August 6, 2007 - WOW, its August already!

Time has really gone by this year and its been a whirl wind of a year.  Rain, Rain and more rain!  We went from 3 yrs of drought to non ending rain which put TX and got labeled another disaster area again.  From one extreme to the other!

The horses fared well, but still did not get much riding and work done this year.  I know so many people who just threw up there hands this year.

We were excited to have Missy in foal to Puerto this year.  We only have one mare to foal out next year, which is a relief.  Missy and P should have a super nice foal and we are excited.  The foal is offered for sale on our sales page, in utero and post birth.

Don Tomas is growing so fast and his new owner could not happier with him. 

  Don Tomas Aug 6, 2007

He is shedding out to be a dark chestnut, like his sire.  He defiantly has the Donnerhall rear end and the lovely attitude.  We are exited to take him to inspection in a few weeks and we hope the owner can fly down to go along if she can.  We will breed Siegi early in 2008 for a 2009 foal.  She is open and if someone would like to do a custom foal from her, please feel free to email me.

We are happy to add that Jena Halstead will be here at the farm to give H/J lessons.  LaNet will still be teaching the dressage lessons and some young horses, but LaNet has limited time openings due to returning to the office work.   Jena has many years experience in training, showing, coaching, judging and teaching.  She is now available to take a limited number of clients and training horses here at the farm.  Contact Jena at  210.373.9458

August 27th, 2007  - Feiner Fancy, Champion Hanoverian Mare -

There have been very few mares in my life that have stole my heart, but this filly did.  I showed Fancy on the line and in front of the judges on a very hot/humid day, but she did not mind the heat.  She showed her gaits and wonderful mind to its best!  Fancy (owned and bred by Rebecca Pennington)  is sired by the superb Feiner Stern (same sire as Fillisten) out of a Diamont (same sire as Dreamstreet) x Darwin mare.  Super bred and her bloodlines and breeding show in every movement. As well as being Champion Hanoverian mare, she also acquired her EMC (Elite Mare Candidate) status where she will be presented in the near future as a Elite Mare.  Wait for updates as I start this little girl under saddle soon!

Sept 1, 2007 - Puerto D'Azur now fully approved Rheinland Pfalz-Saar International (RPSI)

On August 31 2007, Puerto D'Azur was presented to the German and American inspectors of the RPSI where he received his lifetime breeding approval into Studbook I with very good scores and comments.  He scored a 9 on his canter and jumping (which, well....did not surprise me *grin*) as well as 8's on his trot, charter and overall impression.  The jury raised the free jump to above normal testing height where my stellar boy showed his jumping ability for those to see.  The judge told the crowd that he could have raised it even more and he did not have a doubt the horse would have no problem clearing it above the standards as he is "true to his pedigree" in what he offers (4 generations full of proven performance/jumping).  Afterwards the German inspector found me at the stalls and congratulated me personally as well as said how impressed he was with our stallion.   It was a very good day and I DO love my horse! I will post the video on the stallion pages as soon as I can get it downloaded.   If you are a RPSI mare owner or have interest in the RPSI, all of Puerto's foals are eligible for full papers.  If you would like me to explain more on how the inspection processes with any of the registries, please feel free to call me.  I will be happy to take the time to explain and details.  210-204-9465 -------  LaNet

September 3, 2007 - Liz and Alena end the year on a great note!!

  Alena and Liz ended the year on a wonderful note after her show at Ox Ridge and at the HITS at Sagurities.  She placed very well at the HITS.  This young mare scored 5th and 8th out of classes of 60-80 in level 1's and placed 3rd at level 2 with just as large of classes.  Its super to see one of our stallions offspring out there competing next to some of the best in the nation and holding her own.  Liz has only owned Alena for a little over a year and Alena had very little training prior to that.  A huge congratulations to Liz on a job well done and we are so very proud of you!!!

September 12, 2007 - Good thoughts for Octavia

Last week we were approached by Ellen Foster, Rhonda Deitrich and Bob Dalton of Frisco Creek Farms to help them in a special matter with a pregnant mare.  Octavia, is a 23 yr old, 11 month along pregnant, Morgan mare and has a fast growing tumor in her upper nasal cavity.  As of last week things took a turn for the worse and Octavia was struggling to breath as the tumor had grown in size.  Brian and I received a worried call and they transported the mare to Alamo Area Vet Clinic with Dr. Louie (who has been working on her breathing/tumor situation for about a year now) did a emergency tracheotomy on Octavia after scoping her to see only a tiny airway available for air.  As soon after the trach was in place, Octavia relaxed and stress factors reduced.  She is eating, breathing and acting normal now.  No signs on infection or anything that would make me worry!  Ellen, your gona kill me, but I did have to cut her mane because she kept getting it stuck in her trach, but I figured you would understand! :(

Octavia is a week or two out from foaling.  She is on critical care watch along with foal watch.  There are many people all over the United States cheering for this mare.  Please have her in your thoughts.  The plan is to get Octavia safely foaled out and then the vets are going to do injections into the tumors to see if they can shrink them as she will be retired from a broodmare to live the rest of her life on pasture.

