Howdy everyone!
We hope you all have been well and staying warm this winter. While we have been appreciating the calm before the storm of breeding season picking up with warmer weather, we are definitely looking forward to horses shedding out and not having to break ice in the water tanks. Many of you can relate for sure!
Speaking of breeding season, we are starting to prep our mares for our biggest foal crop in several years, with plans to breed all four of them this year.
We are breeding Radical Blues (homozygous black Hot Roddin Zip granddaughter) to APHA Champion, Versatility Award Winner, countless World Champion earner and multiple Reserve World Champion sire, VS Total Heartthrob (VS Flatline). This cross will definitely produce an incredible all-arounder!
We will also be breeding MZ Annies Invitation (Special Invitationgranddaughter) to homozygous tobiano, numerous World and Reserve World Champion earner and producer, One And Only Asset (One Special Asset). This foal will be a 3/4 sibling to our 2022 colt, SOF One Zippin Asset, who we are so proud of!
In addition to our two maiden mares, we will be breeding both of our matriarchs, Marilyn and Romance. Our Superior earning mare, MZ Marilyn Zipper (Zippo Pine Bar great granddaughter), will be bred to multiple World and Versatility Champion sire, CR Good Machine (A Good Machine). With a long line of accomplished horses on both sides of the pedigree, we can't wait to see what these two produce!
Lastly, we are breeding our triple homozygous own daughter of Hot Roddin Zip, Ladys Radical Romance, to multiple World and Congress Champion sire, Required Invitation (Invitation Only). We know these two talented producers will make something special, and the fact that it is guaranteed to be bay tobiano is just icing on the cake!
While we wait for our 2024 foals, we are thrilled to be able to cheer on so many SOF horse owners in the show pen. Sensational Gus (Zippos Sensation great grandson) and Kiersten are an incredible new team in Oregon. In their second show ever together, they placed in every class including first in green walk/trot western pleasure. Well done!
Speaking of new teams, SOF Ravishing Rodder (MZ Blues Only x Ladys Radical Romance) and Christine are busy preparing for a fun show season over fences in New York. Christine says, "People love watching Prince and I jump one day and then do bareback western the next. Prince has been going out to school at different places, but nothing seems to bother him. His trainer has dubbed him the bravest horse she has ever met." Go team go!
Speaking of the 2023 show season, there are two more teams you will need to keep your eye on. SOF KCs Zippin Asset (One Special Asset x MZ Marilyn Zipper) recently traveled from Washington to Iowa where she will be competing on the PtHA circuit and at the Color Breed Congress Show. Her lessee, Chastidy, says "KC's super cool! She's coming along super well! I'm excited to get her in the show pen." And we can't wait to cheer you two on!
Lastly, KC's 3/4 brother, SOF One Zippin Asset (One And Only Asset x MZ Marilyn Zipper) has been settling into life in Oregon with his owner, Carolyn. They have been busy preparing for the 2023 show season with in hand trail, lunge line, halter, and showmanship practice. Carolyn says, “He’s doing really well. We will go to our first show in March. A local show just to get him out and about. No real expectations at this point, just exposure and positive experiences.” That’s what we like to hear!
Thank you all for the updates on your SOF horses. We are thrilled to see all of these amazing teams out there, and you can see why we are excited for Marilyn and Romance's next foals!
As usual, if you would like your SOF horse featured on our social media, website, or in a newsletter, please contact our Marketing and Communications Manager, Naomi, on Facebook, Instagram, or at sterlingoaksfarm@gmail.com.
Best Wishes!
Naomi, Jason, Brian, and John