Windtanzer and Kastiana go on Maternity Leave

We wrapped up training for these two young 'working mothers' this week with two fabulous rides. Despite only having 16 sessions under saddle Kastiana, always the quiet natured girl, was trotting poles in her last session and enjoying her last ride with 'Uncle Fred.' Tanzer had a equally impressive final ride with trainer Margaret Hawkins who introduced her to bending and connection during three months of dressage basics. Tanzer is really showing great promise in this discipline and we hope will be respresenting the farm in the show ring in 2012. Both mares are entering their third trimester and will now get to lounge in anticipation of their babies, due in April. Thank you to these two gifted riders who gave our talented young mares a great start in sport. Both girls will return to the arena after maternity leave and will begin preparing for more concentrated work next fall.

Fall to Winter to Summer...

...and after the October snow last week that left many with over 10 inches of snow and without power (we were lucky and had only a couple of inches) this second week of November found us in the 60's and back in T's! Margaret and Tanzer enjoyed the sunshine while making steady progress with Tanzer's dressage training. We also took advantage of the nice weather and fall colors to take some last photos of the girls before they disppear under their winter coats. You can see more pictures under the
'Offspring' section of the web-site.

Winter Begins?

Late October brought our second pre-winter snow in as many years. The horses seemed as surprised as I was to see white on the ground so soon! It is always entertaining to see the weanlings respond to their first snow, and Nova looked like she was walking on eggshells those first few steps until she realized it wasn't going to swallow her up. Tanzer is shown sporting her trace clip, the first time in five years that we have broken out the clippers. Katje looked amused, if mildly inconvenienced by having to dig down to the grass. The white was a beautiful contrast with the scarlet leaved maples on the drive. My only hope is that this early shot of winter isn't a hint of rough things to come.

Wintanzer Begins her Dressage Work

After four months under the amazing young horse trainer Fred Harrison, Tanzer has been slowly transitioned to the capable hands of FEI rider Margaret Hawkins for the next phase of her education. Margaret, a friend for many years and an incredible rider, is bringing Tanzer along slowly with an emphasis on moving forward and into the bridle. It gives us great joy to see this young homebred making strides in her early dressage training. Tanzer will have the late winter and spring off to have her second foal. After foaling she will go back under saddle with the goal of completing her Mare Performance Test and entering the show ring in dressage in 2013.

Kastiana is Under Saddle!

With our focus on breeding it has been several years since we have had horses working under saddle. Most of the babies have been sold as weanlings, but we retained three special fillies 'for ourselves' including Windtanzer, Sagan, and Kaareltje's first homebred filly, Kastiana. We are pleased to announce that our overgrown arena is getting regular use again. Fred Harrison rode Kastiana for the first time this week and has been back on her twice. What a thrill to have two promising youngsters in work. Even better to see that Anna has her sire's incredibly quiet and willing nature. She acts like she has been doing this all her life. Fred did ask if we had an extension ladder for mounting?! Luckily the gentle giant didn't mind standing next to the fence-line so he could reach the stirrup. Sagan is next - but we have a year and a half to go. For now I am just getting used to the smell of saddle soap once more. I have never been so happy to clean tack!

Tatiana is Back in Foal to Kaareltje

Good news came today from California. Tatiana, the lovely Dutch mare owned by Lio Lomas Dutch Warmbloods, is back in foal to Kaareltje for a summer, 2012 foal. Her son Grimmauld was sold to an amazing young FEI rider just shortly after birth, and we are hoping for a filly from this match made in heaven to add to our breeding program. Thank you, Dr. Deborah Harrison, for once again 'working the magic' with our very limited frozen semen from this rare and dear stallion who has for the last year been enjoying his retirement.

Sagan and Handler 'Hit the Arena'

Sagan reached another milestone today in her young horse development. She entered the arena wearing a saddle for the first time and walked and trotted in hand and over ground poles taking confidence from her friend and handler Calea. The pair have been working lightly together several times a week through the summer, and after a month off to relax are back in action. Sagan, now 1 1/2 years old, is a quick learner who enjoys new mental challenges and we have high hopes for her to be shown in hand as a two year old.

From High Risk - to High Scores!

