Herbert’s Horses

Lots of barns hire professional photographers to present young horses just so, at the right angle, in the right light, sort of like a batch of Hollywood starlets carefully posed to look their best. It’s nice to know that the filly Rosatwo doesn’t need help! These photos were  taken by a friend with a disposable camera who knows nothing other than point, shoot, and hope you got the horse in the frame! All the credit goes to Rosatwo for looking so good that she makes his pictures look great!

filly out of Fancy Smoke by Hickory Chic Olena

I’ve been so proud of my mare Fancy Smoke. Her first foal, now 4, won the Novice Horse Open at Syracuse a week ago. Her 2nd foal, a yearling, is getting praise as an awesome prospect by his owners, Bob and Debbie LaPorta and their trainer, Wayne LaFortune.  I am looking forward to them starting him almost as much as they are! And this little girl, by Hickory Chic Olena, looks good to me. She’ll be called “Rosa Two” after the most wonderful mare that ever lived.

This filly looks like a show stopper in-the-making. And she should be: Her dam (by Chocolate Chic Olena) was an outstanding show horse, routinely scoring 72-74. Her (Brennas Red Pine Jac) sire was gorgeous and athletic in the show pen, until a career-ending injury. His get show his style, substance, and talent.

By Brennas Red Pine Jac and out of Rock N Roll Olena

trip to see the babies and yearlings. Happy! Left, weanling colt out of Rock N Roll Olena by Peptos I Brow; Left, weanling filly by Hickory Chic Olena and out of Fancy Smoke

Taking a look at equine news,  and finding some helpful tidbits.

This from the AAEP concerning prepurchase exam recommendations

And this update concerning travel restrictions for horses

Fancy Smoke was always the hard luck horse. Poor  training choices, and then an injury that ended a career before it could begin. But I couldn’t really bring myself to sell this really kind mare. And now her first foal is an NRHA Champion, winning the tough Novice Horse Class at Syracuse. Last year, this filly’s owner, non pro Don Clark, showed her once or twice as a 3 year old, and a few weeks ago, professional Tommy Milnes rode her a little and liked her. He calls her his “scooter” because she feel like one, just motoring around. She’s on the road to being a very successful show horse! Congratulations, Smoke! You may not have had the opportunity to shine in the show pen, but your babies are doing you proud.  Her 2008 colt is owned by Bob Laporta and he and Wayne LaFortune are really excited about starting him. The 2009 filly is spectactular.

Fancy Smoke

There’s a moment, probably almost overnight–except I never quite see it–when foals become horses. Two of the yearlings don’t look like babies any more: strong, physical, muscular…they show every sign of what they’ll look like as adults. George, the youngest, hasn’t quite grown up. But I’m sure he will!

Itsa Bingo Greyhound/Dun It By Mistake

Kinda cool to see in the horses… I’m on a mare (NRHA Top Ten, Dun It by Mistake, by Hollywood Dun It) that is the dam of the colt that trainer Jeremy Gates (2008 NRHA World Champion) is riding.

Great news elsewhere: Fancy Smoke had her 2009 foal by Hickory Chic Olena. A filly!! I can name her Rosa Too, after my wonderful mare, Rosa, that had to be put down February 24. I wish that Rosa Too was related to Rosa (AKA God’s Gift to the Known Universe), but her own mom is pretty special, and I can only hope that the qualities of the name will rub off on her. If they do in any way, Rosa Too will be an awesome horse.

Like mother, like son!

Just got the call this morning (although he foaled on Sat). What  I get for dealing with a top equine reproduction facility rather than warm and fuzzy locals!! Oh well, mom and baby are healthy and fine! He’s bay. Nothing noted on the paperwork about markings, so he may be another plain bay… his older sister (a yearling) also meets that criteria. No problemo. She’s a doll. Lots of chrome doesn’t always give you ring presence, and it certainly doesn’t guarantee athletic ability. I do hope the last one of the year is a filly: I really want to name a filly “Rosa Too” in honor or the greatest horse that ever lived.

Campbell Hall, NY, is becoming a hotbed of reining: 3 top-tier  facilities a stone’s throw from each other, lots of great trainers, great horses…. Gainesville, TX… move over! Today was an open house at a new facility, with a clinic/demonstration featuring Shawn Flarida, Craig Johnson, and Scott McCutcheon. Lots of info and insights (hmmm…. Shawn’s comments about positioning horses seems awfully like what I hear from Jeremy all the time) . 2.5 weeks until I can ride again. I am so looking forward to it. Damn knee injury.