South
Forty Farms - Where Dreams Really Do
Come True
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The Cole Family greatly enjoys spending their time on the farm in Bowling Green, KY. The homestead, originally built in 1839, is the basis on which they have built the farm around. Since 1994, they have dedicated their time to making the farm a home, a place to enjoy being together and to bond with their animals.
Diane Cole Diane Cole, owner of South Forty Farms, takes pride in seeing how the farm has grown into something the whole community can share. Whether a school group comes to the farm to learn about the horses, or the Chamber of Commerce tours to get a different perspective on agricultural businesses, South Forty is a place everyone feels welcome. Diane spends her time working at her home and the farm, and working with the horses she now handles in the ring. Diane started showing horses in spring 2005, placing with SF Scheduled for Takeoff her first time in the ring. Diane is also the proud "Momsie" of Avery McGee Cole, and is often hanging around the barns with Avery, teaching her the ropes. Avery and Momsie get into much mischief when left alone and to their own devices! Horses of her past: Diane made her show ring debut on SF Scheduled for Takeoff. She has also shown in the ring with Show Me the Money and South Forty Veteran's Honor.
Jason & Lacey Cole Jason, the oldest child, graduated from Western Kentucky University in May of 2000 with a double major in Government and History. He is currently working in banking as well as keeping his horses in show condition. Jason can usually be found working Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (pictured). Jason's foundation in horses began when he was just a tot with Clip Clop the Wonder Horse and has enabled him to have a special bond with his horses now. Jason looks forward to sharing the world of horses with his daughter, Avery. It's a sentimental moment when you catch Jason and Avery walking around the farm, both dreaming of that debut moment in the ring where his little girl becomes a horse show kid! Jason wed Ms. Lacey Hurst on December 26th, 2004. Their daughter Avery McGee Cole was born on March 1, 2006. Horses of his past: Jason established himself in the ring by handling Cricket's Little Buddy in pleasure, western pleasure, and pole bending. He also presented Mountain Grandeur in the Amateur Owned and Trained, as well as Men's and Ladies Amateur classes and came home with Grand Champion and Reserve Champion titles respectively in 2001. Jason is currently handling SF Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in the pleasure ring.
Amanda, the youngest, graduated from Western Kentucky University in December of 2002 with a degree in Agriculture. Working the farm is a full time job which she greatly enjoys doing with her partner in crime, Diane. Amanda loves working in pleasure and trail obstacle competition. Amanda has a lot of fun in the show ring, and is thrilled to be the trainer of South Forty Circle of Life and South Forty Playboy. Learning alongside such fabulous bloodlines is a true treat! Amanda also has a new full time barn shadow, Boss, the cattle dog. Boss can't wait to head out to each horse show weekend for a new adventure. Amanda wed Mr. Nick Kohnen on December 20th, 2006 in Nashville Tennessee. They happily reside alongside the rest of the Cole Family at South Forty Farms. Horses of her past: Amanda started in the big time handling Choco Two Socks, who is still to this day the biggest puppy dog she's ever handled. She also handled Sock It To Me and Show Me the Money to earn Champion titles. Amanda's first difficult business moment was in the selling of South Forty Francesca, after handling and training her for 6 years, but is thrilled to see her in the blues as she continues to touch juvenile lives. Amanda is now handling South Forty Circle of Life and South Forty Playboy.
Avery McGee Cole Avery McGee is the proud granddaughter of Diane, Daughter of Jason and Lacey. We figured she should officially be on the family page since she's a full time horse expert, with all that time she spends in the barns! Avery, well, does what most 6 month old babies do...she squeals, drools a bit, and laughs a lot. She is starting to freak Auntie Manda out a bit...she's gotten to where she'll wiggle her walker over to the stall Manda is cleaning and squeal when the door opens...really messing with Manda's nerves! She likes dogs and horses, obviously, and seems to really enjoy watching the action in the barns, and then scaring her parents at how dirty she can already get. We have a blast with her and can't wait to see what the future holds! Horses in her...um...present! Avery has been testing out her equitation seat on SF Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Doctor Yankee and Triple S Enchantress. She loves her mini, SF Pink-a-boo, and has shared the saddle very carefully to take her first laps around the ring at a walk on South Forty Circle of Life.
