Page 26 - Appaloosas Now October/November 2020

CONVERSATIONS MEET THE BREEDER
10) What drew you to the Appaloosa
7) Any bloodlines you would like to see promoted more?
Nothing I haven’t already mentioned. I like the old school, foundation bloodlines. I like the Native American connection.
8) You breed for leopard foals. Why that pattern specifically?
breed?
Just the fascination with spots initially, followed by how intelligent, unique, trainable and versatile the Appaloosa breed was. You can do anything on the back of an Appaloosa.
11) How did you get started in your breeding program?
I found Ulrich Jewels Ruby, one of the last Ulrich Ranch horses from Wyoming, at an auction and I stayed their many hours until I had her and bought her home. I found Rockalena’s Eclat up in Montana and had her shipped here, followed by Polar Birdsong, and Eclats surprise who I found in West Virginia. My stallion came from Minnesota, and I bred from there, keeping the fillies and after their breaking and training and riding was complete , I bred from there and am at the 6th generation now of my own horses (GAP 6 eligible).
12) What do you think that we as Appaloosa breeders can do to build together to make the breed better?
I have always been a believer in helping others, just as others have helped me over the years. Working together as breeders to share knowledge and swap bloodlines and ideas, put aside differences and get along would go a long way in the future development of the foundation Appaloosa. Promoting local events like trail rides and shows also helps to keep enthusiasm. ~
I guess I like a horse that stands out, I have a fascination with the spots. Why some have huge baseball size
spots, and others have merely freckles. I like to study genetics, to work out a cross and see it comes out as
I had planned. I guess the uniqueness is special. But color is nothing unless you have all the other qualities to go with it. Even though I breed for color, I also require correct conformation and excellent temperament, color is nothing without these. I am not color-blind.
9) What was the foundation of your program?
I made a plan. I talked to other horse people. I talked to business men. I researched and studied for years before I actually had a ‘program’. I wrote down what I wanted to do, and stuck to it. It wasn’t an overnight thought. Finally I went out and bought the best horses that suited my program. I never bought in bulk, I am a small time breeder and always will be. I didn’t let distance or price dictate my plan
and I never compromised. I kept my numbers ofAppaloosas very low in order to provide them everything they needed for their success. I look for buyers who will do the same.
26 Appaloosas Now - October/November