Wilhelmina HFH by Lordship
We received a lovely email from Jessica Moore of Waldorf, Maryland, who wrote to share some exciting news:  “Hello, I recently purchased the 2006 Lordship mare Wilhelmina HFH, and research into her lineage led me to your lovely site. I currently have "Mina" in full training with Andras  Szieberth of Prairie Pines Farm in Wellborn, Florida, and hope to compete with her next season in Dressage in the mid-Atlantic region. I just wanted to drop you a line and update you on my very special mare. And of course to ask that you make the extremely handsome [October Hill Farm stallion] Justice stick around so that I can breed to him in a few more years. Kind regards, Jessica Moore.”  Wilhelmina was bred by Masu Hamacher of Florida and is representative of the lovely horses sire by October Hill Farm’s flagship stallion Lordship, who sadly passed away in 2007.  A more personable and engaging stallion is seldom found, and we miss him daily.  Congratulations to new owner Jessica Moore!  We look forward to hearing more of you and Mina in the future!

Show News 
At the Texas Shoot Out, October Hill’s Concho, a stallion by October Hill’s Cascani, showed he has the stuff it takes as he carried off the second place ribbon in the YJC 7/8 Year Old Qualifier (1.35m), and, later on, a strong fifth in the $5000 EMO Classic.  Not to be outdone, stablemate October Hill’s Oley, by our late stallion Ocordo, took charge in the YJC 5 Year Old Class and snagged the win.  The photo above, taken by October Hill Farm’s assistant rider and trainer Kayce Hutchison, shows October Hill’s Alamo getting the special pre-class TLC that he so apparently enjoys.  Next up for our show string is another two week run in Tyler and a trip to Germantown, Tennessee! 

Mezcalero Colt

New Mezcalero colt for Bee Mountain Farm
Joanne Germaine of Connecticut contacted us through Facebook with a photo of her new, jet-black Mezcalero foal. “Hi Wendy, here is my first photo of my Mezcalero colt! My photog. friend is coming Friday so should have some more for you! This colt is s precious!!!! We just love him!” This is Joanne’s second Mezcalero foal, and she is one of many return breeders who have nothing but wonderful things to say about their Mez babies.  Congratulations, Joanne!  We are looking forward to seeing more pictures soon!

Tip of the Month:  Equine Legal Solutions
In today’s business environment, protecting your farm and its assets should be of particular importance to all stable owners, trainers, and equine professionals.  We are proud to recommend Equine Legal Solutions, a comprehensive legal counseling service specializing in the equine industry.  Founder Rachel Kosmal McCart is a welcome and helpful voice when it comes to navigating the often turbulent waters of equine commerce.  Her services are fairly priced and expertly presented on her informative website at www.equinelegalsolutions.com , and she has a handy interface through which you can purchase ready-to-use legal documents for everything from stallion service agreements to boarding and training contracts.  And, her site is loaded with practical and useful legal advice on a wide range of topics which affect our industry.  Take it from us…you can learn a lot from Equine Legal Solutions!

Open Schooling Days  
Our lovely spring days are quickly turning to summer.  Don’t get caught out in the oppressive heat!  Make the most of your training session by taking advantage of our bi-monthly open schooling days on the first and third of each month!  In the past year we’ve had Quarter Horse horses stop in to school our jumps before heading to their world championships, dressage riders who would rather piaffe in the shade, and folks who simply just want to ride on our state-of-the-art arena footing.  What could be better?  Call our farm office at 817-341-2012 to make reservations, and click here for more information and pricing. 

Fall Inspection Dates Set for AHHA and RPSI; BWP dates pending
It is with great sorrow that we announce the loss of our wonderful stallion Amaretto D II.  Amaretto was purchased by October Hill Farm in 1999 from Jens Rombelsheim of the Drachenhof Stud to be a competition partner for Erin Davis.  In their first United States outing together, the pair claimed 7th in the $40,000 Los Angeles Grand Prix, a world cup qualifying event.  In Europe, Amaretto  D II was the partner for such greats as Hugo Simon and Alois Pollman-Schweckhorst.  The multiple-grand prix winner retired to breeding activity fulltime in 2002.  He was a licensed stallion with both the Rhineland –Pfala-Saar and the American Hanoverian Society, where he was selected for their prestigious Jumper Breeding Program.  As a sire, Amaretto brought talent, skill and largesse to many crops of foals, and played an integral part in the development of the October Hill Farm breeding program. Though he endures through his offspring, his unique personality, fabulous pedigree, and tremendous courage in all challenges will be missed and treasured. 

October Hill Farm is thrilled to once again be chosen as a host site for both the AHHA and RPSI fall inspection tours, and we are waiting to hear if we will be hosting the BWP for a third consecutive year as well.  The fall inspection tours are the registration and branding venues for the 2010 warmblood foal crops, and where both stallions and mares are evaluated for entry into the breeding books.  There is no more educational setting for an aspiring sporthorse breeder than one of these annual events, where representations of the breed are gathered in one place for review and appreciation.  Whether or not you are already breeding horses, or even if you are just entertaining the notion, stop by one of these events and get to know a few friendly folks in the business.  You’ll be entertained, educated and enlightened in no time! 
Breeders who plan to attend with horses may contact us beginning August 28th to reserve stalls.

Confirmed Dates:
RPSI (Rhineland-Pfalz-Saar International)             August 28th
AHHA (American Holsteiner Horse Assoc.)         September 26th

Banner Breeding Season Continues for October Hill Farm Stallions
“As busy as ever!” is all we can say when folks ask us how our season is going, and it’s true!  Bookings are strong, and shipping activity is increasing as we head into the busiest month of the 2010 breeding season.  Early in the spring, strange weather and tricky cycles kept mare owners guessing, and most delayed getting started until the warmer breezes and longer days of May got things leveled out in the breeding shed.  “This season is reminding me of 2005,” says Wendy Gerrish, co-owner and general manager of October Hill.  “The phone is just ringing and ringing.  We have multiple shipments going out every collection day.  I get calls weekly that pregnancies are confirmed.  I just love it!  I could not be more proud of our stallion line-up this year, and am pleased that our American breeders are taking advantage of it.  Our customers are our pride and the indicator of our success, and we are always driven to help them in their goals.” 

Breeding season extends officially through June 30th, and bookings are available.  Contact our office at 817-341-2012 or visit our website to learn more about our stallions and our services.

Become Fans of Mezcalero and Coconut Grove on Facebook
Visit the fan pages of two of the most accomplished sporthorse stallions in the world!  Now both Mezcalero and Coconut Grove each have their own Facebook fan pages, where we are able to update fans quickly on important news and exciting developments.  Read about special promotions and discounts, see photos posted by breeders, and hear news about the sport accomplishments of their offspring.  Residing in the margin of this and all upcoming newsletters are active links you can use to become a fan today!  See what hundreds of other fans are seeing and stay up to speed on the latest, and the greatest!

New Cascani colt born, last foal of the season
Last week, Kawa’s Joy, a Contender daughter, foaled a lovely bay colt by our Cassini I-son Cascani.  Colby OHF is the last foal of the season.  This adorable little guy is for sale, as are all of our 2010 foals, which are all now listed on our website under Sales: Young Prospects.  For questions and pricing information, please contact Wendy Gerrish at 817-341-2012. 

Baby Photos Wanted!
Okay, we’ve shown you ours.  Now, we want to see yours!  We want to see your 2010 foals from October Hill Farm stallions!  Make sure to send us your news and some great photos so we can post birth announcements in our monthly newsletters!  Our favorite photo  of 2010 will earn its sender a three month supply of horse cookies!