Branch River Ranch Andalusians - Read About Our Ranch News!

• Articles for Wisconsin Horseman's News by Julie Stammler | Feb09 | Jan09| Nov08 | Jun07 | May07 | Feb07 |

Manitowoc / Feb 09
Manitowoc – Christmas Eve day was a little warmer than we had been experiencing this month. The reason it was a little warmer was because it was snowing. You know the kind of flakes that are huge, thick and abundant! Well, trainer Jen Bender and I decided that it would be a great day to do a little photo shoot with our stallion, Gentil MOR. We bathed him all up and left his mane and tail down.

The snow started coming down even harder. We led Gentil to his snow covered pasture and set him free to run naked in the snow. He was really enjoying himself! Half way through the shoot, all the other 13 horses on that end of the property were way down at the end of the field. All you could hear was the snorting of horses and swishing of snow as the whole heard came running up to see what we were doing. It was really pretty and the pictures do not do it justice. If the sun would have peeked out for awhile it would have even been better. I guess after the December we had everyone knows either it is bitter cold or the snow is falling non stop! If it wasn’t for a couple of warm days where the snow actually had time to melt down we would have snow piles up over roof tops with all the drifting. It kind of reminds me of the winters in Minneapolis as a kid.

Ross Krings use to do all the farrier work for the ranch but had decided to pursue a different line of work. Before he left he lined us up with John and Laura Haas from Brownsville, Wisconsin. They are a great couple and very knowledgeable and professional about their work. We are really enjoying getting to know them. It is always hard to find a farrier that you feel confident in and you trust with all the various needs of each individual horse. We are very lucky to have had Ross Krings and now John and Laura Haas looking after our horses farrier needs.

In December we added a new Andalusian mare to our breeding program. Artista CA is a white 8 year old pure Spanish (PRE) mare sired by Olimpico 7 out of Quilera GF 1. She is currently inscribed and will be presented in 2009 for Revision with ANCCE. After completing this process, Artista will be included in the Spanish Stud Books of breeding quality. We are looking forward to breeding her with our stallion Gentil MOR and watching the future foals develop. We thank Cathy Connelly from Crystal Lake, Illinois for giving us the opportunity to be the care givers and owners of such a beautiful mare. We promise to send pictures often and understand this was a very hard decision for you. It is strange how everything works out. When Artista came to live with us we put her out with our buckskin mare, Rhianna BR. Right next to them was Rosie Golke’s Percheron mare, Scarlet. Scarlet is also new to Branch River Ranch and was in a pasture by herself until we could see who she would match up with. Scarlet paced the fence all day trying to get closer to Artista and Artista did the same. The next day Jen Bender decided to put the two together. It was like they remembered each other from a past life. The two mares are best friends and it is such a sight the two of them. Scarlet being a HUGE black mare makes Artista look like a little white pony. They follow each other all day around the paddock. It looks like we have a perfect match.

New Years Eve day we received a package in the mail from (USDF) United States Dressage Federation. Inside the package were the awards and metals for Gentil MOR 1 and Rhianna BR for their superb accomplishments in dressage for 2008 with their trainer and rider, Jen Bender. I am overwhelmed with pride and respect for the hard work and training Jen has put into the horses here at Branch River Ranch. She never seizes to amaze me with the year end recognition she receives with our horses. After only two years studying dressage Jen has received her Rider Performance Awards in Training, First and Second Levels and is only a couple tests away from receiving her Bronze Medal. In addition to her personal awards Gentil has also received his Certificate of Performance Award in First Level and Rhianna BR has received her Certificate of Performance Award in Training Level. The finale recognition of accomplishments for 2008 was inside this package from USDF. Gentil MOR is the First Level Reserve Champion for 2008 All-Breed Open with the United States P.R.E. Foundation and Rhianna BR is the Training Level and First Level Reserve Champion for 2008 All-Breed Open with the International Andalusian & Lusitano Association.

Rhianna will finish her First Level and will be competing in Second Level in 2009. Gentil will complete his second level and will be competing in Third Level in 2009. Moving from Second Level to Third Level is the hardest step to take. There is a lot more being asked of both the horse and the rider. Every test in dressage helps you to prepare for the next level of competition. The training for third Level requires more than has previously been required. Understanding the need for continued education and training, Jen Bender has ridden in clinics with Judge Maryal Barnett and has recently started working with Jenny Schmitt from Random Lake, WI. Jenny Specializes in training and lessons in dressage and is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist. Of course we cannot forget Karen Zoelle who has helped us to get to this point in dressage and kept it fun. 2009 is going to bring many more challenges and we will continue working this winter so that we will be fit, ready and prepared to meet them to the best of our abilities. We are so fortunate to have such a great group of friends and family that support and stands behind us. Here at Branch River Ranch we never stop recognizing the great work ethics involved to make everything such a pleasure. Jenna Wagner and Heather Schmeisser not only help to keep the ranch running and the horses happy but are also dedicated to their well being. We have never had such a great team before and it truly makes everything so much easier. Without Jenna and Heather it could not all get done. Of course with the record snowfall in December I must also recognize Chuck Stammler for helping to keep us plowed out and the trails to the pastures cleared. Sometimes it meant having to go out and plow two or three times a day on top of an already demanding schedule. Spring is around the corner…hang in there everyone!

Until Next Time...
May 2009 bring you joy, peace and happiness. Stay warm and God Bless.