Saddle Up for S.I.R.E Ride was Lots of Fun

Sonesta Farms saddled up for the annual fundraising trail ride benefiting S.I.R.E. (Houston's therapeutic equestrian center) held on October 14, 2006.  The ride was held at 7IL Ranch in Cat Springs.  Hundreds of horses and riders, some in buggies and carriages and even some in costume, showed up to help raise money for the program by riding the 12 mile course and gorging on a barbeque buffet afterwards.  I fun time was held by all, but.... next time you see them, ask Jennifer and the two Dianes what it means to be "on the orange trail."  You'll enjoy the answer!

Proud Meadows Sport Horse Breed Shows Went Well

This was a first time USDF breed show for three of Sonesta Farms' clients' horses and they all did very well.  Shelli's pinto Oldenburg, Spectaculare, took a first place in the three year old fillies class.  Jennifer's Friesian/Arabian cross mare, Midnight's Magic Genie, was second in the 4 year old and over class and was champion of the Materiale class!  And Ellen's Knabstrupper colt, Macarns Axxion, was third in the large 2 year old colt class.  Most importantly, a fun time was had by all.

You are invited to Sonesta Farms' 12th Annual Spring Fling!

This year Sonesta Farms celebrates its 12th year at this location with it's 12th Annual Spring Fling on Saturday, May 27, 2006. You are all invited to this open house. Join us by the pool for margaritas, a Texas Barbeque Buffet, beer, sodas, volleyball, horseshoe tournament, etc. The pool and the hot tub will be open so bring your swimsuits! Pony rides for the kids and the young-at-heart. Always some surprises.

This is an eclectic group each year with not only horse folks, but people from the legal field, the business world, the dog show world, law enforcement, bikers, artists, musicians, actors, gays and straights, diverse ethicity and all the colors of the rainbow. And a world of fun. Drop in and out as you like. Bring anyone you want.

Directions:  Take Hwy 290 northwest 4 exits past FM 1960 to Skinner Road.  Turn right on Skinner Rd.  Go about 1 mile to Swansbury.  Turn Left.  We are the first place on the right with the big jump arena out front.

Begins around 11:00 am and runs till the last person leaves or passes out. Email me at rebecca@sonestafarms.com for more information.

Rebecca McKeever and Kathleen Bowen Win Combined Driving Show!

We are proud to announce that our friends and sometime dressage students, Rebecca McKeever and Kathleen Bowen, won their Combined Driving class recently with Rebecca's lovely imported Friesian gelding, Brando.  This was Kathleen's first driving show and she reports that she is "hooked."  This photo also appeared in the online magazine, Horse Gazette, in an article about Friesians in Texas.  http://www.horsegazette.com/Monthly_Features/06-Mar/Friesians.html 

Sonesta Farms Goes to Live Streaming Video for it's Foal Cams!

We are delighted to announce that you addicted foal cam watchers can now watch live full streaming video this year on our website.  Diende should be the first to foal, sometime in early to mid April.  Join us for the fun at www.sonestafarms.com/cam.htm  And don't forget to check for daily updates on the foal cam message board and during actual foaling we meet on the live chat room.  Links to both are on the foal cam page.

Sonesta Farms' Horses Appearing on Magazine Covers All Over the World!

Internationally known equine photographer, Bob Langrish, has now visited Sonesta Farms annually for the past three years taking photos of our horses to be used in magazines, calendars and advertising all over the world.  Those photos have begun appearing in some of the top equine magazines.  See some of the cover shots below. In order of appearance, Inkka, Zenya, Ria, Drifter & Kona.

The Irish Dancer Invited to Exhibit his Jumping Talent Before the Irish Horse Board!

We cannot tell you how exciting it was to be invited to bring Whiskey, our homebred Irish Sport Horse, to Prescott Farms on September 18, 2004 to show off his jumping abilities in front of the Irish Horse Board representatives.  The Board members where at Prescott Farms to inspect mares, foals and stallions for registration and breeding approval.  The hosts took it a step further and invited us to show the Board what the American born Irish horses are doing in the show ring.  Whiskey was up to the challenge, jumping a 5 foot course of jumps and getting huge grins of approval from the Board members.  We were so proud!  Whiskey will enter the Grand Prix show jumping ring this year.  I forgot my camera, so unless someone else who was there took pics, I am out of luck.

Homebred, BF Moon Fyre, Approved by Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar for Breeding Warmbloods

Our four year old Fyre One daughter, BF Moon Fyre, was presented to the RPSI for mare approval inspection on August 17, 2004.  She looked lovely and got high marks for her conformation. She was placed into the RPSI's Main Mare Book which means that, when bred to an RPSI approved warmblood stallion, the resulting foal will be registered warmblood with RPSI!  Inspector Otto Shalter commented that the warmbloods need more good Arabian blood in them from time to time to help refine them and keep them from getting too heavy.  We are now dreaming about which stallion to use on her someday.

Sonesta Farm's 10th Annual Spring Fling Open House to be held Saturday, May 15, 2004
You are Invited!

Come and join us for our annual open house on Saturday, May 15, 2004 from 11:00 am until 8:00 pm.  We'll have beer, margaritas, sodas, a barbeque buffet, pony rides for the kids, volleyball, horseshoe pitching and swimming. Don't forget to bring a swim suit!  Come and visit our farm, see the new foals and meet new friends.  Our riding students are easily talked into giving demonstrations of dressage, stadium jumping and hunter over fences.  We  hope you can join us for the fun.

Sonesta Farms to host Fourth Annual Equine Reproductive Seminar
September 18-19, 2004

For the fourth time, Sonesta Farms will host an Equine Reproduction Seminar at which mare and stallion owners will receive in depth education and training in the area of equine reproduction. This seminar will be conducted by the esteemed equine reproduction specialist Jos Mottershead, who is very well known for his wonderful web site at Equine-Reproduction.com 

An Overview of the Seminar:

Although the course is easily understandable, it is intensive and covers all aspects of equine reproduction and breeding. It includes study of the anatomy and physiology of both the mare and the stallion reproductive systems; management of mare and stallion for optimal breeding; the mare's reproductive cycle and hormonal relationships; fertility evaluation; manipulation of the estrous cycle in the mare; techniques for live cover and artificial insemination of the mare; and the use of fresh, cooled, or frozen semen.

We will discuss collection of semen from the stallion and the various methods, techniques, and products available for collection, evaluation and various aspects of semen analysis; preparation of semen for freezing, transport or on-farm use; identifying stallion or semen handling problems and trouble shooting them; and sexual behavior of the stallion and how it can be modified.

The pregnant mare will be discussed including the hormonal activity present during pregnancy; care of the pregnant mare, and identifying and dealing with common pregnancy problems. Needs of the foaling mare and her resulting foal are addressed. Determining IgG levels in neonates is discussed as well as proper supplementation. We will present an overview of common neonatal problems as well as a brief overview of the more advanced equine reproduction technologies such as embryo transfer, sperm sexing, and current research taking place in the equine reproduction field.

Cost for the seminar is $250. Please contact us for more information. You may register online from Equine Reproduction.com’s seminar page.

The Irish Dancer takes Reserve Champion in Level 6 Jumpers at Pin Oak Horse Show in Houston, April 7-11, 2004

Whiskey continues to wow us as he moves steadily up the levels.  At this years prestigious Pin Oak Horse Show in Houston, one of the top "A" rated horse shows in America, Whiskey was Reserve Champion in the Level 6 jumpers. That's a course of jumps from 4' through 4'3"!  He was just wonderful.  He moved up to Level 7 jumpers the next week at the "A" show known as Spring Gathering where he showed very well.  Level 7 jumpers is a course of jumps from 4'3" to 4'6".  If all goes well, we plan to debut him in Grand Prix Jumpers this fall!  I'll put show pics up when they arrive.

Fyre One Daughter, BF Moonfyre, wins first time out in dressage show

We were just delighted with Moonfyre's first dressage show, November 9, 2003, when she won both her classes and behaved as if she'd been a dressage horse her whole life.  Her sire, Fyre One, would have been so proud.  I know we were.

