Wild Oaks Ranch Warmblood Sporthorses

Wild fire Update

2011-09-01T05:55:00.000-07:00

Jerry said there were about 100 fire trucks working on the fires which the Wise county Sherriff said were started by someone burning their trash (during a burn ban). People are such #?*idiots! The fire jumped the fence and burned 100 acres of our hay field, Jerry's sporting clays equipment, and came right up to the bricks on our neighbors house, Kelly Huddleston, but the fire fighters were able to save his house although he lost his tractor and hay (not sure about his cows). Then it moved across more hay field toward our log house where Conce lives and they were able to put that out before it got to the house. About 10:30 last night the fire fighters had to start a "back burn" fire to get control of the fire that was in a ravine on our property and Conce and Sergio had to evacuate the remaining three horses on that side of the property. Jerry and a friend had to move remaining unburned precious round bales, as well as put out hot spots with our fire engine. For any of you that live out in the country like we do, the fire engine we bought when we moved out there has been put to good use.
It appears that this morning things are contained enough that Jerry was going to go dove hunting! He is just as passionate about that as I am about the horses! I will stay in New Mexico for now. We are so thankful! Thanks to everybody who helped!

Wild Fire Threatens Wild Oaks Ranch

2011-08-31T17:48:00.001-07:00

A wild fire burned in Wise County just west of the ranch today and in the afternoon jumped the road and burned our west hay field. It was controlled before it got to the structures on the other side of the ranch and stayed west of the main barn and house. Fortunately, Jerry had gone home a few days ago for the first day of dove season. Meanwhile, I was in New Mexico with Rose and Dolci, worried and wondering what was going on. Conce and Sergio got horses in the barn and evacuated the two year old colts, Manhattan, and the yearling filly to Bridgeport vet clinic. Tami came and got her horse, Henry, and Nicolai and took them to her house. Jerry used our fire engine to put out hot spots and keep it out of the creek and trees. There was a helicopter dumping water on the hay field to keep it from burning two houses. I am very thankful for everyone's help, including Jeff and Bill at Bridgeport vet clinic for updating me on the fire, and offering their stalls. Sergio and Conce did a great job of taking care of the animals.

I pray that the winds don't change and shift the fire more toward the house and barn, and that they get the main fire under control.

Wiesentanz and Song'n' Dance have new homes.

2011-08-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Jane Rude of Indiana on the purchase of Rosentanz's 3 y/o filly, Song'n'Dance by Sinatra Song. Jane has said that she has settled in and has been super to work with. Good luck with your new girl!

Congratulations also to Linda Brand of Ontario, Canada, on the purchase of my fabulous broodmare, Wiesentanz, Rosentanz's dam. This is a once in a lifetime mare, and she will put your breeding program on the map! She is an amazing producer. Dancer left today for High Point Hanoverians to be bred to Rosenthal. She will be happy to get out of the Texas heat!

Good News and Very Sad News

2011-06-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

Today started great. Prada left at 7 a.m. for Virginia. Sarah is excited to have her close again. She will be in training with Benny Pfabe and Sarah will be able to go out on weekends and ride.

But just before noon I got a frantic call from Sergio that something was wrong with Ryder, our 2010 colt by Rousseau. I knew it wasn't good when I got there and it was clear that he had been thrashing about... covered with mud and scrapes all over his body. He had been fine in the morning when he ate breakfast. After banamine he was still in obvious pain and heart rate and respirations were still elevated. We got him loaded up and drove the hour to the vet clinic in Weatherford, hoping for the therapeutic trailer ride. Unfortunately, we had to put him down. He had a congenital malformation of his mesentery and had ischemic bowel from a torsion/entrapment. It is always so sobering to realize how fragile horses are and how quickly they can leave us. He was such an amazing mover and I expected great things from him. Go out and give your horse a carrot and a kiss, and give thanks for another wonderful day with him.

Rosentanz, Feb 2011

2011-03-08T10:29:00.000-08:00

Ryder: 2010 Rousseau colt for sale Feb 2011

2011-03-06T18:22:00.000-08:00

Another amazing foal crop for Wild Oaks Ranch

2010-08-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

This elegant filly is full sister to our Rosentanz who was Training Level HOY for 2009. She will be smaller and more compact than Rosentanz or Rubintanz. (Rose's joints were huge; she is now 17.1 H, but is narrow enough to provide a great saddle position). Wiesenblume (aka Flora) has a great walk already, and like her siblings is very easy to handle. Rosenthal, her sire, really stamped her head. His offspring have been doing very well under saddle. Another Rosenthal, was Reserve First Level HOY for 2009. The R line is known for its trainability, and rideability!

Ryder is a black Hanoverian colt by Rousseau out of our States Premium Hanoverian mare, Whitney. He has an amazing temperament, and is so easy to handle. This colt is a very elastic mover with tremendous suspension and appears to float above the ground. He has a lot of freedom in his shoulders as you can see! I think he was trying to put his foot in Sergio's hat! All of Whitney's babies have been very leggy and he is no exception. The mare has added some refinement; he should be a bit narrower than Rousseau, giving a great place to sit.

Videos to follow this week!

Priya (aka Prada) Champion Mare at High Point Hanoverian Inspection

2010-08-25T05:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to Team Tate for prepping Prada for the inspection, and to Klaus Schengber for handling her. She is such a beautiful feminine mare, with a terrific hind leg and a lot of freedom in the shoulder. Prada is by Pablo out of our States Premium mare, SPS Whitney. Sarah has been riding her for the last year and has done a great job with her, but now due to her new job demands, we have turned her over to JJ Tate to continue her education. She joins Rosentanz in Maryland; we call it "Wild Oaks Ranch, East!"

Wiesenblume at 3 wk

2010-06-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

Song 'n' Dance '08 Hanoverian filly, June 2010

2010-06-16T04:24:00.000-07:00

Two New Foals!

2010-06-13T17:13:00.000-07:00

Above is colt by Rousseau x SPS Whitney at 12 hr old.

Above is Wiesenblume at 3 days old.

We had an easy foaling season...no nights staying up watching mares. Wiesentanz was acting a little more frantic to get out of her stall in the morning; she had been 4+ on the Predict-a-foal at 5 a.m., so when we turned her out we kept a close eye on her. At 10:00 a.m. she laid down in the pasture and presented us with a beautiful full sister to Rosentanz. The filly is a striking bay, who is now two weeks old. Her name is Wiesenblume (aka Flora) which means "wildflower" in German (Oldenburg nomenclature, the fillies can be named after either dam or sire). Such an appropriate name...after her mom, whose name means "meadow dance" and the fact that she was born out in the wildflowers! She has a really friendly nature, and loves to be rubbed and scratched.

I expected Whitney to be overdue with her Rousseau foal, which she has been several times. She did not have a very full utter, and was only 3+ on the predict-a-foal the following Saturday nite. When I woke up at 5 am, I turned on the TV to check the camera, and she was just standing there, didn't see a foal in the stall. I got my cup of coffee and went to the barn about 5:20 and there he was with her licking him all over. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was all legs but got up very quickly. To my surprise (as if I wasn't already surprised!) he looked like he was going to be black...with a perfect star and centered snip on the nose! With such long legs he has been a little less precocious with the moving around. We needed to keep him up for several days as he was a little flat on his pasterns behind. But he is strong now and getting to go out and explore with his very protective mother. He is a little shy at this point, but that is fairly typical of Whitney's babies, as are the LEGS! I still haven't come up with an "R" name for him, so if anyone has a good one, let me know. I'm having trouble loading a picture of him. So, it will have to follow.

Our First Grand Prix Tests!

2010-05-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

Well, it feels pretty good to have the first two Grand Prix tests under my belt. The weekend started with torrential rains. It was so much fun unpacking at the show and trudging through the mud. Ha!Ha! Tami Creeser was kind enough to help me at the show...her ulterior motive was to watch and learn, we are gearing up for her first show. Anyway, Nicolai was relaxed in the ring on Friday when I worked him at the show despite some pretty rambunctious horses. On Saturday, it was muggy, but not raining. I had planned to do about 40 minutes of warm-up, and schooled a little of all the moves. I It is always tough to figure out how much warm up is just enough and not too much. Well, we obviously did a little too much, because I didn't have a whole lot of horse left. I knew I was screwed when on the first extended trot he wanted to canter...I never got a trot until the end of the diagonal. He dropped his back a lot, and then I would get him back, but it was a struggle. We managed to make it through the test without going off course, but it was pretty rough. I had done sections of the test before, but had not put the whole thing together until this test, so I was actually pretty happy that I remembered it all. He was so glad to go down centerline at the end. We passaged to X and got a beautiful halt...unfortunately, it was supposed to be piaffe, which he reluctantly did and then he couldn't believe we had more passage to do. Miraculously we got a 54%. Not great, but was higher than the second rider, so we actually got a blue ribbon.

