Back From The Maryland Futurity and the BRAHA Show

What a time we had at the Maryland Futurity and BRAHA fall show. We had three trailers full of horses and a "School of KKoi" attend the event. All of our weanlings were shown to perfection by the various kids from the barn. Our breeding program is centered around two major factors: breeding for correct conformation AND breeding for able-minded, easily manageable, amateur friendly horses. Well guess what? After our results in the classes we entered, our breeding program spoke to us through our placings. Remembering that our babies were shown by kids, we are very proud to report that we had the winner in the Sport Horse In Hand class as well as 3 other places. Then the kids tried their hands at Halter Handling which is basically a trail class in hand where the horses are led over, under, through and around various obstacles at the walk and/or trot. Well, we took 5 of the top places in that class as well. Not to mention the Champion Futurity Halter Handling ribbon as well as the Reserve Champion Futurity Halter Handling ribbon. What a proud day it was for papa KKoi. As I stated earlier, it was mentioned that there was a "School of KKoi" coming!

After running around all morning with a group of weanlings the girls were tired but all geared up to do some riding. With a collection of 23 ribbons under their belts from the morning session they were anxious to see what else they could accomplish. After being near the first to arrive and certainly the last to leave, the girls managed to pull in an additional 18 ribbons on their own horses. Way to go girls!! While it was a very tiring day, the times of camaraderie, showing their favorite foals and winning trunk fulls of ribbons will surly not be forgotten anytime soon. Thanks Girls for a great day!

At long last...introducing EF KKoi's Braveheart

The stork has finally arrived for Missy. At 4:41 am on April 19 Missy gave us a stunning colt. Ben, as we're calling him, is by far the most unusually colored foals we've had to date. We've known for a while that Kkoi carries the sabino gene, but this is definitely the most apparent its been in his foals. Ben is a bay, but in addition to the ordinary black mane hairs, his mane is also partly red. And his tail, rather than being solidly black, has white hairs on the sides and underside. Although many foals are born with light tails that change color over time, he actually has pink skin in these white areas, leading us to believe that he'll keep his unusual tail color into maturity. He also has three tall stockings that extend above his hocks and knees and several other white patches throughout his body.

As for his conformation (truly the most important thing!), we couldn't have hoped for better. Missy is a wonderful pony, but needed height and refinement - both of which we got in this little colt. He's huge, already 2/3 the height of his dam, and while he clearly has the look of mom, Kkoi added the much needed refinement. His personality is terrific, and he is already the darling of the farm.

Team Evergreen Update

In other news, Team Evergreen had their first outing of the season, heading to the BRAHA Spring Show in Bel Air, MD. The farm sent 8 horses and at least twice that in people to the show, and managed to come home with more than 50 ribbons. We'll update this blog as the full results come in, but for starters, here's the tally:

Rachel Dors with Apple Blossom

• 1st Place, Halter Handling
• 1st Place, Western Walk-Trot
• 2nd Place, Western Jr. Rider
• 3rd Place, Intermediate O/F
• 3rd Place, Intermediate O/F
• 4th Place, Partbred Sporthorse
• 4th Place, Intermediate Walk-Trot

Taylor Torrance with Snickerdoodle

• 4th Place, Beginner Hunter U/S
• 4th Place, Walk/Trot Hunter Hack 12" fences
• 5th Place, Open Walk/Trot Junior Rider
• 1st Place, Open Walk Race

Debbie Torrance (in her first show in almost 30 years!) with Grace

• 3rd Place, Walk/Trot Maiden Horse
• 3rd Place, Walk/Trot Maiden Rider
• 5th Place, Walk/Trot Green Horse and Rider

As I said, we'll post more results as they come in, but congrats to all the members of Team Evergreen on a great job. For many of the kids that went to the show, this was their first big show experience, and the team really banded together, pitched in, and showed some great sportsmanship and Evergreen spirit.

Still waiting!

After the arrivals of Nani and Princess, we have had a long drought with no foals in sight. Our wonderful pony mare, Missy, grows bigger and more unhappy looking by the day. The poor mare is now more than a week overdue, and boy does she look it! She has definitely developed the "mare stare" that says "Please take this thing out of me!" All indications are that Missy will give birth sometime this week, so check back soon for an update.

Nani and Princess continue to grow and keep getting better looking by the day. Nani is very solidly built, displaying her QH and warmblood roots proudly, but she has the personality and curiosity of every Arabian foal born here at Evergreen. Never a shy one, she'll always be there at the gate, ready to play with any passerby. Princess is a bit more reserved, but friendly and curious once she gets to know you. She still has amazingly long legs and the finest head we've seen. Her big, lofty gaits are breathtaking to watch.

And finally, we'll soon have results from the first Team Evergreen event of the year. Pam, Debbie Torrance and Lori Santmeyer took a gaggle of girls and half the horses on the farm to the BRAHA Spring Show where early reports are that the group garnered over 50 ribbons in one day. Check back soon for the full details!

Let the birthing begin!

Evergreen Farm is pleased to announce the arrival of our first foal of 2007 - EF Epona's Shenanigans, a lovely Arabian-Warmblood cross by our purebred Arabian stallion KKoi. Nanni is a lovely bay filly with good substance from her American warmblood dam, and elegance from her Arabian sire. Lacey, Nanni's dam is a maiden mare and has been a fabulous mother.

With seven mares due to foal between now and July, we're very happy that this first birth went well. We're hoping all seven are as smooth, and are looking forward to our 2007 foal crop. Patience (Baskin Sunrise) is our next due to foal, any day now. After recovering from a life-threatening knee fracture, Patience has been a wonderful pregnant mare, and we anticipate that she'll be a terrific mom. She certianly wants to be - having tried to steal Nanni away from Lacey soon after she was born!

Be sure to check back here often for the most recent updates on Evergreen Farm's foals, mares, stallion and show team. 2007 promises to be the best year yet as we enjoy the horse...from the hoof up.