Jennifer Sommer
6396 State Route 350
Clarksville, OH 45113
(937) 289-7669
jen@sommerponyfarm.com
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Jennifer Sommer |
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Stallion
We expect great things from this colt, judging from his family tree. His mother is the dam of Gayfields Mona L, at Rollingwoods Farm in Olive Branch, Mississippi, and his full sister is Gayfields Runaround Sue, at Clovercroft Welsh Ponies in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee. Both of these mares are producers of champion hunter ponies. Since temperament is so highly heritable, we spent a great deal of time with Sprocket before deciding if we wanted him to be a breeding stallion. He was sent to the trainer the winter of his two-year-old year to learn if he "had it in him" to be sensible and trainable. We were elated at the results! He was quick to learn and did his work with enthusiasm. He has been the easiest pony to work around, even for my non-pony husband, Jeff. After handling several "nut-case" stallions at school, I am amazed how calm and manageable Sprocket is, even in the breeding shed. So he has the mental qualities we were hoping for, but what about physical quality? Not only does Sprocket possess the willing attitude we were looking for, but he is also a brillient mover. We were so surprised when our trainer called us one day to ask if Sprocket was for sale. Apparently, a hunter/jumper trainer saw him moving in the round pen and was ready to load him on their trailer that day. My greatest compliment, though, came from my own trainer. He said to me, "I wish I could get my big horses to move as well as Sprocket."
In 2006, Sprocket began showing in English Pleasure. Under the skillful guidance of Mike Rees (trainer) and Melissa Bidwell (assistant trainer) he exceeded my expectations. At his first show under saddle, Sprocket won the Welsh English Pleasure against all sections as well as the Open Pony English Pleasure class. His second time out was at the Heartland Welsh Show where he won all three classes and took home the Championship. Although there were only three ponies in these classes, Melissa found the challenging changes of gait that were called a very fun exercise for Sprocket. Our next stop was the Ohio Welsh show. Here, the English Pleasure classes had nine in them, but Sprocket was able to deliver again. He took secon place in the conformation class, won the working class and won the stakes class. He also walked away with enough points to be named Champion English Pleasure. Our final stop in 2006 was the Centennial/Central National Show. We also found ourselves in another large division where there were 10 ponies being shown. Sprocket took home a forth and two fifth place ribbons. He was a very good boy at this show and never made a mistake. I couldn't be happier with how our year went.
In May, Sprocket returned to Edinburgh, IN which was the same location where he made his under saddle debut in 2006. This was the site for the Indiana Saddle Horse Association’s spring show. Like the previous year, Sprocket’s favorite color was blue. He ended up winning the Open Pony Halter, Open Pony English Pleasure, Welsh English Pleasure, Section B 3 & over Welsh Halter and was named Supreme Champion in halter. He also carried five-year-old Will Sommer to a blue ribbon in lead line. On Sunday that weekend, it was time for Sprocket to unveil what he had been working on all winter, dressage! This was the first time Sprocket had ever seen the scary, white dressage ring but he handled it well. In his first class (Training Level 1), he did jump at the rail once and finished with a score of 63.5 which was enough to win the class. But his star shined brightest when he went in for the Training Level 2 test. At home Mike Rees, Sprocket’s trainer, had said he thought Sprocket could score a 68 at this show, but after seeing the scores given out for Training 1, Jen was less optimistic. Well, Mike was right because Sprocket walked away with a score of 68.9 for Training Level 2.
The next outing will be a dressage show in early July, then it is on to some Welsh shows (Heartland and Ohio) followed by the ISHA fall show in September where he will once again be shown in dressage. Our final trip to the show ring this year will be to Tulsa, OK for the biggest show of Sprocket’s career.
Sprocket will be standing at public stud in 2008 at RRR Farms, Ltd. His 2008 stud fee is $700 which includes a $200 booking fee. An early booking discount is available if you return your signed contract with the booking fee before January 1, 2008. At this time, he is available live cover, only.
 
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Sprocket's show career has been growing by leaps and bounds! At the 2005 American Nationals, Sprocket placed third under the American judge and forth under the UK judge. This is a HUGE feather in his cap knowing that he really is as nice as I always suspected that he is. Sprocket also had his under saddle debut at the 2005 American Nationals. His rider was none other than my three-year-old son, Will. In fact, this was also Will's first show where he had the honor of participating. Below is a picture taken of them before their "class".
Also in 2006, Sprocket made a repeat performance as a lead line pony. In this picture, we see four year old Will Sommer showing "his" pony at the Centennial. Will took home a beautiful pink ribbon from his class and now keeps it hanging in his room with the rest of his ribbons.
Sprocket has started off 2007 with a bang. In April, Sprocket was invited to represent the Welsh breed at the Equine Affair in Columbus, Ohio. He was such a good boy and loved all of the attention he received at this prestigious event.
Our second show of the season was the Brown County Horse Show in Georgetown, Ohio on June 16th. Sprocket was, once again, a wonderful ambassador for the Welsh. He won Pony Halter as well as Pony Pleasure. For grins, Sprocket was entered in the Open Halter and competed against horses of all shapes and sizes. There were eighteen other horses and ponies in this class and Sprocket walked away with second place. We are all very proud that this 13.0 hh pony can actually stand toe-to-toe with the big horses and still do well.