These stories have been written with love by Amanda Cole. Please do not copy or reproduce these stories without permission  Tommy Wilson Cole
1955-2002
To an amazing man, one dedicated to community development and contributing to the creation of a better life. To a magnificent husband, who made life seem so incredible and renewed, one who made each day an adventure, and every moment something to cherish and hold onto forever. To the truly devoted and absolutely "World's Best" father, the one who sculpted the lives of two individuals, molding them into somebody who could stand strong, do anything, and have unfaltering faith. To that one human being who did so much, in such a short time, and made such an impact in the world that it feels earth-shattering. To Him, we give our undying love, devotion, hearts, lives, and future to. On April 6, 2002, at 7:30 a.m., Tommy W. Cole, husband of Diane and father of Jason and Amanda, suffered a heart attack on the family farm while helping with morning chores. He always gave his Saturdays to the family and the farm, helping in ways he wasn't able to during the week due to his jobs. Due to the severity of the attack, Tommy passed away at 9:23 a.m. that day at the Medical Center in Bowling Green, KY. Words cannot convey the magnitude of the love felt for Tommy. We have suffered a loss of a truly remarkable man. For Diane, he provided her a life partner through thick and thin, undying love, and devotion to make her life as happy as possible. They met in the eighth grade and after years of dating, had been married for 26 years. For Jason and Amanda, he provided them a strong role model to fashion themselves after, a guiding hand throughout the paths of life, and a shoulder to lean on when the going got tough.
We love you Dad. God blessed us by giving us the best man he'd ever created and letting us borrow him for such a special period of time. As we go through the rest of our days here on Earth, may we continue to know that you are always right behind us, a strong, supportive hand on our shoulder, a proud glint in your amazingly blue eyes, and that sweet smile.
The Story Of South Forty Several years ago the Cole Family embarked on a horse-bound journey. Never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined the road that lie ahead.
The Cole's bumped into the Rocky Mountain Horses at a 4-H demo and were immediately hooked. Diane was fascinated with the chocolate body coat and stunning white mane and tail, the temperament with children, and the overall presence of the horse. The search began immediately to find more of those amazing horses. Needless to say, that search was successful. Now, several years down the road, South Forty Farms is home to 35 Rockies and have customized their life to their friends. They have a diversified herd, with horses trained in western, pleasure, pleasure driving, trail, obstacle, and poles.
The Cole's have been fortunate to find Rockies to join the farm that are one of a kind. Cricket's Little Buddy and Choco Two Socks are the cement that bonded Jason and Amanda to the farm. Bud and Jason will always be a team, whether they're strutting though western competitions or racing through poles. Socks showed Amanda the unity between horse and rider, and once they found that, they were able to enter a horse/human friendship that outlasts any other kind. Through learning with these two outstanding horses, South Forty has reached out farther and found even more horses with their own unique story that make lasting impressions on their lives.
"South Forty has had it's share of ups and downs in the horse industry. Loss of loved ones, struggles with current ones, it's all part of the story of life. But to be able to share that life with the horses residing at South Forty is a gift. We're not in this to make a profit. We're in this adventure to help make life more enjoyable. The horses that come to South Forty almost always have a change that can be detected the first year they are here. It seems as if they find something inside themselves that *clicks* and they come out of their stalls and paddocks every day to give us their all. It's amazing to ask so little of them, and receive so much in return. But then again, maybe it's not so amazing...seeing as how they just ask us to share some time with them, and it ends up being so much more that just a ride..." We hope that you take the chance to meet our horses. These are our friends who make our days complete. They are here to display the wonder of this breed, the Rocky Mountain Horse, and to demonstrate why they are truly remarkable.
