ROCKING PATCH MINI RANCH

Northwest Horse Fair & Expo, Albany, Ore. March 19-21, 2010

This year Sue is taking Pink Cadillac to the Horse Fair & Expo to do some demonstration driving.  This will not only be good training, but also excellent exposure for both "P C" and for our farm.  It's easy for "P C" to do the demo as he is already staying at Crown Meadow Centre in Scio, Ore. (about 20 miles away) providing stud service for some U S breeders for the next few months.

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Mane Event, Chilliwack, BC  October 23-25, 2009

This is one of BC's largest equine trade shows all year.  Approximately 20,000 people attend over the three days to see what's new in the industry.  From farm equipment, tack,equine related gifts, to clinics on horsemanship, equitation and driving.

We were there, along with some of our donkeys on behalf of the CanWest Miniature Donkey Promotional Group.  This is a group of responsible donkey breeders from throughout Western Canada promoting the miniature donkey.  We also educate the public about what these little guys can do, and what to look for, not only from the animal, but also the breeder when purchasing.  Many new contacts were made, not only for us, but for some of our member breeders in Alberta, BC, and Manitoba as well. 

We brought a couple of our moms and babies which were certainly an attraction as we talked donkeys with people constantly from opening on Friday till closing on Sunday night.  I think we were more tired than the donkeys by the end of the show, but well worth it. 

Northern California Miniature Donkey Show

Red Bluff, California  Sept. 11-13, 2009

We had the opportunity to attend this year's show in Red Bluff, California.  It was their 8th year, but our first time there.  It was an NMDA sanctioned show with 90+ miniature donkeys from California, Oregon, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, and us attended.  The weather was hot for us (104* f), but we arrived on the Wednesday to get used to the heat.

We took the same five donkeys down that competed in Eugene, Ore. the month previous.  They all proved to be seasoned veterans.  We were very fortunate to do quite well again.

Stoney Acres Rayanna won her Yearling Jennet Class, but lost out in the Junior Champion.  Brayers Are Us Hot Toddy was 2nd in her 2-3 yr old Jennet Class.  MJB Hot Stuff (Stuffie) was consistent in his driving classes coming 2nd in Reinsmanship and placed 5th or better in numerous performance driving classes.  He even was 3rd in his Gelding Halter Class, which was a pleasant surprise for us.

Pink Floyd was again showing what a great future herd sire he will be by winning his Yearling Jack Class for the 3rd time in three tries.  This has created great interest from breeders from California and Oregon.  Floyd, along with PC, again won Produce of Dam. 

Our star, Rocking Patch Pink Cadillac (PC) was once again the champion.  Not only did he win his Jack Class ( a class of 24), he won Reserve Champion Jack.  We harnessed him up for the 2nd time, where he was consistently placing, and with his other performance class placings PC won Reserve Champion Performance Green Donkey.  This not only proves that he has great conformation, but he also has the mentality to be a great performance donkey as well. 

All and all, its been a great show season.  Champions at three different shows, with three different judges.  We  are very proud.  Next thing to finish out this year is the Mane Event (equine trade show) in Chilliwack, BC, October 23-25, 2009.  We will be there as part of the CanWest Miniature Donkey Promotional Group, providing information and answering all miniature donkey related questions to the public.  The more people find out just how great these little guys are, the better for the breed.

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Oregon Mule & Donkey Show

Eugene, Oregon  August 7-9, 2009

A great time was had at this year's NMDA donkey show in Eugene, Oregon.  There were close to 70 miniature donkeys competing as well as dozens of mammoth donkeys and mules competing in their own show.  Sue and I took 5 donkeys competing against many top American breeders.

We had PC's little brother, Pink Floyd, our yearling jack at his second show.  And to prove to us all that he is a great prospect, he won his yearling jack class as well as being right there for the NMDA Reserve Champion Junior Donkey.  Not to be outdone by his little brother, PC not only won his class, he was also NMDA Champion Jack and combined High Point Performance Jack.  The latter was due to him placing either 3rd or 4th in all of his driving and performance classes.  Not bad for a donkey that hasn't done a lot of driving in the last six months (blame me).  The two of them also got together and won the Produce of Dam class as well. 

As for the jennets, Stoney Acres Rayanna won her yearling class and also ended out winning NMDA Junior Champion.  Brayers Are Us Hot Toddy, our two year old jennet was 4th in her class.  We were very pleased with this outcome as it was her very first show and there were 12 other entrants in the class.

MJB Hot Stuff, my 9 yr old driving gelding, did very well, coming second in Open Pleasure Driving Reinsmanship, and placed well in all of his other performance driving classes.

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Miniature Donkey Extravaganza II

Red Deer, Alberta  July 17-19, 2009

This was the 12th annual miniature donkey show held in conjunction with Westerner Days in Red Deer, Ab., Canada.  Although it is not a sanctioned NMDA show, its always had NMDA carded judges to keep consistency in the showing.  This year the judges were Ron Thompson, New Vienna, OH. for the open show and Margo Hepner Hart, Hillsboro, Ore. for the jackpot show.

We did very well this year as I took MJB Hot Stuff (Stuffie) my 9 year old gelding in the open driving classes where he won the Pleasure Driving Class, 2nd in the Obstacle Driving Class, and placed 4th or better in the other Performance Driving Classes.  He was also 4th in the Jackpot Gelding Class which consisted of combining conformation, jumping and trail for cash prizes.

Our 11 1/2 month old jack, Rocking Patch Pink Floyd won his yearling class.  He came 5th in the Jackpot Jack Class considering that all the other jacks he competed against were 19 months or older.  He also came in 1st along with Stoney Acres Hot Rod (yearling) in the Get of Sire Class.  (Sire was Stoney Acres Prairies Inferno from Stoney Acres, Didsbury, Ab.)

The ultimate prize for us was that our yearling jennet, Stoney Acres Rayanna, we had just purchased from Deb Walker, Stoney Acres in May, 2009, won the Jackpot Champion Jennet Class.  She also placed in the yearling jennet class.

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 2007 Show Season Highlights - Unfortunately, we did not show in 2008.

Here is Dave showing one of our jennets at the 2007 Big Little Donkey Show in Abbotsford, BC.  Good job keeping up with MJB Hot Stuff, Dave!!  And Sue showing PC in a halter class - looking very happy with his movement.

A few wins... in Abbotsford, Red Deer, Calgary.          

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Donkeys and their handlers get a kick out of trail classes...

Everyone enjoys a drive...

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