I decided I needed more horse for Sunday's ride. So we went for a 10 minute walk on a long rein on the polo field, before going to the warm-up. Then 20 min of trot, canter warm-up, trying to incorporate a lot of things, but not really schooling the movements, and then more walk. He felt pretty good as we started the test. I was able to keep him through, and he was so much more submissive. We had some bobbles, but otherwise, it flowed, and I was able to ride, think, and plan for the next moves. I had tears in my eyes as we left the ring. I was't sure we would ever make it down center line at GP. This was not the tension-filled horse that I showed in the past. I now have a willing partner who is supple and relaxed. We have come a long way, and that was what the tears were for. So even though the score was a 57, it was a personal triumph! Thanks to my friends who were there to cheer me on!

Now we need to work on strength and stamina, and continue to work on timing and transitions. It is a work in progress!

The long rode to Grand Prix with Nicolai

2010-05-09T05:54:00.000-07:00

JJ Tate was here Monday and Tuesday for another clinic. She was last here in January and I was so excited for her to see how wonderfully Nicolai is doing. It has been a long road to this point. About 18 months ago I took Nicolai to Florida and he had a bout of laminitis and terrible back spasms from the trip down. It has been a long road of rehab and gradually building his strength up. He has always been such a nervous and internal horse who has had a number of health issues since I bought him...ulcers, metabolic syndrome, and apparently bouts of laminitis prior to my purchasing him, and now Cushings. But because of his stoic nature, I think many of these went unrecognized and his pain probably contributed to his tension and sullenness. While in Florida we consulted with a PUrina nutritionist, and placed him on Purina Low Starch, started weighing his hay and soaking it in water to decrease the sugar, and feeding him four times a day to even out his insulin levels. Unfortunately, he had a flare after getting vaccinated, but Dr. Lockamy jumped right on it and got it under control quickly...but we only had 10 days until we hauled him to Maryland. I had to have surgery and would be out of commission for 4-6 weeks, so I decided to take Nic to Maryland for JJ to continue working him. We put him on Robaxin and made the trip over three days. He did beautifully.
His major issues under saddle were that he didn't want to bend to the right and accept the left rein, pull through all the transitions, hollow the back, and his trot was short and choppy...okay, why did I buy this horse? He was kind and I knew that he could do all the Grand Prix work for 8's. This is definitely the horse that has taught me to ride, and to train a horse.
In Florida Nic went back to training level, 20 meter circles, lot's of slow steady trot work, suppling at the walk, me learning "passive resistance" technique and the timing of when to give and reward him when he gives and relaxes. It was very frustrating, but JJ was confident that we could retrain him; she said her real forte was retraining the FEI horse. She was right! Last summer I went back and forth to Maryland to ride him, and work with JJ and then back to TExas and would work Valentino. I would fly in and get to Hassler's at 2 and have a lesson at 3, spend two nights with lessons, and then have a lesson the fourth day at 7 a.m. and qick shower and off to airport to fly back to TExas. In August I brought him home. Again using Robaxin and a long 3 day drive.

It has been such a slow process with lots of tears and not knowing if I would ever get him down center line at Grand Prix. I was alwasy encouraged that when JJ did come for a clinic we had continued to show progress, while working at home on our own.

Well, now I can say that I have a whole new horse thanks to JJ! I can actually now have a 10-15 minute normal warm-up with walk, a steady, regular rhythm rising trot, and then canter circles with changes through serpentines. (When I first got Nicolai, my friend Maxine watched him and said "Wow, he has like a hundred different trots!" not a good thing). He is getting stronger in the self carriage, and really seems pleased with himself and the work. The trot work and passage/piaffe are really good, and the canter work is now really coming. I am so pleased to now have the tools and the understanding to get him soft within the work. He still wants to take over occassionally, but is so much better. I know we are still not quite there: I am working hard to maintain my core when I ride particularly within the movements when I am concentrating so hard, and I finally feel how close my calf has to be all the time. I also have to thank my pilates instructor, Cassandra Thompson who has really helped me with my shoulder issues and hip flexibility, and overall core strength. Nic and I will make our Grand Prix debut next weekend. I am looking at it as a work in progress. Of course there is a lot we still can improve, but as musical freestyle choreographer, Karen Robertson, said, "just get her done". I am so thrilled with how much progress we are making now and how quickly, so I can only imagine how much stronger and prepared we will be for the fall shows, so I think it is good to get the first one out of the way now.
Thanks, JJ.
Thank, Jerry, for being supportive and understanding of my passion.

