STALLION SPOTLIGHT-WIMPYS LITTLE STEP

Given the fact that spring is just around the corner (no, really...it is), and we will soon be seeing new foals out in the fields, I thought I would take the opportunity to showcase some of the reining industries hottest stallions that are currently dominating the world market and setting trends in the industry. Although most of us will never have the opportunity to own any of the get from these stallions, it is good practice to know which bloodlines are currently popular, and if you are in the market for breeding or buying, the closer up you can get these stallions on your papers, the more marketable and valuable your reining prospect is likely to be. The first stallion I chose to spotlight is:

WIMPYS LITTLE STEP

The following text is taken from Wimpys Little Step website:

"Wimpys Little Step is quite simply a reining phenomenon. During his three year old year, this bionic stallion captured the interest of the reining industry when he won both the 2002 AQHA Congress Open Reining Futurity and the 2002 NRHA Open Futurity with Shawn Flarida in the saddle. In doing so, Wimpys Little Step earned over $185,000. He is only the second horse to win both the Congress and NRHA Open Futurities."

In this clip, Shawn Flarida talks about his futurity run as well as his admiration for Wimpys Little Step

The true test of any stud horse is the ability to out produce himself. Wimpys Little Step has certainly proven his ability in the breeding pen.

"Just six short years later, the 9-year-old stallion was the NRHA's newest and youngest Million Dollar Sire.

Wimpys Little Step has stepped up in a big way and, in just his first year as a breeding horse, had sired six NRHA Futurity Open finalists, including a Futurity Champion. The stand-out's first foal crop produced 32 money-earning offspring, bringing in a combined $750,000+

Wimpys Little Step made history at this year’s Carolina Classic Derby, held May 13-16 in Williamston, N.C., when his offspring surpassed $2 million in NRHA earnings. The flashy palomino stallion joins eight of NRHA’s leading stallions as a Two Million Dollar Sire and is the youngest – by a margin of five years – to attain that status.

Wimpys Little Step is owned by Xtra Quarter Horses, Purcell, Oklahoma, and is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Nu Chex To Cash and out of Leolita Step."

Wimpys Little Step's 2011 Breeding fee is a cool 7,500.00!

Heee's Back! Vern Sapergia Is Coming Back to BC!

PICTURES: Vern Sapergia Clinic 2010

Sharon Gates of Wildwood Performance Horses, will once again be hosting Vern Sapergia, for a 3 day clinic at her facility in beautiful Hanceville, BC. Clinic will take place May 27-29, and cost for participants is 560.00. View her website for more details (look under the "Events" link). Vern Sapergia, is a well recognized, and sought after reining clinician. Having just had a great year in 2010, being part of Canada's reining team at the World Equestrian Games, and participating in the NRHA's 2010 futurity in November, he is also one of the featured clinicians on Reining training Online. Here is a 6 minute promo video that Sharon put together with clips from last year's clinic

VERN SAPERGIA CLINIC PICTURES

PICTURES: (Click on photos for a larger image)

1 Some of the auditors who came out to watch

2 Crystal Grier and "Maverick"

3 Jill Imrie and "Misty"

4 Vern and Casandra

5 Vern getting a stop on "Little Wolf"

6 Louise and "Honey" perfecting their spin

7 Vern watching Casandra and Jewel spin

8 Follow the Leader! Vern and Sharon

9 Sharon and her stunning 3 year old, "Little Wolf"

10 Vern Sapergia "That's how you do it!" Something Vern was heard to say many times over the course of the weekend!

WOW!! What a whirl wind month it has been!! First the Horse Bazaar, the next week end Carl Woods, the next, Lynda Smith, and this past weekend, Vern Sapergia!! Not to mention the numerous other clinics and schooling shows that were also running over the past month in other locations. For anyone interested in learning about reining and or wanting to improve their horsemanship skills, there is no shortage of opportunities here in the Cariboo!! And if you haven't had enough yet, check out the Brandt Ranch schooling show next Sunday, the Prince George Reining Show the first weekend in May along with a Doug Mills Clinic in Williams lake that same weekend, and the first WCRA show, Rockslide, the second weekend in May!! See the sidebar for links to all these upcoming events/shows...

Casandra and I had the opportunity to attend the Vern Sapergia clinic held at Sharon Gates wonderful facility in Hanceville this past weekend. It was an excellent clinic, and Casandra got tons of opportunity to ride and learn with Vern in 3 separate sessions over the course of the weekend. It was nice to see that a lot of the basic concepts that we learned from Lynda were reinforced by Vern in his teaching program. Hopefully, Casandra will pass on some of what she learned in our Thursday night riding sessions!!

A ton of thanks, to Sharon for giving Casandra the opportunity to participate in this clinic, and to Crystal for offering us a place to stay!!

Wildwood Reining to host Vern Sapergia Clinic

Pictures-Vern Sapergia (Taken from Google Images)

Sharon Gates of Wildwood Reining will be hosting a Vern Sapergia Reining clinic Friday April 16-Sunday April 18th at her facility in Hanceville. 

You will not get another opportunity to see such a world renowned reining trainer so close to home!!

Vern Sapergia spawned a reining dynasty, producing a family full of world class reiners, including Shawna  and Cody Sapergia, both of whom have achieved national and international reining success.

"With a lifetime of experience both  in the pen and teaching others the art of reining, Vern’s “Step by Step” approach to training is a solid program born of decades of practical experience. Vern has coached riders and competed all over the world. Currently, he is coaching and showing mostly in Europe, but has agreed to teach this three day clinic in the Chilcotin! Don’t miss an opportunity to learn from one of the best in the industry!"

For more details on this fantastic opportunity, see Sharon's website at:   http://www.wildwoodreining.bc.ca/ (check out the "events" link)

Even if you can't afford to participate, we should send a "100 Mile contingent" to go and watch this wold class clinician. 

Wildwood Reining to do reining demo at Horse Bazaar

Pictures-Sharon Gates and Wildwood Reining Horses-(taken from Sharon's website-show photos courtesy of Tracy Edie of Equine Sport Photography)

We are extremely pleased to welcome Sharon Gates as our Reining Demo participant at our 2010, 100 Mile Horse Bazaar!

"Horses are the constant that define me", is the phrase that Sharon uses to describe herself and her outlook on life. A long time open level reining competitor, Sharon currently makes her home in Hanceville BC. She has a very well respected breeding program and offers training and lessons from beginners to open level. As well she hosts vacation getaways for those people wanting to vacation with their horses. A soon to be published author, Sharon will be showcasing her 2 studs at her reining demonstration:

Running With Wolves-her 2005, Listo Pollito Lena x Peppy Del Cielo, open competition horse

as well as,

Walking With Wolves-her 2007, Whiz N Tag Chex x Peppy Del Cielo up and coming prospect!!

You can read and see more about Sharon, her studs, her program and her sale prospects at her website:

http://www.wildwoodreining.bc.ca/