Below - I was unloading feed and hay today and I let Octavia have "run of the barn" when Im out there.  She now feels that she owns the place and thinks the isle was IS her stall.  She hangs out there the whole time in front of the fans and relaxes.  Such a sweet girl.

September 24, 2007 Show News

Farrah was Champion of both her divisions (Limit and Novice) at the Lone Star Hunter Jumper ("A") show this past week.  We are very pleased with this young 5 yr old mare.

About two weeks ago I  started taking her over fences after getting a bit burned out on just "dressage training" with her.  I wanted to do some cross training to help strengthen her hind in more.   The mare had been jumped about a total of 10 times before we took her to the show!  (Yes, I even thought we were insane to take her to an A show right off the bat!)

 We are proud of this mare.  I knew the mare had it in her but I was worried how she would handle the hectic show world and "scary flowers" - but she handled it very well! 

Video and pics to come soon as we get it in!

Farrah is for sale for anyone looking...

Jena and LaNet below

September 28, 2007- Octavia update

Octavia is still hanging in there with her foal.  The owners are now in their new house in Missisippi but are monitoring Octavia through www.marestare.com along with many others.  With all that is happening Octavia is doing quiet well.  We have a set routine with her between her trach cleanings and foal watching.  Unfort we are having trouble with our DSL router and are unable to hook up to Marestare at the moment, but I hope to have that changed by tomorrow (Sat).  If I had to guess, I say she will go in the next week.  But, Octavia does have a mind of her own.

Here is the old girl grazing in the side yard by the wash rack today.  She has become queen around the farm and has full run of it.  Even with the big hay fields she never goes more than 50ft from the barn.  She would rather stay in the stall under her fan most of the time.  You can see she has a little edema on her tummy, but this being her 14th!!! Yes, 14th foal - I am surprised it is not worse! This girlie is in really good shape for all she has going on at the moment!

October 5th - So much going on.....

Octavia Update - - - Octavia gave birth to a filly on the 3rd.  Both mare and foal are doing fine and Octavia had minimal complications.  Yes, we were right there for the birth and I can not thank the my eagle eye friends at Marestare.com for all their extra eyes and help.  Its been wonderful to put the camera online and have people from all over the word help with foal watch!  I wish I knew Marestare existed in 2004 when we foaled 8 in 4 months!!! LOL  Ellen (Octavia owner) named the foal Frisco Creek Blessing.

Training - - - Jena and I have been riding ALOT.  The horses are all in full work and its been super to see the progress we are making with them.  Farrah has really "clicked" with her fence work and has learned her job.  She honestly likes to jump and is becoming very tidy and good at it.  I just got her video in from the "A" Lone Star show and I will have clips taken off for the website.

Dreamstreet is just awesome!  Each month she is getting more and more powerful and she is my absolutely favorite ride.  She is such a super mare and her gaits are just getting better and better with more training.  I will try to get a new video done soon of her when I can talk hubby into it.

The horses are Sundance are going well.  Vision is going to be a superstar.  This is such a nice filly with super gaits.  She is 3/4 Cleveland Bay and I have a lot of hope for this girl!!  Due to the rain, I'm battling an abscess on the stallion (Sundance) but its about done and he can go back into serious work.   He has really matured into a super nice stallion and you cant ask for a better mind.

Jena even rode Merlot for me today.  Merlot was bit confused of what that "other girl" was doing on him, but he was very good for her.  Jena had him going through cavaletti work and he did very well once he learned where to put his big body and oversized feet.  I SWEAR there is NOT any draft in my "little" black horse! LOL

Halizar and Fera are both here now as well and were happy to have Mitzi as part of our STF family.  Jena has been showing Halizar this year and doing well in his first serious year.  Watch for more of this young stallion.

I got thinking a few days ago that Missy will be due in less than 7 months with her Puerto foal.  How dare I not have a name for the foal by now!  Im usually already talking to the foal in utero by now! :)  Its the BWP year of "I".  So I have to come up with a girl and boy I name!  Have any ideas for me???

There is so much more going on, but more to come later.  Its become very busy here at STF.  Did I mention breeding season is right around the corner!!  Did you see the reduced stud fee for 2008?  We are excited to offer our super bred and proven stallion at a reduced rate to mare owners.