Congratulations to Tami Creeser on her purchase of Stella de Oro

2010-01-02T15:17:00.000-08:00

My friend, Tami Creeser, has been admiring Stella for several months now. Tami recently bought a wonderful 4th level horse, Heineken, who is kind and very well trained, and her riding is coming along so nicely. She has been boarding him at my place, and sees Stella almost every day, and has fallen in love with her. I'm really excited for Tami and for Stella, as I know that she will have a wonderful home.

We have really been having cold weather; three snow falls in the month of December...I know, quite complaining! All of you poor folks out on the east coast are just in a deep freeze. Sarah calls me complaining all the time, as she heads to the barn to work Prada. I finally bought the poor thing some decent winter gloves.

Well, I am headed to Florida Monday to ride Rose for a few days. Can't wait. Hopefully I will have some pictures of Rose and I and palm trees to post!

Jackie riding Rosentanz in Maryland at Hassler Dressage

2009-12-06T05:59:00.000-08:00

My friend, Louisa Zai, and I went to Maryland before Thanksgiving for me to ride Rose. Louisa is considering going to Maryland next summer as a working student/asst trainer for JJ Tate. We had a great time. Louisa got to have lessons on several horses and I got to ride Rose! As tall as she is, we fit each other very well. She has a perfect spot for my leg and she really understood all the aids. She felt like a trained horse! Thank you, JJ, for doing such a good job with her. She was hot off the leg and this time I had no problem picking up the canter. It is impossible to describe the feeling of elation I experienced riding her, and to know that I can ride her. It's pretty special to be riding the "Training Level Horse of the Year". I am so proud of JJ and what she has accomplished with Rose in just over a year. She was definitely behind in her training when she arrived in Maryland in July of '08. I am also very thankful for all of Scott Hassler's help as he is JJ's coach.

JJ and the horses arrived in Florida safe and sound this week. Thank God. I will be going down to ride Rose a couple of times a month. Can't wait!

Louisa took several pictures of me ridng Rose...Proof that I really did!

2009 Hanoverian inspection

2009-11-04T03:43:00.000-08:00

We attended the Hanoverian inspection at Stargate Sporthorses on Oct 18th. Ruidoso was the Reserve champ colt. They were very impressed with his movement, and he really moved! It was the best free trot I have seen him perform, and they thought he was the best mover. The colt by Soliman de Hus owned by Carsten Meyer, was first based on his typiness. The judges said that they would like to see both colts back in a couple of years! Stella was their top choice filly, and they would have placed her third overall behind the two colts. She was very fluid in her movement and they loved her type and femininity. Unfortunately, Walberto, looks like a gangly weanling right now, I wish they could have seen him at 6-8 weeks when he wowed the judges at the Proud Meadows Breed Show. I still don't have the pictures or video from the inspection, but as soon as I do I will post them.

Ruidoso wins at Proud Meadows Fall Breed Show

2009-10-29T17:10:00.000-07:00

Ruidoso and Stella de Oro attended the Proud Meadows Fall Breed Show. It is so good to take the young ones to the shows and expose them to the show environment. I think it makes a huge difference when they are older. Rio won both his classes. Stella was a little butt high and a little too laid back, but was in the ribbons. Both babies were extremely well behaved. Walberto and Song 'n' Dance had qualified for the Breeders' Championship but Song 'n' Dance gashed her face the week before and had to have stitches, and Walberto cut his foot. We elected to leave them home, and both have recovered. There's always next year!

Rosentanz USDF HOY in Preliminary Standings!

2009-09-02T18:19:00.001-07:00

Rosentanz is First in the nation for USDF Horse of the Year at Training level with a median score of 79.8. Those 80% plus scores really put JJ and Rose over the top. We will be at Devon where she has qualified to compete in the FEI 5 y/o test.

I finally got the CD of pictures from the photographer, John Robinson, from Dressage at Lexington show and have attached some of the really great shots of Rose and JJ. Thank you, John, for getting some really good pictures.

Rosentanz and JJ Tate Rack up the High Scores!

