11 Sept. 2009  ~ Volume 1 ~ Number 1
Our Inaugural Newsletter has Arrived!

Never forgetting how we got to where we are...thankful for each blessing!

Five years ago this month, we brought home a gorgeous stud colt, and we began to immediately prep him for a ApHC halter class .  Mind you, I never had shown in halter before in my life, had no experience working with a stallion, let alone a foal being weaned from his dam upon arrival to our home.  I spent that first night with Tuff, having a childhood dream come true!  Little did I know, the dreams I had would continue to grow, and our young colt would turn them into reality. 

Well, here we are now!  This newsletter has come to fruition out of the request by others like yourself who have expressed interest in either our stallion and/or his foals.  2009 has been an exciting year for us, with big plans yet before 2010 hits Rippling Rock.  We sold Tuff's first foal, RRR Spectacular to a wonderful teenage girl named Cheyenne.  She has hopes of taking "Tac" to numerous 4-H shows next show season.  Some of her comments about "Tac" (who by the way is still a stallion) include...CHEYENNE IS STILL "SCARING" HIM WITH WHATEVER SHE CAN COME UP WITH - NO LUCK YET!  HE IS JUST TOO CURIOUS TO CARE!!   THE LATEST THING WAS MYLAR BALLOONS....ONCE HE GETS SOMETHING.....HE GETS IT. 

The following comments are also posted off our Guestbook, but I am so proud of Tac that I added them here, too.  The Myers family said, "if you want an awesome bred appaloosa, look here. Tac has such an even temperment and very willing to work. what a build too - muscles everywhere. He was a year in april and we have him loping both leads in the round pen, loads on the trailer and fears nothing (tarps, bags of soda cans, dogs, water, you name it) well worth a look when the new babies arrive."

As Tuff's first foal is doing so well as a yearling, we are excited about a full sibling coming in early June 2010.  We believe Tuff has successfully bred two of our mares, which was exactly our plan.  Just Send Roses, aka "Rosie" is our senior mare.  What a wonderful broodmare and riding mare she is for our young children.  Her personality is one that is acutely aware of her rider and handler; being safe is her first priority.  Her foal will be a full sibling to RRR Spectacular.  If you are looking a leggy, well-muscled foal with a great disposition, I think her 2010 baby will not disappoint you.  Our second mare is a maiden mare.  SMM Shock N Awe, aka "Fancy" comes to us from Still Seeing Spots ranch, now located in South Dakota.  Her sire, Straws Mighty Magnum is currently listed on the ApHC's 2009 Leading Sires List for Hunter in Hand.  Though prepped for HIH, I got to a show, but missed the class with Fancy.  (Having young children and attempting to show is difficult for me; actually it has proven impossible. Ugh!)  Anyways, Fancy is due to foal in late May 2010 and we are extremely excited about what this cross will produce in terms of color and movement.  Fancy is so calm and loving, we allow our four-year old daughter to ride her on the trail.  By the way, she is not a small mare, but my daughter always chooses her to ride.  Anyone who is not experienced in riding with us, always starts with Fancy!

As for Tuff, our awesome stallion, it is time for him to head out for some more training.  We are leaning towards western classes.  Check out his pedigree, and you will see a variety of champions.  With his movement, he could easily go English and do dressage, but our hearts and expertise are not in that area.  Several of you contacted us about English/dressage work and gave some very positive remarks about his legs, conformation, and hind end.  Thanks so much for that! Not having much exposure to the dressage arena, these comments are invaluable.

It is not too soon to plan for the 2010 breeding season.  Please contact me for further pictures, videos, pedigree, contract information, etc.  Our stud fee for 2010 will remain the same with frozen, shipped semen.  We believe we have a quality, foundation-bred stallion that could be the perfect complement for your mare; our goal is to provide you with as much honest information to help you make a wise decision for breeding her.

On a related note, we are planning to take two of our unbred mares, "April" and Dixie" on the PA Trail Ride for the Cure the end of September.   I am excited to support Breast Cancer Awareness and share my appaloosas on the trail with everyone. Check for an update and some pictures in the next newsletter.   

I hope you enjoy time with your horses this month, no matter what your discipline!  Until next time, happy trails!!

If you would no longer like to receive this newsletter, please email me and we will remove you from the mailing list immediately.  Thanks so much....