So, as it turns out, there is a little road on which sits a similar address to the one I was looking for, complete with a horse farm. Unfortunately, not the one I was looking for. However, I had a bit of time, so I drove down that little road and found this cute little farm - for sale even! I love the little barns, and the view of the new spring sky.
The same barn, from the other end. I really wanted to go in and check it out! I didn't, though... tresspassing and all.
And then there was this thing, across from the grainery. I like rusty old stuff, I guess.
Carson knew I was there before anyone else did. However, because of his emphatic announcement, probably not too much before.
The Reddens have the largest chicken collection I have ever seen. This image represents roughly a quarter of the poultry population at Richwood Farm. Truly a flock, if I've ever seen one.
There were supposed to be peacocks as well, but as they are famous for disappearing, the chickens are still required to hold down the fort, with some noisy help from the Guinea fowl as well.
Connie gave us a tour of the house, built in the 1800s. The office seems to hold some wisdom of a sort, I suppose depending on your circumstance.
Connie and Suzan (SHM sales rep) overlooking the outdoor arena off the porch of the house.
Don, Connie, and Virginia (Don's mom) made us a wonderful gluten-free and vegetarian lunch, including the very best flourless chocolate cake with homemade raspberry sauce I have ever had, ever.
Assisted by Carson, we sat down for the interview in the living room.
Virginia, Don's mom, has been the farm's caretaker, including bottle-feeding orphaned foals when needed.
The senior canine member of the Redden family.
The following images will be used in an upcoming article in Sport Horse MARKETPLACE (FlipBook version) about Richwood Farm, a Trakehener breeding farm in Gratiot, WI owned by Don and Connie Redden. A small operation, Richwood Farm produces 3 or four high quality Trakehener foals a year. Their breeding program consists of careful stallion selection and a few quality mares.
After getting a little bit pleasantly lost (see the two barn images and the elevator), I found the farm, and met Connie and Don. I was struck by their humbleness, and an almost zen-like stillness to their approach. They're not breeding for the prestige of famous bloodlines. Rather, they quietly and conservatively go about their business of putting nice horses out into the world, and are delighted when those horses are successful in competition. It was truly a pleasure to spend the day with them. Click here for more images. For more information, visit www.richwoodfarm.com.
This year, I will be photographing the following inspections:
