This is to share any small (or smaller) breeders you’ve found that have an awesome bunch of horses. Those that breed for great, amateur friendly brains and the horse also has a lot of athleticism. I’ve run into some that are somewhat known, and others that might only be known by a few in a certain region. I think they get overlooked and need to be shared with others out here.
Post the name and links to web pages so we can all start dreaming about our next horse!
Not breeders, but one can never forget OTTBs! https://www.retiredracehorseproject.org/view-all-sources-for-horses/view-nonprofits
Valhalla hasn’t been breeding for a few years now, sales and training only.
DG Bar Ranch in California.
http://www.dgbarranch.com/
In the YH Champs 4 yr old class (just aired on livestream), there were more offspring of their stallions than any other breeder. In the 5 yr old class, Akiko Yamazaki’s young stallion Gaspard de la Nuit (son of Ravel, bred by DG Bar) will be competing.
I love this thread, especially since I’m casually looking for my next young horse right now…
My mare came from: http://www.emeraldacrestk.com/
Anissa has recently had foals sold in vitro for the most part, and many of the babies go on to eventing careers, but she was amazing talking to me about what I was looking for/wanted, and everything she told me about my mare before I got her about her personality, tendencies, strengths, was dead on accurate. She also knew my mare was meant to be a dressage horse - anyone on facebook who saw my recent “gallop” in the desert video knows she was right. 
Iron Spring Farm and Hilltop are of course big names with dressage breeding.
There are also lots of other smaller breeders who only have a foal or two a year. My trainer and his wife have been breeding KWPN but don’t have any for sale yet, since my trainer can put training on them himself. Plus, they started for themselves so haven’t figured out who to keep as their own future rides. Their babies have regularly done VERY well at their keurings, beating out many of the spectacular DG Bar babies mentioned above.
[QUOTE=dressurpferd01;8814774]
Valhalla hasn’t been breeding for a few years now, sales and training only.[/QUOTE]
Kerrigan Bloodstock
Sterling Shagyas
Another vote for DG Bar.
Also North Hill Farm in New York. Owner Maggie Neider is a member of the US Sport Horse Breeders Association and has nice horses.
http://northhillfarmny.com/
She bred Rosalut NHF, winner of the YH Champs FEI 5 yr old division in 2015.
He also won the 4 yr old division in 2014.
http://www.taylorsmithdressage.com/#!horses/c1b3r
I just went on a shopping trip with a friend at Valhalla and they had some young stock for sale that they bred and I saw some foals frolicking with their dams in the field. I was not shopping but they were really trying to tempt me with a gorgeous four year old!
[QUOTE=Velvet;8814633]
This is to share any small (or smaller) breeders you’ve found that have an awesome bunch of horses. Those that breed for great, amateur friendly brains and the horse also has a lot of athleticism. I’ve run into some that are somewhat known, and others that might only be known by a few in a certain region. I think they get overlooked and need to be shared with others out here.
Post the name and links to web pages so we can all start dreaming about our next horse![/QUOTE]
Perhaps you should start a thread on who DOESN’T breed for amateur friendly brains. All breeders know that most horses are ending up with amateurs and non-elite professionals, and all breeders know that horses end up somewhere on a bell curve of temperament and rideability.
So, who DOESN’T breed for brains, soundness and rideability?
[QUOTE=DressageLin;8815767]
I just went on a shopping trip with a friend at Valhalla and they had some young stock for sale that they bred and I saw some foals frolicking with their dams in the field. I was not shopping but they were really trying to tempt me with a gorgeous four year old![/QUOTE]
Good to know!
I have one of Majestic Gaits’ babies. She is a darling and gorgeous, though she’s jumper bred. Just a yearling so she doesn’t have any performance results, but I expect she’ll jump whatever I’m capable of doing myself. She also has terrific gaits and could easily do dressage. I adore her and would definitely buy another from MG who is just wonderful to work with!
Majestic Gaits’ horses are just lovely. Including the one in my pasture, so I am somewhat biased but I think I chose very well! And MG is wonderful to work with. Highly recommend.
http://www.hof-mendenhall.com/
for serious UL buyers… most of her foals are sold well before they hit the ground…
[QUOTE=J-Lu;8815902]
Perhaps you should start a thread on who DOESN’T breed for amateur friendly brains. All breeders know that most horses are ending up with amateurs and non-elite professionals, and all breeders know that horses end up somewhere on a bell curve of temperament and rideability.
So, who DOESN’T breed for brains, soundness and rideability?[/QUOTE]
Agree, all reputable breeders have those goals in mind. I would clarify, one person’s definition of brains and rideability may be VERY different then another’s.
Well if it has to be limited to American, then Castleberry Welsh Cobs, Quillane Welsh, Madoc Welsh, and Cedarglen Welsh ponies just to name a few (which are proven). I have my eye on a couple more who have youngstock that are just starting to strut their stuff.
If I were forced to focus on those bred for the sport I would definitely concur with the ones already posted.
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