Filly mania

I can't believe how lucky I am! Conesa delivered this spectacular filly last night about 9:30. Prisca is her name and she is Wanapum's second filly. 12 of the last 13 being girls--sometimes you do get what you ask for---all my years of always wishing for girls.

Prisca is photographed here at about 15 hours old.

Isa should be next and hopefully soon! I am predicting hers will be a colt so will see if I am wrong in making such a prediction!

Loving February

February has been a very lucky and wonderful month (so far anyway??). Pictured here is the first P baby. Ibiza had another bay by Gitano--this one so different than last year's Naxos in that she is so feminine so needed a girly name and thus Padma. I'm a fan of Top Chef and it means "lotus flower". I think is a lovely name for a lovely filly. Looks like is going to be an athlete and charming.

Following last year's string of fillies, our second February foal is a girl: Perfeita out of Gentileza and by Gitano. Long, long legs and a gorgeous neck and head, "perfection", her name, seemed to suit. In some ways, she reminds me physically of what Gitano looked like as a baby but her head and neck are more Remate. So probably need to give it more than 12 hours of age to wait and see who she is going to most favor.

This week I also enjoyed a quickie visit from Gina from Pennsylvania who honored us by choosing the moving machine a/k/a Onemisio. Another great home and I'm excited and looking forward to the magical things Gina and Onemisio will do together--he'll be gelded and a dressage/exhibition-demo horse. Perfect for one with such movement and athleticism!

Recent sales also include my friends/boarders' horses that I am pleased found perfect homes. The chestnut luso filly will be here until fall when she'll head to Seattle, Washington and a lovely owner/FEI rider. Maizie, the big and gentle TB/draft cross went to Michigan and the azteca, Micaela, will be here in Texas near Mansfield. I will miss the riding girls to whom I've grown so attached but happy they'll be enjoyed and ridden.

As I have so many fewer producing mares than in the past, I am once again going to be doing some outside breedings, preferably to nonandalusian mares and via live cover. That and foaling the rest of the babies and getting the mares back in foal will keep us hopping this spring.

Weather is wacky. One day we are putting up heated water buckets and cable-tying wood over all the stall openings because it is in the teens and in a week, tearing it all down and putting fans back up. How these horses stay healthy is beyond comprehension and a testament to how hearty they are.

Mom and I have found more of a routine and doing well. Thanks to all who have asked about how mom is doing.

Happy holidays, 2010

A bittersweet holiday season for my family. Thanks to all the folks who have wished us well. My wonderful father passed away on November 17th. My sister and nephews from Atlanta came as did my sister and niece from California and we had a very small, informal gathering at my dad's golf course where he belonged for so many years. A long and blessed life by any standard--60 year marriage, 30+ years with his company from which he retired and 4 children and 5 grandchildren who adored him and a painless passing but still a huge loss to those of us who loved Dad.

My mom has moved in with me and we are adjusting--me from my solitude and selfabsorbed schedule of not having anyone around to worry about meals and such--mom to giving up her home of 37 years and many of her things. She has her own "stuff" set up in the barn apartment that is quite charming, actually, but spends most of her awake time in my house so I can monitor better.

On to horsey news, we continue to be charmed by the enormous Dolly x Gitano filly born in October, Octavia--fearless and friendly and just makes one smile. Next came Onemisio (pictured with my xmas decorations that my dad made years ago with this entry) and this is a little powerhouse! Someone wanting the old style shorter, big round necked stallion will fall for this guy and talk about movement. Gasp is all I can say. The last but not least of our fall group is Odalisca, Karateka's first filly and by Hereje. As would expect, Odalisca is calm, big boned and just uncomplicated and feel-good like her line of Kara, Estepa, Marengo, et al. It sounds trite, but I do count my blessings when 3 come out in good health and each perfect in his/her own personalities and body styles.

Apologies to everyone that I am so behind in corresponding or getting back to. Selling my parents' house which seems impossible to empty, helping mom adjust, breeding back, getting some horses on their way to new homes, xmas shopping and decorating and the rest (oh yeah, law practice in there somewhere!) has me feeling a bit overwhelmed so thanks to everyone for understanding. I know your holiday season is equally as busy and I hope a happy one.

