(Photo by Amanda Guffey )
Castle Farm will assist in the breaking, training, and conditioning of show or pleasure horses. Our trainer, Heather King, can help you with:
Here are some of the horses that we have had or currently have in training. Some videos are in QuickTime format (Click here for the free viewer from Apple.) Note: Some of these videos are lengthy, and may take a while to download before viewing. Whenever possible, a smaller version is available which will be faster, but with poorer quality.
(Photo by Amanda Guffey ) |
Name: Okee's Silk Stockings |
| AKA: "Silky" | |
| Stats: 2001 Arabian/Paint cross mare | |
| Owned by: Justine Smith | |
| In training for: conditioning and basic under saddle work | |
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Silky is another orphan, raised by people, so she is super sweet. She talks to you and follows you around where ever you go. She is starting on a conditioning program to get her back in shape, then we will see down what road she will go. She is a nice mover, so she might do well as a hunter sport horse. Only the future will tell . . .
(Photo by Amanda Guffey ) |
Name: Nolita Marie |
| AKA: "Nolita" | |
| Stats: 2008 APHA/AQHA cros mare | |
| Owned by: Samantha Windham | |
| In training for: basic under saddle work and bombproofing | |
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Nolita is a sweet, people friendly horse who was orphaned at birth. She is very green broke under saddle and has come to Castle Farm to sharpen those skills. She is also here to become more comfortable in strange, new places. Nolita is a cute mare with a lot of promise and a great future ahead!
 (Photo by Amanda Guffey ) |
Name: Moon Shadow |
| AKA: "Shadow" | |
| Stats: 2006 National Show Horse mare | |
| Owned by: Jordyn Dunson | |
| In training for: groundwork and early work under saddle | |
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Shadow was recently purchased by one of Castle Farm's longest riding students - Jordyn Dunson. Jordyn hopes that Shadow will become a competitive event horse in the future, but right now, Shadow needs to work on some of her basics. She is green broke, but still has issues on the ground, especially with trusting people. She is a lovely mover, and is very smart, so hopefully, her training will progress quickly and we will see her in the show ring soon.
(Photo by ) |
Name: Fox Knoll Papermate |
| AKA: "Leo" | |
| Stats: 2003 AQHA gelding | |
| Owned by: Carla Pinkerton | |
| In training for: tune ups and skill sharpening | |
Leo has been at Castle Farm for almost a year. He has already improved in just the short time he has been here in the lesson program. However, a few small bad habits still exist. He will be working on staying on the rail better, improving his canter and improving his jumping. Hopefully, we will see his show record improve as well.
 (Photo by Amanda Guffey) |
Name: Midnight Mystique |
| AKA: "Mystic" | |
| Stats: 2003 Paint pony gelding | |
| Owned by: Karen Young | |
| In training for: mileage and finishing | |
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Mystic has just joined us at Castle Farm, where he will be fine tuned for sales. He has previously jumped, although, not in a while. He has also competed at a dressage show, where he did quite well, and been out on trails. He is here to get even more mileage, and to prepare him for his bright future.
 (Photo by ) |
Name: Baltic Surprise |
| AKA: "Reno" | |
| Stats: 2006 Swedish Warmblood/Appaloosa gelding | |
| Owned by: Allyson McNeill | |
| In training for: under saddle mileage and finishing | |
Reno is another claim to the fabulous Baltic temperament. He is a sweet fella with a bit of a goofy side. He will be at Castle Farm for several months to get some miles under saddle. He has already been started, but he still has a lot to learn. Allyson is hoping to one day compete him at first level and be able to relax with him on trail rides. He has the willing attitude that all the other Baltic horses have displayed, along with a really comfortable trot, so they should have no trouble reaching their goals.
 (Photo by Amanda Guffey) |
Name: Oktoberfest |
| AKA: "Clyde" | |
| Stats: 2002 TB/Clydesdale cross bay gelding | |
| Owned by: Ashley Godfrey | |
| In training for: fine tuning his jumping skills | |
Clyde is a sweet fella with a great personality. He is green over fences but definitely has the attitude to please. I will be working with him once a week to help him get more experience over fences and fine tune his abilities.
