Lillie

On May 27, 2010 at 5:30 a.m., four days late, Lillie finally foaled out one of the most elegant fillies I’ve ever seen!  This beauty is out of Lillie, our Holsteiner mare, and Coco Cavalli.  You can find their pedigrees on the mare page and the stallion page.  Here are a few of the pictures Michelle took a couple of hours later.

We will also be posting a video of the birth and a video of our filly at 36 hours old playing in the arena with her mother!

On May 4, 2010, we watched the arrival of Robert & Bruce’s lovely Arabian give birth to a wonderful colt.  This is the first baby of the year and he is so in love with people that if you are in the stall, he walks to where you are and lays down to sleep near you.  Of course we spent plenty of time with him in his first 24 hours.  Attached are a few pictures of his first day on the ground.

It comes with the territory when ever your job involves working with or around live things… beating hearts. Tough decisions and surprising heartbreaks. One day early last spring GiGi and Krissie were together on the hill enjoying a sunny day when I noticed that it took GiGi an entire day to navigate from her hay to the creek for water. For several days I would call to them and come to the gate for their grain… Krissie would not leave GiGi’s side. I was faced with a reality I wanted to scream away. It was time for GiGi to be put down and I knew all too well that Krissie could not live without her life long friend. Jess started up the back hoe and the vet loaded the girls (retired broodmares) with a magic cocktail for their last stroll down the hill and walk through the gates. Jess and I wept together after they were gone. Sadly there was no magic cocktail for us.

In the middle of August our Golden Retriever, Spike, had yet another episode. After nursing him back to life twice, we decided to take him to the vet. He walked out of her office and I helped him get in the back of the car. The next morning Spike could not stand up even with help. When we arrived at the vet’s office Maynard sat on top of the second seat like a sentry as I held Spike to ease his transition to the next life. In a couple of weeks I flew to California for the Labor Day weekend. That Saturday Michelle called with a voice ragged from crying. Otis had been running down the alley way of the barn, wagging his tail and JUST dropped dead.

We had Spike and Otis, who were litter mates for 13 years. When we would ride the trails behind the house Otis was the “scout” and Spike always “brought up the rear”. There is a picture of the two of them in the photo gallery, down on a rocky cliff as we waited on the trail to see what they had found.

The entire ranch mourned these two huge losses and we are grateful for the time they were with us. I still live with my secret sorrow, as nothing can fill the space a big fluffy dog bed once took up on the floor of my bedroom. I miss and love you all so very much.

Again we hosted out third Inspection August 19th and had really lovely horses from other barns…and it was a beautiful day.

The real highlight of our ranch is the new babies. It was such a delight to watch Lillie and Cassie’s foal’s romp with their Mom’s. After they were weaned Gandolf took over the job of babysitter and he taught them a few horse manners.

No sooner had “summer” ended and Philip and I traveled back east to watch Henry compete in Devon.

We also flew to Vectha, Germany for the Oldenburg Stallion Licencing. This was an opportunity to learn, see some terrific horses and make new friends, some of them live close to our horses in Pennsylvania. On the final day the top stallion was a son of Flemmingh (Turbo’s sire). Flemmingh died in 2007 however in the evening they brought Flemmingh’s Sire to honor his grandson. This fellow is 26 or so and looks like a million dollars. Thank-you Heike, Holly and Tommy for the fabulous experience and the best seats at the Stallion Days in Vetcha.

Our Oldenburg Verband Inspection is scheduled for August
7, 2010. All interested parties should contact us for information on
stalls, amenities offered during the inspection. We will keep everyone
posted on times and any changes.

There no words to express my gratitude to Michelle and Jess for taking care of everything at the ranch while Philip was at Stanford Medical Center for open heart surgery. I was gone for 6 weeks to be with him as he recovered. He had an excellent result and is back to work and the gym.

Thank-you to our family, clients and friends who really stepped up to the plate when needed and also made 2009 a fun and exciting year. And as always a heartfelt thank-you to all our horses in the west and in the east. You bring me more happiness than anything.

I wish all of you a safe and happy 2010. Happy trails.

Warmest regards,

Lisa

Laura, Max and their horse Lilly - Christmas 2009

This year Jenny Lowe’s book hit the shelves!! Memories of You. Jenny had been working on this for so long and the result was terrific. She was interviewed by Ann Curry on the Today Show and it made the top ten in the San Francisco Chronicle!! It is the story of the wonderful art she creates, meeting her husband Alex who died climbing the Himalayas and then up to the present with her husband Conrad, Alex’s best friend.

The Oldenburg Inspection was a lovely event and the guests as well as the participants really enjoyed learning from the judges, Holly Simensen and Thomas Rhinow. It is nice to hear about stallions that will cross well with a person’s mare and the minor things they observe in the horses, both good and needing improvement.

We will have at least one foal to be inspected next year.

Sadly, Patricia Gamble lost her beloved Teddy at the age of 24. We had a small service and his ashes are buried at the ranch alongside Snoopy and Tally.

