Baby "long legs"
	Just got these photos from Sherrie Boles in PA. She'd bred her 17.3 grey Percheron mare to Counterclaim. She's thrilled with this darling colt, shown here at ONLY THREE DAYS OLD. So are we!! What fun to show off what our sweet stallion's offspring can look like when you breed his 75% TB blood, to a big warmblood or draft. How about this "bone"???
Colaire has graduated from Kindergarden!
	Colaire is back home after less than three months with Carrie Stinner in Aiken, SC (Carrie is shown riding him in this first photo!). What a fantastic horsewoman she is!!! She suggested I bring him home to just grow up a bit more.....although he doesn't need to GROW any more!!He's already 16.2 at three years old! ( As Popeye K's half brother, I fully expect Colaire to be as big as Popeye K!) I have been riding him at home myself and today took him for his first trail ride in the woods! He was as quiet as you could ever hope for! He is a joy to ride!!!(Can you tell in this second photo how quiet he is??) We have high expectations for this wonderful stallion.......the ONLY black pinto son in the US of the legendary Voltaire!!! Wait till you see him hack in the show ring.........what a trot!! Dreams do come true!!!!!
ECLIPSE WINS GOLD PREMIUM AT 08 RPSI INSPECTION!
	We are thrilled that Eclipse, our lovely 08 filly by Claim to Fame and out of Colormarks was awarded the top Gold Premium Status at her inspection and branding by the Rheinland Pfalz Saar International held August 2, 2008 at Valhalla Farms in Welborn, FL. This gorgeous filly looks just like her sire! Even the German judges had to comment on her lovely head, neck and topline!
CTF's first filly showing photo!
	A'Claim, one of the first filly's born by Claim to Fame, just had her 2nd horse show in Tryon. This is a photo of her o/f with a 13 year old girl on her.......she won good ribbons every class! She had previously shown at Brownland in KY and placed 2nd U/S with nice ribbons o/f too! She now stands close to 16.1, and is drop dead gorgeous! Unfortunately her owner, Amy, has had huge health problems and is having to offer her for sale.....see our sale page! You won't find a sweeter, smarter, or more stunning mare anywhere!
Kahlua and Cream is "flying high"
	Had to post this photo we received of our first born at Flying Colors Farm. Kahlua and Cream is now living back in Florida and doing so well. She's WON the Regional 4-H, and is competing on the A circuit in Hunters, Equitation AND Jumpers! Look at the scope and knees on this sweet filly!! Of course, she's Claim to Fame's "big sister"!
Rodeo' Drive and Newsprint take RMI/Ocala ......
	With the price of diesel, on top of my broken wrist........I haven't shown much this winter. But couldn't resist an opportunity to join some friends at the RMI III show at the HITS/Ocala grounds Memorial Day Weekend......... We'd been painting the barns and poor Rodeo was out in the sun for a week and not looking his best, but still pulled off a Reserve Best Young Horse (closely beaten by the yearling who's leading the COUNTRY by a huge margin!).....I was especially proud of his quiet, willing attitude. He's going to be one fancy, sweet horse!! Newsprint was the CHAMPION of Baby Green......in his FIRST SHOW EVER!!! Thanks to Amy Center of Cavallo Farms for riding him in his first show. Thanks to David Mullineux for the use of this photo! His wife Michelle, is a pinto fan, and may be getting her own Counterclaim foal soon!
EXCLAIMATION'S showing his style~!
	Just got these new photos of Exclaimation, the two year old colt by Claim to Fame who will be showing on the line again this year with his new owner, Dr. Susan Funk of Bedford, VA. We're very proud of this guy.....he was the best behaved of the entire class of 24 at Devon! Look at his "ho hum" attitude!! A short two months after Devon we received this photo from Susan.......with her smiling ear to ear on this sweet guy! As a true "older adult amateur", she's thrilled he's as sweet and easy as he is beautiful! We're proud to show that CTF passes on his wonderful conformation and looks AND his wonderful willing attitude!!! Thanks to Annelisa and Hunter King of Rose Hill Stables in Beford, VA for providing his wonderful new home and starting him under saddle for Susan. I know he will excel under thier care, traning and guidance. Thanks too to Lynn Palm for her interest and contribution to this youngster's education. We look forward to seeinng this gorgeous boy on her website!!!
