Belesemo Arabian Ranch

Crazy doesn't describe the past couple of weeks at the ranch. We have had new foals born and our first grandson has joined 3 granddaughters. The wonder of new life and the Lord's creation is everywhere.
Since today is Mother's Day, we thought it would be fitting on the ranch page, to pay tribute to without a doubt, the most influential mare in the Belesemo Arabians' breeding program - VELVET DAWN.

Although not what one would normally associate with our CMK foundation mares, Dawn's influence is spread everywhere throughout the program. She was acquired in 1986 - 40 years ago - and not our typical large, chestnut with white type mares. She was small (14.1), grey and had the most classic head typical of her straight Egyptian sire line. She was however, very heavy CMK on the bottom side of her pedigree and that was what drew us to her originally. But her fabulous disposition and her "incubator" producing status is what endeared her to the program. Whatever stallion you bred Dawn to she reproduced faithfully in her foals. When bred to Belesemo Trad, she always produced large, chestnut with white marked foals. When bred to RD Arizon, she produced black, exotic Black Stallion movie looking foals.
She was one of a kind, and is represented in 9 foals (8 for the ranch, including her first - a surviving set of twins in 1987.) She currently has 91 grandget with more on the way. Not only was she the dam to two important Belesemo stallions - Belesemo Ibn Trad and Belesemo Obsidian - but she was also the dam and grandam of many national winning endurance and sport horse offspring, including a Tevis Top Ten horse. Only one daughter graced her production years. Belesemo Ibn Trad is her last surviving offspring at age 29 on the ranch.
Her presence and blood is everywhere in the breeding program.
We salute and remember her today for being the Grand Dame of Belesemo Arabians.

THIS!!!
When ranch visitors comment on our beautiful green pastures and great life for horses - this is the man that keeps it all going. Without my husband DIRK and his efforts for the past 44 years, there would be no Belesemo Arabian Ranch - or dream fulfillment! He is literally the glue that keeps everything running - from irrigating, to fixing everything, to holding mares, there is no way this breeding program would exist without him.
He is shown here yesterday digging out a mainline pipe that sprang a leak over the winter, and only found when he turned the water on after working two days to get the system up and running. So now, it has to be turned off, mainline dug up by hand so he doesn't damage the fragile aluminum, repaired and replaced as quickly as possible before our minimal water allotment runs out- as it keeps running once you order the water. With no snow pack this past winter, every precious drop counts this year.
His efforts are enjoyed by TA KHARA MIA (Algonkwin x TA Khe Toska by Khemosabi) in the mare/foal pasture as she imminently awaits her BELESEMO IBN TRAD foal at age 23.
THANK YOU MY DEAR HUSBAND!!

WOW! And just like that, Easter is already a full week in the rear view mirror.
So much has happened this past week. The first foal of the season arrived, sired by 29 yr. old Belesemo Ibn Trad and out of 20 yr. old DBA Lpemargo++/. This lively young man is going to be a good one with many endurance and sport horse national champions on both side of his pedigree! Thanks to Andrea & Jeff Maas in New York for allowing Margo to join our broodmare band.
The yearling c**t BELESEMO DOMINO (Belesemo Ibn Trad x Sans Joy) found a new home with Erica Stubbs in Monroe, Washington, and is enjoying the best life possible. He has already had numerous adventures learning the ropes, tailing behind Erica's older gelding going through the forest and through water, enjoying his beautiful new home. We are so excited to watch his future adventures! Welcome to the Belesemo Family Erica!! CONGRATULATIONS!!
The hardest working animal on the farm - "no mice" is her motto so a nap and belly rub is in order!!
Stay tuned for the foaling excitement and incoming ride reports - the year has just begun!!

My goodness! And just like that spring is here and we need to be outside getting everything unpacked from winter. It makes for rare posting days! Our spring is at least a month early and showing it in the unseasonable temperatures, growth of pastures, orchards blooming and the migrating bird patterns. We have grabbed a few photos of the hum of activity on the ranch that is at least 6 weeks earlier than usual. It is an exciting time and one that never grows old!
The peach and cherry orchards that surround the ranch in full bloom, and the mares abandoning the hay piles for the fresh, new grass.
Our granddaughters Levicee & Lundyn leading the first mare to foal any day now, out to her morning grass pasture. (DBA Lpemargo++/)
The snow geese whose migrating habits have shifted the past few years and fill fields in our area by the tens of thousands.
Incredible sunrises and sunsets! The seasonal beauty of God's creation!
WELCOME BLESSED SPRING!!