Blacktree Farm BLOG

We have a new website!

2012-02-03T09:38:00.000-08:00

Blacktree Farm's website has been re-designed and updated! We are still adding content, but expect to have everything completed soon. Check out our new look!

Our new site!

Blacktree Farm in Snow

2012-01-20T19:02:00.000-08:00

This past week we have had lots of snow & ice - which is unusual for our area. The horses all got to go out and play in the snow which they loved! Here are some pictures of the barn and the 'kids' from yesterday:

The Barn - 1/19/12

Brann - 1/19/12

Yeager - 1/19/12

Odin - 1/19/12

Franka - 1/19/12

Wicca - 1/19/12

Fraju - 1/19/12

If you want to see more pictures - visit our facebook page!

Portrait of Fraju

2012-01-09T11:14:00.001-08:00

Portrait of Fraju - our 1989 TB gelding, taken 1/8/12:

To find out more about Fraju, visit his web page.

Odin: 12/21/11 pics

2012-01-09T11:13:00.000-08:00

New photos of 2007 Yeager gelding, Odin - taken 12/21/11:

To find out more about Odin, visit his web page.

New photos of Odin, 12/22/11

2011-12-23T12:33:00.000-08:00

New photos of 4 year old Yeager gelding, Odin:

To find out more about Odin, visit his web page.

New photos of Franka, 12/22/11

2011-12-23T12:25:00.001-08:00

New photos of 3 year old palomino turning grey Yeager mare, Franka:

With Heidi Hayes, 12/22/11.

To find out more about Franka, visit her web page.

BlackTree Farm is on Facebook, too!

2011-11-23T15:36:00.001-08:00

Did you know that BlackTree Farm is on Facebook, too? Be sure to 'Like' us!

Find us on Facebook!

Franka: new picture

2011-11-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

Franka, 3 yo mare by Yeager GF - 10/11

Franka (ridden by Heidi Hayes) - 10/11

Horse Update: Freya

2011-10-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

Freya is now 5 years old and is doing great with her owner, Erin Falcone. Freya and Erin are definitely a perfect match!

Freya & Erin

Freya, Erin & Selva

Freya is a Shire/TB mare, bred by Blacktree Farm.

Foal Update: Franka

2011-09-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

2008 Yeager mare, Franka, is now 3 years old. Here are some new pics!

Video posted of Brann!

2011-09-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

New video of Pacific Brannz, 2010 colt by Yeager at 4 months old:

If you are having trouble viewing the video here, it is also on our website & on YouTube.

Foal Update - Golden Ticket

2011-09-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

Recent video of 3 year old palomino Yeager mare, Golden Ticket, showing on the flat:

What a fancy girl! Can't wait to see more of this one. Thank you to Tika's owner, Allison Brown, for sharing this video with us. You guys look great!

New Pictures: Yvening Affair

2011-09-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

2 year old buckskin Yeager gelding, Yvening Affair, showing in hand in a recent SHB class.

Photo: Debbie Hansen

This handsome guy is out of a TB mare and will be competing in Future Event Horse classes. A big thank you to his owner, Suzie Middlebrook, for sharing these lovely photos with us!

Zara Update - 2011 Yeager Filly

2011-08-31T16:53:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Zara, 2011 Yeager filly!

She was the top scoring foal and reserve site champion at her AWS inspection, 8/27/11.

Zara at her inspection, 8/27/11

Brin, 2011 filly

2011-08-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

Yeager's newest filly, 'Brin', was born on 7/26/11. What a CUTIE!!

Brin, 8/18/11

Brin is out of a Swedish WB mare by Gauguin De Lully that has competed Intermediaire dressage. Can't wait to see her move!

Dressage adventure for Odin & Franka

2011-08-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

Two of our Yeager foals, Odin and Franka, had a great time in a dressage lesson yesterday with Beth Anderson Ness at Starr Valley Farm.

Odin, 2007 RPSI gelding

Franka, 2008 RPSI mare

Want to see more pictures? Visit our Facebook page.

New photos of Zara

2011-08-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

New photos of Zara, 2011 palomino Yeager Arabian Sporthorse filly, taken at 2 months old:

Zara, 8/11

To find out more about Zara, visit her webpage.