When 16 year old maiden mare Ariana came to Firemist to have her foal no-one would know how close that foal would come to not surviving. Ariana went into labor as planned but had a rough delivery. Filly Reign Supreme was resuscitated but was diagnosed later that day with a serious internal issue that caused her to urinate into her abdomen, and underwent emergengy surgery at Leesburg at just 24 hours old. Despite suffering a subsequent viral infection two weeks later she made a complete recovery and went home as an early yearling to owner Camille. Dam Aria was a saint, always patient and cooperative while spending more than two months in a stall to accomodate her foal's recovery. How thrilled we were to receive these photos of Reign, (now called Raena) under new owner and judge Jessica. The petite Royal Prince daughter has received high scores and accolades both in dressage and at her Oldenburg inspection as a young adult. We couldn't be happier to see this little fighter 'all grown up' and to know that the competitive spirit that helped her to survive her first days is alive and well!

He's Here!

Katje has a new SON! Friday June 24th Tatiana delivered a chestnut colt with four socks and a narrow blaze. Mommy and baby are doing well, and maiden mare Tatiana has been a model mother. Thanks to Dr. Deborah Harrison of Lio Lomas Dutch Warmbloods for this opportunity - and for taking on our usual role of the sleep deprived! We are looking forward to photos of this half sibilng to Kastiana and Korinthian.

Kastiana Sahal in foal to Licosto

We were thrilled to have Kastiana Sahal check in foal today to the lovely Westphalian stallion Licosto (pictured above) via frozen semen. This is Anna's first pregnancy with frozen and what a lovely match. Licosto, grandson of the famous German Verband stallion Likoto and out of a mare by Rosenkavalier is both talented and elegant and the perfect compliment for the tall, large-boned Anna. His sire's dam-sire is the legendary Donnarhall lending tremendous ridability and temperament. Still a young stallion, Licosto has already qualified twice for the Bundeschampionat and was chosen for the World Breeding Championships in addition to impressing judges with his jumping ability. Grateful thanks to Dr. Michael Harrison who stayed up to inseminate in the middle of the night!

Tanzer and Fred Back Together Again

Tanzer had her fourth ride today since going back under saddle last week. She has now had 22 rides total and the pair are absolutely amazing together. Fred keeps the girls happy and relaxed and they actually seem to enjoy the work. Tanzer is pictured here working on the 'basics' of a forward trot and relaxed canter.

Genovia - New Photos

Genovia is five weeks old today. This TALL filly is playful and SO sweet. Best suited for dressage she is already doing canter pirouettes in the pasture and is non-plussed by fly sprays, baths, and clippers. She is going to be a breeze to work with. We are seeking a fabulous home for Nova who is out of the 17.2 hand mare Kastiana Sahal (Kaareltje-World Cup I bloodlines) by the Dutch FEI stallion Parcival (Nimmerdor-Voltaire-Lucky Boy). Nova has begun shedding out her foal coat and appears to be a very dark liver chestnut which should be pretty flashy with all that CHROME. Glad she doesn't mind water as I see a lot of baths in her future!

30 day Countdown begins for Tatiana and Kaareltje

We are excitedly anticipating the arrival of Kaareltje's next foal, due around June 25th in California. Katje was bred to the lovely Gelderlander pedigreed Dutch mare Tatiana owned by Dr. Deborah Harrison of Lio Lomas Dressage Horses. This will be our third Kaareltje offspring and the first conceived via frozen semen. Katje's first grand-daughter Genovia is also anxiously awaiting a future playmate. Katje, retired from Grand Prix dressage work and breeding, is pictured here enjoying his turnout at Firemist Farm.

Windtanzer FM is Confirmed in Foal and 'Back in Tack!'

Tanzer, our lovely E.C. Hanoverian mare is now a five year old and a 'working mother.' She was confirmed in foal today to the stunning and athletic Hanoverian approved Holsteiner pedigreed stallion Coeur d'Amour, pictured above. Tanzer also went back under saddle this week for the first time since being very lightly broken 18 months ago. She was calm and focused as though she had never taken a break for maternity leave despite only having 18 rides as an early 3 year old. Grateful thanks to trainer Fred Harrison who does such a lovely job breaking that the horses barely seem to know they are working! We look forward to showing Tanzer lightly this fall and to her coming foal in April of 2012.