Welcome Sierra, Counterclaim's first 08 foal!
	We welcome Sierra ..........Counterclaim's first foal of 08, born on April 2, 2008 to a lovely TB mare, Pegasus Passion, aka Peg, in the Hasting, FL (Jacksonville area). She is shown here at only 'hours' old. The proud owner is Sandy Stokey. We're so happy for her and thrilled to hear she hopes to show Sierra in Jacksonville's Hunter Breeding Series.! We look forward to seeing this girl in the ring and hope for lots of photos in the meantime!
Welcome Famous Dance - another 08 CTF foal!
	Just got another newborn photo from Deborah Davidson in Penssacola, FL. Her TB mare (She loves to Boogie) had a darling pinto colt by Claim to Fame.....pictured here at only a few hours old! We welcome this handsome boy to the family..........and look forward to more photos soon!
WELCOME SPARKLE! 08 CTF Filly by Zone 8 HB Champ
	We are THRILLED with the new Claim to Fame filly just born to the Hunter Breeding 2003 Zone Champion, Applaud from Above. It looks like Claim to Fame has once again stamped his foal with his beautiful head.......and what perfect markings for hunter breeding! This darling filly is owned by Mrs. Kernan Hodges, a long time Board member of the NFHJA and the premier sponsor of the AA Jacksonville Winter Circuit. We look forard to seeing this beautiful filly showing ! Just got these new photos taken at one month old..how about that beautiful face??? Kernan says this is the fanciest foal she's ever had.....and she will be rebreeding the dam to CTF ASAP! Sparkle has now (08/08)come to live with us at Flying Colors Farm to get ready for her Hunter Breeding debut in Jacksonville! What a sweet, affectionate and willing filly. We're all in love with her! I"ll post a new photo soon. She is for sale......only to a good show home!!!
FALL 07 HUNTING TRIP TO VA AND MD!
	Once again I headed north for my annual trip to visit friends, fall colors and wonderful hunts. I have a goal to ride with as many famous foxhunts as I can, and am steadily gaining on it! This year I again headed to the Middleburg/Warrenton, VA country (sooo beautiful and what horse country!) I was thrilled to go out with the famous Piedmont Hounds. I loved their look of tricolor (pinto) coloring....and it was really special to start from the historic village of Unison in their original country above Upperville. We saw the hunted fox, who eventually evaded us due to the pooor scenting in the dry conditions. However, the country was gorgeous, the people so friendly and I so enjoyed being there! Then I headed to Green Springs Valley Hounds..near Baltimore, MD. I was surprised how beautiful the country is....as pretty to me as Middleburg! They have a reputation as one of the hardest hunts in the US (maybe the world!!) as steeplechase horses are made in their fields! Well, the reputation is certainly true.... We immediately saw a big red fox pass right in front of us and off we went. No fence was under 3'6 but when we headed to the FOUR BOARD FOUR FOOT HIGH pasture fence (complete with horses inside) I almost died (in more ways than one!) Thank goodness I was on Debonair, as he has the kindness to save me, and the scope to save himself! The following day I was thrilled to be invited to ride Hunt Colors with Duck Martin, MFH whipping in........what a treat!! Thanks to Carol Fenwick for sending me these pictures! As an 2/8/08 update.........I just returned from a Progressive Show Jumping show where Debonair and I were the Amateur Owner Champions! What a neat horse this is......and am heading to Fitzpatrick, AL in two days to hunt him as a guest of Midland Hounds......along with the MFHA President, Mason Lampton and his guest, MFHA of United Kingdom, Lord Daresbury!!! Talk about versatility!!!
HUNTER BREEDING SUCCESSES OF 07!