Foal Update: Yeager's Painted Inspiration

2011-08-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

Yeager's Painted Inspiration, 'Takota', is now three years old! Here are some new photos of him:

Takota at 3 years old, with his owner Trisha Ostrander

Takota at 3 years old, 8/11

What a handsome guy! For more pictures of Takota, visit his web page.

Odin's first event

2011-08-01T16:28:00.000-07:00

4 year old Yeager gelding, Odin, also just went to his first back-to-back one day events. On the first day he was great and boldly jumped everything put in front of him, but he didn't place because of rider error in stadium (he was taken over an extra jump - oops!). On the second day, he finished 4th - on his original dressage score of 31.5 penalties. By the end of the weekend he had really settled in and seemed to understand what showing was all about. It was a great experience for him, and best yet, we discovered that he loves cross country!

Odin, 7/31/11

A special thanks goes to Kristin Vining for all of her help and for taking these fabulous pictures!

Franka's first show!

2011-08-01T16:18:00.000-07:00

3 year old Yeager filly, Franka, just went to her first show. Ridden by Heidi Hayes, she finished 2nd and 4th in two back to back one-day event competitions. We were thrilled with her willingness, even temperament, and honesty over fences despite being very green. She even earned a score of '9' in one of her dressage tests!

Franka with Heidi Hayes, 7/31/11

(Thank you to Kristin Vining for taking these pictures!)

Odin & Franka's first XC School

2011-07-11T10:37:00.000-07:00

2007 Yeager gelding, Odin, and his sister - 2008 Yeager filly, Franka, went on their first cross country school this 4th of July.

Odin

We couldn't be more pleased with Odin's new found love of splashing around in the water jumps and with how easily Franka settled in on her first away-from-home riding experience.

Franka with Heidi Hayes

Hopefully we will get more chances to take them out on cross country adventures later this summer!

Odin in the water

Thanks to Sarah Johnson for taking pictures of our adventure!

Yeager Foal Update - Yvening Affair

2011-07-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

2 year old Yeager colt, Yvening Affair (AKA 'Yves'), just earned a blue ribbon at his first show - the Future Event Horse (FEH) competition at Twin Rivers in CA. He scored a 72% overall, and is now qualified for the West Coast Championships in October. Great job Yves!

New pics of Aero

2011-06-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

BTF bred 2006 dark buckskin Yeager gelding, Aero.

Aero and his owner, Jackie Zinni, 6/11.

He's looking all grown up!

Franka - 3 year old update

2011-06-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

BTF bred 2008 Yeager filly, Franka, is now 3 years old.

Franka, 6/16/11.

Franka with her owner, Dani Morgan.

Franka is a palomino that is turning grey. Her dam is Tie & Dye.

New Yeager filly - 'Zara'

2011-06-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

A new Yeager filly has arrived - 'Zara', born 6/11/11

2011 filly 'Zara' by Yeager GF

Can't wait to see this fancy girl as she grows up!

New pictures of Iya

2011-06-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

2009 bay Arabian Sporthorse filly, Iya Fancypants, by Yeager GF.

2 years old, 6/12/11

New photos of Sofee

2011-06-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

Arabian Sporthorse filly by Yeager, Yeager's Little Angel (AKA 'Sofee')

1 year old, 6/10/11

Yvening Affair turns 2

2011-06-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

2009 dark buckskin Yeager son, Yvening Affair, just turned 2 and is looking great! He will be entered in some FEH classes this summer with his owner Suzie Middlebrook. He is out of the RPSI Main Mare Book TB mare, Dad's Shiny Penny.

Yvening Affair (Yeager GF + Dad's Shiny Penny)

Custom Photoshoots Offered

2011-06-07T13:00:00.001-07:00

Like our photos?
This summer I will be offering custom equine photoshoots, so let me know if you are interested! This is a perfect opportunity if you have a horse up for sale or if you just want to get some great photo memories. I come to you, group discounts are available. See many samples at www.blacktreefarm.com.

Fraju and Odin, 6/5/11.

