Tropic over the fence in the snow

Our wonderful stallion-Tropic Lightning- was looking over the snow covered fence yesterday and our sorta resident-photographer and friend-Connie Hoge snapped this pic. Caught his spirit perfectly.

A little background on tropic. He was a good super runner-winning a $100 grander in Kentucky-at two and 5 more races-all on different race tracks on all surfaces from grass -mud-sloppy-fast tracks. He was a stone cold runner who is making a nice sire.

By the way, he lost his right eye on a pasture accident at 3 months of age. So don't make too many excuses for our horses--THE GOOD ONES OVERCOME lots of bad luck.

It has been a two week cold snap-the first since 1990. But, we are fine and horses seem to love to play in the snow.

Breeders Cup Day 25 Oct 08 fall colors on the Farm

Coming in the half mile long driveway. A nice run-in shed.

Vehis riding "Eddie" owned by my friend, Mike, in the Ampetheater on the way down the driveway.

Just inside the main gate.

The River.

The Island.

Big Maple trees in front of the farmhouse. Give shade in summer-loose their leaves so we can get sun in winter.

Hillside in near pasture.

Big Maples in front of the farmhouse.

View out the living room window.

The other window view.

Coming in the half mile long private driveway.

Coming in the driveway.

In front of the farmhouse.

View thru the other front window.

Coming in the half mile long driveway showing the island in the middle of the river.

All these pices snapped on 25 Oct 08 when we had lots of friends out to enjoy THE BREEDERS CUP 2008.

A Great friend- Pepsi Jackson-went to a better place

Pepsi---our friend-wife of Mel Jackson went to a better place this week.

She and Mel bred the great PACHENA-Champion mare in B.C. and Pachena was a big part of their lives for many years. This year, I visited Mel and Pepsi and showed them photos of Kissntheboysgoodby- a Pachena grand-daughter. Pepsi really loved Pachena and Pachena Bay -her daughter. Pepsi loved racing and when she said the word "Pachena"-she just glowed.

My wife Anne, reminded me today of the first and only time Anne led Pachena out to her paddock. Quote---"I don't mind taking the studs out but Pachena is just too tough for me."

Pepsi is survived by Mel and lots of relatives. We will always have a special spot in our hearts for Pepsi.

SO YOU WANT TO BE A BRONC RIDER-from the Western Horseman-july 1953

Here Robert Sorrells is coming out of the saddle of JET PILOT at San Acacia. He drew the same horse the following Saturday at Truth or Consequences, N.M. -and rode him to a standstill> The crowd collected a large purse and gave it to Robert. He is damned sure a bronc rider.

Robert Sorrells- my mentor as a kid-He let me "hang out" with the big boys when I was 15 years old.

This is a copy of the actual photo and article taken from The Western Horseman-July 1953-

SO YOU WANT TO BE A BRONC RIDER-recently found by Donnie Sorrells -Robert's Son- and sent to me via E-mail. I have previously put a copy of the photo on this blog-but could not get the article til yesterday.

Charles Doing good in Phoenix

His horses are running well at Turf Paradise. As of today, 19 Oct 98, he has ran 6 horses. He has won 4 races, (two of them my horses)-one second ( Call Columbo-mine) and one fifth. Win percentage WONDERFUL (and also impossible to maintain) 66 % but a great way to start the fall meet.

Yesterday, Meomeomy won a $12.5 claimer on the Turf going a mile.
Louder won a nice mile and one-eighth race on the dirt.
Olympic Lights won a 5.5 furlong allowance race easily.

Will post win photos later as they come from Phoenix.

Nice sunny weather last few days and the yearlings are all coming along great. Mike was out to see Eddie go yesterday-both went away really happy.

Hector and Charles in the morning in 2006

This picture was sent to me by Cheri Wicklund at Emerald Downs. It shows Hector Ventura on a roan 3 year old with Charles riding his faithful pony horse-Ziggy. Hector passed away last year and we all miss him. He was a good friend as well as a great jockey. This was a real TEAM. Fond memories. Ziggy will spend the winter at GFTF and become Lindsay's horse when she returns from Phoenix in the Spring. Ziggy will retire to THE GOOD LIFE.

Breaking a young Quarter horse

On a Sunday Morning -It looks like this when we are breaking the yearlings to ride,

Some geese in with a couple broodmares and their foals. Weaning pretty soon.




Coming back home.


Views along the way.


Almost home.


Three of the nice maiden mares to Sam's Ace this year. Just hanging out.

Looking upstream.


The beach and swimmin hole.


View of the island. Note -water going on both sides.


Nice place to ride.


Coming home.



Coming down from the little flat.



Coming down.



Going thru the gardin near the entrance.



Going around the big "School marm's" cedar tree.


Stopping by the swimming hole.


Sam's Ace-one of our breeding Stallions-just relaxing in his paddock as we ride by on our trip "up top" with the babie



Vihis riding in the Ampetheater on his way up top.





Going by the swimming hole.


Starting up to the first little flat.


Trotting around the first little flat.


View of river from garden on the highway-Jordan Road


View coming into the farm on farm road.

Granite Falls Thoroughbreds

Eduvides leaving the farmstead to ride Kate's Quarter horse for his second trip to the hills. Horses don't get sour with this type of breaking.

Leaving on the ride.


On a cloudy Sunday Morning--Riding a nice Palomino gelding belonging to our jockey-Kate- as Vihis rides him up river to the top and back -It pictures what they see as they go for a training ride. This type of early training is part of the reason for our racetrack success along with Charles' decication, love, expertise, and patience coupled with hard work.








Enjoy the ride.

Won a bunch of Races

A bunch of nice wins over the past 2 months. Have been busy going to Mexico--buying a beach lot and contracting to build a beach house.

My Ooo Rah won a nice nw of 2 races.



Olympic by 10 lenghts---What a thrill.

Olympic in for $12,500 NW of two.

Call Columbo in for $15,000 tag


Trip the Wire breaking his maiden in his second start.


Call Columbo in a 6 horse finish photo.



Damn --it's fun winning races.