South Forty’s Phantom We had no idea when we laid our eyes on the small, scratched up yearling that we would be seeing for the first time a horse so special, his touch on hearts would ripple throughout everyone who encountered him. He had just been moved to a farm for sale, and though he had all the right parents and grandparents for an outstanding horse, he appeared to be the little lost pony. For some reason, my dad saw the difference in this horse, and took a leap of faith, and we were Phantom’s new owners. We went to shows to watch Phantom as his trainers presented him, and even went to visit him and ride him ourselves at the farm where he lived while he was two. He became so special to my heart, I knew one day he would come home and do great things. He was patient and willing, and smart as a tack. And when I spoke up and let everyone know I wanted to show him, my parents knew it would be done. Phantom wasn’t in love with his trainers, which was evident the day I took him into the show ring for the first time. As he carried the handler down the hill to the check-in station, and then, as he fussed and swished with the trainer, he kept trying to tell them something they refused to hear. He wanted me, he wanted his girl, if he could just get to me. I pulled the trainer aside and asked him to please allow me to warm him up. As I watched Phantom’s frustration, I knew I needed to be with him, let him know comfort. Sure enough, as I stepped into the stirrup and lifted myself onto the saddle, a calmness surged through Phantom and he was again my surefooted, go anywhere horse.
Phantom had the fortune of touching several students lives in his time at South Forty, and aside from his friendship with me, his friendship with Emily Blankenship is still amazing to understand. She came to South Forty a little afraid, but full of heart and ready to learn what an amazing time she could have with our horses. Emily instantly recognized horses not just for a fun ride, but for the amazing animals and friends they were. She looked into their warm eyes and could see how they loved life, and how they loved adventures, and then, when she would climb into the saddle, she was more than willing to give them an adventure just as they were giving her. She never let her tiredness from school or frustrations from friends out on the horses. She knew that this is where she could always find a friend, and a good time. There were times I could almost guarantee that Phantom had been waiting for Emily, and I always knew that Emily was waiting for Phantom. For in each other, they found a friendship they had with no one else. They could share feelings and emotions, and be with each other as long as they wanted and still find new, exciting things to be thankful for. They both understood the beauty of life, and how important friends are. They learned together and had adventures all over South Forty.
A year after Phantom’s passing, Diane, Jason, and I aren’t the only ones who remember him and what amazing times we had, but Emily still carries him in her heart as one of the most special friends she’s shared a ride with. To understand that children are so forgiving and so quick to recover from some of life’s misfortunes, it is beautiful for me to see a child that remembers so much beauty and happiness, and be so content with having had the chance for friendship. To Emily, thank you for loving Phantom as much as I did, and for seeing him for the amazing horse I knew him to be. To have lost him was almost unbearable, but to have someone be able to cherish his memory and talk about the happiness he gave us makes me feel as if his short time on Earth was so fulfilling and rewarding.
