Pictured below is the little Morgan who started it all. This is Robbi-Sue's Heart of Gold (Robbi-Sue's Gold Dust x Tanglwood Tiffany)known to us as Rosco. Long before we had Rosco, however, my first horse was a stubborn Welsh cross pony named Trigger. He was a palomino (thus my connection to color) with a georgous floating trot. I learned much thanks to him (most the hard way). In 1993 when I got pregnant for the third time, I decided to give Trigger away in fairness to him. I was horseless for seven years. In 2000 Terry (my husband) finally relented his position on the no-horse rule and in my search for my perfect partner, I purchased a Thoroughbred gelding named Elvis, soon discovering he was not it! Then Terry happened upon a little Morgan colt looking for a home at his breeder's, Julie Ploof in Arlington VT. Our whole family fell in love with this boy. He knew nothing when he came and we taught him all the basics and how to ride. It was a new experience for us, as he was a baby and gaited. Eventually Elvis found another home.
Photo By Candi Rousseau-Tori & Rosco (now Beau)
Tori, my oldest daughter, showed Rosco for three years before we made the heart-wrenching decision to sell him to make room for our breeding stock. He now resides happily in Waitsfield, VT with his new owner Ronda. She now calls him Beau (which suits him well). Much to his delight, he is ridden frequently on the trails. Ronda hopes to compete with Beau in the future.
Photo By Ronda Kelley-Beau
Photo by Ronda Kelley-Beau
When I was a little girl I dreamed of raising horses, but it was not until 2000 that I met my first Morgan up close. When we went to look at Rosco, I was taken by his in-your-pocket personality and kind, gentle eye. I was also taken with a stunning red four year old filly in the next paddock. Terry quickly informed me that her breeder, Julie Ploof, would never part with her. In November of 2001 I came home from work and went to the barn as I always did, and there looking at me was the most beautiful face I had ever seen. There was Rosie. I could not contain myself and startled her with all my jumping and squealing. Terry had done the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me. This was the beginning of my dream, as I knew I had to breed this filly.
Photo by Candi Rousseau-Tori on Rose
Along with the purchase of Rose, Julie graciously gave me Rosco's dam, Tanglwood Tiffany (Townshend Big Secret x Tanglwood Tabitha) as she wanted her back from Texas. When she stepped off the trailer in June of 2002, my heart sank. She was just weaned from her foal and was dangerously thin. She has a large scar on her face from a bad reaction from a weed down there and the resulting sunburn. With lots of time and TLC the little mare with the big heart has recovered. Tiffany is back 100%. Raelee, my youngest daughter, has cared for her from the beginning, grooming and feeding her. She will own one of her babies some day.
Photo by Candi Rousseau-Raelee & Tiffany
In 2005 I sought a Dun dilute colt to add to our breeding program. I was disappointed when I could not get a Peanut Butter Dun colt I was looking at and had all but given up. On August 14th, I got an email from Jerry Hess telling me about a Grullo colt born the previous Friday the 12th to Bob and Kellie Sharpe by the incredible Grullo stallion Stormwashed and out of Light up Atlanta. I could not believe the answer to my prayers!! I was taken with him the moment I saw the pile of legs! I still ask the girls to pinch me when I am just hanging out watching him. Kellie and Bob were great to deal with. Kellie sent me tons of pictures and updates as I waited to bring Jordan home and watched him grow into this incredible colt. River Jordan came here in January 2006 to his forever home.
Photo By Laura Behning of Brookridge Morgans in GA-River Jordan
2005 also was the year I bred my two mares for the first time. I chose Judy Hinman of Amberfields Morgans to be my farm of choice. She bred Rose to her(then) Dun stallion FPS Success Made in Dun (Robbi-Sue's Sweet Success x FPS American Made), now owned by Morningstar in OH. She bred Tiffany to her well known Cremello stallion Amberfields Desperado (Springtown Champagne x Andrews Misty Dream). Judy is a very smart lady and graciously answered all my questions over the next eleven months. I also purchased a Palomino mare from her that fall. I liked Mazie's gentle spirit when I met her. She was also bred to Desperado. I was excited to add her to the Cream side of my breeding program. She is very sweet. I bought her in hopes of a cremello colt, which she gave me in
2007.
In 2008 with the arrival of her black filly by Jordan, it was decided she will be sold and, luckily, will reside locally.
Photo by Candi Rousseau
Part of my quest in 2007 was to find a cremello filly to add to my breeding program...so here she is
Amberfields Icee Hot... A wonderful addition to our family!
Several years ago I saw a lovely black mare on a website that just drew me in.
It has been my hope to add a homozugus black mare to my herd and I wanted foundation.
Well in July 2008 Sable came home to us from Barb Laudenslayer's farm.
The mare stole my heart when I went down to PA to see her. Thank you Liza and Barb!
Please feel free to give your feedback on our site and our program.
Last update: 8/23/08
Tocara Farm Morgans
662 Rte. 67 West
North Bennington, VT 05257
(802)442-4090 No Solicitations, PLEASE!
Memberships Include:
American Morgan Horse Assn.
U S E F
Rainbow Morgan Horse Assn.
New England Morgan Horse Assn.