2009-07-12T14:14:00.000-07:00

At Dressage at Lexington Rose and JJ showed Training Level again and received an 80% on the first day , a 75% on the second day (Rose had a minor spook at the photographer) and on Sunday she got an 82% and an 82.8%. She received 9's for her gaits. She was High Point Champion and Born in the USA High Point and obviously won all 4 classes she entered. So far, she has been high score of four of the shows she has been entered in. JJ has had Rose a year now, and we are absolutely thrilled with her training. Not only is Rose performing well under saddle, but she has proven herself as a top producer with Walberto and Song 'n' Dance's successes at the Proud Meadows Breed Show.

Recent Pictures of Offspring

2009-07-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

Ruidoso (Rousseau x Wiesentanz) at 3 months (above)

Walberto and Sergio at Proud Meadows Breed Show

Stella de Oro at 3 months

Manhattan in Massachusetts

2009-07-08T05:25:00.000-07:00

Our lovely 4 y/o Swedish mare, Manhattan by Vermouth, has been progressing nicely with hunter/jumper trainer, Aimee Boyer at Harmony Hill Farm in Massachusetts. I met Aimee in Florida where she was barn manager and assistant trainer for Team Tate. I was so impressed with her riding...she has a great dressage position and really understands basic work. In addition, she has a tremendous work ethic. So, when she left Florida on her long trek home, she stopped in Maryland and picked Mattie up from Sarah's barn in Maryland. She and her sister, Meg, have really done a great job with her. Her basic walk, trot and canter are more uphill and balanced and she loves to jump. Aimee is really impressed with her good mind...she leads the way on the trail rides (at 4!) and is pretty unflappable. She learns quickly and has a great work ethic. She should mature 15.3ish. She has been to a couple of hunter/jumper shows and was Reserve in baby green hunters. If she doesn't sell in the next month, she will be accompanying Nicolai home to Texas.

2009-06-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

WILD OAKS RANCH'S Rosentanz and her offspring score big at June shows!

Walberto

Walberto, the 7 wk old Hanoverian colt by Wamberto x Rosentanz, captured the hearts of the spectators and the admiration of the judges at The Proud Meadows Summer Breed Show. The colt was exceptionally well-behaved for his handler, Sergio Licea, and stood regally in front of the judges. Taking everything in stride, he boldly walked and trotted the triangle well in front of his surrogate dam. He was rewarded with an 81.2% from judge Jos Sevriens for Show I for the Colts of 2009 class, and in the Colt Championship was named Reserve Champion. On day 2, judge Carter Bass awarded him high score of the show with a 79.1% for the Colts of 2009 and once again he was named Reserve Champion Colt of the show. Conformation comments included "well proportioned; well connected; good arch in neck, good length in croup; well connected wither...very good baby!" "Regal type; lovely head, well set neck, strong topline, Nice colt." Of his walk.."clear rhythm, walks through back, good marching" In the trot he "shows good suspension & engagement".
He is qualified for USDF Breeder's Championship in Sept and should be off to a good start as a contender for HOY. He also receieved a ribbon from the AHS for high placing Hanoverian for Show II.

Song 'n' Dance

His half-sister, Song 'n' Dance, 2008 jet black Hanoverian filly by Sinatra Song out of Rosentanz, blossomed in the last month and was pulled from the pasture the week before the show. Sergio Licea did a fabulous job working with her to prep her for the show. She is such a fast learner and was so well-behaved. A little tense on the first day she came in third in the 2008 filly class with a very respectable 77.3%, but on the second day she came out relaxed and had a very good walk and Sergio got a great trot in her '08 filly class winning it with a 76.1% which was the second highest score of Show II! In the Filly Championship, she was named Reserve Champion filly! The judges' comments for her conformation were: "smooth body, well set neck, nice slope wither and hip, smooth over loin"; "modern type...good length neck, feminine expression; well connected topline, good shoulder position" In the walk she was "fairly supple, nice use of topline, clear rhythm" In the trot "some nice engagement and lightness". "All over good dressage potential". We couldn't have had such a successful show without the preparation and handling by Sergio Licea and Conception Ramirez. Sergio takes a lot of pride in his work and is really gifted working with the horses.

We hope that the new owners of Proud Meadows, Jeanene and Kelly Wells, will continue
putting on the shows, it is such a nice facility. Thanks, to show secretary, Jan Colley, and the Allison's for their two long days of volunteering. It was also fun to see some new faces to the breed show scene.

