It's Official...the 2010 National MultiColor Stallion

Toad Hill's Spots and Dots -

2010 National All Star Champion Multi-Color Stallion/Gelding Under

Spots and Dots, 29", was shown as a yearling for the first time this year.
He was also shown in Bred, Owned and Shown by Exhibitor (BOS) placing 3nd in National All Star 2010, the Reserve National All Star winner should be Little Dove, also owned by Toad Hill.
For me that is quite a feat, since I am not a professional trainer. I have learned by trial and error to show horses, have very little time outside of work to train, clip my own horses and show them myself. I have never felt comfortable in open classes so when I discovered this class I thought I would try it. I can show my horses against a more level field with other owners who raise and show their own horses. Yeah BOS classes.

Spots and Dots now has a full brother, yet to be named. If I do not sell Spots and Dots I may show both in Produce of Dam and Get of Sire, yes I have a third foal sired by Fancy Pants.

UPDATE: 2011 - Spots will come in 2nd to my other stallion: Foxfire's Picture Perfect and he and Goblin will be National Champions of Produce of Dam for Toad Hill's Kiss Me Kate and also National Champion in Owned, Bred and Shown by Exhibitor Stallions Under.

Sire: Boones Buckeroo Fancy Pants - 29.50" , Sired by Boones Little Buckero Megabucks (HOF) out of A A Fancy Girl
Dam: Toad Hill's Kiss Me Kate - 30.25"

•  2007 National All Star Champion Multi-Color Mare Under
• Shown to win  201007 National Champion All Star Produce of Dam for Willow-

Kate's Sire: Toad Hill's Oreo

Kate's Dam: Toad Hill's Wind in the Willows

• 2002 National All Star Champion Multi-Color Mare Over
• 2010 National All Star Champion Produce of Dam
• 2011 Reserve National All Star Champion Produce of Dam

Thanks to

Franke Photo Design, LLC
608-436-2530
http://www.yourhorsepics.com/
Who took these photos at the H. A. M. E. this summer. I was extremely happy with the way their photos turned out.

Chariots - Friesians Do IT!

Chariots...There are a number of other horse breeds that have chariot classes or exhibitions. I was somewhat amazed to find a number of these on YouTube. Friesian MWFNA 2010 FHANA Chariots

Mini in Dressage

Okay, this is cool!!! Run this video, it is a beautifully colored leopard miniature horse doing dressage.It will take 20 seconds before you see the star of this show, but it is worth the wait.

Sorry but this is the only way I can link this video...it was the first one I every saw of Lancelot and dressage.
Click below:

Lancelot ShowPony

Another link to some training, unfortunately it is in German

Lancelot Interview 

How did she train that horse to do this? If I knew I would train one of my miniatures.
LINK  In case YouTube above does not work.

How about a class in miniature horse dressage for AMHR and/or AMHA?

Have to thank Wendy for this link.

Another example of "Shetlandpony" - really looks mini to me.

Chariot Just Advertised

This is an update: October 28, 2010 This chariot was posted for sale on lilbeginnings. 

"Think the Chariot class looks like fun at Nationals?  Here is a chariot ready to go!

Fiberglass bucket designed by Dale Lutke with wooden shafts and wheels.  Adjustable shaft height to fit Minis or Shetlands.  Very good condition. 

 

Delivery available to Glen Rose, TX later this weekend or to ASPC/AMHR Convention in Little Rock, AR next week!"

To check if it is still available try:  http://www.strasslein.com/sales.htm

Country Roads Shadows Sunny Boy

Rarely do I buy a miniature horse any more. I have way too many already to justify just one more.

But this spring I received an email from a breeder in Malta, Illinois.

She was interested in one of my filies, so after some discussion a trade was worked out.

Sunny was shown as a 2 month old at HAMES and was a perfect little gentlemen. 

After spending some quality time with Sunny, Wendy and Mike it was time to head home with Sunny.

Walked little Sunny up the to rear of the van and "Whoa, you want me to what?" asked Sunny.

