Issue 1, 2004

Ballard Friesians

We were introduced to the Friesian in 1985, when we happened upon the Ghost Ranch where the stallion Pyt was standing. We owned quarter horses at the time for pleasure and show. After falling in love with a Pyt x Oege yearling filly, we sold them and purchased our first Friesian. My husband thought that I was the craziest person there was. He could not understand buying a Friesian. No one knew what a Friesian was because they were so rare in the United States.


As my passion for Friesians grew, something quite special happened. It became a family affair. My husband, Ed, took an interest in driving and became hooked after learning how to drive, while I would do the riding. So 1 Friesian quickly became 8 and now 10. Ed and I grew to love showing and met a lot of great people that helped us with showing and costuming. We purchased a few carriages and off we went. We were able to do many shows including: Del Mar National Horse show, showing our pair with the chariot; Magical World of Dancing Horses, chariot and Tiffany as Darth Vader and Xena. We received a personal invitation to Equitana USA, along with Dianne Rossi, Anita Mellott and Elainna Carter, our costume manager. We were featured on Kentucky News with Mr. Phillips, and Ed even gave him a ride in the chariot. We were invited to Scottsdale, AZ for The Magic of the Black Horse with the same people. We also had the pleasure of entertaining the crowd in Reno at the Mane Event during the 2001 Friesian Extravaganza in Reno, Nevada. Our children traveled with us and enjoyed helping at the shows.

We now emphasize on breeding only top bloodlines, that way we can sell quality horses and keep our customers happy. Most of our horses are for our own pleasure as we truly enjoy the company of our Friesians and participating in parades, weddings, Renaissance Fairs, and local events.

We really are living a dream!

Jackass Mountain Ranch

DOMA VAQUERA first sparked my interest years ago when I saw Art Gaytan performing his 'A LA GARROCHA' at an Andalusian show in Western Washington. I was captivated by the entire ensemble, the clothes, the saddle and especially the 'mosquero', the braided horsehair doohickey that goes on the brow band of the bridle, not only designed to scare away flies, but shows when the horse is properly engaged IF the mosquero is swinging. (definition of 'mosquero' is 'flyswatter').


I grew up on a real working cattle ranch, riding without wondering if my hands and legs were properly positioned or if my horse was 'on the bit' or 'engaged'. Whoever heard of that!?? Naturally one rides one handed, a horse must neck rein! This way you always have an extra hand to scare cows, wave the flies and dust away, or for whatever necessity that comes along!

After raising my 4 boys and beginning to ride again, I purchased a 6 month Andalusian colt, Trinidad, who is an SP model in aviation lingo this means 'single pilot' so I like to think these SP's are really single pilot horses that need only one rider or handler at a time. Anyway Trinidad, to make a long story short, introduced me to dressage and the Andalusian show world that brought me to seeing Art riding in that 'Doma' outfit that I quite fancied. I thought to myself. "Hmmm, I can do that".

So from a vendor at one of those Andalusian shows, I purchased the gear and a book with pictures showing riders and movements of the Doma Vaquera. I began a series of trial and error, (heavy on the error part) and come to find out. One must have a darn good idea about proper dressage moves. And you had better find out about 'engagement' and 'on the bit'. You must ride it one handed and oh yes, you better speed it up a bit too. For me this has worked out pretty nice, as I prefer to ride one handed anyway so I always have that extra hand for who knows what!

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