Maurine “Mo” Swanson The Fertility Goddess at Her Rolling Stone Farm in Slatington, PA

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Mare and foal are both in synch and airborn as Shtratego (Shakespeare RSF) earns his Foal of Distinction and Stallion Prospect from the Oldenburg GOV

With 12 confirmed pregnancies for 2013 using frozen semen, and eight others using fresh from her own stallions, the experienced breeder of three plus decades and over 300  foals; her team and her husband Jim, are gearing in for another active foaling season next year at Rolling Stone Farm, in Slatington, PA. "I'm very proud that I'm an American breeder," Swanson states enthusiastically. "I have four generations of successful mares, foals and stallions." But, anyone can put quantity on the ground. Swanson’s record speaks for itself with the quality and consistency from generation to generation that also is reflected in the performance arena, with four reaching the FEI under several riders and hundreds placed in happy homes across the US. Her most current FEI horse is Shakespeare RSF (Sandro Hit), home bred licensed and approved Hanoverian stallion that is currently competing Prix St. George dressage.

At the 2012 Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society (GOV) inspection at Swanson’s farm, 30 foals in total were presented for inspection. It was Swanson’s 22 foals that took home no less than 18 Premium statuses and eight Foals of Distinction, three of which were declared stallion prospects.

Schooter RSF (Shakespeare RSF) Foal of distinction, and for Mo Swanson "One of the best foals I have ever produced!"

Each year Rolling Stone Farm has the theme with the names, and this year the theme was "Games and Gaming". With fun names like Sharades, Rhiddle, Hhigh Roller, Hhopscotch, Nhintendo and Shortstop, the staff contributed to a selection of names for this years' crop. In addition, two home bred three-year-old stallions were presented. Both were provisionally licensed and must now pass the 70 day stallion test in Oklahoma for full approval.

Shotgun (Shakespeare RSF), one of the newly provisional licensed stallions, is from Shakespeare RSF’s freshman crop and Dheputy (Dauphin) out of Elite Mare Rhussia (Rotspon), is a fourth generation product from Swanson’s breeding program and the second licensed stallion that Rhussia has produced.

Shotgun (Shakespeare RSF), one of the newly provisional licensed stallions, is from Shakespeare RSF’s freshman crop and Dheputy (Dauphin) out of Elite Mare Rhussia (Rotspon), is a fourth generation product from Swanson’s breeding program and the second licensed stallion that Rhussia has produced.

“The quality of these foals is what we strive for in Germany,” says Holly Simensen, North American Director of the GOV. “And we would like to see Shortstop (Shakespeare RSF), Shcooter (Shakespeare RSF), Wii (Wild Dance), Hhigh Roller (His Highness) and Sharades (Sir James) come to the Elite Foal Auction.”

One of the stallion prospects and Foals of Distinction at the Rolling Stone Farm Oldenburg Inspection was Shortstop (Shakespeare RSF). He was among the youngest presented.Shortstop (Shakespeare RSF)

One of the stallion prospects and Foals of Distinction was Shortstop (Shakespeare RSF). He was among the youngest presented.

“This charming, attractive colt has a superb walk and trot, and exudes presence,” continued Simensen. “He is uphill, active and would make a good candidate for the upper levels.” The other stallion prospects named were Shtratego (Shakespeare RSF) and Hhigh Roller (His Highness).

While Swanson’s foals dominated the inspection, several outside breeders also showed their offspring with decent results. "Breeders who sacrifice and continuously improve their herds are the future," says Simensen. "It’s the people who raise your soul that make this trip worthwhile."Saint Isabelle (Shakespeare RSF) owned by Paula Byrum and bred by Mo Swanson, also achieved Premium, while Taley Ruhle’s jumper horses, Icy’s Lover (Conners) and Sporty’s Lover (Conners) were entered in the Oldenburg books as Main Mare Book and Book Two respectively. Henri Tohme’s Ladora 7S (Lagoheidor) also achieved Main Mare Book status and Tohme’s filly by Shakespeare RSF out of Ladora 7S  was named Premium Foal.

In addition to presenting Oldenburg registered horses, Swanson’s Hanoverian filly by Farewell III was named top filly at the Hanoverian inspection at Hilltop Farm just days before her GOV inspection.

Swanson maintains an extensive website with individual profiles on her horses at www.rollingstonefarm.com
All images by Mary Phelps - phelpsphotos.com