	I finally switched hats long enough to take Exclaimation and Rodeo' Drive to the Fall A Hunter Circuit in Jacksonville.. Our first show could have been a disaster, and I have to admit we were severely handicapped.......drove in (leaving our farm before dawn) with timing planned perfectly. The show management called the Hunter Breeding Classes just as we arrived (1 1/2 hours earlier than advertised)...so we had to rush in, unbraided tails, and no time to chill!! Exclaimation (a yearling) was a little overwhelmed, (still got a second), but Rodeo' Drive rose to the occassion and got Reserve Champion Best Young Horse. I'm especially proud of his handler, my helper, Jen Giles who had never even BEEN to a Hunter Show before!! I decided to go back to the second show arriving the day before with plenty of time to get braided, acclimated, etc.....it paid off! The show was a double point show (two judges), so two "Best Young Horse" Championships were awarded.. I'M PROUD TO REPORT BOTH BEST YOUNG CHAMPIONSHIPS WERE WON BY FLYING COLORS!! EXCLAIMATION WAS BEST YOUNG HORSE WITH ONE JUDGE, AND RODEO' DRIVE WAS BEST YOUNG HORSE WITH THE OTHER........A GRAND SLAM!!!!!
First 07 Horse Show a Success for youngsters!
	I took an opportunity to take a few of our youngsters to their first "spend the night away from home horse show"! We always try to get them out and about early, as it makes it so much easier for training and showing later in life!! Canterbury Showplace in Gainesville, FL had a schooling show for Sport Horse Breeding..and although ours are probably destined for the hunter breeding world.....it's all good practice. The girls from the FSU Equestrian Team gave me a hand which I GREATLY appreciated! Rodeo Drive was the star of the show....he behaved beautifully and is such an elegant fellow! Exclaimation won his class too! Colaire was handled by my friend, Marsha Hartford-Sapp, the FSU coach. She had quite a hard time keeping up with his trot. As you can see.....he can really point those toes!!
LAST TEST FOAL FOR COUNTERCLAIM BORN 6/26/07
	Our last test foal due this year was born 6/26/07 in Tallahassee! A LOVELY FILLY was born to the Prestage family. The dam is a 16.2 dark bay appendix quarter horse mare with Bold Ruler as the grandsire.....we are THRILLED with this lovely, correct filly!! She is pictured at ONE DAY OLD!
MFHA CENTENNIAL FIELDHUNTER CHAMPIONSHIPS IN VA
	Well, here they are.......my memories of the MFHA Centennial Fieldhunter Championships at Morven Park, Leesburg, VA held May 27, 2007. I qualified my homebred, wonderful horse, Debonair, on February 14, 2007 at the South Creek Hounds in Tampa, FL. The truth is, he was on his FIRST FOXHUNT in November of 2006, when I'd injured my regular foxhunter, Hunt Colors. He certainly rose to the occassion! Only four horse/rider combinations were chosen from the entire Southeast US!! I was the only rider from Florida. A total of sixty four were qualified for the finals from all over the US and Canada! People came from as far as California for this competition! I drove Debonair to Virginia by myself (15 hours on the road!) and was the houseguest once again, of Dr's Kent Allen and Rae Stone(his wife). They are the perfect host/hostesses!! Rae and I schooled together and competed together. She made the final test, which I'm very proud of her for doing (especially, on her pinto!!) We had such a good time!! When the big day came, I got up at 3:30 am!! (only went to bed at midnight!!) We had to drive forty five minutes, get checked in and pick up our numbers, get ready for the Best Turned Out Class, and be in the judging area at 7 am!!! It was a glorious day. I competed with thirty of the best dressed foxhunters in North America...and was thrilled to TO WIN THE RESERVE CHAMPIONSHIP OF BEST TURNED OUT.......photo of us with the red ribbon!! As for the other photos - only a secure person (not necessairly a secure rider it would seem from this photo!!) would postthis horrible photo on their own website!! However, I want to show why we didn't win, haha. It was all my fault....I was sooooo mad at myself!! Unfortunately, I had very little opportunity to practice the hunt/jumping portion. (We run like crazy at Live Oak Hounds, but have little jumping on our fast hunts) I was READY for the final test!!! However, I tried to override the first fence (trying to be too perfect!!)--and got him in totally wrong....and cost myself the opportunity to win! After I realized my mistake, everything went perfectly - jumping photo to prove it!!! Debonair was absolutely wonderful: walked through the crossings, waited patiently at the fences, stood quietly in the checks, never hesiwin the Reserve tated at a jump ....I couldn't be more pleased with HIM.......ME, I could SHOOT!! The judges still liked him enough to place us in the top ten of our division, so all in all, I really was happy. As I (jokingly) say....."If you can't ride good, at least you can look good", haha!! Photos by Jordan Koepke........
