"Dan"

This is Thornville Dan. He is a 6 yr old Dales Pony stallion, imported from England. The Dales Pony is an extremely rare and endangered breed. Dan is ridden English and Western, he loves trail rides, and has been many places for expos to promote the Dales Pony breed. He is the main breeding stallion at Baroque Farm Dales Ponies.

"Twist"

Meet our 22-year-old American Quarter Horse Stallion Doc O Lena Twist. Twist is the winner of more than $130,000 in the cutting pen with multiple riders. Most recently Twist was the winner of the Horse of the Year award with the American Southwest Cutting Horse Association. Twist was also ridden during the year contributing to my Rookie of the Year Championship with the American Cutting Horse Association. Doc O Lena Twist foals have won more than a million dollars in the cutting pen.

"Majiic & Sundance"

Meet "Majiic" and "Sundance" 11 and 12 years-old, two Arabian geldings sharing a little "Merry Christmas" for the camera. We enjoy our horses as they are very sweet and loving members of our family.

"Bonny"

This is "Bonny," my 16 year-old Missouri Fox Trotter. She is special for so many reasons. She has such spirit and charisma that people can't help but look at her. She loves to have her photo taken and actually poses, as you can see. I'm a special education teacher and occasionally take my students out to see her. She's very gentle with them and allows them crawl under her and pull her ears without ever moving. She blessed me one Easter with a beautiful palomino filly. Not having enough time to ride both of them, I'm letting my 14 year old foster son care for her and show her. She's teaching him life lessons that only a horse can teach. They are true partners!

"Pyro"

Santa's helper is Elf "Pyro". Pyro is an 8 year-old quarter horse who is a sweetheart with a very laid back personality. Originally purchased as a pet, Pyro has ended up in the show ring at local shows. He does Western (pleasure, horsemanship and trail), English (pleasure and equitation), halter and dressage. The first year we had him, at age 3, I plopped a Santa cap on his head for a Christmas postcard. Since then, he's become quite well known with family and friends for his "greeting cards". This photo was from a Christmas card where he became Santa's helper. This is 100% genuine - no electronic enhancements. He's a true member of the family and a best buddy.

"Dream"

Dream is an 11 year-old Appendix bred gelding. He is a show hunter and has competed in some of the biggest horse shows in the country. He is quite the character - very loving and sweet, but definitely proud of himself and can be very opinionated! This photo was taken last winter at a horse show in Aiken, SC - a rarity in the South and the biggest snow storm recorded since the 70's. Our neighboring barn mates built this snow man and Dream was very curious and a bit worried about the strange 'man' until he realized that there may be something in it for him. This photo was taken by photographer and friend Shawn Mcmillen just moments before he snagged the carrot.

"Elbe"

This is our 6 year-old son, Zachary, with my 20 year old Appaloosa Gelding, Elbe. Elbe has a special place in my heart as we put down his mother, Tika, last November and he was her only foal. I can trust him with anyone. You can see the gentleness in Elbe's eyes as he nuzzles Zachary. When Zachary was four years old he wanted to ride Elbe on a trail ride instead of Tika so I swapped horses with him and Elbe followed behind me in his usual casual gait with Zachary singing the entire time. What would we do without horses in our lives?

"Copper"

Copper is a 27 year-old American Standard Quarter Horse. She is the first horse my daughter Grace rode in 4-H. She was the perfect horse for her to start out on and they taught each other a lot. She was patient enough to let Gracie dress her up for Christmas! Maybe when she retires from helping kids, she can help Santa with his sleigh!

"Pow Wow"

This is my horse Pow Wow. He is an 8 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Our main discipline is in the Hunter/Jumpers. He is just coming off a coffin bone/tendon injury that has had him out of his game for over a year. He is my amazing horse because he has made it through the long recovery process and we are headed back into the show ring. This picture shows how much he loves to kick up his heals and just enjoy life.

"O Aces"

This is my horse O Aces. I got him when he was three years old. He is a 9 year-old Quarter Horse/Paint. I ride western, we barrel race, trail ride, and go to tons of gymkhanas! O Aces is my special guy because he is always there for me and he is always ready to compete. We had a great year and I hope to barrel race at the Rodeo next year. I LOVE O ACES!!