Happy thanksgiving

Meet Onemisio! Photo courtesy of Skip Dickson who was visiting with Fantasma's owner. Laurie and Skip were thrilled that Habana foaled the first night they arrived in Texas (well--not thrilled from 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 when we were outside but for witnessing the event!). These photos at about 12 hours old--friendliest possible colt---bold, inquisitive and absolutely charming, not to mention beautiful. You can see in the one, Onemisio is hanging out with Laurie and I and the dogs, caring not at all about where his mom was!

Wanapum is outdoing himself in the producing department and no question I'll be breeding Habana back to Wan for many more, hopefully exactly like this little guy.

A lovely visit with Skip and Laurie and reminder how many lovely people the horses have brought into my life and the deep friendships formed with foundation of the love of these horses.

These friends gave me the unbelievably generous gift of a tiny pocket sized camera so I will be bombarding everyone with even more photos than ever---as if anyone needs MORE.

Both of my sisters will be coming in next week from California and Georgia so a more exciting thanksgiving than we've had in years.

The weather has been stunningly beautiful which has made it that much easier to be out and about with the incoming horses. I am totally smitten by Macanuo who is back with us and so eager to please and do things that I don't know how we'll ever keep him entertained until he is old enough to start under saddle, assuming he doesn't sell by then. I am so pleased with his temperament, size, bone and movement, that if we have him here long enough to start riding, I will for sure breed him some in the spring.

Naxos went to his new home after recovering from being gelded and as expected, his owner is elated at his lovely temperament and how quiet he is to join her herd, now including 3 geldings from here. Oceanica leaves next week for Kentucky and will make for a great holiday season for her owner.

The next foal will be the Karateka x Hereje baby ---her first so I will be extra-anxious even though this breed is so consistent in having effortless foaling. The last O name and then on to the P's, starting with Ibiza maybe the end of January.

Even in these gross economic times, all of us have so much to be thankful for. Myself--way too many things to list. Happy holidays.

Octavia

At two weeks old, Octavia looks like a small sized finished horse. Super cute but I guess I say that about all the babies. Dolly much more relaxed about this, her third foal. Gotta love her babies and these halves!

National show was the most I've enjoyed one in quite some time. People were relaxed and the classes seemed calmer and the horses presented in a lovely way. It would always be nicer to have more horses at any show, but the quality was good and for the first time in many years, the judging by the American judges was totally consistent with the Spanish judge, who I felt was excellent and one of the most qualified we'd ever had. The Extravaganza was organized without long delays between the acts which were as good as we've ever had. The addition of the working equitation class added lots of fun and got the people watching involved. The Mexican judge was patient with our first time participants in this class which I predict (or at least hope) will grow by leaps and bounds now that people have seen what is involved.

The show was also extra fun because I had friends here to share it with and who I put to work shamelessly asking for some of the grossest tasks like stall decorating. It is great to see friends made over the years that I only see at the national show and each year I am surprised by a horse I welcomed into the world that pops up--this year Joyante (now owned by Francine Dismukes) was a special surprise--I believe Joyante was Dadivoso's last son and a rare purebred with four white socks. Joyante did great as Francine's horses always do in multiple classes with both his owner and amateur riders. Centello wasn't shown this year at our show, but won a bunch of High Point awards. Although I certainly don't emphasize that horses that are born here go to show homes, it is fun to see some doing well if happy being shown.

Wanapum managed to get through the show without breeding anyone or leaping out of the arena into the stands so I felt that was a major victory. Having so little exposure to other horses being ridden (only once ridden in an arena with another horse in it prior to the show), he did better than I expected but was wound up and not exactly relaxed and through in his functionality pattern. But for a first time ridden in such an environment, I was very pleased. The next day the Spanish judge placed him first in the conformation portion of the 4, 5 and 6 year old pre stallion class so that he was Top 5 in a class of many lovely horses. In the stall or walking around, Wan got a ton of attention--I don't remember that many people making over a horse since Gitano's rock star years where he had groupies at his stall.

Fantasia was top 5 in the pre senior mares but didn't show well, in my biased opinion. She had gotten kicked or bonked her front leg and was off with her movement which is where she shines. Grateful to have a ribbon in a very pretty class.

