Page 80 - 18 January 2013

Bielau Oaks Directors Monica Williams (left) and Miki Wright (right), farm manager Carla Moody, and facility manager Jesus Montes.
in racing and her degree in economics and
finance to the operation, she worked with her
Although Monica was able to keep the ranch
dad to build the ranch’s herd and take care of
running, her vision of how to achieve success
some of the behind-the-scenes tasks.
The ranch’s broodmare and donor mare
allowed her to step in and take the reins.
carry right on.”
FEWER AND BETTER
felt the need to trim the herd.
“Our first yearling sale, I noticed that one of
our mares had six babies and hadn’t carried even
a mare’s produce record.”
“We’re down to about 26 now,” Monica
that are more proven and attractive to buyers.
I’ve added to that and sold some, but our core of the more popular lines.”
the annual naming of the foals. “We decide on a theme and then on individual names, all ending
(pronounced BEE-la). “We have a lot of oak trees, nd it just sounded good together,” Monica said.
deciding what stallions to breed to, managing
differed somewhat from her father’s. Where Larry
aimed for success through multiple foals per mare
and allows us to concentrate on the bloodlines
We have some really nice older mares that I’ve
kept. My dad picked them out with the help of
population numbered about 70 when Larry died
Though his death could have meant the end of
Bielau Oaks, Monica’s role as her dad’s understudy
so his death was a shock, but she was able to
using embryo transfer and donor mares, Monica
added. “That’s a much more manageable number
James Pruitt and felt very strongly about them.
bloodlines are pretty much the same. I feel like
my job is to stay on top of that and infuse some
one of them,” she said. “I thought,
How can you
prove a mare with that many?
Although we still
do two embryos on some of our better mares, I
feel that numerous multiples can make or break
“She really impressed me,” said Dallas,
Texas-based family friend David Smith, owner
A
FAMILY
E
N
TERPRISE
of StallionESearch.com. “Larry hadn’t been sick
Although Monica is the face of Bielau Oaks—
or, as she says, the farm worrier—her sisters are
also involved. In addition to Monica (the oldest)
and Lacy (the youngest), twins Miki Wright of
McAllen, Texas, and Michelle Stroud of Kingwood,
offer advice and occasionally attend the sales.
The task the four women enjoy the most is
with our trademark letter B,” Monica said. “It’s
a fun family activity.”
Bielau Oaks itself was named for its tiny
neighboring German community, New Bielau
While Monica is the business mind—
just as his dream was taking shape.
a
Bielau Oaks Director Monica Williams with daughter Allison (left) and son Gus (right).
78 SPEEDHORSE, January 18, 2013
Courtesy Bielau Oaks Courtesy Bielau Oaks