Offering frozen semen for overseas distribution!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dynamic In The Dark, NSBA Cover Story, April 2001
He was a strong colt from the start, with all the looks of a future stallion prospect.
It should be a once in a lifetime gift to own and promote a world class stallion, but for Stephen and Cindy Stephens of Riverside Ranch, this privilege has struck them yet a second time. After purchasing Dynamic Deluxe and taking him to the top of the AQHA Leading Sires List, they have begun the journey to fame again with Dynamic in the Dark. He is owned by the Stephens of Weatherford, Texas and Grant and Shannon McKenzie of British Columbia, Canada.
Dynamic in the Dark (a.k.a. Calvin) was the second foal born out of Pocos Unique Fashion, an AQHA leading producer, and by Dynamic Deluxe. The first foal was Dynamic Fashion who enjoyed a successful show career, winning countless titles including Congress championships, Tom Powers championships, and Superior Pleasure awards in Open, Amateur, and Youth divisions.
Calvin was always a strong colt from he start, with all the looks of a future stallion prospect.
"It was like he was broke before I ever got on his back," said Cindy Stephens. Dynamic in the Dark and Cindy Stephens had an astonishing show career, traveling more than 15,000 miles cross country as a two-year-old, capturing championships and reserve championships at many of the major futurities. In 1996, he acquired an NSBA Two-Year-old High Point title, and Cindy was named the NSBA High-Point Limited Rider of the Year.
Dynamic in the Dark started his career in the breeding barn as a three-year-old, breeding only a few select mares. At this time Stephen Stephens also started his training for the western riding classes. With very limited showing, Calvin finished the year as one of the Top Ten High Point Western Riding horses in the nation.
"Calvin is one of the most incredible, natural lead changers I have had the pleasure to ride," said Stephen Stephens.
As a three-year-old, Calvin placed third in Junior Western Riding at the Congress. The following year, despite a very full breeding schedule, Calvin captured the Tom Powers Western Pleasure Maturity Championship with Stephen Stephens, then went back to the Congress to place third again in the Junior Western Riding, and fourth in the Junior Western Pleasure class out of more than 100 entries.
Both the Stephens and McKenzies had wanted to continue with Dynamic in the Dark's show career, but the surmounting demands in the breeding barn have continued to keep Calvin close to home.
Since the beginning of his remarkable show career, Dynamic in the Dark has captured the attention of his audience, fellow exhibitors, and judges alike. Now his offspring are commanding the same. His babies are all big bodied, strong, beautiful, and most importantly good-minded, making them easy to train and show. They are predominantly blacks, bays, and browns. He has not produced a sorrel or chestnut to date. Calvin is definitely leaving his mark on his foals.
"We have been privileged to breed Dynamic in the Dark to some very impressive mares," Cindy said.
Sandy Beecroft, owner of Somebody New, a Congress champion producer was one.
"I have bred this mare to some of the leading sires, but after breeding to Dynamic in the Dark and seeing the results, I knew my instincts were right," she said. "I had created the perfect combination."
Kissed in the Dark, a black 1998 mare by Dynamic in the Dark, and out of Somebody New was purchased by Libby Truco as a young two-year-old.
"We had been looking seriously for a two-year-old prospect for more than five months," Libby said. "Tina Kaven had seen this mare and recommended that Ty, (and) Karen (Hornick), and myself make the trip to Texas to take a look at her and several other prospects. When I saw her I knew she was the one, her presence was overwhelming."
Trained and shown in open classes by Karen Hornick, this mare was fifty in the Two-Year-Old Western Pleasure at the 2000 World Show, and finalist at the Congress that same year.
"Kizzy' is very willing to learn," said Karen Hornick. "She has great retention for learning new things."
Libby is currently showing this mare in the Non-Pro Pleasure futurities, and has enjoyed many wins, including Reserve Champion in the Two-Year-Old Open Non Pro at the 2000 Congress. Most recently she was Reserve Champion All Age Non Pro at the Dixie Nationals, and garnered 15 points in her first AQHA showing, receiving her Western Pleasure ROM in one class.
Kissed in the Dark now has winnings of more than $16,000. Both Karen and Libby say their favorite thing about this mare is her expression--She just really enjoys doing her job.
Just Wait Until Dark, a brown Stud colt by Dynamic in the Dark and out of an own daughter of Zippo Pine Bar was bred by Katherine Strecker of Woodway, Wash. He was fifth in the Longe Line at the 2000 Congress, and Champion at the Heart of Texas Longe Line Futurity. He currently is being started under saddle by Terry Cross.
"Justin' is every trainers dream" Cross said. "He is quiet and eager to please. The first time he loped off it felt like he had been doing this forever. He is destined for greatness."
Double Dynamics, a black gelding bred by Barbara Thomas of Bellingham, Wash., and shown by Stephen Stephens, was fifth in the Two-Year-Old Western Pleasure class at the 2000 Appaloosa World show.
"It is great to have a horse that gets points with the judges just for its looks and incredible presence, but then to have the movement and mind to go with that makes for a great show horse," Stephen Stephens said.
Polly Jones of Washington is currently showing her Dynamic in the Dark three-year-old gelding, Passing in the Dark, which she raised and trained herself as an amateur. They have taken the Northwest by storm, winning the PNWQ Two-Year-Old Non Pro Western Pleasure Futurity, and also placing in the top three of several other futurities. She now is showing in the western riding event.
"His mind is excellent, making him so easy to train. I have great confidence in him--he can do anything," Polly said.
Cindy Stephens an Charmer In The Dark were finalists in the Two-Year-Old Western Pleasure at the 2000 Quarter Horse Congress. The brown mare is owned by Jackie Allen of Manchester, Mich.
All in all, Dynamic in the Dark is well on his way to enjoying the same fame as his sire, Dynamic Deluxe. The success of his foals gives promise of great things to come.
"We have the mare owners to thank for much of his success as a young and upcoming stallion," said Cindy Stephens. "Their enthusiasm and excitement for their Dynamic in the Dark babies has been incredible."
|
|
|