Rosentanz

Topping off the weekend was a call from JJ from the VADA/Nova Dressage show at Morven Park in Virginia...Rose had scored an 80% and a 79.6% at Training Level Test 2 and 4, respectively. These were the two highest scores for the show! So far, she has been high score of three of the shows she has been entered in. JJ is doing such a great job with her! Thanks to Team Tate!

Ruidoso at 2 mo old...2009 Rousseau x Wiesentanz colt

2009-05-26T05:28:00.000-07:00

Walberto (Wamberto X Rosentanz) at 3 wk of age

2009-05-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

Wild Oaks Ranch has superb "09 foal crop

2009-04-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

The Sinatra Song x SPS Whitney filly is shown here at 3 weeks of age. She is a lovely mover with a super temperament. She is very interested in her new neighbor!

Below, are pictures of Wamberto x Rosentanz colt at 4 days old. He was worth the wait!

All three of the '09 foals have finally arrived and are of exceptional qualilty. The day after I had to go back to Florida to haul Nicolai to Maryland, SPS Whitney finally had her overdue foal by Sinatra Song on April 2nd. Sergio, Conce and my husband Jerry were on foal watch and were there to witness an uneventful foaling. This light bay leggy filly was up in 45 minutes and figured out the nursing quickly. She has a beautiful head, good angles, and a super hind end.

Poor Dottie, the surrogate mare carrying the Wamberto x Rosentanz foal, went a full 365 days. Since she was a maiden mare and with my traveling, she spent 7 weeks at Weatherford Equine Sports Medicine waiting to foal. We were expecting a filly and were thrilled with the arrival of a gorgeous light bay colt. He has a very refined head with markings from his mom, Rose, and two white hind socks like daddy. He has incredible lift in his trot and canter.

I may have two stallion prospects on my hands!

2009-03-21T06:11:00.000-07:00

Ruidoso at 3 days
Ruidoso at 3 days

Here are a few pictures of the Rousseau colt. We have named him "Ruidoso" and will call him "Rio". He is really exceptional and may be the best foal Wiesentanz has had to date, and that is saying a lot: Rosentanz (Rosenthal), of course, is a multiple breed show champion, USDF All-Breeds GOV champion, and now under saddle has several wins and has been high score of the show at two of the three shows she has attended; Roosevelt (by Rubino Bellisimo) was champion at his Hanoverian inspection; Rubintanz (by Rosenthal) won her filly class and was reserve champion filly for the show.

We are excited about this colt and can't wait to see what he will achieve! To view a video of Rudy go to see the video links to the left on this blog.

Enjoy!

Jackie

2009-03-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

March 15th, 2009

Rousseau foal arrives and it's a colt! Wiesentanz delivered a beautiful dark bay colt on Wed, March 11th. He already loves to be handled and scratched! Today he will go out for the first time...we have had several days of much needed rain along with cold weather. Pictures in a few days.

Awaiting Whitney's foal by Sinatra Song and Rosentanz's embryo transfer foal by Wamberto! They are taking their time!

2009-03-15T06:06:00.000-07:00

JJ and Rose warming up at WCD

JJ and Rose warming up at PBD

March 6th - 8th, Wellington Classic Dressage II

We had a very successful show! Rosentanz had the high score of show on Friday with a 74.33% at First 1, and then on Saturday received a 68.89 at Frist 2 for a second place ribbon, and on Sunday won her Training level test 4 class with a 75.2% which was the high score for the show!

Overall, Team Tate did very well: On Friday JJ got a 2nd place on the stallion, Rosall, with a 61.795 (Rosall is owned by Wendy Costello); and a 6th place on Donnermuth at 4th level test 1 with a 63.72 (Donnermuth and JJ represented the US at the Young Horse championships at Verden in 2007). On Saturday, Donnermuth received a 70.455% and was second in his Fourth level test. Sunday, Sacramento, who belongs to her young rider, Katie Foster of Wisconsin, won the Fourth Level test 3 with a 69.512, and Rosal received a 70+% for his Third level TOC ride.

You can view Rose and JJ's winning ride at
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=jnfmd&view=videos

February 26th - 29th, Palm Beach Derby

Rosentanz made her Florida debut at The Palm Beach Derby at White Fences. She was a little full of herself the first day schooling, but settled right down to work and showing. JJ was really happy with how she focused in the ring. We came home with two ribbons. She placed third in both first level classes with a 68.6% at first 2, and a 69.43% at first 3.