I am still enjoying my friends' lusitano horses who arrived in September and now three more horses have joined our herd. "Big Mac"/Macanuo (Gitano Mor x Destinada DD) is back and at 2-1/2 years old, even better than I predicted he'd be---tall, big boned, moves like a dream and great, kind mind. Since related to both Gitano's daughters and Remate lined mares, he cannot stay so no, I am not going to fall back in love with him but will enjoy him until he finds a perfect home. I think he is the quality I look for in a stallion and will breed him if he stays long enough for some of the mares who are not related to him.

Kyra and Kabala are sp grey fillies that are special to me (as if every horse I meet isn't!) because I adored and enjoyed their sire, the big chestnut stallion, Urucum, who spent some time with us and who I fell with when I saw him shown as a two year old in Brazil. Knowing and being so taken with Uri's sire, Quatrilho, it is special to have two of that line here. Kyra is the daughter of Hermosura H (Remate x Hermosa D) who I sold a few years back---Hermosa D being my first ever andalusian makes that filly all the more emotional. But both for sale--no more adding horses when my goal has to be reduction unless a money tree starts growing around here.

My family is still very concerned about my dad's health complications but otherwise, all is good here. I am looking forward to fall colors, cooler weather and Habana's baby by Wanapum, the next to arrive. Best wishes to you for a colorful and peaceful fall.

Lusitanos have arrived

Since going to Brazilian and Portuguese National shows, I have not been able to be in a buying mode, but have yearned to have a lusitano. My friends and boarders this week brought their 2 pregnant mares, yearling filly and 2010 filly to live with us. Like boomerangs, Utopia and Cachaca have been here before their current owners bought them and sent them for a while to Michigan. More horses to love so I am all for it!

Our blistering hot summer did not seem to go by quickly but now September is flying by. I've done a little bit of volunteer work trying to help with the upcoming IALHA National Show in October and have decided to run (unopposed as it happened) for a seat on the Registry Board. The last couple of years I have basically disappeared from shows and the Association while the whole foot nightmare was going on and so I am back with a vengeance!

In October, we'll be showing Chulo in the psp senior stallion class and the next day, he'll be heading to his new home which is best happening during the show when I'll have alot on my mind, but will be one of my saddest goodbyes ever. Wanapum will be in his first ride other than here or at our trainer's house and having never ridden with another horse in the ring with him, the warmup ought to be interesting! We are taking Fantasia for the pre spanish senior mares class and showing Libertado in the 3 year old gelding futurity class for his owner. It has been fun having Libertado back a week or so for Valente to practice but when do I not think it is great to have incoming horses?

October also begins our smallest in a while fall foaling season. Dolly is due first with another Gitano baby, then Karateka (who was revised this week) with her first foal, by Hereje, and Habana who is bred to Wanapum.

Pictured above are spring, 2010 fillies Otamisia and Oceanica last night in the mist and mud. Several people have commented on Ota's previous photos asking if the stripes were from sweat but no, she looks like she is part zebra on her way to turning black. I've seen tiger stripes on legs before but never had one like this.

That is the latest from Denton. Hope all of you and yours are happy that fall is here and healthy, wealthy and wise.

A fun brush with greatness?

How fabulous that a friend, Alice, gave some favorite names to her professor/friend who was writing a book. Michael F. Smith, the author, wrote a yet unpublished "The Sons of Thunder" It is a story about a man, his unnamed dog and his horse, HABANA. How fun that he chose the name of my wonder mare who also happens to be the mother of Alice's lovely 3 year old mare! I will have to buy the book as soon as it is available.

I took one of my rare away-from-home trips to Orange County, California to attend my niece's college graduation. Just gone 2 nights and was anxious to get home even after that short a time. But I didn't mind the gorgeous weather out there--outdoor graduation and I had to borrow a sweater to wear. If only that were the case here in already 100 degree Texas.

Cynthia reports that Maestro was calm and settled in immediately upon his arrival to his forever home in Michigan last Saturday. Likewise, Nacar had a safe journey and bonded easily with her new mini-companion, Elijah (great name!) in Maine. Nastia apparently got off the trailer in California and immediately rolled. I continue to be thankful for all the uneventful transports of my former horses to their new homes.

Corona will also be heading to California soon to Deb and Patti who have already had a small herd of horses from or bred here. How grateful I am for repeat customers.

Confirmed Flama back in foal to Gitano and still working on the last couple before the heat declares breeding season to be over. Perhaps when breeding is over, Valente can actually get on a horse around here!