Branch River Ranch - Read About Our Ranch News (Jan 09 Issue)

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

Manitowoc / Jan 09 The last time I wrote we were just leaving for the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association National Show in Fort Worth, Texas held in October. We brought with us our Andalusian stallion Gentil MOR 1 (8), and Andalusian mares Rhianna BR (7) and Garbeau (3). The first classes of the National Show were the Dressage Sport Horse In-Hand Classes. Mario Conteras handled all three horses for these classes. Fillies three and under were the first to compete and Mario and Garbeau earned a National Top Five Championship. Next class was Mario and Rhianna BR who earned Reserve Grand National Champion in the mares 4 and over class. Mario was on a roll with Gentil MOR next earning Reserve Grand National Champion in the stallions 4 and over class. Special thank you to Mario for handling the three horses and doing a superb job.

Gentil MOR and Rhianna BR had their National Champion Dressage Classes next. Gentil MOR ridden and trained by Jen Bender earned Reserve Grand National Champion in Level 1 Test 4 Open with a score of 63.6842%. Rhianna BR ridden and trained by Jen Bender earned National Top Five Champion in Training Level Test 4 Open with a score of 66.8% and Grand National Dressage Futurity First Level Champion with a score of 65%. All Dressage Tests and the Dressage In-Hand classes were judged by dressage judge Honorable Thomas Poulin. Jen Bender has done a great job all year with the horses in dressage. I cannot believe in such a short time she has been able to memorize so many tests and still be able to focus on her rides with such consistency.

While we were at Nationals we also decided to compete in some rail classes in which we took home National Top Five Championships in Dressage Hack Open, Native Tack & Attire Open, Western Pleasure Open Dressage Suitability Open and Hunt Seat Open. All classes were Ridden by Trainer Jen Bender.

A last minute decision was made to present our three year old for her final revision with ANCCE (Spain) being in attendance at the National Show. I had Garbeau’s Carta sent to me since I had forgotten it at home. With the help and support of some great people and presented by Jen Bender, Garbeau past her revision and is now listed in the Spanish Stud Book as a mare of quality to breed to. Congratulations Garbeau!

After returning home and giving the horses…and Jen…some much needed down time, it was back to work. We attended a dressage clinic at Grand Prix Farms with dressage judge Maryal Barnett in which we brought Gentil MOR and Rhianna BR. Jen and Gentil are working on perfecting Second Level and working towards Third Level while Jen and Rhianna are working on perfecting First Level and starting Second Level. We are very anxious for the 2009 show season to start. Macarena del Sol (4) and Garbeau (3) have competed in Intro Levels and are both working on Training Level. In addition Jen will also be starting out our coming three year old Preciosa del Sol. With Five horses in dressage and only one rider we will need to pick which ones will show at which shows.

Branch River Ranch welcomes our newest boarder, Rosemary Golke and her black Percheron mare, Scarlet. With Rosie living so close to the ranch she is able to come and spend time with her mare often. Before Scarlet came to stay we thought Shadow was our largest horse here! Shadow is owned by Jennifer Corcoran and is being leased by us to carry Rhianna’s 2009 foal. She is turned out with the 2008 foals, Cha Cha BR (Primoroso x Macarena del Sol) and Tamiko BR (Gentil MOR x Mia). The babies love her and she is so good with them. We also welcome Kathy Lindsey and her AWS/Pinto gelding Magic of Spring. They will be staying here for the winter in order to continue their under saddle work.

We are anxious for the Spring foals and have advertised them for sale in utero. This will be the last foal for Mia who is 19 years old. She is bred to Gentil MOR and also out of this breeding is the 2008 colt, Tamiko BR. Mia is also the mother to our gorgeous buckskin mare, Rhianna BR. Rhianna is re bred to Saphiro for a 2009 foal. Out of the last Rhianna x Saphiro breeding we had a buckskin filly now owned by Gareth Selwood. The cross between Rhianna and Saphiro can produce buckskin, palomino, dusty black, or the diluted cremello and perlino. We will see what happens!

Until Next Time...
Happy New Year and the best to you and your families in 2009.