Crafting the Next Generation of Tennessee Walking Horses in Colorado
At Perry Park Ranch, our Tennessee Walking Horse breeding program in Colorado is built on a commitment to excellence, balancing the contributions of both stallion and mares to produce exceptional foals. Typically, breeding programs center on the stallion, carefully selected to pass on desirable traits like conformation, gait, temperament, and color with multiple mares. However, we believe mares are equally vital, contributing half of the equation in order to better the breed.
Drawing from my experience in dog breeding, where both sire and dam are equally important, I approach Tennessee Walking Horse breeding with the same philosophy. To enhance the breed, both the stallion and mare must be exceptional and complementary. If one has a less desirable trait, such as less bone or a smaller frame, the other should compensate to produce foals with the desired qualities, like stronger bone or a larger frame.
When I acquired our Tennessee Walking Horse stallion, SCF Moonlit Merry Boy “Renegade,” as the cornerstone of our breeding program at Perry Park Ranch, he embodied everything I sought in a stud — friendly, highly trainable, excellent conformation, natural gait, good bone, and tall stature. His qualities make him a standout for breeding Tennessee Walking Horses. When selecting mares, I sought stellar individuals from top breeding programs across the country to complement Renegade and elevate our foals.
I began with Xtreme Wylean “Lena,” in foal with Xtreme Country Queen “Dolly,” whose lineage includes DMF John Wayne of Quail Valley Walkers and Ebony’s Masterpiece. Crossing John Wayne’s line with Renegade is a highly anticipated breeding for next year. Happily Ebony After “Anastasia,” initially purchased as a riding horse, joined the program for her incredible qualities, with plans for one of her foals to become a future field trial horse for myself.
With guidance from our trainer and breed expert, Bridget McAslan, I researched top bloodlines, targeting Stuntman’s Bleau Majic of Horseshoe Hollow Farm, Cruise with the Limo and Slush Creeks Jubal S of Slush Creek Walkers, and Dusty’s Desperado and Dapple Dan of Dream Maker Farms. This led to adding three exceptional mares: Bleau Magic Sapphire “Sapphire,” SCW Limo’s Memory Maker “Minnie,” and DMF Symphony in Silver “Sylvie.”
With our six exceptional mares, alongside Bridget McAslan’s five outstanding mares from Blue Horse Farms, Renegade leads a band that produces remarkable Tennessee Walking Horse foals in Colorado. Our goal is to better the breed, creating foals with great minds, beautiful conformation, and natural, smooth gaits to become cherished riding partners for equestrians in Colorado and across the West!