Our Horses|
Pepsi & Cledus & Sassy We have enjoyed several successful years as a small Quality "niche" breeder, but with the market being so over-populated, we decided to venture down a new path with our horses. We sold our stallion, extra mares, and even Jim's Appaloosa gelding, to make way for this new adventure. There wasn't anything wrong with Jim's Appaloosa Cajon, but it was a lot like trying to trail ride with a Porsche and two Mack trucks. Pepsi and Cledus meander calmly down the trail where ever it may lead, and Cajon wanted to set a speed record. We didn't consider it to be fair to try and change Cajon's genetic make-up, so we sold him and then found Jim a new prospect. Jim's new filly is a Shire Percheron cross that was supposed to be grey, but it isn't looking like she will. Not that we care what her color was, she was bought for her build and presence. Pepsi and Cledus were a little wary at first with Sassy, but she has long since been absorbed into the "herd". All those years we spent breeding for quality horses with interesting color, and here we find ourselves with three basically black horses! Our future dreams are to go trail riding with friends in Ohio & Illinios, as well as going trail riding in the Black Hills. Our other dream is to participate in the "Cowboy Trail" event. At least we know water crossings will be effortless. Happy Trails! |
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Pepsi looking great at age 9! Every once in awhile a horse comes along that makes such a riviting impact on your life. For me that horse is Pepsi. Originally intended for our daughter, here at Sparkling River we feel that the horse has a right to choose it's rider, because we are looking for that true partnership. Pepsi's first foal was supposed to be for me, but it didn't take to long before it was obvious that Pepsi and Cledus had other plans. Cledus is hands down 100% Casey's pony, and Pepsi is the same way with me. As a rider recovering from a car accident, I wanted something that I could depend on completely, and Pepsi has never let me down. I will never compete or set any records, but she has given me back the one true joy in my life besides my family, riding.... Pepsi has given us three beautiful foals. 2001 Smoky Black tobiano gelding- Cledus, 2004 Sorrel overo filly- Honey, and 2006 a Black tobiano filly- Mystic, who more than likely is homozygous. Pepsi started her retirement from being a momma in 2007, and we had a blast. Many days were spent riding through town, or ambling down a quiet gravel road. |
| Cledus is Momma's Mirror Image! It is fairly obvious at just how much Pepsi stamps her foals. Cledus is the mirror image of his dam. Their white markings are even in the same places, but on opposite sides! Here is a truely special gelding that continue's to surprise us. Cledus was originally sold because I thought he would be to small for me, but after a mere two weeks, we bought him back. He came home with a horrible case of bastard Strangles, but Casey only seven years old, was determined to nurse him through it. Cledus beat the odds stacked against him, and now he returns the love and determination to Casey, every time they are together. Casey and Cledus have grown up together, and while they may not win all their classes, they have something so much more than most other kids, a deep partnership bond. Casey has some re-curring health issues to contend with, but Cledus really looks out for her. I firmly believe that he knows when she is hurting, because he becomes even more gentle than he already is. This team has competed in Halter, Western Pleasure, Obstacle Trail, and Showmanship at Halter, but they also have experienced a Cattle drive, and countless trails. It is the trail riding that they enjoy the most, so that is where you will most likely find them..... |
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Sassy could pass as a Pepsi foal! Sasquatch more commonly known as Sassy is a dream come true. Jim was understandably sad to see Cajon leave, he had been apart of Jim's life since Cajon had been three days old. But, it wasn't fair to Cajon to ask him to go as slow as Pepsi and Cledus, so he found a home where he could be used to his potential. Sassy is full draft, with a Shire sire and Percheron dam. She won't mature to be a huge sky-scraper, but she will definately have the body substance and power that Jim is looking for. We expect her to mature out in the 16 hand range, which for Jim is the perfect size. Sassy had the benefit of coming to join our family right at weaning, so Pepsi and Cledus have shown her many things. Sassy resembles Pepsi SO much that she could be mistaken for a Pepsi foal. That is until Sassy finishes growing. When we bought Sassy, we had been told that she would probably turn grey, but the day we picked her up, the breeders told us that she wasn't displaying any of the greying tendancies, and that she would more than likely remain black. Sassy has a neat leg marking on her left rear leg, as well as a belly spot. In the future Sassy will be bred one time, but that foal will be a "designer" foal, and will remain here with us. Sassy continues her ground training this year, and she has proven to be very intelligent and calm, just like Pepsi and Cledus. |
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