I've had a few long time followers ask so I'm going to put it all in a blog post to share, but the big question is.... what's cooking in there? We have 4 broodmares this year - yeah we went a little crazy last year - and 4 babies coming between April 12 and beginning of June. Nothing like spreading that breeding season out, right? So let's see what each mare has cooking and share a little about each precious momma in our herd.
1. First to be due will be Cher (Dutch Rock N Roll). Cher tried to be an overachiever this spring and was carrying twins. Our amazing repro vet was able to pinch one twin and we had a strong heartbeat a few days later on the remaining baby. This will be Cher's third foal for us (one colt and one filly) and will be a full sibling to her first baby, Berry Sweet Beat. We are big fans of our Cher as she is a full sibling to our two former show ponies, Dutch Rhythm N Blues and Dutch Major Cutie and a half sibling to so many other amazing get from the late great RY Major Equity. She was never show broke as a young pony, but the few times we have pulled her out to ride she has been a sweetheart and super easy to get along with. She has the same great jog her siblings both had. She is the sweetest mare and the best momma. We crossed her last spring on a son of one of our other all time favorite stallions, The Silver Kid. With losing Silver this spring, his sons have some big shoes to fill and Fifty Shades Darker is stepping up. If this baby is anything like its brother, it will be smooth, cool legged and have the best disposition.
Color chances are:
88% black
6% red (sorrel/chestnut)
6% palomino
Guaranteed to carry the LP gene
6 panel negative by parentage
Will be eligible for the Select Sire Futurity
Cher is due April 12th. What do you think she is cooking?
2. Next to foal is Arya (Dutch Love). Arya herself was shown as a youngster and was futurity champion in trail as a 3 year old. Injury sidelined her broodmare status. Arya is also by the late RY Major Equity and her dam was a daughter of The Silver Kid. With having those two bloodlines firmly in her pedigree we were able to step out to an upcoming pleasure stallion, The Impulsive Kid for her stallion of choice last spring. Arya took on our first try and only needed a few shots to make sure that the baby stuck. She forgave us for all of that and currently resembles the "Great Pumpkin" as she nears her due date. She is a maiden mare so many questions remain unanswered and of course I await her due date with waves of anxiety and anticipation.
Color chances are:
100% red
Guaranteed to carry the LP gene
6 panel negative by parentage
Will be eligible for the Select Sire Futurity
Arya is due April 16th. What do you think she is cooking?
3. We have a little break and then Fi (Silvers Precious Lady) is up to foal next. Fi is our personal favorite broodmare and the reasons for that are many. First - she positively looks like a unicorn with her flowing mane, tail and forelock and adorable little build. Two - she is an own daughter of The Silver Kid. Three - she is the easiest mare ever to breed. Sweet to stallions, stands like a champ and gets in foal on the first try every time. Four - she is the easiest mare to foal. Does everything all by herself and is the best momma ever. Five - she's Pepper's (Berry Sweet Endeavor) momma and we are all pretty sure the sun rises and sets on Pepper. Six - she is not only a daughter of The Silver Kid but a granddaughter of Docs Rough N Tuff. We had to wait a little bit for our stallion of choice to be ready to meet Fi, but Hot Chocolate Hunter (ApHC stallion by Hot Chocolate Chip) is always worth the wait. We are hoping to add a little height to this year's baby AND we are hoping for a filly. Out of Fi's 5 babies so far, by 5 different stallions, Pepper has been the only filly. Come on filly!
Color chances are:
100% red
75% chance to carry the LP gene
6 panel negative on dam's side, 5 for sure on sire.
Will be eligible for the Select Sire Futurity
Fi is due May 26th. What do you think she is cooking?
4. Shortly after Fi, China (Maid of Copper) is due. As my friends and family will tell you, China is my personal horse and my girls claim - favorite "child". China was my show mare for years and won me my first ever buckle (and then several more) and a saddle before injury sidelined her. While sidelined we decided to add her to our broodmare herd and even after she healed we have kept her at a job she does so well. Last year she gave us the most beautiful bay frosted filly who we hope to see in the show pen this year. Then she decided she did not prefer AI on the first heat so the second time around we decided to give our little stallion a chance to see what he could do. There was quite a height difference, but Nugget will be a daddy in just a couple of months. Nugget is by the great pleasure stallion RPRs Impulsive Superman and stands a whopping 48 1/2" as a 3 year old. He's been too tiny to ride yet, but we have enjoyed working with him. He's the best little dude and a favorite around the farm. We cannot wait to see what he and China produce.
Color chances are:
50% red
50% bay
Guaranteed to carry the LP gene
6 panel negative by parentage
China is due May 30th. What do you think she is cooking?
Well - that's it! As the babies arrive I will be updating this flyer with each new picture. We are praying for safe foaling for our mommas and our babies. Everything else, including color and gender, is just icing on the cake. We will be going with a theme for the foals born this year. I've been posting some subtle hints on Facebook but I think people will figure it out pretty quickly once the babies start arriving. As always, these foals will be for sale with a special consideration to show homes. Contact us if you're interested in being part of a sweet new legacy with your very own Berry Sweet baby.
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