Page 90 - June 2022

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““I respect her loyalty and her diligence, her honesty, and her passion for the industry.” – Marty Powers
mares for ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) “We have foaling attendants, but if there’s a
Royal Vista Southwest founding partner Dr. James Bailey DVM
In April, Jill announced the sale of Royal Vista Ranches LLC to Cole Morehead of XCEL Farms LLC.
services, which are done in cooperation with Royal Vista Southwest just a few miles away.
“The two farms really operate in concert with each other. Royal Vista Southwest provides all our veterinary services and that’s been by design from the beginning,” she adds.
HER OTHER HATS
In addition to managing the mares and stallions for breeding, Laura handles all day-to- day management including approximately 15 employees, the general farm operation, books and payroll, and advertising. Until the past few years, she collected all the stallions as well.
Marty Powers, director of operations for Royal Vista Ranches LLC
problem I’m always involved,” she says. “There really isn’t any aspect of the ranch in which I’m not involved.”
Though Laura finesses all aspects of the operation, she favors three facets of the business: the stallion management, foaling and neonatal care, and the reproductive processes, especially the assisted technologies of embryo transfer and ICSI. “I enjoy the science side of that,” she says.
“The stallions were always Vaughn’s favorite part of the industry and I think that rubbed off on me,” she adds. “Dealing with their fertility difficulties can be like putting together a puzzle; I enjoy the challenge. And taking care of the foals is extremely rewarding; after all, that’s our product.”
A NEW CHAPTER
When Vaughn passed away in October 2020, Jill took a hard look at the reality of her life. Throughout the years, Vaughn had been
a constant presence and guiding influence
at Royal Vista Equine, Royal Vista Ranches LLC and Royal Vista Southwest in Purcell, Oklahoma, and she wanted his sterling legacy to carry on, infused by new energy and enthusiasm.
In 2011 the Cooks leased their breeding facility in Colorado, Royal Vista Equine, to their key employees at the time, Stephanie Webb and Jake Dahl, who then established Vista Equine Colorado LLC there. The Cooks also sold their operational interest in Royal Vista Southwest to founding partner James Bailey, DVM.
Stephanie Webb and Jake Dahl, who established Vista Equine Colorado LLC Laura Erickson and Dr. Jill Cook
88 SPEEDHORSE June 2022
Royal Vista Ranches Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse Linda Earley, Speedhorse
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse
Speedhorse