Jena and I are accepting a few more horses and riders in training/lessons.  We have super school masters to learn on in dressage and jumping.  Do you want to show?????  Jena and I are both in "show mode" and even have horses you can show on once you get to a solid point in your riding!!  Its a great opportunity!  We may even have a lease horse available depending on your riding level.  Call or email us for more information! :)

October 7, 2007 - Pictures today!!

Here is a few pics of Octavia's foal - She is doing well and thriving.  We do not see any residual issues with Octavia trauma and problems.  Ellen has named her Blessing.  She is actually a little snot lately and full of herself.  She has no idea she is 1/4 the size of our normal WB foals!!!

Here is a picture of Octavia.  At age 24 and all the problems going on, she still looks awesome.  We here at STF have gone out of our way to take care of this special old mare during a very stressful time in her life.  We hope she continues to improve and has many years left in her life.

Tomas is growing up fast!  He is almost as tall as Seigi now!!  We are about to wean as of next week, so he will go through preschool now!  He is so independent, I'm not concerned.

October 25, 2007 - Jena and Puerto bond

Jena is getting use to riding the Big P Man.  She finds him fun to ride.

Oct 30th, 2007

Mitzi Archinal came down to take some pics of the horses for me.  I posted a link to Puertos new pics on his stallion page and here are a few others.

Puerto head

Dreamstreet and LaNet

Dream and LaNet (I love this horse!)

LaNet on the young stallion, Halizar (aint he puuurty!)

LaNet on Halizar

Halizar learning downward transitions in front of the vertical.  Yay Halizar!

Jena Jumping Puerto

Puerto the Handsome one

Braids by Mitzi, aren't they awesome!  Psssstttttt....... she does it at all the rated shows, so if you need her you can find her at - http://www.twistntail.com/

There are more pics of Puerto on his stallion page!

November 8, 2007 - Baxters first show!

Chris Diana sent a wonderful email today to give me an update on Baxter (Puerto D'Azur x Kay's Venture xx), one of Puerto's first US foals from 2001.  I am excited to hear that Chris daughter did a clinic with Greg Best and Greg had super things to say about Baxter.  Again, our boy proves his worth in ability in his offspring.  We are looking forward to more updates from this pair.  Their first show was recently and this is a picture from it -

November 30, 2007 -

Seth and Griffin are doing terrific.  I love this pair and Seth is such an awesome young man.  They are now moved up to Advanced and I am excited to see this pair in action next year.  This is one of Puerto's oldest foals and to see him doing so well makes me very, very happy.

November 30, 2007 - Other News

We have been very busy here at STF.  The last three months have been more hectic than anytime I can remember in the past.  I'm excited to tell that we are getting a new human addition, Amanda , to the farm this month and I'm more than excited to have her part of the team.

Do any of you remember Baltazar, Merlot half brother that we started lightly here and he sold just two weeks after wards! (We didn't even get the chance to have fun riding him!!).  Well, the owner emailed me a new pic of him and we are happy to say how well they are doing.  She loves him dearly and we are very happy for the pair!

Baltazar

Jena and the kids are currently at Seasons End in Waco for the THJA Limit medal finals.  I'm sure they will do well and will post a show report as soon as I get some info.  She will return the week following for the Christmas show as well, then she will take a month off to regroup and recoup for the next year.  This will give time for Amanda to get settled into the family as well.

Goldie and Amanda (Jena daughter) at Tyler Fall Fun Show 2007

We do have a few spots for normal training (2) if your interested.  Normal training means anything other than starting babies.  Sorry, I have two right now to start under saddle and I have limited time for those.  I can put you on a waiting list if you have a 2008 to be started.

THIS WILL BE MY LAST YEAR (yes, I know - I say that every year for the last 5 yrs.... but I'm serious this time ) to start babies!!  I'm having some back problems and its not worth the extra buck involved someday with starting them.  I do have a few other contacts that I would pass on that I trust to start young horses correctly, so please just ask.  Once the young horse is going forward, W-T-C off the leg, I will happily take them in for you for dressage or H/J training as long as I or Jena have the room in our schedule.

I hope each and every one of you have a safe and happy holiday season!  Please be safe and hug each one of your 4 legged friends!

December 1st 2007 -

Congrats to Laura Baldine!!

Laura, who owns Bella (Puerto D'Azur x Cookie Delight xx) placed 3rd in the ISHA Open Equitation Over Fences in the end of year 2007 standings.  We are very proud of Laura!  Results:  http://www.ihsainc.com/Nationals/Results/Team.aspx?id=8&y=2007

Congrats to Liz Debrouski and Kim Mulligan!!!!