Sonesta Farms to host Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar Inspection September 1, 2003

The North American extension of the Germany warmblood registry, Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar/Zweibrücken will hold an inspection of eligible mares, foals and stallions at Sonesta Farms on September 1, 2003. You can learn more about this inspection, it’s tentative schedule, check list for participants and information on presenting horses at the inspection by clicking here. See the RPSI web site for more information about the registry. And email Sonesta Farms for information about the inspection site and to book stalls. Onlookers are welcome! Come see the foals!

Sonesta Priceless Treasure Takes Back-to-Back Best of Winners and Best of Breed in Missouri Dog Shows

Sonesta Priceless Treasure ("Price") continues his winning streak as he took TWO Best of Winners and Best of Breed wins out of the Puppies 9-12 month classes in Missouri May 3-4, 2003. First was at the Spririt of the Heartland Kennel Club show on May 3, 2003, under Judge Mr Richard M Chashoudian.  Then at the Jefferson County Kennel Club of Missouri on May 4, 2003 under Judge Mrs Ann D Hearn.  He is more than half-way to his AKC champship title and is still only ten months old.  We are so proud of him! 

The Irish Dancer, Successful “A” Show Preliminary Jumper, Takes 2nd in $1000 Hunter Classic!

Showing perfect jumping form, Whiskey took second place in the $1000 Hunter Classic at the Fall Final show in Houston where he also showed in the Junior jumpers with Jillian Pennington. What an awesome horse!

New AKC Champion, Sonesta Annakin, Wins Back to Back Best of Breeds Awards

Ch. Sonesta Annakin continues to impress the judges, winning Best of Breed on both days of the recent Conroe Kennel Club shows on December 7 & 8, 2002 in Conroe, Texas. Photos coming soon! 

Home bred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Sonesta Annakin, is New AKC Champion!

He did it! Sonesta Annakin is now CH Sonesta Annakin, a new American Kennel Club champion dog! He will now stand at stud to select Cavalier females. We are just so proud of him!

Sonesta Annakin Within 2 Points of Receiving His AKC Championship Title

We are just thrilled with Sonesta Annakin’s performance at the shows and can’t wait to see what kind of puppies he sires!

Results of Oldenburg Verband and Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar Inspections

Despite threatening skies, the Oldenburg and RPSI inspections went very well. There were some stunning horses presented at each and we are very happy to announce that our own Donna Castagnia (“Tagnia”) by Donnerwelt and out of Dia Castagnia received a premium score from the Oldenburg Verband inspectors and our Knabstrupper fillies, American Beauty and First Encore, received Bronze and Silver Premiums respectively from the RPSI.

Home Bred Arabian Filly, Saffyre, by Fyre One Winning Big

We always knew she was special. Now, so does the rest of the world. Saffyre was purchased from us as a weanling and has gone on to a star career in the show ring. First, she was Reserve Champion at the 2001 Pinto Horse World Show (see previous article below). Now, she’s taking home blues all over Region 4 in halter and western pleasure classes in both Pinto Horse shows and Half Arabian classes at the Arabian shows. We are so proud of her! And Saffyre’s owner, Shannon Gettings, is so pleased that she asked us to breed her another one just like her. So, we bred Saffyre’s dam, Party Doll, back to Fyre One for a 2003 foal that has already been sold and will go to live with her full sister. How cool is that?

The 1st Knabstrupper born in North America arrives at Sonesta Farms on April 1, 2002!

We are just so excited about introducing this breed to the United States! Read all about Knabstruppers and this filly’s wonderful sire, Apollon, on our Breeding page.

The Irish Dancer continues to impress in the jumpers!

We were just thrilled with Whiskey’s performance at the big Pin Oak Charity Horse show where he took blue ribbons for several clear rounds in the schooling jumpers and was 3rd in the 5 year old Young Jumper Challenge. And we were especially delighted when he took his young rider, 15 year old Jillian, to a double clear round in the children’s jumpers!

Sonesta Annakin wins his first 5 point major dog show at only 9 months old!