About the Photographer: Anne Johnson has a BFA in Graphic Design & Photography from Miami University of Ohio. Her award winning equine photography has been published in several magazines. She is an active rider & sporthorse breeder, which lends her a unique eye for capturing just the right moment.

Baron's first show - a long overdue update!

2011-06-07T12:42:00.000-07:00

2007 Yeager colt, Baron, went to his first show in September 2010. Here he is, with owner Lindsey Davis!

Birthdays: Brann turns 1, Odin turns 4

2011-06-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

2007 Yeager colt, Odin, turns 4 on 6/9/11. He is progressing well under saddle and we are super happy that we are keeping him as a permanent member of Blacktree Farm.

His full sibling, Brann, turned 1 year old on 6/5/11. He's looking a lot like his older brother.

Franka turns 3, Wicca goes back to work

2011-06-07T11:59:00.000-07:00

Blacktree Farm bred Yeager filly, Franka, had her 3 year old birthday on 4/1/11. She is owned by Dani Morgan of Olympia, WA, but we have had the joy of keeping her here at our farm for a bit so that she can be started under saddle. She is doing great so far!

Ridden by Heidi Hayes, June 5, 2011.

Our main broodmare, Wicca (Weltstern/Viking Song), is taking a break from being a mom for a while and has gone back to work. We look forward to her showing debut this summer.

Here she is with Heidi Hayes, showing off her lovely trot.

2011 foals - the year of the chestnut!

2011-06-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

So far, 2011 seems to be the year of the chestnut for Yeager babies!

Yosemite (AKA 'Semme'), chestnut colt, born 5/14/11.

Fräulein Wunder (means 'Miss Miracle'), chestnut filly, born 5/2/11.

Now we're looking forward to seeing the rest of this year's babies arrive!

Happy Birthday Fraju

2011-06-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

Fraju, AKA 'Leap-Frog', turned 22 years young on 4/29/11. Here he is with Heidi - still doing what he loves!

2011 Breeding Specials

2011-01-20T15:27:00.001-08:00

Don't forget about our early booking and other discounts!

- Book Early & Save -

Receive a $150 discount if you book before March 15th, or a $100 discount if you book before April 15th (your mare may then be bred anytime during the season).

- Other 2011 Discounts: -

Multiple Mares - When you breed one mare to Yeager GF, any additional mares owned by you (or from the same farm, booked for the same season) will receive a $150 discount.
Returning Clients - If you bred a mare to Yeager in the past & book again for this season, receive a $100 discount on the new booking.
Referral Rewards - If you refer a friend, receive a $100 discount for one of your own mares, upon confirmation of your friend's booking.
Performance Mares - Receive a $100 discount if your mare has competed Preliminary level or above in Eventing, 2nd level or above in Dressage, or Level 3 or above in Jumpers.

Winter Update

2011-01-20T15:12:00.001-08:00

The ponies are all looking fuzzy and happy as we begin 2011.^ Odin has been showing his little brother, Brann, how the world works. Brann has been growing fast so he can keep up!
^ Franka is almost 3 now, so we've started introducing her to her new job as a riding horse. We've sat on her twice and have walked her around. She has been a joy so far.
^ Wicca has gone back to being a riding horse herself, we hope to start showing her this summer.
^ Fraju & Yeager are still the 'Kings' of Blacktree Farm and are doing great.

Our farm finally has a name

2010-10-12T11:07:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have noticed that things are changing a bit - that is because our farm finally has a name!

Our logo features our wonderful TB gelding, Fraju, the horse who started it all. We look forward to updating our website and ads to include our new look and farm name soon. Our website URL has also changed - it is now www.blacktreefarm.com

Fraju doing what he does best - cross country!

Brann turns 4 months old

2010-10-07T14:51:00.000-07:00

Our most recent Yeager GF/Witching Hour colt, Pacific Brannz, just turned 4 months old:

Look for more new pictures and some video of him to be posted on his webpage soon.

Yeager's Little Angel - New Pics

2010-08-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

2010 Yeager filly, Yeager's Little Angel (AKA 'Sofee'), at 3 months old:

To see more, visit Sofee's webpage.

Yukon starts a new adventure

2010-08-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Astrid Harper of Middleburg, VA on her purchase of Yukon! We will miss him very much, but we know that he will love his new home & family. Now I can't wait to see how he looks in a few years!

