| Mine is a completely "grass roots" home run operation, and my support includes my son, Justin Ware, and my parents, Jack and Betty Prater. "Small" is not necessarily substandard by any means. I strive to produce athletic, good minded, blooded horses from quality thoroughbred stock for race and show. I began riding, like many a horse crazy girl, taking lessons at a local barn when I turned 8. I was fortunate to have excellent fundamentals from the beginning with Jan Fairbanks at Fort Bragg, NC, and also unique opportunities early in my equine life such as riding overseas and training with Jean Wallick at Clark AB, PI. I competed internationally in horse trials when I was 10, and completed my D level BHS certification. When I moved stateside, I furthered my riding by volunteering in exchange for lessons at a hunter/ jumper barn operated by Pearl Bost in Illinois. I then joined USPC and was able to lease a horse affordably, putting endless hours in the saddle and in the barn. It was then that I trained with Brian Ross in dressage and Nan Elder in jumping while at Fort Bragg, NC a second time. I completed my USPC C and B levels before my family was transferred overseas again. By now, I was in high school, and my studies were a priority, but I managed to take a few dressage lessons near Moerfelden, West Germany. Then, life goes as it does sometimes, and I entered the U.S. Army, married, had a child, and got divorced before finding my way back to horses. Steel Magnolia was my "first horse" purchased in 2000 from Fellowship Farms in Maryland. She was halterbroke and I had fun starting her myself. My equine family quickly grew; first, with the donation of Pete by Mrs. Emily Friesenhahn, and soon thereafter by the purchase of Daisy. I started doing a few pony rides as a side business, and Daisy was quite a natural at this. A short time later, a magnificent grey stallion found me, and from there, my equine family started to snowball. The thoroughbred bug bit me squarely on the bum, and I added two more mares to my band. In the meantime, I also planned on expanding the pony ride business and purchased a bred mare, Blondie, who subsequently birthed Achilles. In 2006, I attended my first homebred birth, started my youngsters well, and added three more thoroughbred mares to my band. In 2007, I decided to also donate my time and animals to support the troops. I will be changing my breeding plan, somewhat, to produce horses to be donated to the Old Guard for Caisson detail and also supporting my local VFW through parade functions. There are certainly times I wished my passion were less labour intense, say stamp collecting; however, I firmly believe we cannot choose our passions, they choose us! |
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