As I'm here in Ocala surprised to be traversing the same path I've travelled so many times before, I'm reminded of the simple fact that at the end of the day my journey never would have gained the power or momentum to carry me through, past so many overwhelming obstacles, without the incredible horses I've had the good fortune of possessing.  As any true horseman knows, a professional rider and competitor is only as good as the equine athlete they are sitting upon.  All things being equal (the ability to develop and ride a horse) it comes down to the quality, heart and attitude of your four legged partner.  

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So, as once again, we work  to beat every odd showing up out of no where under the most unlikely circumstances, I'm well aware the only reason there is any hope of eventually overcoming those who appear to have unlimited resources and a will and ability to collect every ally possible to their side by any means necessary, is once again because of one good horse.  There is a reason George Morris did back flips to keep me and my horses at bay, out of the limelight and away from any possible opportunity to really shine.  There is a reason he was willing to risk civil and criminal liability (that is obvious to anyone in the know) to relieve me of those same horses when it became apparent I was not going to hide in the shadows under his threats of harm.  

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When you are a peon dealing with corrupt kings of industry and finances, their greatest tactic is the ability to defame and destroy the imagine of those who consistently work to do good, while making themselves appear to be 'angels of light.'  When the truth is under constant methodical long term attack, it can not be made clear to those outsiders observing without the right partnership.  And as so many of us know, sometimes the best partner by which to prove the truth of who you are and what you represent, is the one whose highest ambition is to feel your love and appreciation, with a pet and a carrot (or the throw of a ball) at the end of the day.   Horses and dogs don't sell those they love out to the highest bidder.  A good horse will go to war with your, fight to keep you alive, and give everything to make sure you come out on top.  And while the shape and form of the modern battle field has changed (in terms of horsemanship at least) the reality of the energetic essence of the fight for the truth (and who deserves to be the victor because they are good and serve that which created all of them), can still be found from the back of a horse.  

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True top horsemanship at times requires recognizing quality before it is completely proven.  While every breeder on the planet is constantly working to obtain the best chance of success possible, hoping for that perfect mix of blood that will bring forward an athlete of such strength and heart their personal world of status and finance is transformed, the reality of the situation is there are never any guarantees.  I've learned often the best guarantee of success is having the eye and feel and understanding to know quality before it is fully proven, whether we are talking about horses or people.  Cradilo and I have been held back ... by a pile of circumstances.   And yet we have still overcome.  His offspring have shown the potential to be better than him, and I have shown the ability to find and mix the blood in a manner that enhances the quality and ability of multiples breeds and lines. 

 

Ace of Hearts, aka Levi is no different.  While I'm sitting on an aged green mare that feels as capable as any horse I ever seen or felt beneath me, I'm reminded of all of the horses I bred and interacted with before, on my mission to create animals that were a representation of who I, and those I respect and care about, are.  And Levi, my one of three Cradilo stallions, represents a specific aspect of that desire.   While Ace of Diamonds, Flash, represented the most physically athletic animal I could imagine (my current Cradilo mare, bred to the top competitive Irish stallion in the world, Flexible); and Ace of Spades by Cradilo himself (Lionel) represented a similar athletic ability with perhaps a dash of tone it down and make it just a bit more user friendly; Levi represents the best of all of my favorite breeds, wrapped up in one stallion.  And as far as I'm concerned the mix works.  His full brother Kogan's Ace, sold to a top winning Grand Prix rider with a stand out eye of her own, was proof to me of that.  

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This stallion (put down at the age of 8 due to a very premature birth, that finally caught up with him in the form of one leg that never straightened out quite right) represents and will produce a beautiful jump, all the power and strength and scope and courage of Cradilo, the speed and heart of the American thoroughbred, the balance and refined athletic ability of the European warmblood, and the lightness, elegance and temperament of a top Akhal-Teke.  Short of the Arab and the Akhal-Teke, in modern horse breeding there is no such thing as a pure breed.  If we are good breeders working to produce something truly exceptional, we often put our favorite horses together in a manner we hope creates something that will enhance the life of our fellow horseman.  In Levi I believe I found this balance.  

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This is the first time I have promoted a stallion or breeding since I had Cradilo in my care in 2012.  It is the only Cradilo blood out there since that time (not purchased from me) not potentially subject to future civil and even criminal liability.  It was carefully collected and has been safely stored since I lost Levi.  I was the only person to ever successfully freeze Cradilo, the stallion whose name I alone put on the competitive map (semen that like my horse's later, was illegally stolen from me) and he was gelded after being removed from me. 

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There is a very limited amount of this frozen semen, and once it is gone it is gone.  Any offspring by Ace of Hearts will be registerable with the Irish Draught Society of North America as an Irish Sport Horse (as provable by Cradilo RID's carried DNA).  More importantly, I guarantee with the right mare and the right training, this stallion will produce a horse you are well pleased with.  If not, I will work ongoingly in any way I can, to change that outcome.  But I seriously doubt it will be an issue.  Below I will re-introduce Levi via a blog I wrote years ago when I went through a period of deciding I needed to sell him, and if you are interested in purchasing feel free to text me on my cell at (608) 632-6053.  Thanks guys! ... :)

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