3rd Quarter 2025
- stacylpearsall
- Jun 23
- 8 min read
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Our 3rd Quarter 2025 Members Meeting will be held on July 21, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. EST over Zoom.
CLASS I DIRECTOR NOMINEES
With her artistic and creative expertise, Kelsey Rogers is well-positioned to make a meaningful contribution to the EBRA. Her skills and experience can be leveraged in various areas, including, but not limited to, product development for the online store, collaborations with sculpting artists, social media content creation, and volunteer support. Moreover, she is an active breeder on the West Coast. She can offer insights into regional best practices in horse care, including feed management, veterinary care, and handling, which may differ from those on the East Coast.
Will Beattie is a graduate of The Citadel with a diverse professional background spanning state law enforcement and the telecommunications industry. He later transitioned to full-time cattle ranching, where he built a national beef brand that reached customers across the country through a two-year run on national television. Will’s passion for draft horses began over 20 years ago with an introduction to the Brabant breed. While initially limited by budget, he worked a team of Percheron horses for farm work until, five years ago, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by acquiring two imported Ardennes mares. Bred to the only producing stallion in the U.S. at the time, these mares became the foundation of his growing herd. Will now devotes his efforts to breeding and training young horses for practical, sustainable farm use, with his youngest stock currently entering training for daily ranch work.
Nominations for the 2025 EBRA Board of Directors elections must be submitted no later than July 1, 2025. Candidates for the board must be Stakeholder members in good standing. All candidates will be given a chance to speak to members at the quarterly Membership meeting on July 21. Please email registrar@europeanbrabant.com if you would like to submit your name or nominate someone for the open board seat.
2025 VIRTUAL HORSE SHOW
Preparations for the 3rd annual EBRA Virtual Horse Show are underway! Monique Beullens and Eva de Smidt will be judging the Halter and Showmanship classes, while Laura Wiencek will be judging the trail classes. The show is open to all European Brabant and Brabant-cross horses. It's free for EBRA Members, and non-members can compete by purchasing a half-year $25 fee. Registrations open on September 1st, and they will be open until November 17th at 5 pm EST. Once judging is complete, an EBRA Virtual Horse Show watch party will take place on Saturday, December 6th at 12 pm EST over Zoom.
BRABANT SHOW AND TELL
The whole Wigoh Farms European Brabant horse family traveled to Star Elementary School in Star, Idaho, to help educate 4th-grade children about horses on Farm Life Spirit Day.
APPENDIX BRABANT: THE BEAUTIFUL VARIETY
The EBRA recently recorded the 100th Appendix Brabant horse CAB Ayia (AR0100), who is owned by Castagno Brabants. This milestone is evidence of the value that the European Brabant offers to programs with a variety of goals, from breeding powerful sport horses or fox hunters, to solid ranch horses or a family trail horse. The EBRA is proud to recognize the European Brabant heritage in all Appendix horses.
"Our Brabant crosses are exceptional choices to take riders with zero experience into the hills for 2-hour and longer rides," said Ryan Castagno.
Spring Creek Ranch’s Castagno Outfitters provides guided horseback rides atop the East Gros Ventre Butte with their Appendix Brabants. These tours offer a unique view of the Teton Range, the town of Jackson, and the surrounding area.
Check out some of Spring Creek Ranch’s Castagno Outfitters 2024 Appendix Brabants produced in Riverton, WY.
The Appendix Brabant Record is designed to track and record draft crosses with European Brabant heritage who do not meet purebred European Brabant Registry standards and light horse crosses with European Brabant Heritage. Within this category, there is no limitation on progenitor draft breeds, conformation or color. The only requirement is that the horse be a minimum of 23.5% verifiable European Brabant heritage.
Horses that meet the qualifications for the European Brabant or European Brabant Stock Studbooks will be given the option for inclusion during the application process; however, horse owners reserve the right to remain in the Appendix Brabant Record. European Brabant Studbook qualifying horses who remain in the Appendix Brabant Record will be annotated within the Registry. If the qualifying horse is sold, the new owner may request re-designation at the time of ownership transfer. Studbook rules and registration fees apply.
Here are just a few examples of the incredible variety of Appendix Brabants...
Barb (Right) and Wire (left) are 9 year old Brabant x Percheron Mares owned by Bays Ranch
Conway is a 2024 Gypsy x Brabant x QH Dun Roan owned by Shelbi Schenker
DC Aura is a 2021 Thoroughbred x Brabant (Sire: Chris uit den Blommendaal EB0001) owned by Draft Crossing Farms
Revali's Gale is a 2022 American Mammoth Jackstock x Brabant (Dam: Blackleg Acres Louka EB0037) owned by Limestone Farms
Sleipnir is a 2025 Freisian x Brabant (Dam: Flora) owned by Limestone Farms
LILY 2021 Friesian x Brabant owned by Bays Ranch
KJS Gunners is a 2024 Quarter Horse x Brabant (Dam: Venna Uit de Vinkenpeel "Cookie" EB0026) owned by Koekje Jar Stables
Lotus is a 2025 Gypsy x Brabant (Sire: TF Red Chief EB0035) owned by Austin Mantz
Brigid is a 2025 Nokota Horse x Thoroughbred x Appendix Brabant (Dam: DC Aura AR0003) owned by Draft Crossing Farms
Revali's Gale is a 2025 American Mammoth Jackstock x Brabant (Dam: LaValley's Fiona BS0011) owned by Limestone Farms
Teddy is a 2022 Clydesdale x Brabant owned by Bays Ranch
ICSI Procedure
Through our [WIGOH Farms] ICSI procedure with Beech, we have successfully grown and frozen three embryos, resulting in a 75% success rate. Two of these embryos are scheduled to be transferred to our recipient mares soon, after they foal. Fingers crossed that embryo implantation goes just as smoothly.