Cricket's Little Buddy - Enjoying the attention and affection, and prospering at South Forty For those of you who are familiar with our farm, we began with a few Rockies that had exceptional stories. We have since grown and expanded our family run operation, but have never forgotten how we got here. For those of you who have followed the Rockies for a long time, Cricket's Little Buddy is a horse that should ring familiar to your hearts. Cricket's Little Buddy is a 1988 Chocolate Rocky who was a stallion until age 9, and then gelded, quickly moving to his permanent home at South Forty. Now usually, Amanda takes the time to write tributes and "in memories" to help continue their legend after their passing. However, Bud is still alive and well, we reassure all, but we thought that we would let Rocky lovers everywhere know what an exceptional horses he has been at South Forty, and what he's been up to. This article was written earlier in 2004 by Amanda Cole in honor of this amazing horse. A tribute to a phenomenon… For those of you who have been around the Rocky Mountain breed long enough, you quite possibly have come in contact in some way with Cricket’s Little Buddy, who was a 1989 stallion, until gelded at age 9. We came into contact with him several years ago, along with his sidekick and partner in crime, Choco Two Socks. We bumped into them at the Internationals and were tickled to see that “For Sale” sign that ultimately made them ours. In inquiring about Cricket’s Little Buddy for use as an amateur and juvenile horse, we had a lot of feedback. Mostly gaping faces, laughs, and prayers of good luck. Seemed to be that Bud was known for being quite the spitfire to handle in and out of the ring. We were given all the customary warnings, being new to this horse business, and were even told outright that he’s NOT the horse for us. But, we fell in love with his personality and looks, all the way down to his Tina Turner hairstyle. With the purchase of Bud came countless stories of the life he’s led, whether it was infamous stallion fights (where he still sports scars around his nostril and ear), or tales of swimming across rivers to take his owner to the pub. We can’t imagine the life that he led before he came here, but it’s not hard to imagine how many hearts he has touched. It’s evidence in everyone who cheers for him in the ring, brags about their Buddy offspring, and especially in those new, younger lives he now touches at his home, South Forty. South Forty is a juvenile riding facility, and has been in full swing with a load of almost 60 riders. Children ages 3 ½ to 16 come out weekly, not just to share a ride with a horse, but to spend time with their Rocky Mountain friends. Every horse that we ride, even those in show, are involved in the lesson program, and they are all proud to be Rocky Mountains. And yes, for those of you who know what’s next, and just can’t believe it…Cricket’s Little Buddy is one of the Kings of the program, for anytime we put someone on him, he tops the list as a favorite. But none more than the amazing person who walked through our doors in 2002. Her name is Rachel Young, and she came to us when another area lesson facility closed it’s teaching area. Quiet, to the point where we sometimes feared she wasn’t happy riding here, Rachel tried out several horses, and just couldn’t find the right fit. You see, Rachel had formed a connection with horses that she just couldn’t find in anything else, and her time with horses had become something she just couldn’t be without. At the time of her arrival, Bud had just moved into more lessons, and we gave it one more try with him. Rachel formed an instant friendship with Bud, and he seemed to pick up on something unique in her, for they both made strides in progress and fun, and now, they go everywhere together. Rachel finally found her fit, and Bud found another friend to hang out with, and share life with, aside from Jason, of course. I see lots of kids every week, and I go to get horses with them countless times, but I can tell you there is no more breathtaking scene than when Bud sees Rachel coming for her ride. Bud seems to know the day even, for he comes up out of his woods field and stays near the gate on Tuesdays, looking for his Rachel.
Putting him back into lessons, Bud showed that he wasn’t to be counted old yet, and still to this day, will run up the fence talking to Jason or Rachel, ready to show all those other horses what Rockies are about.
For the people who helped coordinate this breeds’ resurrection, and helped repopulate Rockies, so they could again touch the lives of so many, we cannot count the thanks that we owe to you. Not only are we able to share our lives with these horses each day, but we’re able to share them with children everywhere, and give them friends that will always be there. If you would like to share comments or stories with South Forty about these amazing horses, please feel free to e-mail us at your leisure. They leave such a lasting impression on the breed, we would love to compile stories so that when people come tour South Forty to learn more about this breed, we can share what amazing adventures we have had.
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Amanda Cole |
THE COLE FAMILY
Amanda Cole & Nick Kohnen
His last years were
spent cultivating South Forty Farms, his dream, and we, the family, will
continue that tradition. He had always hoped for a farm of his own, with
rolling land and a homestead that provided his heart warmth like no other.
He had his truck, his John Deere equipment, his horses, his church, and his
family, we hope he felt as if he had it all. We may never have the benefit
of seeing him propped up against the fence row watching over his farm, as the
sun sets over his shoulder. I may never be able to see him take a break
from his work to wander over to the arenas and watch us ride, as he did not even
a week before his passing. And we may never be able to look out into the stands at
a show and see him standing there, South Forty towel thrown over his shoulder,
watching with pride shining on his face. But, we don't have to see him,
for he is always with us, whispering how proud he is of us, protecting us with
his love.