FINALLY - A CLAIM TO FAME 07 FOAL PHOTO!!
	I made a visit to Ocala, FL to see some Claim to Fame foals today....... This bay colt is out of a TB mare shown in Amateur Jumpers, but who also has won some Grand Prix classes! He REALLY reminds me a lot of CTF at that age...........wish he didn't have the halter on in this photo because he's realy got the "signature" dished face and lovely neck CTF puts on his foals!! We're so happy for Burrel Davidson and her favorite mare, Edge! I went for a visit in September......this guy is beautiful! They are hoping to send him to the big hunter breeding shows in the East when he's ready.........he'll knock 'em dead!!
ANOTHER COUNTERCLAIM TEST FOAL
	Lorri Wallis in IL just sent this photo of her darling hew colt (who was a test foal for this year!!! She loves him..........it's fun to have the smiling face of a foal owner to post too!!
COUNTERCLAIM'S FIRST FOAL BORN 4/10/07!
	We are thrilled to announce the birth of Claim your Pik, the first Counterclaim foal ever born!! He's a healthy, correct and beautiful bay pinto (of course)! His proud owner is Marsha Hartford-Sapp, owner of Southern Oaks Equestrian Center in Tallahassee and a coach for the FSU Equestrian Team! The dam is a bay Hannoverian mare out of the Pik line.....
BREEDING DISCOUNTS!!
	We will be excited to offer TWO stallions for our breeders in 2008! Claim to Fame, who has been proven in EVERY way (top comformation wins in the country, movement, performance and jumping style, temperament, and producer of winning quality foals) is a lifetime approved breeding stallion for RPSI and the AWR. You won't find a kinder, more beautiful stallion anywhere! We are also pleased to offer his black homozygous (for pinto!) son, Counterclaim. This young stallion has already proven himself to be very fertile. In 07 most mares he bred caught on the first try!! His first six test foals were born in 07, and many are shown here. He is just starting his under saddle career, so hasn't accumlinated a show record yet. Consequently, he is still priced very reasonably.....guarentee your chrome for next year with this handsome youngster! WE ARE OFFERING A "NO BOOKING FEE" DISCOUNT FOR REGISTERED WARMBLOOD OR PREMIUM MARES.....CONTACT US FOR DETAILS!
SHADBELLYS AND SUNDAYS!!!
	We must be on a lucky streak! Every time I put on my shadbelly with my Live Oak Hounds colors on it, I have a great show!! First, of course, was the National Foxhunting Championships this fall in Virginia! Then In January, Claim to Fame and I won the Adult Amateur Hunter Classic and all over fences classes in Jacksonville t their Mid-Winter AA Series, and now we just did a repeat performance in Pensacola for the AA Gulf Coast Winter Classic!! I JUST OPENED THE MAIL AND THERE WERE RIBBONS FROM THE USEF AND PHR!!! CLAIM TO FAME AND I WERE THE RESERVE CHAMPION OF OUR SOUTHEASTERN ZONE (4) IN ADULT AMATEURS AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA YEAR END CHAMPION TOO HE TRULY IS A SPECIAL HORSE!