We had a great turn-out and beautiful weather. But the people are what make this business, people who make the horse business not just their livelihood, but their life. After what we have been through the last six months, trying to get Journeyman Stud established and up and running in time for the 2008 breeding season, it was great to see all of our old friends from our 30 years here in Ocala along with all of the newer friends who have come along since.
Marty & Carol Hershe of Turtle Pond Farm. Brent first meet Marty at Saratoga when he was 21 years old. Marty is not only a gentleman but a great horseman and has been an advocate of the Florida Thoroughbred industry for more years than I can count. Marty probably know more about a horse than most of us have forgotten.
Jim Scott of Kinsman Farm here in Ocala.. again we have been friends with Jim for 25 years. Jim came up through the business just like we did... with a pitch fork in his hands. Being a hands on horseman, learning all there was to know about a horse from the ground up.
Will and Nancy Johnson. Will worked for Southland Farm, which became Frank's Farm later on, when Brent was the farm manager there. Will was the broodmare manager and eventually became the farm manager for Mr. Franks. He worked for Mr. Franks for many years and has since gone out on his own and has his own farm. There isn't much Will doesn't know about a broodmare. He spent countless nights at the foaling barn, year after year, foaling hundreds of mares. Again, a true horseman.
Jim Loebig of Red Sunset Farm. Where do you even start to describe someone like Jim. I guess by saying he not only is a "horseman" in the thoroughbred since of the word, but Jim is one of a dying breed...Jim is a true to life cowboy. When Brent was broodmare manager of Lasater Farm (which is the same farm that eventually became Frank's Farm, and is now Via Paradista) Jim took a lot of our overflow from Lasater Farm's boarders plus had his own clients and his own mares. Our mutual friend Johnny Mac Smith (co founder of Peterson & Smith Veterinary Clinic here in Ocala)was also the vet for both farms. Red Sunset and Lasater Farm were a great team, and we have a lot of fond memories from those days.
Rick Tortora of Equitor Farm. Rick won the drawing for a free season to our new stallion EXCLUSIVE QUALITY and we couldn't have been happier for him. Equitor Farm has been a mainstay of Ocala for many many years. Professional horsemen who get up and make a living in this business everyday. To say you have supported and raised a family working your family farm in the horse business has never been truly appreciated for what it means. There is no big money client holding you up by your bootstraps (although there were times you sure wished there was) but to appreciate what it takes to consistently be successful enough year in and year out to support yourself is pretty amazing.
I could go on and on about all the wonderful friends we had there, but they all know who they are. These are just some of the oldest (sorry guys) and dearest.
We had a wonderful day and we hope it is the first of many, many stallion shows for Journeyman Stud. Brent and I are true believers in the Florida thoroughbred business and the people that make it.
Check out the photos from the show.
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