wait to add him to my herd!
Initially, there were 4 straws listed in the semen sales for $100,000. I didn't bat an eye when making that purchase. Only one of my mares caught and from her, I got a gorgeous filly. What I wanted was another LJ stud colt, but Invest In A Jackpot looked incredibly promising. I don't usually add mares to the show string because I would rather use them for breeding, but I just cant stand the idea of not letting my little LJ get out there and try to earn titles befitting a daughter of Jack. She will begin her show career in the morning, so fingers crossed that she is does more than just look like her daddy!
Getting back to my original point, Eireann did answer my request for additional semen. She had only 2 straws left and was willing to part with them. I started sweating bullets trying to imagine who on my ranch would take the first time. These last two straws were golden and my one last chance at a colt. I ended up breeding to a lovely filly who was just coming of age, and she took!! 11 months later, I was the proud owner of a brand new filly. Yep, another filly. So, I have another mare to add to the show string in a few months. I just refuse to let these LJ babies go unnoticed! Lotto Supernatural Blues is Jack's final foal as far as I know.
But, not to worry, Eireann, has a simply gorgeous stud colt that I plan to visit VERY soon. Hey Big Spender is absolutely the kind of horse that I am known for breeding to and I can't wait to add him to my herd!
Pictures property of Snow Wolfe Games.
Friday, July 19, 2013
A little something worth sharing.
I am so glad to finally have some new babies ready to begin their show careers. One colt began his show career yesterday and he did fantastic. Heza Reyn N Jackpot "Graham" was entered into the stallion division and was shown in Western Halter, Pleasure, and Trail. He wowed the judges in his Halter class, earning him a score of 79.9. He ended up taking the blue out of the class of six entries. He placed second in his Pleasure class, following Stormy's Hott Shot Sage, and third in his Trail class. His score sheet can be found here.
To finish the day, he did snag his first point towards his Beginner title. As this was only his first show, I am extremely proud of him and can't wait to see how is going to grow and improve.
To finish the day, he did snag his first point towards his Beginner title. As this was only his first show, I am extremely proud of him and can't wait to see how is going to grow and improve.
~Picture is property of Snow Wolfe Games.~
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Year 203 Breedings
Year 203 Breeding Report
I may have gone way too far overboard. I have an incredible 20 mares in foal! I have no idea what I am going to do with all those babies. As long as I have been breeding these horses, you would think I would know better.
Sires used this year were:
His Allure I just purchased this stallion from Color Blind Farms and my sole reason for doing so was because he is a direct son of the now deceased Iyudaliha stallion, Non Timebo Mala. As time progresses, these lines will become harder to find, so I bit the bullet and bought the beautiful horse. I am excited about his future foals. I am expecting three from him next year.
The second sire I used this year is Bold Movin On The Bay. He is an English Grand Champion and a direct son of English Grand Champion Burpin On The Bay. Currently Blue has 64 points towards his national championship and has made a habit of throwing strong foals that carry his and Burb's incredible line. He packs a punch with Betty Boopie ROMX and National Champion Laers Black Bourbon.
Gonna Be Up All Night. Never in my lifetime have I met a sire so strong. I have never seen a less than stellar foal come out of this horse.
And finally, the last stallion to be used this year is Sarpedon II. He is relatively untested at my ranch, but I am encouraged by his personal fitness and his pedigree. He is son to World Champion Sarpedon and grandson to National Champion FrontPage. On his Quarter Horse side, he is a grandson to World Champion Sheza Hott Commodity.
I may have gone way too far overboard. I have an incredible 20 mares in foal! I have no idea what I am going to do with all those babies. As long as I have been breeding these horses, you would think I would know better.
Sires used this year were:
The second sire I used this year is Bold Movin On The Bay. He is an English Grand Champion and a direct son of English Grand Champion Burpin On The Bay. Currently Blue has 64 points towards his national championship and has made a habit of throwing strong foals that carry his and Burb's incredible line. He packs a punch with Betty Boopie ROMX and National Champion Laers Black Bourbon.
The next sire to leave his mark on my herd is Extremely Good II. This is this stallion's first time at Winchester Performance. He is a Futurity Winner and has his Advanced title. Nothing in his pedigree has surpassed him, but as strong as he is, I believe him to be a viable producer of competitors.
You would have to know that a breeding season doesn't pass at my place, without Hott Sage N Silver. He is my homebred English National Champion who is currently progressing towards a World title. Fingers crossed he makes it, but in the mean time, he allows me the chance to pass down the wonderful genetics of the Grand Champion Classic Sagebrush lines.
And how about this wonderful horse, Blue Eyed Wonder? He is being used for my Appendix lines. I purchased him as a suckling from Three Chimneys Farms and I have never looked back. I have never considered selling him despite his affected status. He too has proven himself to be a strong daddy, and I hope to be working one of his babies under saddle soon. He brings with him Grand Champ Playyboy, World Champ Spark of Confidence, and World Champ Banned! Not to mention, he is incredibly good looking.
Sadly, this next stallion has passed away, like so many greats before him. Mr. Banned will only be used this season as a sire. He himself is a National Champion and his pedigree includes World Champion Banned.
Black Tie Kustom is another of my homebred stallions that represents so much to me as a sire and friend. I sold him several years ago, and he too has passed on. He goes back to my all time favorite, Grand Champion My Own Mudpit, My Kinda Party II, and Iyudaliha lines. He brings classic and rock solid strength to my program.
And finally, the last stallion to be used this year is Sarpedon II. He is relatively untested at my ranch, but I am encouraged by his personal fitness and his pedigree. He is son to World Champion Sarpedon and grandson to National Champion FrontPage. On his Quarter Horse side, he is a grandson to World Champion Sheza Hott Commodity.
All pictures belong to Snow Wolf Games
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