Lastly, we just purchased Coco Cavalli a top Grand Prix stallion. We are very excited about this and look forward to much happiness watching him and having his foals. He is on the east coast for showing purposes. A video is attached. We are looking forward to April and May when Cassie and Lillie will give us our first foals in two years!!

A warm thank-you to our clients, colleagues and friends for making 2008 such a wonderful time…we appreciate you in our lives.

Warmest regards,

Lisa

Please see the information page for directions and phone numbers. We will be hosting a lunch and are looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. We have a small outdoor kennel available for dogs.

We do have stalls and paddocks available for those of you traveling some distance, proof of vaccinations is required. Please let us know if your horse has any special dietary requirements.

Please call us at (406) 586-4788 or email Thunderball Ranch to reserve your space.

Sincerely,

Lisa Grossi

Lillie, our Holsteiner mare is being bred to Dacaprio next week. Prima was bred to Dacaprio the day before yesterday (May 13th) and yesterday and we are hoping to ET her so she can keep showing. Our yearling colts are just beautiful and have excellent manners. They are enjoying the pastures and their buddy Gandolf. The four seasons are so good for their immune systems. Turbo (Zelectric Slide), Lillie’s colt, is just beginning to lose his baby coat and winter coat! Foaling out on July 15th ‘07 kept him wooly! Looking good now!

During the summer of the inspection we also raised money for St.Jude’s with “Ride for St. Judes”. A bundle of thanks to Nancy Creel for her help in putting the event together. It was super successful and it was a blast too. This is something we’ll put on each year so give us a call to find out the dates.
Ok, more horse news. Prima is back in Pennsylvania for the summer circuit until after Devon at the end of October. Prima is being trained by a very talented and successful trainer, Sahar Hirosh. He also rides his Mother’s Grand Prix Stallions Coco Cavalli and Disco Danier, both at Grand Prix level. Disco is a full brother to Donnerhall!

Colton got his final I wrap this week and will be checked in two weeks. He really needs to get back to work. Henry, our Hanoverian, is doing beautifully in Dressage, however Krystyna has talked me into letting him jump this summer. Actually he loves it and is quite good.

On Sunday August 10, 2008, The Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society, North American Division of Verband der Zuchter des Olderberg Pferdes e. V. is having there inspections for mares, stallions and foals at our facility at Thunderball Equine Stables. All eligible horses, including thoroughbreds, who wish to be inspected are invited. If you are interested please email the Oldenburg horse breeders society.com. We will have stalls and paddocks available. Please call to reserve the stalls you need at 406 586-4788. Also, do let us know if your horse has any special dietary needs. We look forward to enjoying this event with you. Directions to our Ranch are on Request information page as well as all phone numbers. We will be hosting a lunch and are looking forward to seeing friends and making new ones!

Warmest Regards,

Lisa

St. Jude’s Ride Photo Gallery

Click any photo below to view a larger image.

Colton had tendon surgery on November 9th and is recovering very well. The recovery is months however with just walking and then just trotting in a straight line. He is a bit high strung so he might need a Bloody Mary with his breakfast to chill out during recovery.

The barn is complete. We just have to find all our stuff. But it turned out amazing. And I am quite pleased with the radiant heat!!

Prima spent the winter in Wellington Florida at the winter circuit there and I must say it was a pleasure to visit her and take a break from some of the weather here. We’ve had more snow this year than most people can remember.

Prima is with a very successful young rider Sahar Hirosh. She is doing very well. He also rides his Mother’s stallion Coco Cavalli and Disco Danier, a full brother to Donnerhall. Both horses have shown Grand Prix. Disco has shown Grand Prix in Europe as well as the United States.

I have Sahar’s colt, Coco, aswell as Turbo and Scamp. They are so very playful and a blast to watch around 4:30 in the afternoon… fun and cozy in a warm tack room.

Many many thanks to K B Building, Montana Crane Service and Montana Ready Mix for all their wonderful work on the Ranch. It looks amazing and works perfectly. Thanks especially to Del and Greg.

Our oldest son was married July 14thand the reception was in the arena. Turbo was born that night! The year was truly wonderful and we have some pretty nice memories.

Warmest Regards,

Lisa

We started on the remodel of our barn and surrounding areas. As of now (Oct. 1st) they are 95% complete. We have appreciated the patience of our guest boarders and hats off to my wonderful staff for camping out with our gear in one room!! The arena area was finished the day before my son, Bunkie, and his bride Miranda had their wedding reception there. But back to horses. Prima gave us the most correct and sweet colt at the end of March. And Lillie foaled out a beautiful colt the night of the wedding reception. His registered name has to start with a Z. A bit of a dilemma. So it was serendipitous that they played the Electric Slide so much as I will register him “Zlectric Slide!”

Both colts are remarkable. Prima and “Scamp” received the highest marks in Bucks County, Pennsylvania mid-September. Prima is now a Premium Mare in the Oldenburg Stud book and Scamp is a 2007 premium foal. Prima will be traveling with her trainer to Florida to show from November through April 2008.