Feb 16th, 17th JJ Tate clinic at Wild Oaks Ranch

We had another successful clinic with JJ. I came home for a couple of weeks prior and have been riding Valentino while home. Jacquie Hawks has been riding him a few times a week keeping him in shape while I'm gone. We were delighted to have a couple of newbies with us: Linda Winters of Winter Oaks Farm brought her lovely upper level horse, and Louisa Zai brought two youngsters, Natasha Eckleberry (one of Jacquie's students) came with her Arab mare; and Mary Mahler brought another nice young horse. Those who have attended previously were really excited to be riding again with JJ: Becky Bundens brought her new young horse, Faust, and Polaris, her FEI horse; Kate Morgan rode her Trakehner mare, Zephyr, and they successfully worked on getting the left lead canter ( Kate was thrilled and hasn't had any more problem with it); Jacquie, of course, brought Kodina and had a fabulous ride; Edie Weber's young horse is really coming along nicely. We all had good rides, learned a lot, our horses are all happier for it. Good food, good weather, and good conversation made for a really enjoyable couple of days.

Winter 2009
Wild Oaks Ranch in Florida

Jackie and Nicolai joined Rosentanz in Florida with Jessica Jo Tate and Team Tate at Joshua Tree Stables. The barn is delightful and is a little green oasis in the middle of Loxahatchee. It is owned by Karen and Keith Harris, and they have been very hospitable hosts. What a great group of people JJ has to help her: Molly Oldham is her very efficient groom; Aimee Boyer is her assistant trainer and barn manager; working student, Rose Slick, has been Romeo's second mom when I have traveled back to Texas; and part-time working student, Mary Hanneman, is the unofficial team photographer.

We have been bringing Nicolai back slowly from a reaction he had after his hocks were injected in the fall and he is happy, sound and is learning to be light and to carry himself. He is getting stronger and we are aiming for the Grand Prix later in the summer. Two more scores for my gold medal!

We are all thrilled with how Rosentanz (aka Rosie) has blossomed since in Florida. I have ridden her some and it is a real thrill, she has so much power, is so naturally on the bit, and her trot, though big, is very easy to sit. She has been learning to go forward and come back, working on counter canter, canter-walk-canter transitions, and is really developing a good trot lengthening. Her stamina and strenght have also increased. JJ says that she is the most rideable 5 y/o she has ever ridden.

Rubintanz sold! Prada starts under saddle!

2008-11-28T15:44:00.001-08:00

Our 2008 stunning black filly, Rubintanz WOR (Rosenthal x Wiesentanz), sold to Rosenthal's owner, Angela Barilar, of High Point Hanoverians in Maryland, http://hphanoverians.com/! We are sad to see Rubi go; she is the full sister to our champion mare, Rosentanz. Rubi has all of her big sister's presence and will have no trouble following in Rose's hoofsteps!

Our 2006 filly, Prada (Pablo x SPS Whitney) accompanied Rubi on her trip across the country and will be started under saddle by Klaus Schengber at High Point Hanoverians.

Prada will be Sarah's next riding horse and she is very excited to have her only an hour away!

Fall 2008 Update

2008-11-28T15:12:00.000-08:00

This fall has been exciting for Wild Oaks Ranch!

In August, Rosentanz (aka Rose) moved to the east coast and is in training with Jessica Jo Tate in Mt. Airy, Maryland at GoodNess Ridge Farm. You can read more about JJ at http://www.jessicajotate.com/.

Rosentanz attended the First Annual Oldenburg Horse Show at High Point Hanoverians in October. Klaus Schengbar handled her and presented her under saddle as JJ Tate had a schedule conflict. With a week of preparation, Kalus rode her in the Mare Peformance Test and she received a "Premium" award. On the second day she was the winner of the 4-6 y/o Mare Class and won Reserve Champion of Mature Mare.

Sarah also moved to DC after finishing her masters and brought Manhattan, a 2005 Swedish filly by Vermouth with her! They are at Sharon Myers' barn, Chimney Hill Farm, in Upper Marlboro, MD and LOVING IT! Mattie is for sale to the right home; for more info see her ad at http://www.warmbloods-for-sale.com/HorseDetail.asp?HorseID=8532&UserID=3051 or on our website at http://www.wild-oaks-ranch.com/. Contact Sarah if you are interested in Manhattan, sfulton22@gmail.com.