"Sure, you can do it little boy," I said.

"I don't know, it's pretty high up there but here goes," and with one colossal jump in he went.

"So what do you think? How do I look in here?" said Sunny.

Wendy climbed in to say her goodbyes to Sunny.

Sunny assured mommy, "Yes mommy, I promise to be a good little minis. I will brush my teeth, and eat all my hay every night."

I think I saw a tear coming out of Wendy's eyes as she left little Sunny in the van ready to head off the farm and on to a new adventure.

It was a two hour drive, and Sunny was very well behaved.

Arriving at home, Sunny looked out and said,"Wait a minute, that's a big jump outta the van. I don't think this is what I was planning on."

"Where's mommy Wendy? No way you are going to get me out of here."

"I wantta go home, no you can't make me get out!!" said Sunny.

Needless to say, it took a little convincing, but finally Sunny left the safety of the van and trotted down to meet his new family.

In a few days I will post again with photos of Sunny in his new home.

If you want to see baby photos of Sunny visit:

http://www.countryroadsminis.com/foalsforsale.htm

Sunny is a true blue eyed baby. His sire is Boones Little Buckeroo Too Shadow, a 27.5 inch, Top Ten BTU son. His dam is Serenity Acres Bonnie Blu Eyes, so now you know where those baby blues came from. I just love blue eyes on a mini!!

Top 5 Chariots for Miniature Horses

Over the past year I have posted photos of some really good looking miniature horse chariots. This post shows what I would consider among the top 5.

In 5th place:

This is not exactly a show chariot, really it is a racing chariot that is used out west. Racing chariots are constructed for speed and you can see all views at the link in this sentence. Read more about these races here and see them race (quarter horses) here at Video Chariot Races.

In 4th place:

This was the only photo I could find of Dave Charleton driving his chariot. Dave was kind enough to share his building plans with me and I am currently having a chariot for myself built.

To see more of Dave's chariot go to Chariot Measurements.

In 3rd place:

Deb, dressed as Cleopatra, drives this two horse team. At the DuQuoin show she won over both Hal and Bo (shown below). Hal built two red chariots and when he is not showing the four horse team, he splits them and both he and his wife show a team.

In 2nd place: 

This photo of Bo Stepp was taken at the DuQuion fair grounds during a miniature horse show in 2007. Bo is still showing and place first at the Tulsa Nationals.

Check out the Single Roman Chariot class at Tulsa 2009 with video at this post.

And your 1st place winner is:

I have to say, Hal and his team of four pulling a chariot is the most impressive example of a miniature horse chariot I have seen. At Nationals he drove this team during the parade lap and it was a big hit. Other photos of Hal, Bo and Deb can be seen at the blog: Roman Chariots Race in DuQuoin.

Hey, Hal also does a draft team: LINK

http://youtu.be/7jI8ZUixH5w

Miss Peach Meets Her New BFF

 A neighbor down the road from me had a miniature mare that needed a friend. Her owner stopped by one day and asked if I had a yearling that might be friendly, not a dominant mare, but one who was looking for a new friend.

We walked around, the mini had to be a filly or mare. If a mare, she must not be bred...the new owner was not looking to raise minis, just a companion for her current one.

Miss Peach caught her eye. She walked up and wanted all to be petted, and the decision was made.

The following week I loaded Miss Peach into the MiniVan and off we went.

There was still some feed in the pan in the minivan from my picking up Sunny (previous post), from Ole Country Roads north of Bloomington. After Miss Peach finished the last of the grain, she started to look around, "Okay, so where's the rest of the feed. I'm hungry still!!"

Lucky for Miss Peach she noticed the MacDonald's Happy Meal still in the front seat. 

"Yum, yum, now that's more like it!!"

Miss Peach made short work of the burger and fries, then wanted to know "Where's the shake?"

Opps, too late, we had arrived.

Out she went and into the barn to meet her new 

           BFF.

This this will be a great friendship and adventure for Miss Peach.

