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 BREEDING | MARE CARE | REHABILITATION | TRAINING | CLINICS | SALES |
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BREEDING PHILOSOPHY
The breeding philosophy at Blackberry Ridge Farm is one of the keys to our success. A universal accordance between the partners flavored with personal preferences is crucial to the realization of our breeding goals. We look to preserve the type and stamp of the traditional purebred Irish Draught. Our stallions all exhibit superior conformation, soundness, adherence to breed standard, athletic ability, tractable dispositions and winning personalities. They also offer subtle key differences in bloodlines, type and heritable traits. Our purebred dams are all by the legendary Banks Fee Daniel, RID, reknowned for the ability to sire offspring who, themselves, produce and improve. It is our belief that the Snowford Bellman (line) crossed with the Banks Fee Daniel line consistently offers one of the most outstanding purebred irish draught breedings. Fortunately, while the gene pool for the purebred irish darught is relatively small there are still several other outstanding stallions. We do not hesitate to use the best stallion for each mare, even if that means breeding off the farm.
Our fidelity to this breed informs our sporthorse breeding program. The conformation, strength and trainability of the Irish Draught only lends itself to the improvement of any other breed. While the traditional irish sport horse has been a thoroughbred cross - and we value the time tested quality of this breeding - we believe the infusion of continental warmblood bloodlines can produce a dynamic sporthorse for today's competition arenas. We are currently building our warmblood broodmare band through careful research and selection.
Our connemara pony stallion offers yet another infusion of typey conformation, atheletic ability and trainability for which the irish breeds are famous.
It is a strong belief of Blackberry Ridge that bigger does not mean better in any breed. The soundness and strength in our relatively smaller packages supports that conviction. We aspire to produce horses sharing a stamp of outstanding conformation, quality, ability and personality. We are not interested in following trends but upholding traditions. We are sure our exceptional stallions, mares and youngstock are the strongest testament to these ideals. |
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Currently at Blackberry Ridge Farm, a new, special breeding shed is in the developmental stages. We look to begin construction as soon as plans are complete. The safety-equipped facility will have large box stalls to assist in the horses’ comfort and ease of delivery. The breeding shed project is just another testament to our constant effort to maintain breeding excellence.
LINK TO STALLIONS
LINK TO BANKS FEE DANIEL BREEDING CONTRACT
LINK TO STANDARD BREEDING CONTRACT
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Both for our own broodmares and those of clients, mare care is one of the most important aspects of Blackberry Ridge Farm. Simoultaneously one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of horse ownership is breeding and foaling the beloved broodmares. All members of our staff are not just educated in proper protocol but also emotionally invested in the successful
outcome of each foaling both for mare and foal. We access nutrition and health on a daily basis, addressing any tiny question before it threatens to become a problem. Our mares enjoy luxury suites and doting care We work closely with our veterinarians before and after foaling.
Tony's decades of experience with broodmares and foals has equipped him with the knowledge to deal with any situation that may come up and the creativity to solve any problem - thinking clearly, especially when time is of the essence. He also specializes in successful conception. Applying to his wealth of knowledge and past experience, he has a knack for making minor or
major changes resulting in pregnancy confirmation. Furthermore, he is an expert in foal health and handling. All broodmares foaling out at Blackberry Ridge Farm receive the highest quality of care and utterly personal attention. |
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REHABILITATION
We are well equipped at Blackberry Ridge to address any rehabilitation and recovery situation. Considerable experience and an ongoing cooperation with our outstanding veterinarian results in ideal recovery circumstances. The most critical element of a full recovery is diligence and adherence to veterinary recommendations. This may often require significant time commitments, patience and skill. Any horse recovering at Blackberry Ridge will benefit from ardent dedication spanning the first fews days after the injury, operation, etc until the execution of a tailored re-conditioning regimen and introduction back into regular work.
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TRAINING
While we do not begin formal training for our horse until the age of three, and even then at a measured pace, training actually begins from the moment one starts working with any individual horse. Foals learn to lead, have their feet trimmed and be wormed while still at their mother's side. As they grow on they learn to tie and cross tie, wear blankets, etc. Formal training begins in the spring of their third year and introduces clear consistent work from the ground, on the lunge, in long lines and under tack. The rider is introduced and simple aids are positively reinforced. Each horse's backing and breaking is evaluated on a case by case basis depending on the individual's physical and mental maturity. It is our experience that the Irish Draught - as well as irish sporthorses - are slow maturing. With this in mind they may be lightly started at three, turned away and started again at four to allow for skeletal and muscular development and maturity. Our past experience confirms this in the soundness of our horses at all ages and stages of training as well as their willing acceptance to work and respond. |
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| Tony Phillips enjoys a stellar reputation for the preparation and inspection of Irish Draughts: stallions, mares and geldings, purebreds and sporthorses. This includes but is not limited to: ground work to establish proper muscling and condition, in hand work to ensure the best showing of the horse, thorough grooming and attention to details in presentation, and loose jumping as required. His successful record can be attributed to his educated eye for horses deserving to pass and his dedication to producing them to this best of his ability. Lastly, it is the breeding, producing and presenting of this breed which is truly Tony's passion and what ultimately facilitates his success. |
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CLINICS
For the continuing education of ourselves and our staff, as well as members of the local and not-so local horse communities, Blackberry Ridge Farm, in tandem with Only Fools & Horses, LLC. will be sponsoring numerous clinics in the coming months. As our horses excel in a variety of disciplines, this will be reflected in our clinic schedule to include dressage, jumping, cross-country and driving instruction. Blackberry Ridge does not offer riding lessons from our staff, rather we offer these learning opportunities. The completion of the indoor will further facilitate clinics, eliminating the question of weather. Only Fools & Horses will invite it's sponsored riders to clinic on the farm as well as other instructors. Please be sure to ask to be put on our mailing list to receive our clinic schedule. Also, clinicians wishing to use the facility are encouraged to contact us for further information. LINK TO CLINICS |
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SALES
Blackberry Ridge always has a talented selection of horses for sale, purebred and sport horses of all ages, ability and levels of training. It's our goal to offer horses desirable to amateurs and professionals.
Owing to our broad and diverse client base, Blackberry Ridge Farm is an excellent place to consider consigning your horse. While in our care, they will be treated as one of our own, meticulously prepared for showing to
prospective buyers, aggressively marketed and campaigned as applicable and necessary to guarantee the sale you are looking for. LINK TO SALES PAGE |
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