Meet Our Horses
April- April’s full face blaze gives her a striking appearance and she knows it! Foaled in 1993, our beautiful chestnut Quarterhorse mare has a smooth walk and can-do attitude that have quickly made her into a rider favorite. Her registered name is April Cut, but we have called her April since she joined us in 2006 thanks to funds donated by Harold and Kay Peplau.
B Smiley - This handsome, red roan Quarterhorse gelding was donated to our program by Pam Volk in August 2008. She had bought the strapping gelding to be a trail horse but we can tell he has been well trained in a former life. Foaled on January 4, 2000, his registered name is Pokagons Rock Along but we have renamed him B Smiley in honor of our beloved volunteer and Board Member, Beth Smiley. We are very pleased to announce that B Smiley has been adopted by J. F. Ervin Foundation for 2011.
Dakota - Foaled in 2002, Dakota is the baby of the barn, and joined our equine staff in September 2007. While he may look like “just another chestnut Quarterhorse gelding”, take a closer look at his left eye. It is half blue and half brown, very distinctive. When he’s not busy bossing the other geldings around in their paddock, Dakota is hard at work teaching some of our independent riders how to canter.
Ella - There is one universal reaction when people first meet Ella “WOW, she’s BIG!!”. At 16.3hh, she is tall and powerful, yet surprisingly smooth and graceful. Our black Percheron mare was foaled in 2000 and has been thrilling riders, and stretching sidewalkers, since she joined us in fall 2007. We are very pleased to announce that Ella has been adopted by Ruth Glancy for 2011.
Fable - Foaled in 1986 and registered as Fable NTF, Fable is a sturdy, broad-backed Haflinger mare, about 14 hands tall, and a bright chestnut (similar to palomino). She was a carriage driving horse, then a brood mare, before joining our program in 2002. She has quickly become a mainstay in our program. Fable was donated by Joel Greenisen, a long-time program supporter.
Hey Dobbs! - Foaled in 1997, Dobbs is a Morgan gelding, a dark liver chestnut color similar to coffee. His registered name is Equinox Declaration. He came to us in 2001 and we look forward to him serving our riders for years to come. He is a wonderful horse that loves kids and is enthusiastic about his job. He’s energetic and spunky and is about 14.2 hands. He is fun to ride and terrific for our students who are becoming more advanced. Dobbs was purchased from Sugar Lane Farms, owned by Jon and Vicki Sweet, using funds donated by the Jerry Dobbs Memorial Fund.
Maizy - Check out those braids! Fable and Dobbs have serious mane envy when they see Maizy’s gorgeous blond locks. Those combined with the dapples at the other end make her an all around pageant queen. She doesn’t let her beauty go to her head though. Foaled in 1988, she has been shown under saddle and is trained to drive as well. Her former owners loved her very much but could no longer care for her so she came to us in August 2010 and has become a wonderful addition to our herd. We are very pleased to announce that Maizy has been adopted by MIS Cares for 2011.
Miko - Miko is our 19 year old sturdy chestnut gelding. He is the perfect height for our sidewalkers at 14’2″ but is strong enough for our bigger riders. The most frequent comment overheard when someone sees Miko for the first time? ”Aaah, he’s so cute!” Miko came to us from Yvonne Warner, purchased with funds donated by Harold and Kay Peplau and we are thrilled to add him to our equine family. We are very pleased to announce that Miko has been adopted by Bruce and Sharon Robinson for 2011.
Robbie - Robbie joined our program in 2004 and he was foaled in 2000. He is a small chestnut sport pony (a mix of Thoroughbred, Shetland pony, and Arabian breeding), standing about 13.3 hands. Robbie, registered name Saint Roberto, just loves attention and is best friends with Hey Dobbs! He was purchased from Sportponies Unlimited, owned by P. Wynn Norman, using funds donated by Harold and Kay Peplau.
Sigbjorn - Sigbjorn brought a European flavor to our barn when he arrived August 2006. He was foaled in 1996, and is a dun Norwegian Fjord. At just 14 hands, he is small but mighty, designed for strength and sidewalkers – finally, a horse we are ALL tall enough to walk beside. He also brings a bit of color variety to our barn. Check out his stylish dorsal stripe, and “punk” mane. He settled in quickly and has amused us all with his playful personality. Sigbjorn was purchased with funds donated by Harold and Kay Peplau. We are very pleased to announce that Sigbjorn has been adopted by Art Van Furniture for 2011.
Tug – One of our two newest members of the herd is an 11 year old Quarter Horse named Tug. This handsome fella is a 15 hand gelding with a bold white blaze on his face.
Zeeda – Our second new arrival is a six year old thoroughbred mare named Zeeda. We are very pleased to announce that Zeeda has been adopted by The Glancy Foundation for 2012.
To learn more about joining Art Van, Bruce and Sharon Robinson, MIS Cares, Ruth Glancy, The Glancy Foundation and the J. F. Ervin Foundation in supporting one of our horses, email us.