Attached is a slide show that Sophie Livingston made for us. Thanks Sophie and we love having you, Sara, Isabel and Hailey at the barn!! Connor, Calvert, Cowboy and Isabel too!! Attached are pictures of the girls at the shows where they won some Champion and Reserve Champion awards. Hats off to you and your trainer Cindy Gidlewski.

Thank-you to Pam Dunkel for continuing to care for our horse’s hooves and Karen Neff for her wonderful massages our horses enjoy every two weeks.

Again, our clients had success and multiple awards showing Thunderball bred horses this summer. It is a challenge to keep horses conditioned and in “show” shape in this environment. Congratulations to all.

Thank-you to my clients and friends for your calls of concern when the website was not updated. These calls meant so much to me and I appreciate each and every one of you.

Have a lovely autumn and warm regards,

Lisa

I recently purchased a now 4 year Rheinlander mare we named Prima. Like Feline her growth plates made her sore when we collected her in training, so we just rode her in the hills and bred her to Sir Sinclair. Everyone has to have a job here, and a job well done, as Scamp became a Premium 2007 Oldenburg Foal.

We were fortunate to have a terrific clinic here by Jim Wofford. He is a wonderful communicator when you are riding and we all benefited from his visit. Thank you, Jim.

Pam Dunkle finally solved the mystery of GiGi’s long front feet: Pam carved away a false hoof that had been there before I bought her in 1997. Thanks, Pam, for a great job on Krisie too as she gets older.

Our “kids” (horses) get massaged every two weeks by Karen Neff, who runs Hands On Horses. It is amazing how she is able to do just the right touch and use natural oils to soothe any soreness one of them might have.

We have a new member of “other animals.” Jayla is a tri-colored long haired Chihuahua and has won the hearts of all the people that meet her. She has become the “darling” of all the carpenters, electricians, plumbers and concrete men that have been remodeling our barn.

All in all 2006 was a peaceful year and our family needed that, as did our staff; well, they are family too.

We sincerely hope that your year was filled with good things and I am back on track this September 2007.

As always warmest regards and thank you to all,

Lisa

With NO inventory what-so-ever there isn’t too much horse news, except for Stitch and Callie. Stitch seems to be growing in a very balanced way and Callie is either uphill or downhill, but growing “like a weed” as Dad would say!

I have attached a note from Kara Haynes about her summer on Gracie.

Personally, my summer went out with a thud. Jess and I were trying to get the hay up before it rained and I saw something on the ground…instead of climbing down off the tractor I jumped…right into a gopher hole and tore my ACL for a second time in 10 years. From my perspective, the Fall went slogging along. Then Michelle and Harley did a maneuver that put her ribs upside down or something keeping her off duty and horses for a few weeks and unable to ride until late January. The barn was an infirmary for us. Of course, minutes after my stitches came out I “gingerly” got on Lady and took her for a walk around the arena. After my surgery and a 2 week” pity party”, I took off with friends to Germany for the Championate in Warendorf. I’ve been able to do things that I’ve never made time for in the past. I even went to Yellowstone for the first time in at least 12 years!! You understand that I am “unemployed” at the moment and with a second surgery on December 13th. (Carefully planned, so that I do not have to take down the tree). I am experiencing a whole new way of living. I am at the barn and still able to do most things. However, it just goes to show you that you are NOT indispensable.

I am sad to report that our duck has passed on to greener ponds. We think Colton might inadvertently stepped on him. Colton has developed a real affection for our fowl. He kisses Goose on the neck and she just waddles down and enjoys the affection.

On a happier note, Anna misses Montana so much, that she should be here next semester. It will be wonderful to have her smiling face back at the barn, just in time to get Callie and Stitch started on Halter and Lunge Line. And our wonderful Ali is getting married!

And a job well done…Fred Richtsmeier, Jess and Bart got the dump truck up and running after being retired for the past 10 years. Thank-you so much! It has reduced the time on many chores around the Ranch.

Gandolf just arrived late October and is a perfect addition to our crowd! With surgery and my first PT appointment on Dec. 22nd, I am looking forward to schooling my boys again.

A heart felt thank-you to our employees, friends and clients that made this year so very special.

Since I started writing this update, my dear Mother passed away on November 12th. This was so unexpected. Even though she was not in the best of health, her death was a devastating blow, as I had envisioned some wonderful times in years to come, with her here in Bozeman. Again, I am so privileged to be part of such a loving community. Thank-you all for your love, support and understanding during this awful time for our family.

Please have a safe and wonderful Holiday Season and our sincere hope for your healthy and happy 2006.

In closing, I would like to honor David Catlin DVM, an excellent member of the community, veterinarian and friend. Your skills and sense of humor will be greatly missed. Dave died December 30th.

Defeat may serve as well as victory to shake the soul and let the glory out. When the great Oak strains in the storm, the boughs drink in new beauty as the roots send down stronger roots on the wayward side. Only the soul that knows the mighty grief can know the mighty rapture. Sorrows come to open up spaces in the heart for greater joy.

Warmest Regards,

Lisa

“Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion. It seizes a person whole and, once it has done so, he will have to accept that his life will be radically changed.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson