Darling Fiona (b. 2005, 16 hh) FOR SALE*

See Darling Fiona video on YouTube

Darling Fiona is a three year-old Irish Draught Sport Horse (RID x TB). Her sire is Snowford Bellman, who is a champion show jumper and dressage horse, and her dam is Mona Liza Tela, who was trained as a hunter jumper. Fiona looks strikingly similar to Liza and has her sweet personality.

In addition to her stunning looks, Fiona is smart, brave and a quick learner. She is bay with no white markings and delicate features. She should mature to at least 16.2 hh but should retain the refinement of her thoroughbred dam.

She was born on the birthday of Fiona Farrell, a New York-based equine lawyer, eventer and thoroughbred breeder. The "Darling" in her registered name is a tribute to Liza's grandsire, Alydar: the near Triple Crown winner was named by Mrs. Gene Markey, owner of Calumet Farm, for the dashing prince Aly Khan, who she affectionately called "Aly, darling."

Irish Draught Sport Horses are known for their ability at both jumping and dressage and make superb three-day event horses. Her training under saddle with Steven Duchac of Lynn’D Farms in Ocala begins in August 2008. She already has been backed, trailers quietly, clips, loads, ties, and knows advanced leading and groundwork exercises. She will attend dressage shows with Martha until she is sold.

* $15,000. Contact Martha at 904.705.1522.

Mark Me Down Delight (b. 1992, 15.2 hh)

"Patches the Wonder Horse" is a solidly built registered Spotted Saddle Horse. His sire, Earl's Little Man, was lauded in the Salute to Sires for Spotted Saddle Horses by Gaited Horse magazine.

Patches was bred by LaVon Purvis of Morton, MS and was previously owned by Danny Leigh. He has a good natural running walk and an outstanding canter. He is, of course, calm and reliable on the trail and even jumps and does the occasional flying lead change. Patches is eager to please and is a fun and reliable mount for beginners as well as for those with more experience. Children love him.

Mona Liza Tela (b. 1992, 16.2 hh)

This TB granddaughter of the phenomenal racehorse and near Triple Crown winner Alydar was a fortunate addition to the farm. She is unraced and as a five-year old spent nearly a year with a hunter jumper trainer, although she had almost no further work until she came to Little Creek in 2003. However, when we saw her pedigree and conformation, we knew we had to take a chance on her. So far, we've not been disappointed, and it is a fun and challenging process to get to know her. She is inquisitive and always wants to be the center of attention.

Alydar’s greatest legacy was as an outstanding broodmare sire - his stamp is evident in Liza, who stands a big 16.2 hands with a broad barrel, delicate features, slender long legs and uphill conformation.

She has been an excellent mother to Fiona and is expecting a foal in April 2009 by KEC Double Diamond (RID). "Oisin" competes successfully at 4th level Open dressage and is a modified jumper champion. He has been described as "flexible, powerful, and fleet of foot regardless of his bulk. He is incredibly adjustable and light of the leg. Naturally uphill, he is built to perform." We are looking forward to another outstanding foal.

Versa Star's Rodney (b. 2001, 15.2 hh)

"V-Rod" is a registered APHA sorrel roan sabino gelding with eye catching markings. V -Rod’s sire, Versa Star, is an APHA World Champion, two-time National APHA Halter Champion, and sire of earners of over 3600 halter and performance points, 79 ROMs, 24 Superiors, and three World and National Champions. V-Rod has received both his Paint Alternative Competition (PAC) Certificate of Recognition and Certificate of Achievement for dressage.

V-Rod was started under saddle by Zane Davis of Whitehall, MT, who is a former tour rider and production manager for Monty Roberts. Zane stated that "V-Rod has a good mind and is willing with nice relaxed movement." He is light on his feet and never seems to lose his footing, even when the ground is slush after a hard rain. He really drives from his powerful back end and has a natural ability for lateral movements.

V-Rod and Martha began attending USDF recognized shows in April 2007 and have won several training level classes. Often the only paint horse at the shows, V-Rod consistently receives a score of "7" on his gaits and judges have commented on his attractive appearance and lively performances. They are working toward a top five finish in the USDF All Breeds Competition.

American Magic (b. 1989, 15.2 hh)

Magic is a chestnut Appendix (TBxQH) mare with a wonderful body and good gaits. After a short career as a race horse, she spent most of her life as a trail horse and occasional barrel racing horse, just beginning consistent work at the age of 12. She competed in lower level dressage but her true love is jumping, where her speed and endurance serve her well.

Magic is also an accomplished trail horse: as they say, "if Magic won't go down a trail, you probably don't need to be there." During a private evaluation by GaWaNi Pony Boy, Pony described her as "one of the smartest horses I've ever met." Magic is a ladies horse and is especially kind to children. She has served as a therapy horse for cancer patients for the last several years and has recently moved with former neighbor Dr. Bridget Freeman to the northern United States.

George's Warbelle (b. 1985, d. 2008, 16 hh)

Our darling "Lady Belle" passed away in May 2008 (story) on her 23rd birthday. She was so healthy and sound that we half expected her to outlive everyone. A Thoroughbred, her planned racing career was derailed by a leg injury (long since healed) as a young filly. Nonetheless, she was known for her endurance and speed and, as a young horse, was the unofficial race champion of the neighborhood, outrunning all the neighboring horses (and even a few cars: once, at 55 mph). Her world weary disposition, floaty movement and jumping ability made her a favorite at Little Creek Ranch.

Man of Miracles (b. 1994, 16.1 hh)

"Manny" is one of the original three inhabitants of Little Creek Ranch. Manny is a powerfully built Tennessee Walking Horse with an enormous stride and the characteristic head nod. His sire, Man Of Pride, is a three time world champion and is the only horse to claim World titles in fine harness and under saddle in the same year.

Manny is extremely curious and fearless and always wants to be the star of the show. He was purchased as a two-year old at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, TN by Danny Leigh, a Jacksonville developer and Tennessee Walking Horse enthusiast. Danny began showing Manny throughout Florida but was halted by his battle with cancer, which he ultimately lost in 2000. Recognizing Manny's show potential and encouraged by the fact that his sire did not begin training until age 9, Martha sent Manny for training at Hard Rock Farm in Williston, FL. Martha and Manny competed in Country Pleasure, Favorite Gait and EZ Gait classes at FWRHA and SSRWSA shows throughout the state and were in the ribbons at every show.

Manny was recently sold to Lori Westmoreland of Glenwood, GA (story).