In 1991, an excited young girl went to her cousin's farm to pick up a yearling horse she had just purchased. This girl was excited and hesitant -- she wanted a horse of her own, but she didn't want a stock horse, much less a breeding-stock Paint. Once she laid eyes on that bay filly, however, any doubts were quickly tossed aside.
Aqulia de Martita, or "Marti", was the foundation lesson horse for Castle Farm, as well as the first brood mare. With her bloodlines going back to Q Ton Eagle and Norfleet, a demeanor that you have to see to believe, and gorgeous conformation, Marti is the perfect broodmare, and her foals have shown that. Here are the foals she has produced since 1997.
![]() (Photo by Chris King) |
Name: Martita's Mini Hit |
| AKA: "Cola" | |
| Breed (Sex): American Paint Horse (M) | |
| Foaled: 1997 | |
| Current whereabouts: Durham, NC |
Martita's Mini Hit was Marti's first foal, a filly by the stud Hit Man. "Aggie", as we called her then, kept her mother's striking bay profile and demeanor and her father's size and strength. After a few years at the beach, she returned to the Piedmont when she was purchased by some of Heather's students, who now call her "Cola". She is great under saddle, and is being trained to drive.
![]() (Photo by Chris King) |
Name: Miss QT Eagle |
| AKA: "QT" (pronounced "cutie") | |
| Breed (Sex): American Paint Horse (M) | |
| Foaled: 1999 | |
| Current whereabouts: Wilson Mills, NC |
Miss QT Eagle was Marti's first foal sired by Captain Crusader. "QT" had the coloring that all Paint enthusiasts crave, and she filled out into a great-looking filly. She was sold in 2000 to a family in Wilson Mills, who planned to train her to follow "Cruiser" as a reining and cutting horse.
| QT's first hours (Photo by Chris King) |
QT and Marti (Photo by Chris King) |
QT (Photo by Chris King) |
| QT (Photo by Chris King) |
QT (Photo by Chris King) |
QT (Photo by Chris King) |
![]() (Photo by Chris King) |
Name: QT Kings Jester |
| AKA: "Jester" or "J" | |
| Breed (Sex): American Paint Horse (G) | |
| Foaled: 2000 | |
| Current whereabouts: Raleigh, NC |
"Jester" was born on April Fool's Day, the full brother to Miss QT Eagle. He shares his sister's coloration and temperament, but definitely beats her on size. He was well-behaved and a joy to train. Cathy Graham, one of Heather's former students, bought Jester in November 2000.
| Jester's first hours (Photo by Chris King) |
Jester and Marti (Photo by Chris King) |
Jester (Photo by Chris King) |
| Jester (Photo by Chris King) |
Jester (Photo by Chris King) |
Jester (Photo by Chris King) |
![]() (Photo by Chris King) |
Name: QTs Regal Eagle |
| AKA: "Reggie" | |
| Breed (Sex): American Paint Horse (S) | |
| Foaled: March 20, 2001 | |
| Current whereabouts: Benson, NC |
"Reggie" is Marti's 2001 foal, and he grew up to be a great yearling. He has the size and conformation to do almost anything. He was sold at auction in February 2002 to a great family in Benson, NC, where he will make a great trail horse or anything else they need from him.
| QTs Regal Eagle 2001 APHA Sorrel/Tobiano Colt |
Extra Heir Sorrel/Tobiano |
Extra Nice Brown/Tobiano |
Extra Impressive Sorrel/Tobiano |
| Cleggs Bo Derek Brown/Tobiano |
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| Pennies For Heaven Chestnut/Solid |
Heirloom Sorrel/Tob-Overo |
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| Miss April Sackett (QH) |
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| Aqulia de Martita Bay/Solid |
Mr. T Sorrel/Tobiano |
Swifts Spotted Bar Sorrel/Tobiano |
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| Malo Juan's Gal Sorrel/Solid |
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| Betty Joe Jack Bay/Tobiano |
Eagle Ray Sorrel/Tobiano |
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| Pay Day Bell (QH) |
![]() (Photo by Chris King) |
Name: QTs Crown Jewel |
| AKA: "Jewel" | |
| Breed (Sex): American Paint Horse (M) | |
| Foaled: March 9, 2002 | |
| Current whereabouts: Raleigh, NC (Castle Farm) |
"Jewel" is the 2002 foal of Aqulia de Martita. To date, as a yearling, Jewel is halter-trained, and has her mother's temperament and attitude. She trailers, leads, clips, bathes, and is an angel for the farrier.
| QTs Crown Jewel 2002 APHA Sorrel/Tobiano Filly |
Extra Heir Sorrel/Tobiano |
Extra Nice Brown/Tobiano |
Extra Impressive Sorrel/Tobiano |
| Cleggs Bo Derek Brown/Tobiano |
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| Pennies For Heaven Chestnut/Solid |
Heirloom Sorrel/Tob-Overo |
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| Miss April Sackett (QH) |
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| Aqulia de Martita Bay/Solid |
Mr. T Sorrel/Tobiano |
Swifts Spotted Bar Sorrel/Tobiano |
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| Malo Juan's Gal Sorrel/Solid |
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| Betty Joe Jack Bay/Tobiano |
Eagle Ray Sorrel/Tobiano |
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| Pay Day Bell (QH) |
![]() (Photo by Beverly Austin) |
Name: Unnamed Colt |
| AKA: "Roy" | |
| Breed (Sex): American Paint Horse (S) | |
| Foaled: 2004 | |
| Current whereabouts: Castle Farm, Knightdale, NC |
The son of Marti and North Forty Rocket, Roy is only a day old as of this writing. As he gets used to life on the outside, we'll post more information about Castle Farm's newest equine resident.