"Handsome" is just that ---
strikingly handsome. He looks like the equine version of Brad Pitt.
Strong, square jaw, piercing big blue eyes, long blonde mane...but
his looks aren't what earned him a spot in the breeding shed. Like
the foundation walking horses he comes from, Handsome has a
fantastic disposition, quiet mind, and big SOLID bones. His height
(over 16h) come from generations of big, solid horses.
Speaking
of his pedigree, it and his name tell a story that I cherish.
Traveler represents the bloodlines from some of the unsung heroes of
working walking horses. His name pays homage to the breeding program
of Elsie Darrah of Last Chance Farm and Micki and Terri Haendiges of
Rise and Shine Walkers. When Micki first told me about Handsome, she
described him as the most perfect horse she had ever bred. Handsome was bred by
Micki and Terri from
two horses that Elsie owned and helped them find. Many people know
Elsie as the TWHBEA's color consultant, but she was more than just a
color resource. She was an aficianado of the big, boned, true
run-walking horse. Elsie worked tirelessly to produce exceptional
foals that display the characteristics of original walking horse
breed standards. She worked with Micki and Terri as a consultant and
helped them develop their breeding program. Sadly, Elsie passed away
the year Handsome was born.
Elsie would tell anyone who
would listen that she "brought in Colorado mountain horses to add
some walk." Those Colorado horses came from
Arrow's Walkers
and the Walsh family - Colene and her mother, Delene, who breed and
raise true working walking horses that came from the famed Calvin
Miller Ranch program. Traveler's sire,
Captain's
Cream Color, was bred by Arrow's Walkers out of two
Calvin Miller bred horses.
Captain's
Cream Color was affectionately nicknamed Traveler and
Micki will tell you that he was her heart horse the way that his
half brother, Golden
Gambler, is mine. While in Micki's program, Traveler
left a legacy of naturally gaited, golden walking horses with
stellar dispositions.
Traveler's dam,
Darrah's Ivory
Rose, was my dream mare. I tried to buy her from Micki
when she was two, but she wouldn't sell at the time. When the time
came that Micki was ready to retire, I happily brought Rosie into my
breeding program. She quickly became one of Jarred's favorites due
to her exceptional size, bone and movement. "She's the perfect mare
for producing field trial mounts!" Rosie's dam was the cornerstone
of Elsie's program,
Fireball's
Mountain Maid. Rosie's sire was
Royal Ivory,
perhaps the most well known cremello walking horse stallion of all
time. Elsie wrote of Royal Ivory in her colored stallion review: "Royal
Ivory is my all time favorite cremello stallion and he
is a key player in my breeding program. He has it all: pedigree,
color, gentle disposition, natural walking ability and good
conformation. He will do anything you ask of him. He is an excellent
trail riding horse and is used to pull a horse-drawn hearse in
parades. He is the perfect gentleman as a breeding stallion. His
foals have the same gentle disposition as their sire. If you are
looking to add color, conformation, natural walking ability and
personality to your foals, Royal Ivory is for you."
When I met Handsome it was love
at first sight. The kind, gentle giant had a way about him that just
struck me and I met another heart horse. I am extremely greatful
to Micki and Terri for the opportunity to own and love him. He will be an excellent cross
for the Golden Gambler
daughters that I am retaining for my program and would add to any
program looking for big, solid boned golden walking horses that are
what the breed standard once was...a truly versatile, smooth gaited
working horse.
Breeding Information.
Handsome's stud fee is $650/LCFG and mare care is
$15/day or $300/mo (pasture board). We are located in Locust
Dale, Virginia.
E-mail us or call Stephanie at 540-825-1300 for more information
on breeding to Handsome.
RUM CREEK PRIDE E. TWHBEA
#796124 COLOR: YELLOW MARKINGS:
STAR
CHRISTMAS GOLD E. TWHBEA
#837344 COLOR: PALOMINO MARKINGS: STRIP, WHITE MANE AND TAIL.
BUD ENGLAND TWHBEA #785487 COLOR:
PALOMINO MARKINGS: STRIP, WHITE MANE AND TAIL.
MACK-K LAST TREET TWHBEA
#726193 COLOR: CHESTNUT MARKINGS: BLAZE
FIREBALL'S MOUNTAIN
MAID TWHBEA #893782
COLOR: BAY GENOTYPE: EE AA
MARKINGS: OFF HIND SOCK.
FIRE BALL'S TRAVELER TWHBEA #746131
COLOR: BAY MARKINGS: BOTH HIND SOCKS.
GUNSMOKE FIRE BALL TWHBEA #661899
COLOR: BAY MARKINGS: OFF HIND SOCK, STAR, SNIP.
PAULAS RED DUTCHESS TWHBEA #610786
COLOR: CHESTNUT MARKINGS: NONE
LOVELY MOUNTAIN MAID TWHBEA #834706
COLOR: BAY MARKINGS: NONE
EBONY'S MOUNTIN MAN
TWHBEA #670069 COLOR: BAY MARKINGS: BOTH HIND
STOCKINGS, BALD.
LINDA LOV TWHBEA #687352 COLOR: BLACK
MARKINGS: OFF HIND SOCK, STAR, SNIP.
Handsome got to be part of a real photoshoot with an incredibly
talented model (Oliva aka @sasssyliv on Instagram) and AMAZING
photographer (Amelia Blaire
https://www.ameliablairephoto.com/)
who recreated an iconic shoot that Angelina Jolie did in the 1990's.
These were the more family- friendly photos.
When we went to pick Handsome
up from Rise and Shine Walkers in Indiana, we had the pleasure of
meeting 90 year old Jacob McGee. Mr. McGee had been with Handsome
since he was born and the two obviously love each other. Mr. McGee
assured us that he was the "best stallion that ever was" and told us
what a kind and gentle soul Handsome is.
"Handsome" is just that ---
strikingly handsome. He looks like the equine version of Brad Pitt.
Strong, square jaw, piercing big blue eyes, long blonde mane...but
his looks aren't what earned him a spot in the breeding shed. Like
the foundation walking horses he comes from, Handsome has a
fantastic disposition, quiet mind, and big SOLID bones. His height
(over 16h) come from generations of big, solid horses.
Micki and Terri from
two horses that Elsie owned and helped them find. Many people know
Elsie as the TWHBEA's color consultant, but she was more than just a
color resource. She was an aficianado of the big, boned, true
run-walking horse. Elsie worked tirelessly to produce exceptional
foals that display the characteristics of original walking horse
breed standards. She worked with Micki and Terri as a consultant and
helped them develop their breeding program. Sadly, Elsie passed away
the year Handsome was born.
