Post by Shelly on Oct 22, 2009 18:25:00 GMT -5
Earlier today, Iron Gate Ranch announced the retirement of five stallions. Zippi-Do-Dah and Fever Wish, both older and accomplished stallions in reining (Fever Wish is also an accomplished regional and national QHA champion) will join three other stallions; Playboy Bull, a nineteen year old stallion, Hez Whizzin, and Colonel Two-Guns in the stud barn at Iron Gate Ranch.
Additionally, some mares will be retiring as well! ThisOkieGotHollywood, the legendary twenty year old reiner, will be retiring after a bone chip was found in her right fore. Owner and trainer Shelly states, "Okie is too valuable of a mare to loose due to over showing. This is the sign that she wants to retire, and we feel that it will be best to retire her now, to a career as a broodmare." The mare known as 'Okie' was a youth reining mount and is a daughter of legendary Hollywood Dun It, who "is the foundation for reining Quarter Horses", as Shelly states it.
Along with "Okie", Iron Gate's racing string will see a slight decrease in numbers as Mystery Pyro, the champion four year old stallion, retires. "It's not that we don't like Pyro, it's just that he's had such a rough time in his life and deserves a good, long break now," trainer Luke Bearly stated in an interview earlier this week. Mystery Pyro, elven time graded stakes winner, was originally purchased by Red Tag Stock Racehorses and eventually sold to Iron Gate Ranch after being neglected. After returning to the track, Pyro put in sound workouts and declining performances.
"He's at his peak but he's also burnt out," Shelly stated. Pyro will leave with barn mate Hawthorn Chic, who has yet to place worse than fourth.
"The decision to Chic came about due to lack of umph," trainer Bryan Bearly said. The four year old mare was putting in great work outs and the decision to retire the four year old is slightly puzzling. "It's not like she's going out to pasture for good, though."
Plans for Chic include retraining for gymkhana events, in which she'll be used as a youth mount later on. Chic is expected to make her debut in November of 2009 in barrel racing and pole bending, and in 2010, moving into a wider range of gymkhana events.
These changes to the show team come as a slight surprise and shock, but are hopefully making way for the new show teams at Iron Gate, including the new ponies!
Iron Gate recently introduced Pony of the Americas and Quarter Ponies to their line up of horses. The POA string will feature locally bred S Johnnie Walker, One More Shot, and the rising superstar Look At Charley. Though the POA string is mostly made up of stallions now, Shelly is hoping to find some quality mares in the near future.
The Quarter Pony string consists of names such as the Topsail Cody granddaughter Shez All Whiz and Miss Dun Fame. These contenders will be starting out under respectable riders and eventually be turned into youth mounts. "As a child, I would have given anything to have my own horse. I'd like to share that with the local children."
Additionally, some mares will be retiring as well! ThisOkieGotHollywood, the legendary twenty year old reiner, will be retiring after a bone chip was found in her right fore. Owner and trainer Shelly states, "Okie is too valuable of a mare to loose due to over showing. This is the sign that she wants to retire, and we feel that it will be best to retire her now, to a career as a broodmare." The mare known as 'Okie' was a youth reining mount and is a daughter of legendary Hollywood Dun It, who "is the foundation for reining Quarter Horses", as Shelly states it.
Along with "Okie", Iron Gate's racing string will see a slight decrease in numbers as Mystery Pyro, the champion four year old stallion, retires. "It's not that we don't like Pyro, it's just that he's had such a rough time in his life and deserves a good, long break now," trainer Luke Bearly stated in an interview earlier this week. Mystery Pyro, elven time graded stakes winner, was originally purchased by Red Tag Stock Racehorses and eventually sold to Iron Gate Ranch after being neglected. After returning to the track, Pyro put in sound workouts and declining performances.
"He's at his peak but he's also burnt out," Shelly stated. Pyro will leave with barn mate Hawthorn Chic, who has yet to place worse than fourth.
"The decision to Chic came about due to lack of umph," trainer Bryan Bearly said. The four year old mare was putting in great work outs and the decision to retire the four year old is slightly puzzling. "It's not like she's going out to pasture for good, though."
Plans for Chic include retraining for gymkhana events, in which she'll be used as a youth mount later on. Chic is expected to make her debut in November of 2009 in barrel racing and pole bending, and in 2010, moving into a wider range of gymkhana events.
These changes to the show team come as a slight surprise and shock, but are hopefully making way for the new show teams at Iron Gate, including the new ponies!
Iron Gate recently introduced Pony of the Americas and Quarter Ponies to their line up of horses. The POA string will feature locally bred S Johnnie Walker, One More Shot, and the rising superstar Look At Charley. Though the POA string is mostly made up of stallions now, Shelly is hoping to find some quality mares in the near future.
The Quarter Pony string consists of names such as the Topsail Cody granddaughter Shez All Whiz and Miss Dun Fame. These contenders will be starting out under respectable riders and eventually be turned into youth mounts. "As a child, I would have given anything to have my own horse. I'd like to share that with the local children."