 (Photo by Heather King) |
Name:CF Baltic Royal Tee**FOR SALE!** |
| AKA: "Butch" | |
| Stats: 2007 dark bay Swedish Warmblood colt | |
| Owned by: Heather King | |
| In training for: saddling and bridling | |
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Butch was born and raised here at Castle Farm. While he is for sale, as long as he is still here, his training will continue. This year, he will learn to wear a saddle and bridle. Hopefully, his behavior will reflect that of all the other Baltics, and he will be easy and relaxed about the whole affair. We shall soon see . . .
 (Photo by unknown) |
Name: Lusty Gambler |
| AKA: "Sandi" | |
| Stats: 1995 Thoroughbred mare | |
| Owned by: Dominique Major | |
| In training for: fine tuning of her dressage skills | |
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Sandi has really come a long way. Her dressage scores, alone, definitely tell the tale. She has gone from scores consistently in the 50's to her most recent score of 76%! Here is a recent note from Amanda Guffey (9/15/09): "I know I told you earlier but I just wanted to tell you again how GREAT Sandi felt this afternoon when I rode her!!! She was so responsive and was listening and waiting and she got a little excited and wanted to go a few times, but she was NEVER tense! It was great! Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for all the work you've done with her - riding her on your own and helping me work with her. I definitely feel like everything we're doing is working and paying off. I feel like you're doing a great job with her and I'm extremely happy with your rides on her and her progress so far!"
Sandi is a forward mare with a wonderful attitude towards jumping. Dressage is a little tough for Sandi. She doesn't like to bend and is often very stiff and ungiving. I will be working with Sandi once a week on suppling exercises to help her become more flexible and softer in the bridle. Hopefully, we will see her dressage scores improve as well!
 (Photo by unknown) |
Name: Top Deck Jet |
| AKA: "Jett" | |
| Stats: 2001 QH/Arab cross bay gelding | |
| Owned by: Castle Farm | |
| In training for: fine tuning his dressage and jumping skills | |
Jett is definitely a favorite at the barn. Since things are a little quieter right now, I am able to work with him and sharpen his skills in dressage and jumping. He has already become more flexible as a result. He will do a lot of suppling exercises and gymnastics to strengthen his back and hindquarters and help him become more balanced. Look for him to shine a little brighter at the shows this year.
 (Photo by Amanda Guffey) |
Name: Cisco |
| AKA: "Cisco" | |
| Stats: 2004 buckskin pony gelding | |
| Owned by: Karen Young | |
| In training for: finishing and sales | |
**Update on Cisco 2/19/09** Well, we loved him so much here at Castle Farm, that we decide to make him a permanent member of our team. Look for more about Cisco on the main "Horses" page. We are expecting great things from him!
Cisco is a cute pony with a sweet personality. He is here as a resale project. We only have him for a month, so we'll see what we can do, but we hope to touch up his flat work and start him over fences. He should make a great hunter or dressage pony for kids.
 (Photo by Laughing Horse Photos) |
Name:Storm |
| AKA: "Storm" | |
| Stats: 2003 grey and white Paint pony gelding | |
| Owned by: Karen Young | |
| In training for: conditioning and finishing | |
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Storm is a beautiful young gelding who has come to Castle Farm for some finishing work. He is started under saddle and going well at the walk and trot, but needs some work on his canter and also needs some conditioning. He is a friendly fellow with a nice attitude and should be fun to work with. He will also be for sale once we get to know him a little better.
Update (7/12/08): Storm went to his first hunter show today and was fabulous! He competed in two classes in the Hopeful Hunter division and placed first and second respectively. He had a great attitude the whole day and everyone commented on how beautiful he is.
 (Photo by Amanda Guffey) |
Name: Onyx |
| AKA: "Onyx" | |
| Stats: 2004 black Quarter Horse X mare | |
| Owned by: Mimi Ibrahim | |
| In training for: conditioning and finishing, behavior management | |
Onyx is a cute little mare with a great personality. She is a quick learner, which can be good and bad. She learns her cues and aids quickly, but she also picks up bad habits quickly. She is here for a little behavior reform (due to picking a few bad habits) and also to finish out her canter and put her in a more desireable frame. Her owners hope to be able to compete her in the local pleasure shows when we are finished.
