Prairie Wind Ranch

2010

Upcoming Plans

We are still busy rehabilitating the old farm that we moved to in 2007 and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. We rebuilt more fence in 2009, almost finished the parking/trailer turn-around area, and made more progress on the landscaping. In 2010 we plan to get the new stallion paddock finished with new vinyl fence and add a porch on the front of our house. 2010 will also bring more excitement at foaling time. We are expecting our first drum horses to be born to Shire mares, Candice and Primera in mid-summer. And, our own blue roan Friesian cross, Sapphire, will have her first foal. She is bred to a first premie stallion from Texas for her first 3/4 Friesian - it might even be a blue roan! Photos below of the Gypsy sire of the drum foals and the Friesian sire of Sapphire's foal.

Gypsy stallion, Ainsley

standing at Blackshire Equestrian Cntr in Minnesota

Friesian stallion, Eise van 't Oost

standing at Friesian Harts in Texas

2009

October, 2009

We had tentative plans to attend the Nationals in St. Louis, MO, again but Life had other ideas about that. So, we switched gears and made alternate plans that turned out to be fabulous! We decided to deliver 2009 foals, Grace and Murphy to their homes in Southern Kansas and Texas respectively. And, our time in Ft. Worth was going to coincide with the Andalusian Nationals! What luck! At the last minute we decided to throw Alex in the trailer and let him spend the winter in Texas with our good friends, Nick and Ashley Northup. So, we started out our trip by meeting up with Dakota Grace's new owner, Kayla, in Wellington Kansas. Kayla's family were gracious hosts and had great accommodations for all the horses. Your hospitality is much appreciated and thank you for giving Grace such a great home!

Grace relaxing on her first night at home!

Kayla and Grace - Beautiful pair!

Kayla on Alex

(wish you could see her Friesian grin!)

We had a great time at the Andalusian show! We met up with friends, Nick and Ashley Northup, Texas; Rita Ricard, South Dakota; Frances Carbonnel, Colorado; and met some new friends including Joyce Firkus, Minnesota. Somehow we spent three days there without getting a single photo! The icing for this wonderful trip was spending time with Steve's family who live in Ft. Worth. Thank you Michael, Ramona and Blanche--we miss you!

July, 2009

We had a family gathering at the farm in early July and the grandchildren had a great time fossil hunting, riding the ATV, and riding Alex. Alex hadn't been ridden for several months, but he took gentle care of the young riders. It was the first time on a horse for Tristan and Mahalia from Arizona! We hope they all can make it back soon!

Kelby Torgerson

Devon Torgerson

Tristan Munalem

Mahalia Munalem

Black Hills Horse Expo, March 7-8, 2009

We hadn't planned on attending the BHHE this year for several reasons - hadn't done anything with Alex all winter so he was extra fat and we just had a lot of other things going on at home. But, at the last minute we got a phone call that they were in need of horses for the dressage clinic, so we agreed to pull Alex out of the pasture, spit polish him and haul him down there. Mari Monda Zdunic rode Alex in her clinics (thank you, Rita, for the photos below). One of Alex's sons, Smart Alek, owned by Barb and Mike Dusenberry also participated as well as Rita Greslin Ricard's beautiful Andalusian stallion, Tesoro, and Spanish Norman stallion, Raven. It was great to see several friends that we just don't see any other time. Alex was also thrilled to be able to spend some quality time with good friend, Emma Fennell on his back - she did a great job of relaxing Alex. Pictures below are Mari and Alex during the clinic.

2008

I had a great time at the 2008 IFSHA World and Grand Nationals Show in St. Louis, MO in late October. I traveled with my friend, Rita Greslin Ricard, and we met up with more friends when we got there. I also had the privilege of making several new friends including the new owner of our 2005 gelding, Travler. Ashley and I hit it off right away and I hated to part at the end of the weekend! The first photo below is Cassandra Adams with her fabulous stallion, Valour, winning the costume class. The second photo is Ashley and Travler shortly after they met for the first time.

Black Hills Horse Expo, March 8-9, 2008

We missed the BHHE in ’06 and ’07 so it was fun to go back this year and see old friends and make some new ones. Amber Leigh Hoots did a wonderful job riding Alex, as she always does, and we are very grateful for her help. She and Alex have a special bond that is evident whenever she is on his back.

12/26/2009