(BTW: Miss Peach is out of Toad Hill's Buttermilk whose photos are just below this post.)

Buttermilk's Registration Photos

In 2009 Buttermilk was permanently registered in AMHR at 33 inches. The registry requires four photos so here are three of them.First the rear shot, simply because I can put this text to the right of the photo.

I did not clip her before this photo and to be sure she is much more pretty in person. And she is a darling when it comes to disposition. She is always the first to come up and wait to be petted.

Buttermilk was named after Dale Evans horse. She was almost pure white with dark mane and tail when born.

Buttermilk's sire:

Toad Hill's Ivanhoe who was sired by Sprague's Buckeye (30.25") out of Koch's My Angel Baby (32.5")

Buttermilk's Dam

Ventura's Smiling Waters was sired by Circle S Heza Dandy (28") out of Ventura's Smiley Face (29.5")

Several Miniature Horse Chariots

This year there have been a few chariots offered for sale. I have pulled all these into one blog which I will add to as others come up.
This first chariot was used in the 2009 Nationals and the owner took 1st place - National Champion in Chariots. She looked great in a long, white tunic with a flashy grey dapple (I think it was dapple based on video) mare with white feather atop her halter. 
The ad for this chariot was found both on Little Beginnings and on the owner's facebook (September 6, 2010):

"ROMAN CHARIOT

National champion at 2009 AMHR nationals in both open and amateur single chariot. White with stain wood shafts and wheels. Ready to show now! Well balanced, safe, sturdy. Wood and plastic, no fiberglass. Can easily add team pole (not included). $1200"

This next chariot appeared in August, 2010. Follow the link to my full blog post on this one.

The owner writes:

"This is a stunning chariot for miniature horses. You can have one horse or 3 across (comes with needed attachments). All metal. Body has been repainted recently, new tires, new no flat inserts, new interchangeable logos, always kept indoors. Flag holders on either side. This is the nicest and most sturdy chariot I have ever come across and it is not heavy!"

If any more chariots go on the market, I will try to post them here too.

This is an update: October 28, 2010 This chariot was posted for sale on lilbeginnings. 

"Think the Chariot class looks like fun at Nationals?  Here is a chariot ready to go!

Fiberglass bucket designed by Dale Lutke with wooden shafts and wheels.  Adjustable shaft height to fit Minis or Shetlands.  Very good condition. 

 

Delivery available to Glen Rose, TX later this weekend or to ASPC/AMHR Convention in Little Rock, AR next week!"

To check if it is still available try:  http://www.strasslein.com/sales.htm

DISCLAIMER: I do not receive any compensation for putting these chariots on my blog. Nor do I assume any responsibility for quoted descriptions or additional information about them. I do not endorse their quality or construction, so if you buy one, talk to the owner for details and warranties.

Silver Belt Buckle with Chariot Image on it

I was at Yolo Papers blog:
 http://yolopapers.blogspot.com/search/label/horse%20racing

Mike writes:
"I have acquired the pictured silver belt buckle and have questions. It's one of those large (4 inches by 3 inches) and very well made belt buckles similar to those cowboys earn for bull riding or calf roping or bronc riding at major rodeos. This one, however, pictures two running horses, PULLING A CHARIOT!
I know there are chariot races held throughout the West and have searched the Web high and low and cannot locate a name that fits SRRA. The buckle is dated 1983 on the front. It was manufacured in German silver by the Montana Silversmiths of Columbus, Mont. My contact with them was brief, to the point of rudeness and completely helpless.
So, I'm turning to my reader with two questions:
1. What is the meaning of SRRA? 2. What does "1st Aged" mean?"


My curiosity has also been aroused. Can anyone help Mike?


There was a comment posted by another reader, Brenda. Brenda if you are reading this, may I have permission to paste your commends about your miniatures and the racing your kids to with chariots.


Just comment on this blog or email me directly at:
toadhillminis@gmail.com


Thanks.


Intermountain Horse Racing 
I have posted the link to this club because they have have a section on Chariot Racing...these include horses of all sizes.