 (Photo and inset by Suzin Daly) |
Name: Baltic Brigantia |
| AKA: "Bree" | |
| Stats: 2005 chestnut Swedish Warmblood mare | |
| Owned by: Amber and Matt Nibe | |
| In training for: starting under saddle, learning to free jump, preparing for SWB inspection | |
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July 2009: Bree has returned to Castle Farm to continue her competitive career. She is a little out of shape, so we will start her out with a conditioning program, and then, the sky is the limit for this talented mare!
**Update Winter 2008: Bree had a fabulous first year under saddle! She was, as all the other Sundance offspring, very easy to start and work with. She had a great start at her first show, earning a 62% and 65% in intro level. In October she did awesome at the SWANA inspection. She free jumped over 4 feet and earned a 9 for free jumping type. She ended up with Class 1 in free jumping and Class 2 in dressage. Bree culminated the year by finishing 6th place overall in the year end awards for Macnairs in intro level. There were 69 competitors at intro level this year! Definitely a great start for this mare.
Spring 2008: Bree is sired by our favorite Baltic stallion, LA Baltic Sundance. She has returned this year to start working under saddle. Last year, Bree was with Castle Farm for 2 months learning in-hand and ground work to prepare her for being ridden. This year, she will be started under saddle at the walk, trot and canter. She will also learn to free jump in preparation for the Swedish Warmblood Association of North America Inspection in the fall. We look forward to working with Bree again.
Bree went back home about a month ago, here is an update her owner sent us recently (9/4/07):
"I have been meaning to e mail you for weeks now, but I've been busy back at work with the new school year starting up and I haven't made time. Bree has been wonderful since she has been back. I put her in cross ties every night to groom her and she is perfect. She still gets a little impatient and paws once in a while, but that is getting less and less. The farrier was here a few weeks ago and she was perfect. Thanks for all of your work with her. I'm looking forward to having you start her under saddle."
Bree just went to her first dressage show this weekend (8/10/08) and was fabulous! She competed in Intro tests A and B earning a 62% and 65%, respectively. The judge commented that her gaits were awesome and that she really liked this horse! Of course, the Baltic temperament was prominent in Bree. She acted very quiet and calm, just like at home, even with horses whizzing closely by. Bree is certainly well on her way to doing the Baltic family proud! You can check out a video from this show on the link above.
**Update 6/16/10 - Congratulations to Lois and Heather Mercer on their purchase of Patti! Heather will be riding and competing Patti in eventing and Lois will be riding and competing Patti in huntseat. This is the perfect home for this very sweet and versatile mare. I am so happy for both of them!!
**Update 12/24/09 - Patti has earned yet another award for the year. This one comes from Fenridge Farm for their Dressage series. Patti place 6th overall in the Upper Level Eventing Dressage division out of 16 horse and rider teams, with very limited showing there as well!
**Update 12/7/09 - Patti has had a fabulous year as her jumping has continued to improve and she has risen up the levels. She finished out the year in 4th place overall at MacNair's Country Acres in Novice level Combined Training after only competing in two shows at this level! She truly loves her job and loves to please!
**Update 6/20/09 - Patti's dressage is definitely improving! She competed in just dressage classes today (followed by a cross country schooling). She won the Beginner Novice Test A class with a score of 36.3%! She also came in second her first time performing the Novice Test A, with a score of 35.5%! She consistently gets 8's for her halt on centerline and also received an 8 for her working trot and its transition! Her gaits consistently get 7's. She went on to school cross country, and NOTHING phased her! She schooled over training level jumps (up to 3'3"), including jumping in and out of water, banks and ditches. This mare REALLY enjoys jumping!
**Update 5/31/09 - Patti competed in her first beginner novice horse trial today. She started with a 42.6% in her dressage, but drastically moved up in the ranks after going double clear in both stadium and cross country to finish in first place! She had never schooled a bank before, but went up like it was nothing. None of the jumps phased her and she had a blast!