Yukon - 2 year old photos

2010-08-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

New photos have also been posted for Yukon (Yeager GF x Witching Hour) - he is now 2 years old.To see more, visit his webpage.

New Photos of Brann - 7/10

2010-08-02T14:41:00.000-07:00

Several new photos of Brann have just been added to his page on the website. He is almost 2 months old now and growing fast!

Happy Birthday Odin!

2010-06-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

Our Yeager/Witching Hour colt, Odin, just turned 3! Here are some new pictures of him, from the second time he trotted under saddle (for more than a few steps):
Now I can't wait to do more!

Our newest arrival, "Brann"

2010-06-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

"Brann" (Norwegian for 'fire') - chestnut Yeager/Witching Hour colt, born 6/5/10.

Yukon turns 2

2010-06-03T12:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to our RPSI gelding, Yukon (Yeager GF/Witching Hour)! He is now 16.3hh and starting to fill out. He looks a lot like his sire!

More Spring Updates

2010-05-12T14:40:00.000-07:00

Our 2 year olds (Franka & Yukon) are starting some light lunging sessions in tack now, and are doing great:

(Franka, 2 year old Yeager filly, out of a TB mare)

(Yukon, 2 year old Yeager gelding, out of a RPSI mare)(Yukon, 2 year old Yeager gelding, out of a RPSI mare)

Yeager's Little Angel

2010-05-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

Meet our newest arrival - "Yeager's Little Angel", AKA "Sofee". This gorgeous, super flashy filly is a Palomino arabian cross, born 5/11/10:

Baron - new pics

2010-05-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

Check out these lovely new pics of Baronjager, one of Yeager's coming 3 year olds (out of a TB mare):

(photos by Lindsey Davis, used with permission)

What a handsome guy!

Yeager's 1st foal of 2010

2010-04-04T20:55:00.000-07:00

'Tova', a beautiful buckskin filly - arrived 3/29/10.

(Photos by Dashing Tails Photography)

What a cutie!

Happy Birthday Franka!

2010-04-04T20:37:00.001-07:00

Our 'kids' are growing up!
Franka turned 2 on April 1st. Here she is, celebrating her birthday with her owner, Dani. : )
And this is what out other Yeager 'kids' are looking like now:
Odin, who will be 3 years old in 2 months. ^
Yukon, who will be 2 years old in 2 months. ^

Boy now I can't wait until they all have summer coats!

Odin's first time free jumping

2010-03-24T12:40:00.001-07:00

Odin, our coming 3 year old gelding by Yeager GF, had his first free jumping session on monday. We couldn't be happier with his calm, willing attitude. The video has been posted to the website, check it out. : )

If you have trouble viewing the high resolution version there, you can also try our YouTube channel.

New Video of Yukon & Odin

2010-03-21T21:57:00.001-07:00

Yukon & Odin are now 1 1/2 & 2 1/2 years old (our full siblings by Yeager GF, out of Witching Hour). New video of them playing has been posted to the website.

If you have trouble viewing the high resolution version there, you can also try our YouTube channel.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-27T19:37:00.000-08:00

A new pic of Yeager, taken Christmas morning - 2009.

Holiday Breeding Special

2009-12-11T11:59:00.000-08:00

** Breed your mare to Yeager GF in 2010 for only $550!! **

This special price will be offered only to mares that
book from now until 1/31/10.

Contact Anne at anne@zeefroggie.com if you are interested.

Happy Holidays!

Yeager's kids are growing up

2009-12-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

After what feels like a long wait, Yeager's first few 'kids' are finally old enough to start thinking about riding! Yeager's first foal, Aero, is pictured above on his first ride.

Another of Yeager's foals, Odin (now 2 and a half), has also been sat on a few times now and will be started in earnest this spring.

I can't wait to see these guys by the end of summer!

Fall update

2009-10-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone is ready for winter! Our arena is finally done and we are loving the consistant sand/rubber footing. The 'kids' are growing up fast - Yukon (shown here) is almost 16hh already, at a year and 4 months old, and is starting to change colors again for winter.
Our barn apartment is nowhere near done, but it is continuing to progress. The drywall, windows and doors have all arrived. We're just finishing winterizing the paddocks now - 4 down, only 2 left to go!