Another website referring to January, 2010 chariot races:
Standard-Examiner

February, 2011 - Plan for next winter
Jackson Hole Cutter Races (chariot races)

Toad Hill's GrapeNuts - 2nd Generation of the Cereal Collection

Toad Hill'sGrapeNuts is a 32 1/2 inch, homozygous buckskin pinto. She was just permanently registered in 2010. When GrapeNuts had this year's filly, I saw her and the name: Honey just jumped into my mind. 
It seemed a natural and so I decided she became Honey Nuts.

With three generations of names, we now have the:

Cereal Collection

In keeping with this tradition, when Kibbles (okay, I know Kibbles and Bits is a dog food, but it's all grains like cereal), had her colt this year, I thought briefly and came up with the name: Toad Hill's Captain Krunch.
The photos of GrapeNuts were taken out in the field with no preparation... she had her bridle-path trimmed in the spring, but her hair grows fast.

Photos Taken May, 2012

Chariot Project Phase II - Order the Chariot

In the previous post you had a chance to see my mini chariot team.

Now the most important news is Chris, the Amish trainer's dad, has designed a chariot for me based upon the many pages on this blog showing the various chariots I have seen. We went over his plans, looked at the pulling sleighs he is building for Shetlands and draft horses for pulling races, and have given the go ahead to build the chariot.

Stay toned readers, this chariot...wooden wheels, most likely red carriage with wooden trim for accent should be unveiled sometime early next year (2011) in my blog. It will have the versatility to be driving by a single or team of minis.

Chris has said if others who see it like it, he would be willing to build your chariot custom to your measurements. Chris is a blacksmith and wood worker, and I have every confidence that this will be a super chariot!!

Chariot Project Phase I - Get the team

As regular readers of this blog you probably know I have been interested in chariots for a long time and one of my goals is to have a chariot team to show. Guess you could say Phase 1 is complete. In 2008 as luck would have it, two sorrel pinto colts were born within days of each other. They are half brothers since they share the same sire: Toad Hill's Rust Spot.

I just picked them up from my Amish trainer (a 12 year old boy and now his younger sister is assisting). Videos will come of their primarily training in driving. 

Next year they will be 3 years old, and training under harness. With good fortune they may be ready for their first outing late in the summer pulling a custom made chariot. I am hoping to make a show in DuQuion, IL with them and if so, I will bring dad and his son (who really desires a ride at least in the parade lap) if he is too young to drive in the class.

I know these two have strange names, but there is history behind them. I just returned from a three day seminar on the Lincoln Award when Lincoln (the one with the dark muzzle was born). Shortly thereafter a second colt was born..and rather than call them Castor and Pollux, I decided to name hims Baldrige Award. So now I own a chariot team with horses named: Lincoln Award and Baldrige Award.

Lincoln Award's Mom (He's the one with more sorrel, on the left as you look at the photo)

Toad Hill's Kibbles and Bits: Sire: Spagues Buckeye (30.25", buckskin, AMHR/AMHA) by NFCS Yankee Clipper (28.00") out of4 GS Hemlock Brook Silver Jane (33.50") Dam: Koch's My Angel Baby (32.50", chesnut pinto, AMHA/AMHR) by Little Hoof's Midget Mite (29.75) out of Koch's Little Brandy (36.00")



Baldrige Award's Mom :
Toad Hill's Butterscotch


SIRE for both: Toad Hill's Rust Spot: Sire: Toad Hill's Oreo (Black pinto, 32.0" AMHR only) by WF Flashy Boy (sire: Rainbow Ridge's Starburst Cody, dam: Cirlce S Missy) Dam: Toad Hill's Neon Echo (30.0", sabino overo, AMHA/AMHR) by Colorworlds Neon Knight out of Mini Bucks Painted Princess)

Really Nice Looking Mini Chariot

I was on lilbeginnings and saw this chariot advertised. Here is what the owner says:

"This is a stunning chariot for miniature horses. You can have one horse or 3 across (comes with needed attachments). All metal. Body has been repainted recently, new tires, new no flat inserts, new interchangeable logos, always kept indoors. Flag holders on either side. This is the nicest and most sturdy chariot I have ever come across and it is not heavy! I bought this hoping my husband would do the Chariot Class at Nationals. He doesn't have any interest.
More pictures on my web site under the for sale section:
www.lonestarfriesians.com
$900 OBO - Make us an offer!!
Can get to 2010 AMHR Nationals.
Call or Text Marla at 210-389-6555"

I do not know Marla personally, but I sent an email to her asking for permission to include her chariot in my blog. Marla was kind enough to grant permission. She tells me that she is taking the chariot to her trainer's place. If you are interested in buying it, use the contact information on their website. 

Obviously if it is sold, it probably will not be advertised on their website.

Just a note: I do not get any perks from Marla for putting this on my website, I just thought the chariot should be included on my blog.

So THANKS Marla, and I hope you sell your chariot. Perhaps someday I will compete against the new owner in Tulsa!!

Cheerios Arrive at New Home

The weekend after the H. A. M. E. (Heart of America Miniature Horse Show) in Belvidere, Il. my human was going to Chicago and decided to let me ride alone to my new home. I was a little concerned about riding in a minivan but found the hay in it to be quite tasty. My human knows I like a snack when traveling.

We rode for about an hour and a half, then my human decided it was time to get some gasoline since she was not sure how much further to the next stop.

As we pulled into the gas station, a church van with at least a dozen kids pulled in behind us. Most of them went right for the food in the gas station store, but several of the girls stood at the entrance to the store looking at the van. Finally they came over, and one of the girls asked if she could pet me. I said sure, and she got in with me.

There was flurry of girls taking photos of me and my friend.

Sorry I did not get her name, but we had a nice talk, then her chaperones said it was time to leave. We finished gassing up the van and took off to my new home.

I have to admit the ride was fun, but I was ready to get out and meet the new family. Sunny, the little colt was quite curious about me, but his mom was very protective. Guess I will have to win her over with my great personality!!

UPDATE from new home:
Pip is doing great! Bonnie (mother of Sunny) ignores her most of the time. Thinks she is going to lead her son (Sunny) astray--he was into wild women before she came. Sunny loves her. They chase each other and rub each other's necks! Irish (the other yearling filly) likes her. They are a pair, when Pip isn't running around with Sunny, but Irish is in charge of where they go and what they do! Sunny will be four months the end of July.

Toad Hill's Run for the Roses

Rosie is the sweetest filly, easy to work around, is patient while being clipped and her hooves trimmed. She is two years old in this photo and really could have made a nice show mini, but I had two others I wanted to show...so Rosie stayed home.

She is a palomino pinto, her beautiful blue eyes that a highlighted by mascara (black eyeliner). around her blue eyes, and a dark colored muzzle. If you look at her head, she has palomino coloring below her ears.

Alone with all these good traits, I measured Rosie August 3rd, 2010 and she is under 34 inches.
Oh, did I also mention she has inherited her sire's curly mane and tail.

Sire: Toad Hill's Rust Spot

Dam: Toad Hill's High Octane

Oh, Rosie does have one bad habit...she likes to EAT IN BED!!!

Toad Hill's 09 Grand Finale

Finale is a black and white filly, measuring 33 1/2 inches.
Named Finale since she was the last foal of the 2009 season.


These photos were taken August 1, 2010. I know she has a little reddish hue on her black coat, but she has been in the field all summer and the sun has taken its toll on her beautiful black coat. I know that Finale is having a "bad hair day" as we just finished taking the cockle burrs out of her mane and she did not have a bath before the photo session.

Sire: Toad Hill's Rust Spot
Dam: Toad Hill's Wind in the Willows

Toad Hill's Grand Finale - Photo taken May 20, 2012

Finale came to visit one of the stallions this spring. Here she is seen running with Rainbow, another mare.