**Update 2/28/09 - Patti performed beautifully at her second show winning both over fences classes and one other class to earn the Training Hunter Championship for the day!!**
Patti is a very sweet horse who is quite out of shape right now. She has had previous training - 90 days under saddle. She will go through a conditioning program and then start working under saddle again. It looks like she might be a nice hunter under saddle prospect. We'll see . . .
 (Photo by Amanda Guffey) |
Name: Baltic Leap of Faith |
| AKA: "Faith", "Gigantor", "Baltic G" | |
| Stats: 2006 black Swedish Warmblood mare | |
| Owned by: Gretchen Britt | |
| In training for: basic ground manners | |
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10/15/09 - I recently received another email from Gretchen about her wonderful mare: "I just had to share with you how well my girl is doing! Faith has been home for two weeks now after spending five months in training with Heather King. Heather started Faith under saddle, working her in the ring, field, and at horse shows. While Faith is still a "green baby," I am amazed at how quiet, well-mannered, and responsive she is. She carries herself and seeks contact with the bit and my hands. We're working on bending, straightening, and suppleing, and I am having a blast with her. When we ride, we walk about four houses down to a neighbor's ring. Faith has been very relaxed the last few trips to the ring. There are several other horses in pastures nearby and she wants to visit, but she listens to me, stands quietly for mounting, and then settles into work. Last night was our first ride under the lights. She looked at her shadows, but did not shy or side step one time. I was so proud of her. Since Faith and I have been together since she was born, Faith adjusts to things so quickly. If "mom" isn't worried, then neither is she! Thank you all so much for your help and insight and encouragement. Suzin always said it was different with a horse that had been started correctly. I love my girl and it is wonderful to be back in the saddle again."
Faith has proven herself to be just like all the other Baltic offspring - a joy to work with! She has been under saddle for about 60 days, and her training has gone so smoothly. Gretchen came out to ride her for the first time last week. Here is what she had to say: "I am just amazed at how quiet she was on Saturday. You have done a remarkable job with her training. She was so responsive to my leg and seat. Thank you so much!!"
5/3/09 - Faith has returned to Castle Farm to begin her riding career. She will be here for several months working on conditioning, backing, and then work under saddle. Hopefully, she will be like all the other Baltics - a breeze to work with.
Update from Gretchen (summer 2008): "I'm really glad to have Faith home and she is doing well. We've lunged a few times and it's going pretty well. Last night she was definitely looking at me with those "I'm trying to understand what you want" eyes. She was very relaxed and interested, although a little confused. We'll get there. I'm very pleased that the trotting in hand is smooth and has remained so. That tells me that once she has a skill, she will retain it. Thanks so much for the training time. We'll definitely do more later."
Faith is another Baltic collection member. She is as sweet as all the others, but can be a little pushy. So, she came to Castle Farm to learn how to become better behaved. She worked on lots of in-hand movements, and also learned how to lunge. She was only here for 2 weeks (Gretchen really missed her), but she was so pleased with her transformation that Faith will probably be joining us again for future training. We look forward to having her back.
 (Photo by Lois Mercer, inset by Katie Powell) |
Name: CF Baltic Royal Flush**FOR SALE!** |
| AKA: "Cassidy" | |
| Stats: 2005 chestnut reg. Swedish Warmblood mare | |
| Owned by: Heather King | |
| In training for: dressage and eventually eventing | |
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**Update 12/7/09 - Cassidy has had a wonderful year of riding and competing. Her training has made leaps and bounds (literally and figuratively), as she has progressed from Intro level dressage to Beginner Novice level Combined Training and finally, to Maiden level eventing! She even managed to finish 5th overall for the year with MacNair's Country Acres in Training level dressage, despite having only competed at that level for half the year! I can't wait to see what next year holds!!
"Cassidy" has the wonderful temperament that is typical of her bloodlines. I am taking it very slow with Cassidy - working only a few days a week for no more than 30 minutes at a time, but she soaks up the information so quickly! She is an amazing horse and looks to have a bright future.
 (Photo by Heather King) |
Name: Kandi Kane |
| AKA: "Kandi" | |
| Stats: 2002 bay Quarter Pony mare | |
| Owned by: Emory Faison | |
| In training for: basic ground manners, improved riding skills | |
Kandi is Emory's first horse, and as we all know, no horse comes without their problems. Kandi is quite pushy on the ground and sluggish under saddle. She has come to Castle Farm to work on both of these things. Hopefully, she will learn quickly.
