Getting Down to Business
Show Me the Money takes home Reserve Grand Champion!
Finding Rocky Mountain horses in Western Kentucky isn't something new. It's just taking on a different perspective. South Forty farms in Bowling Green has decided to make an appearance, and if the 2000 International Show has anything to do with it...that appearance is highly decorated.
This family owned and operated farm traveled to Lexington, KY this past September for the 12th Annual RMHA International Show. Show Me the Money, ridden by Amanda Cole, started off the week by bringing home 1st in the Ladies Amateur B, and then was on a role! He then went on to become the Reserve Five Year Old Gelding Under Saddle and continued on to the Championship evening to become the Champion Gelding Under Saddle, and to Amanda's delight, the Reserve Grand Champion Under Saddle!
After months of conditioning and hard work, this win for Show Me the Money is not really a surprise. This horse has been an intense gelding competitor during his three and four year old years as well. He was just continuing his winning tradition.
South Forty Farms didn't stop with Show Me the Money, they also took Doctor Yankee, who won his Five Year Old Gelding Conformation class, became the Reserve Champion Gelding Conformation, and placed third in the Grand Championship Conformation, placing under his father, Choco Dock, and half-sibling by Choco Dock as well.
Cricket's Little Buddy, shown by Jason Cole, is the Reserve winner for the Pole Bending Competition, at a time of 45.92 seconds! Bud also won 3rd in the Men's Western Class and 8th in the Western Sweepstakes. Mountain Grandeur won the Men's Amateur B class, and placed 8th in the Men's and Women's Amateur Championship. South Forty's Fire Warning is the Reserve Weanling Colt (A), Cricket's Lil Honeycomb is the Reserve Five Year Old Mare Under Saddle, and Choco Two Socks, shown by Merritt Meherg is the Youth Showmanship 11 & under Champion for the second year in a row.
Also, South Forty's Phantom made his International ring debut this year and placed 8th in the Two Year Old Stallions Class, as well as placing 3rd in the Ladies Amateur C, ridden by Amanda Cole.
South Forty Farms is thrilled with the results of the International Show, because it is symbolic of a family farm pulled together, who worked hard, and accomplished (even exceeded) their goals!
South Forty Farms began just three years ago, when Tommy came up with an idea. He was interested in looking for a child broke pony for the young tots of the extended family to enjoy. He ran the idea past Diane and then we found Pepper, a gray pony standing a little over 12 hands that was a barrel racing, pole bending, keyhole racing mama. Through 4-H, Pepper has been noted to beat most any horse or pony she came in contact with.
Needless to say, their children, Amanda and Jason, wanted to ride Pepper too. However, when on Pepper, Amanda could just about touch her toes to the ground! That's when the family decided to shop around.
The Cole family bumped into Rocky Mountain Horses through a 4-H breed demonstration at the local horse camp. Immediately, they were addicted! Now South Forty is home to over 20 Rockies trained in various disciplines such as western, trail, trail obstacle, saddleseat, and pleasure driving.
The farms is also delighted to add South Forty's Phantom to our family as one of our stallions. Out of Sewell's Sam and Dusty's Delta Dawn, the incredible bloodlines of this two year old guarantee results! Phantom will be presenting his first foal crop in the spring and South Forty can't wait to see them!
In addition to South Forty's Phantom, March Madness ('98 Int'l Two Year Old Sweepstakes Champion) has joined the farm as a breeding and showing stallion. This magnificent horse is presenting the farm with great expectations for the coming years.
Diane will admit that the farm doesn't have any 'broodmares' (she cringes when you label them, since they are all unique and special in their own way), yet we do have a wonderful array of mares that present us with babies every year, helping brighten the farm. Phantom, March Madness, our mares, and our weanling colt who has very high hopes, help keep the breeding portion of the farm busy as a bee!
Speaking of babies, this year is the first that South Forty has had foals born on the premises. South Forty McKenzi Blue, a chocolate filly with a white mane and tail, graced the farm with her presence April 9, 2000. And we do believe that there is something mighty special about this lady, since she was born on a Sunday morning while southern gospel was playing in the barns! I guess the spirit moved her.
Also, we have previously mentioned South Forty Fire Warning, a strapping red chocolate colt with a bright white mane and tail. This young fellow has high hopes in his future but right now, he just likes to keep the girls in line. His favorite to watch our for is South Forty's Francesca. This bay filly, out of Choco Dock, is one of our most proud, enjoying all the attention she can get. She already has that Choco Dock trademark full, fluffy mane and tail, and those deep, warm eyes.
Finally, South Forty Alexis Carr can't possibly be left out! This chestnut filly out of Triple S Iron Man (his first) is just an adorable character. When playing around on the farm, she loves to nicker at all the other animals and run around. However, when Alexis stepped into the show ring at the International Show, she was all business. Amanda set her up and stepped back while this filly stole the audience.
South Forty Farms feels imprinting is a vital part of each foals birth. Any foal born here is treated to "extra special attention" for the first week of birth. McKenzi got her first clipping (fetlocks, facial whiskers, ears, etc.) when she was three days old, and this has enabled us to achieve these tasks much easier. In addition, to those new members to the farm, who were unable to receive imprint training through us, we make it our job to become their new best friend, providing them with imprinting as soon as the come to the farm.
South Forty Farms is excited to share the equine family with those who are interested and share their love of the animal. South Forty Farms hopes that you enjoy the website, and take the chance to view and meet their horses, because these are the friends who make their days complete. These horses are here to display the wonder of the breed and to demonstrate how they are truly remarkable.
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