"According to standard ICSI averages, we should have only obtained one embryo. We are grateful for Beech's generosity," said Kelsey Rogers.
Note: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a technique used in equine reproduction to fertilize an egg (oocyte) with a single sperm cell. It's an assisted reproductive technology (ART) that can be beneficial for mares with fertility problems, stallions with limited semen, or when breeders want to maximize embryo production.
The EBRA will be hosting a four-part equine reproduction clinic with Dr. Kathryn Sharbrough, who is an experienced Equine Theriogenologist (aka Reproductive Specialist). The online clinic will be held over the winter, so stay tuned for the schedule!
EBRA EQUINE REPRO CLINIC:
Part 1 - Mare Management: Breeding Preparation
Part 2 - Mare Management: Pregnancy and Foaling
Part 3 - Foal Management
Part 4 - Stallion Management
The online clinic will be held over the winter, so stay tuned for dates. In the meantime, take a moment to complete the poll below.
Part 2 - Mare Management: Pregnancy and FoalingWhich part most interests you?
0%Part 1 - Mare Management: Breeding Preparation
0%Part 2 - Mare Management: Pregnancy and Foaling
0%Part 3 - Foal Management
0%Part 4 - Stallion Management
You can vote for more than one answer.
HOBBY HORSE SUMMER FUN
Do you have kids or grandkids that need to keep busy this summer? Try some hobby horse fun! While hobby horsing may not involve the same level of physical exertion as traditional equestrian sports, it still promotes physical activity and coordination. Participants engage in movement, balance, and coordination exercises while performing various tricks and maneuvers with their hobby horses.
by Stacy Pearsall
Hobby horsing is HUGE right now! It's a trendy sport and subculture where we ride and perform tricks with a hobby horse, which is a toy horse head attached to a stick. The hobby horse becomes the sports partner. Participants engage in various activities such as jumping over obstacles, performing dressage or western riding tests – for fun and in competitions. While it may seem like a simple children’s activity, hobby horsing has developed into a serious hobby and sport for some, with organized events, competitions, and communities dedicated to it. It has gained popularity particularly in Finland, where it originated, but it has also spread to other countries
In hobby horsing, participants engage in various disciplines or activities, similar to those found in traditional equestrian sports. Some common hobby horse disciplines include:
Dressage: Riders perform a series of predetermined movements and maneuvers with their hobby horse, showcasing precision, control, and harmony between horse and rider.
Show Jumping: Riders navigate their hobby horses through a course of jumps, aiming to complete the course within the fastest time while avoiding knocking down any obstacles.
Cross-Country: Similar to equestrian cross-country, riders tackle a course with natural obstacles such as logs, ditches, and water features, testing their horsemanship skills and bravery.
Freestyle: This discipline allows participants to showcase their creativity and individual style by choreographing routines set to music, incorporating various movements and tricks with their hobby horse.
Trail Riding: Riders simulate riding on trails or in natural environments, navigating through different terrains and obstacles to demonstrate their horsemanship skills and endurance.
Western Riding: All ridden western disciplines are suitable for hobby horsers. Many of those are still being designed by trainers and judges, though.
Fun races against the clock.
These disciplines, along with others, provide hobby horsing enthusiasts with a range of opportunities to showcase their skills, creativity, and passion for horses in a fun and competitive environment.
FUN FACT: The origins of the hobby horse can be traced back to ancient times, with references found in several different cultures. The first known mention of a hobby horse dates back to the 15th century in Europe.
POOL NOODLE HOBBY HORSE
A swimming noodle; skinnier ones work best
Twine or rope
Felt (9 x 12 sheets)
Large wiggly eyes
Low temperature glue gun and glue
Scissors
Pipe cleaner (optional)
BUILD DIRECTIONS:
Bend the noodle and tie the twine tightly around it. If you would like, weave a pipe cleaner around the twine to add some color. Leave a little bit of the twine hanging, so that it look like reins.
Cut a strip of felt along the length of the fabric, about an inch wide. Cut the ends of it into points for the ears.
Cut the next strip (still along the length) about 4 inches wide.
Fold the wide stripe and cut waves around the edges to create the mane.
Slide the long piece for the ears between the part of the noodle that is folded and pull them up firmly in place. Glue the ears up. Hot glue the mane and wiggly eyes in place.
Photo by RAF Croughton Library
CHALLENGE YOUR HOBBY HORSE HANDLER
Hobby horse competitions can be found in various locations, including:
Equestrian centers: Some equestrian centers or horse clubs may host hobbyhorse competitions alongside traditional equestrian events. These venues often have facilities suitable for hobbyhorse competitions, such as arenas or outdoor spaces.
Community events: Hobby horse competitions may be featured as part of community events, festivals, or fairs that celebrate equestrian culture or youth activities. These events can be found in local communities and may offer opportunities for hobby horse enthusiasts to showcase their skills.
Online platforms: With the rise of virtual events and online communities dedicated to hobby horsing, participants can also find competitions and challenges hosted on dedicated hobby horse websites.
Specialty events: Some events are specifically dedicated to hobby horsing, organized by hobby horse clubs, enthusiasts, or organizations. These events may include a range of competitions, workshops, and activities tailored to hobby horse enthusiasts.
To sign your youth up for some hobby horse fun, or to simply learn more, check out https://www.ushhchampionships.com/
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