 (Photo by Arielle Perry) |
Name: Coal in my Stocking**FOR SALE!** |
| AKA: "Munchkin" | |
| Stats: 2004 black reg. purebred Welsh gelding | |
| Owned by: Ellen Ziemer | |
| In training for: under saddle and in harness work | |
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9/7/08 - Munchkin came back for a brief stay at Castle Farm. We had spent some time locating a driving harness and road cart for him. Once we found stuff to fit him, he came back to try everything on and review what he had learned last winter. He remembered everything very quickly, and went home the next week with new tack and a new cart!
"Munchkin" is a registered purebred Welsh pony by Winterlake Gulliver out of Sanalta Gypsy Queen, by Skellorn Daughinoir. He has great expression, extravagant movement and a willing temperament. He has come to Castle Farm to start his riding and driving career. He seems like a smart one!
 (Photo by Amanda Guffey) |
Name: Gabrielle RSH**FOR SALE!** |
| AKA: "Gabby" | |
| Stats: 2004 bay Oldenburg mare | |
| Owned by: Ellen Ziemer | |
| In training for: under saddle work, to be ridden, to be driven | |
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9/7/08 - Gabby is back at Castle Farm to continue her training. She got as far as learning the basics of being ridden before she had to leave last year. This year, she has returned to work on her driving skills. I look forward to working with Gabby again and teaching her all the fun of driving!
"Gabby" is the full sister to Gloria RSH who recently left the farm after being weaned from her gorgeous colt CF Baltic Royal Tee. Gabby is here to learn the basics of riding and driving. The hope is to bring Gloria back in a few months and put the two mares together as a driving pair.
 (Photo by Amanda Guffey) |
Name: Dodi |
| AKA: "Dodi" | |
| Stats: 2004 dark bay Percheron/TB mare | |
| Owned by: Justine Smith | |
| In training for: better ground manners, improved under saddle work | |
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"Dodi" is a huge mare with a great personality. She is here to fine tune the basics on the ground and under saddle. So far, she has proven to be a very sturdy and trustworthy mount. She is comfortable in many different situations and loves to relax on the trails.
 (Photo by Amanda Guffey) |
Name: Bill and Kay |
| AKA: "Bill" and "Kay" | |
| Stats: 2004 bay Morgan/Hackney gelding and 2003 bay Morgan/Hackney mare | |
| Owned by: Johnny Smith |
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| In training for: driving as a pair | |
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Bill and Kay, who are brother and sister, are a perfectly matched pair of ponies that have been sent to Castle Farm to learn how to drive. They get along beautifully, so putting them together shouldn't be too hard. Look for them within a few months in the top driving shows.
 (Photo by Amanda Guffey) |
Name: Pearl |
| AKA: "Pearl" | |
| Stats: 2004 bay Arab/Hackney/QH mare | |
| Owned by: Gracie, Junie and Rosie Burke |
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| In training for: finishing, bombproofing, behavior modification | |
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Pearl is a beautiful little filly with a big attitude. She is at Castle Farm to become a more polite pony for her young owners. She is very smart and quick. Hopefully, she will catch on quickly to what is expected of her. After a while, she may even be able to join the lesson program.
Pearl has been back at home and out of training since September 2007. Here is an update from Pearl's owners: "No, Pearl is not for sale anymore, we have been riding her and we love her so much!! One of my boarders is training her to jump and she seams to be a natural. My girls are riding a couple of times a week, they love Pearl. I think you did a great job with her."
 (Photo by Unknown) |
Name: Tease The Girls |
| AKA: "Teaser" | |
| Stats: 2002 bay registered appendix QH gelding | |
| Owned by: Justine Smith |
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| In training for: finishing | |
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Teaser has come to Castle Farm to get a few finishing touches put on his well started under saddle work. He will be fine tuning his ground manners as well as his canter. He will also be working on jumping. He is for sale, and you can click here for more info about purchasing this horse.