Jastriad turns Twenty - Happy Retirement!

Jastriad (Rampal - Molly's Bai Mist) pictured here at the age of 19, turns twenty on May 14th. We are also celebrating her official Retirement from Breeding. A high level stadium jumper in her early teens, Jastriad has had 9 foals from such distinguished stallions as Contango, DeLaurentis and Rolando and is already a grandmother of 6 through her daughter Ahktiari and son Status Symbol. Her offspring have received accolades in every discipline with riders ranging from amateur young riders to professionals, making 'little momma' one of our most successful broodmares to date. Not a 'couch potato' personality, she is still energetic and playful and enjoys her role as 'Auntie Stri' to our youngsters. Stri is retiring breeding sound and healthy which was our goal. We hope she will follow in the footsteps of her dam who lived to the ripe old age of 36!

Ahktiari Shines in the Eventing Arena

Ahktiari, Jastriad's fifth and and smallest offspring, has found her niche' in the eventing arena. Dam of three lovely foals, the 15.3 hand Tari received very little under saddle training before she 'Went West' to have a career with her new owner at the age of seven. She has been in training now for nearly two years and is making great strides with her spectacular owner, Sue, and her young rider. We are SO grateful to everyone who has allowed Tari to shine, proving that good things come in small packages, and that a mare can be a excellent mother AND a 'career woman.' The best part of being a breeder? The smile on the rider's face!

Donarsagan Turns One

Donarsagan, Wrave's 2010 Hanoverian filly with the stallion Donarweiss ggf, became a yearling on March 24th. Sagan is the first filly we have retained for our breeding program since half sibling Kastiana was born four years ago. Still at a 'gawky' age, we have not been disapointed. Sagan is not only a lovely mover with good bone and flashy good looks, but she is smart and savvy and one of the most forward-natured of our homebreds. We have high hopes for her as she enters the breed arena in 2011.

Kastiana Sahal Delivers her First Foal

Maiden mare Kastiana Sahal delivered her first foal, a stunning chestnut sabino filly by Parcival, at 4:00 a.m. April 23rd. This is also our first 'grandchild' from stallion Kaareltje and beloved mare Wrave. The filly, named Genovia (Nova for short) has her dam's incredibly long legs and already stands chest high to me. Good thing she is as sweet and personable as her mommy and grand-daddy. A true 'pocket pony' who whinnies when she sees us and appears to know absolutely no fear. Now 24 hours old she is just learning where to put all those LEGS. We look forward to watching this young lady grow - and to washing all those white stockings! Many thanks to 'Auntie Linda' who took those precious first photos while I was on 'naval dipping duty.'

Havendjur, our 'Miracle Foal' turns 21 !

Haven, known to many as a 'miracle baby' turned 21 years old on March 23rd. Haven's conception and survival after birth has been the subject of many discussions among veterinarians and breeders alike. A third ovulation in an aged mare Haven was supposed to become a transfered embryo but remained in his donor mom, Firemist, beating the odds on almost every level possible. We honor Haven who proved that OCD need not be a career ender as the premature fellow was actually born with the disease due to his dam's advanced uterine degradation. He also was diagnosed with both renal and liver insufficiency and was half normal birth-rate, but managed to thrive against all odds. We still joke about the 17+ hand gelding who was suposed to be "unsound, insane, and never to mature over 14 hands." He is the reason we diligently studied developmental joint disease and I credit him with helping to assure other foals in our own and many other breeding programs would escape the pitfalls of this common condition. While Haven's situation was unique and may not have been preventable, the education we received while attempting to manage his growth and development can be applied to all foals. Haven also went on to have a successful career in dressage, to be a search and rescue equine, and even a therapeutic riding horse in his long and unexpected career before retiring from sport at age 18 to enjoy the remainder of his days raising 'his' foals. Thank you, dear boy, for reminding us all to handle adversity with grace and perseverence and that patience, faith, and a little science can truly combine to work miracles. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Kastiana Sahal Age 3 - Video

Kastiana by Kaareltje out of Wrave, video taken at age 3 1/2 early in her pregnancy. Anna is due to the FEI Dutch stallion Parcival for a May, 2011 foal!