It all started when Tommy suggested that the family buy a pony for the
great-nieces and nephews. So, Pepper the pony joined the family. Pepper was a
very experienced 4-H pony. She was a mean little speed machine who loved nothing more than to
home in on the competition and "go in for the kill." Yes,
looking back, Amanda now laughs and says that Pepper was a little above their
beginner level, but they fell in love with her and couldn't look back.
Pepper then took up permanent residence at South Forty. However, in
looking at the size of Amanda and Jason (as they were well into their teens when
Pepper came home, 5'11" and 6'3" respectfully), one might realize how odd it was to imagine them riding
Pepper (she was 12.2 hands tall). So the search continued for that perfect horse
for the Cole's and a new best friend for Pepper.
"We are amazed to walk out to the barns
everyday and find that those first horses we purchased, the yearlings we found
and fell in love with, are now more mature, wiser, and absolutely as stunning as
they were the first day we laid eyes on them. There's a sense of pride to
know that we were an integral part of who they are now. Those fillies we
bought, in what seems like so long ago, are mothers, raising their babies just
as wonderfully as we could hope. They walk around the farm as if they know
that they are the foundation of our farm, for they strive to maintain the true
nature of the Rocky Mountain, whether they are under saddle, in the barns, or
just gaiting through the pastures with the foals."
Doctor Yankee entered the picture as the
perfect lesson horse for Amanda's business. Yet, to the joy of the
farm...he turned out to be the perfect horse for Diane and Tommy. He just
likes to go with the flow and have a good time, and that's what they had been
hoping for, and keeping an eye for when at other farms. The day Diane saw
and rode him, she called Amanda and said she was bringing him home. Doctor
Yankee is the horse used for demonstrations and beginner riders due to being of
perfect temperament.
A
month later I convinced my parents to bring Phantom home. As we began our new
journey at home at South Forty, he absorbed knowledge faster than I could
present it, and he mastered all the arts of riding whether it was equitation or
obstacle course. And, as a three year old stallion, had the best manners around.
Phantom grew to trust us and look for us each day to have a new adventure with
him. He touched lives and made us so happy that Dad had such faith in something
that didn’t seem to be destined for anything. He was the story of the “Ugly
Duckling” come true, as he blossomed into this amazing and intelligent beauty.
Much
to our sadness, on January 21, 2004, Phantom passed away after suffering from
colic of the large intestine. Our loss was beyond words that day, as we had to
find it in our hearts to say goodbye to our beloved friend. Memories of show
ring wins, obstacle course adventures, and the joy of seeing his first babies
born at the farm overwhelmed us and made us realize what a special creature
resided at our farm.
Sadly,
Bud suffers from aging a bit, as well as some health troubles that require daily
maintenance. I guess leading such a colorful life as a colt is catching up with
him. Earlier this year, we weren’t sure what was in the best interests of Bud,
whether to continue him in lessons, or save his time for walks with Jason around
the farm. Bud quickly answered our questions though, for even when we forced
ourselves to let him rest up in his well earned time, every Tuesday, he would
stand at the gate, waiting for his day with Rachel. It broke our hearts to see
Bud resort to a depression where he just waited day after day for his turn. We
knew what we had to do to make him happy.
For
those of you who have owned him, we want to thank you for your contributions
into who he has become. We know that every event shapes a life, even if it’s a
horse, and Bud has had so many varieties of adventures, it’s made him a
dynamic, and amazing horse to live with day to day. For all of you with “Bud
babies”, yes, he’s just as much a handful at times as he used to be, and
still to this day will “pull a Bud” and get into mischief, but his heart is
enormous, and he’s always giving all he’s got. For those of you with Bud in
your heart, like Rachel and Jason, be reassured that he has found his home right
here at South Forty, and there’s no other way we’d have it.