We are happy to say that Alena made a very sucessful year with Liz and her trainer for the 2007 year.  Alena (Puerto D'Azur x Farahdine) made her debut at Level 2 jumpers and starting level 3 jumper.  We are proud of Liz along with her placings and champion rankings at many shows and we look forward to more updates!

Congrats to Kathy Findlay on Ringo!

Thank you Kathy on the picture of Ringo!  Ringo, sired by our stallion out of "G" Label BWO mare, Teyaira's Regal Air's by Fraval.  Ringo was also rated Premium at inspection.  Congrats to Kathy on a lovely baby!

Congrats to Mandi!

Mandi and her new horse! 

(yes, you can now order horses at drive thru's with a Coke and fries)

Dec 17, 2007 - Cold for Texas

Its been in the low 30's at night here and the horses are loving the sun during the day.  Merlot and the young stallion, Fairwind, decided to paw down some of the round bale to make themselves a nice little bed to lay in the morning sun.   All the grasses are dying as they normally do this time of year which makes everything look dry and burnt.  Soon enough spring will be here and the fields will be green and lush again.  

Dec 26, 2008 - Merry Christmas and Happy New year to you all from STF!

We here at STF hope that the holidays have found you well and happy!  Don't forget to hug your horses as well! :)

A few things I want to touch upon while I am here-

Breeding season special:

This is the last year I will be offering our stallion, Puerto D'Azur, for such a low discounted rated.  His normal fee of $1250 will be in effect as of Nov 2008.  I only did that to get a few more Premium foals on the ground for his breeding stats.  He is shipping very well and his conception rate is great.  Please do not be afraid to ask me for outside vet referrals on semen that I have sent out to other clients.

puertoad2a.pdf

Busy year ahead:

The coming 2008 year is going to be very busy.  I'm looking forward and dreading it at the same time.  Mitzi and Jena have drug me (kicking and screaming) back into a close contact saddle.  And.......... to my dismay, I am actually enjoying myself over fences again.  So, it looks like we will be in both arenas this coming year.

I have been out of commission for a few months with only light riding due to a back injury (non horse related).  So far so good and I have not felt better than I do right now in a long time.  I am happy to get back into the saddle serious again as of the 1st of the year.  I even dusted off the treadmill and am *thinking* of the miles I will run shortly.  :)  *thinking* he he he

Jena ended a wonderful show season in Waco with all the kids placing well and brining home ribbons.  I want to give a huge congratulations to Jessica Bass who did a super year this year and over came a lot of obstacles.  She has learned so much about herself and her own abilities and we are super proud of her.  Also Alayah, Amanda and a few others that really got a good year of competitions and experience behind their belts.  These are truly wonderful kids with super attitudes and good hearts.  Jena has done a great job with them and their horses.

We have some nice horses getting ready for the 08' show season.  Dusty, who I have not talked about it a polocrosse horse wana be, but nota be.  We tried him for polocrosse, but he was not happy about horses running up behind him.  But alas......... he is turning into a super nice hunter.  He has a quiet and soft attitude, smooth and steady gaits, etc.  This is going to be one to watch in the future.  He belongs to one of my clients and is offered for sale for $12,500 at this time.  I will get pics of him up soon on the sales page. 

We are going to move Farrah up into jumpers and she will start her level 0 and level 1 this coming year.  She is a young mare (young for a warmblood) and we will still take it slow with her.  She is still offered for sale at $18,000, nego to show home.  Here Farrah is on a "bad day" after not being ridden for a week and a colder day.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iis2qhJqWh0

Dreamstreet, who thinks she is the queen of the world, will debut her work at Training and 1st for her beginning points.  She is getting so strong and powerful.  I really love this mare!  The goal is to qualify her this spring for championships.

Fillisten is here, but will be bred shortly here in 08'.  I am very (did I say VUUURY) excited to breed this mare as I love the Feiner Stern bloodline.  She is also Dreamstreet sister (same Dam) which makes it even more exciting as with my connection with Dreamstreet, etc.

And then we have Ms. Tori.  She and Dreamstreet fight over who wears the crown for the day.  Both think the world revolves around them ya know.  Tori will be bred this year as well, early in March, if mother nature cooperates.  Im still debating on to who, so stay tuned.  I change my mind daily.... Grrr!  So many nice stallions out there.

And last, Amanda has arrived from far yonder California.  She is fitting in great here at the farm and her dog loves it here as well.  We are happy to have her as part of our family.

That is about it for now.....  Everyone have a safe and happy holiday season!  Best wishes for 08'!