This little guy is on his way to his championship rating with his first 5 point major win on February 24, 2002 at the Brazoria County Kennel Club show in Houston. The judge said she does not often give the win to a puppy and was very impressed with his attitude which she said told her “Pick me! I’m the star today!” Yes, that’s me at the end of the lead! Stay tuned to watch his progress.

Sonesta Farms’ Homebred Irish Sporthorse takes 2nd place in his first attempt in AHSA-rated Modified Jumpers in October, 2001

Whiskey continues to amaze and delight us as he moves rapidly up the ranks in the jumper world. We couldn’t be more proud.

Sonesta Farms’ Homebred Arabian Sporthorse Filly, BF Valentine Fyre, takes Reserve Champion in first AHSA-rated hunter show in October, 2001!

Not be be outdone by her buddy, Whiskey, our little Tina made quite the splash in her debut in the AHSA hunter world.  The judge said later that she thought she was an excellent pony hunter and that she should do well when she begins her large pony hunter classes.

Equine Reproduction Seminar a Huge Hit October 27-28, 2001!

We can’t begin to tell you what a wonderful seminar was presented here by Joss Mottershead of Equine Reproduction .Com last weekend. It was absolutely amazing all that we learned. We had a full house, with 25 participants listening intently as Joss spoon fed us the most incredible information. Then each one of us got to have a hands-on experience as we carefully reached into one of Sonesta Farms’ kindly broodmares to find the cervix. Most wonderful of all was watching not one, but TWO stallions being taught to collect from the ground without a phantom mare. Both were quite enthusiastic and learned quickly. We highly recommend this seminar to all of you. The handout material alone was worth the registration fee. Visit Equine Reproduction.Com’s web site for dates and locations of the seminar elsewhere in the country. 

BF Saffyre takes Reserve Champion in Pinto Horse World Show in the Futurity Class for 2 Year Olds in August, 2001!

Sonesta Farms bred filly, BF Saffyre, by our stallion, Fyre One, and out of one of our hunter/dressage/eventing and school horse mares, Party Doll, was Reserve Champion at the Pinto Horse World Show in the 2 year old Futurity Class. Her owner, Trissa Carter of Corpus Christi, Texas, bought Saffyre as a yearling and has done very well with her in the Pinto and Half-Arabian shows. 

The Irish Dancer is Champion at His First Show

Our own home-bred Irish Draught cross gelding, The Irish Dancer (better known to us as “Whiskey”) was champion in his first show, in Green As Grass Hunter Division, with rider/trainer, Mickee Shaw. He was just following in the footsteps of his dam, Illusive Dancer, who was also champion of her first show (and either Champion or Reserve Champion every time out!). Look for him to debut in the dressage arena next month! See more of Whiskey.

Sonesta Farms purchases “All that Glitters” a palomino TB gelding by the famous “Glitter Please.”

This awesome 3 year old is already quiet enough and well started enough for 11 year old Charlotte to ride, help train and show. They debuted at training level dressage in April, taking 3rd place with a 57% score and will begin jumping together next year. Glitter won his open training level 1 and 4 classes with trainer Mickee Shaw with scores up to 67.60%. This guy is a doll!

FYRE ONE's offspring make sire proud at the
Houston Astrodome on March 2, 2000

BF DARQ FYRE - 1999 colt by our own FYRE ONE winning 1st place in "Stallions 3 yrs old and under" class . We are so proud of him!

BF DARQ FYRE - with his owner, Nancy Ward, winning 2nd place in "Amateur Owner to Handle Stallions" class. It was the first show for both of them. What a great job they did!

BF StELMOS FYRE - 1997 gelding by FYRE ONE took 2nd place in "Geldings 3 years old and under" class. He was just wonderful! 

SATURNS DIAMOND - 1998 filly by IMPERIAL SATURN Took 3rd place in "Mares 3 years old and under" class. She will be bred to FYRE ONE next year. They should produce an awesome foal!

We wish to express our great thanks to Rhita & Dan McNair of McNair Internatioanle Arabians for all their wonderful help in training and showing these young horses.

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