**Update - "Teaser" has been SOLD! Congratulations to his new owners**
 (Photo by Heather King) |
Name: Song of a Rebel |
| AKA: "Song" | |
| Stats: 1995 bay Tennessee Walking Horse mare | |
| Owned by: Joey Burke |
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| In training for: behavioral management | |
Song was recently purchased by the Burke family as a first horse. She has spent much of the past few years out to pasture being a broodmare. She needs work remembering that she can trust people and allow people to catch her and ride her. She is a quick learner with a sweet temperament and a kind eye.
 (Photo by Heather King) |
Name: Raise the Standard**FOR SALE!** |
| AKA: "Sierra" | |
| Stats: 1999 yellow dun Appaloosa mare | |
| Owned by: Allyson McNeill |
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| In training for: conditioning | |
Sierra has had some time off to be a mom. Last year, she gave birth to a gorgeous Appaloosa colt who has already done some winning in the show ring. Sierra would also like to get back to the show ring, but just needs a good workout. She will be spending about a month here at Castle Farm getting back in shape and ready for competition.
 (Photo by Leanne McFetridge) |
Name: Gypsy |
| AKA: "Gypsy" | |
| Stats: 1998 black and white Paint pony mare | |
| Owned by: Katelyn McFetridge |
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| In training for: conditioning, behavior modification | |
Gypsy has been recently purchased by young Katelyn. Gypsy has had a lot of time off, and has not been ridden regularly in quite a while. She also has a few bad habits that need correcting. I will be taking about a month to work with her behavior and to get her in shape for Katelyn, and also to join the lesson program.
 (Photo by Chris Hawkins) |
Name: Lexington |
| AKA: "Lex" | |
| Stats: 1999 bay Mustang gelding | |
| Owned by: Sydney Parks | |
| In training for: Improved behavior, improved competition manners, improved jumping ability, improved overall training | |
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Lex came to Castle Farm for "behavior modification", and has blossomed into a great lesson horse. He has been in training since Nov. 2005, and since then, he has moved from a hard to handle pony to a well-mannered lesson horse who is a favorite among the students. While here, he has learned to jump, and is continuing to improve these skills. He can free jump up to 3�9�. He is learning to behave at competitions, and he has competed in hunter shows, dressage shows and horse trials, always in the ribbons.
 (Photo by Heather King) |
Name: Gloria RSH |
| AKA: "Gloria" | |
| Stats: 2003 light bay Oldenburg mare | |
| Owned by: Ellen Ziemer |
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| In training for: Broodmare, horse-in-training | |
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Gloria is by the Hanoverian sire Golfball, and has recently given birth to a gorgeous colt sired by LA Baltic Sundance, the sire of "Cassidy". She will remain at Castle Farm until the colt has been weaned. Throughout her pregnancy she was started under saddle and in harness for driving. She has proven to be a quiet, eager to please mare with loads of talent.
 (Photo by Owen Daly) |
Name: Baltic Freedom |
| AKA: "Libby" | |
| Stats: 2002 Swedish Warmblood bay mare | |
| Owned by: Kelly Roan | |
| In training for: Under saddle | |
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Libby is the half-sister of Castle Farm's own "Cassidy". She was at Castle Farm for about 7 months, where she started her under saddle training. She also spent some time training with Tami Batts - dressage judge (R-D) and upper level competitor. Libby has just recently been purchased by Polly Yeago, who intends to take her up the levels in dressage. Congratulations to Libby and Polly!
**Update from Polly on Libby: "Great news! Libby has been selected for the Scott Hassler clinic Nov.3&4. She is doing great. She is a quick learner and so sweet."
 (Photo and inset by the Shaw family) |
Name: Bust-A-Move |
| AKA: "Buster" | |
| Stats: 2000 Appaloosa/QH dark bay gelding | |
| Owned by: Linda, Ellen, and Rachel Shaw | |
| In training for: Responsiveness, grooming manners | |
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Buster's family brought him to Castle Farm both for lessons and for training. He had a "tuneup" for the month of August, where he worked on better responsiveness. We incorporated �clicker training� into his regimen, and it has made a huge difference. He has also spent some time working on becoming better with clippers. A horse who once struck out when approached with clippers, Buster will now calmly allow you to clip his muzzle, bridle path, face, legs and even ears.
