Through the Alphabet
Only a Dutch Warmblood breeder would understand the meaning of going through the alphabet. In 2005 when we named our “A” foal crop we achieved a milestone in Dutch Warmblood breeding. Our very first “A” foal transported in utero to Texas with his dam, Tamara (Idool x Goudsmid), was born in 1982 the year before the NAWPN was formed.
We became Dutch Warmblood breeders by a very serendipitous route which combined the expertise of our very early mentors Franz Rochowansky, “Rocky”, Oberbereiter I.P. of the Spanish Riding School and former resident and trainer in Holland as well as Jeff Moore and Elizabeth Searle well respected trainers and judges from California whose vision molded the successful NAWPN. After searching the U.S. and Canada for suitable dressage horses we became convinced that breeding them ourselves might be easier. In 1981 we flew to England to meet with Rocky to take him on to Holland to Hank Leyser’s farm to meet with Jeff, Liz, and their entourage who were scouring Europe looking for a stallion. There we purchased a mare in foal and a young stallion. Jeff and Liz purchased the handsome bright bay stallion, Taxateur, for the HUI. At that time very few Dutch horses were in the U.S. although many admired Carole Hoffman’s dressage mount, Rembrandt. All of that was about to change.
Jeff and Liz had observed the problems that occurred in other registries when the European studbook was not involved. Therefore they engaged the WPN and Gert Vanderween to help with the studbook in the U.S. The first meeting was held at Osierlea in San Juan Bautista in 1983 attended by interested parties from all over the U.S. which has led us to our 25th anniversary celebration.
As serendipity would have it we have now had 26 years of enjoyment and success breeding Dutch horses. We have bred star mares, prestatie mares, FEI dressage horses, national award winners, and a son of Taxateur, Duke of Earl, who was long listed for the USET Olympic team in 1996.
Chances are we will not make it through another alphabet again. But we have faith that the charm and talent of the Dutch horse will give many others pleasure in the years to come.
Carol and Richard Schmickrath
Brookstone Farm
Georgetown, Texas
June 2008
Only a Dutch Warmblood breeder would understand the meaning of going through the alphabet. In 2005 when we named our “A” foal crop we achieved a milestone in Dutch Warmblood breeding. Our very first “A” foal transported in utero to Texas with his dam, Tamara (Idool x Goudsmid), was born in 1982 the year before the NAWPN was formed.
We became Dutch Warmblood breeders by a very serendipitous route which combined the expertise of our very early mentors Franz Rochowansky, “Rocky”, Oberbereiter I.P. of the Spanish Riding School and former resident and trainer in Holland as well as Jeff Moore and Elizabeth Searle well respected trainers and judges from California whose vision molded the successful NAWPN. After searching the U.S. and Canada for suitable dressage horses we became convinced that breeding them ourselves might be easier. In 1981 we flew to England to meet with Rocky to take him on to Holland to Hank Leyser’s farm to meet with Jeff, Liz, and their entourage who were scouring Europe looking for a stallion. There we purchased a mare in foal and a young stallion. Jeff and Liz purchased the handsome bright bay stallion, Taxateur, for the HUI. At that time very few Dutch horses were in the U.S. although many admired Carole Hoffman’s dressage mount, Rembrandt. All of that was about to change.
Jeff and Liz had observed the problems that occurred in other registries when the European studbook was not involved. Therefore they engaged the WPN and Gert Vanderween to help with the studbook in the U.S. The first meeting was held at Osierlea in San Juan Bautista in 1983 attended by interested parties from all over the U.S. which has led us to our 25th anniversary celebration.
As serendipity would have it we have now had 26 years of enjoyment and success breeding Dutch horses. We have bred star mares, prestatie mares, FEI dressage horses, national award winners, and a son of Taxateur, Duke of Earl, who was long listed for the USET Olympic team in 1996.
Chances are we will not make it through another alphabet again. But we have faith that the charm and talent of the Dutch horse will give many others pleasure in the years to come.
Carol and Richard Schmickrath
Brookstone Farm
Georgetown, Texas
June 2008