Our most recent news is that Yeager's 2009 filly, Iya Fancypants, went to her first show and came back with High Point for her young horse division! At only 4 months old (and just weaned the week before), that is quite an accomplishment. Her owners said that she was a real superstar and couldn't have behaved better.
Then finally, the winner for our 2009 FREE BREEDING DRAWING is Amy Harrison, of PA! Congrats!!

Freya update

2009-09-14T13:22:00.000-07:00

Our 2006 Shire/TB (AWS) filly, Freya, is now 3 years old and is doing great!

We visited her (at her new home) yesterday to see how she's been growing up - and we couldn't be happier with how she's turned out.

Congrats again, Erin, you and Freya are a perfect match! : )

New photos and video of Yukon

2009-09-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

We have new photos and video of Yukon! This 2008 Yeager colt is now 15 months old, and is already 15.3hh.

Several new still shots are on his webpage, and there are more to come - check there for a new gallery to appear soon, too!

The new video is on his video page. If you have trouble viewing the high resolution version there, you can also try our YouTube channel.

Yvening Affair - awarded Silver Premium

2009-08-31T13:16:00.000-07:00

2009 dark buckskin Yeager colt, Yvening Affair, was awarded Silver Premium status at his RPSI inspection yesterday - with a 7.8 score on movement!

To see a video of Yves at his inspection, visit his page.

New Photos of Iya

2009-08-31T12:39:00.000-07:00

New photos of Iya - 2009 Yeager filly, have been posted!

For more photos of this beautiful filly, visit her page.

Our arena gets ready for winter

2009-08-11T13:03:00.000-07:00

At long last, we are taking the next step towards completing our arena. A final grading, compacting and base layer have now been installed.

The next step will be to spread out the footing - a sand/rubber mix. We will fence the arena next summer.
I can't wait to ride in it this winter - it will make such a difference to have an even, level surface to train on year round!

New Photos of Aero

2009-08-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

Here are some new photos to share of Yeager's first foal, Aerodynamic Eclipse. He is now 3 years old and looking all grown up!

For the full gallery, visit Aero's webpage.

We have a superball!

2009-07-23T14:02:00.000-07:00

Wicca has just been confirmed in foal for 2010. After seeing how nice her other 'kids' are growing up to be, we are very excited to repeat this cross to Yeager! She is due 6/14/10.

New Pics of Odin

2009-07-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

We just free-lunged our 2 year old Yeager gelding, Odin, for the first time this year - and wow! He is really growing into a beautiful mover. Here are some pics to share from the session:

Odin has huge suspension at trot.

Look at that push from behind!

His canter also looks fantastic - lots of engagement.

Did I mention suspension? I think I'm in love...

Now I really look forward to seeing what a stunning horse he will become as he finishes growing. And I am very happy that we get to keep him - both to enjoy for ourselves, and to be able to share what an amazing cross this is. Yeager & Wicca, you did good!

Everyone is having birthdays

2009-07-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

Yeager's 'kids' are growing up - here is what they look like now-

YUKON, 1 year old:

FRANKA, 1 year old:

ODIN, 2 years old:

A barn becoming a home

2009-06-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

My husband, Sjon, knew early on that he would never be able to get me to come home from the barn. So, he wisely decided to build us a barn that is also a home.

The lower floor, the horse part of the barn, came first (of course) - but we are now starting on an upstairs apartment for ourselves.

The construction on the tackroom begins, below the bedroom upstairs.

From upstairs, this will be the view of the arena as seen from our living room.

The apartment walls, windows and roof are now up. There's lots more to do before we can move in, but we're feeling like things are rolling in the right direction at last!

Yeager's second arabian cross foal arrives...

2009-06-23T09:23:00.001-07:00

Yeager's most recent 2009 foal is a beautiful bay Arabian Sporthorse filly named 'Iya'. We couldn't be more pleased with this full sibling to 'Frankie-J'. She is leggy and refined with a huge, uphill canter like her sire.

Look for more photos of Iya soon on her webpage. Can't wait to see her all grown up!