2022: In Review

At the Bar W it is pretty simple. We are a two man, Father and Son operation. Anything that has to be done will have one of our hands in the mix. Because of this our time is limited in the directions we can go. During the past two years as we have operated under the Bar W brand it has been a constant battle between “What is the right plan?” and “What is the plan right now?”. Although 2022 seems to have been the year of taking it one step at a time, before we move forward. I think it’s important to share how this experience has grown and continues to.

Coming off of a disappointing 2021 season where we were unable to locate a facility to AI our mares, my father shattered his hip in a logging accident, which in turn halted all construction plans we had, and forced us to cancel our breeding contracts for the year. We fell short with what we expected to be able to accomplish. Coming into 2022 the goal was to complete the tasks at hand. Which first and foremost was to make sure we had foal crops on the ground moving forward each year. We were lucky enough to acquire breeding contracts from the Four Sixes Horse Division for SIXES PICK (Versatility Ranch Champion and accomplished sire & own son of Tanquery Gin) & METALLIC REY MINK (2019 NCHA Futurity Champion & own son of METALLIC CAT). We were still unable to work with a facility though to complete our AI requirements in North Carolina. So we were once again at a road block. After comparing our options the decision was made. We calculated our mares heat cycles, planned our route with stops, and hauled our stock to Texas. The decision came down to one simple factor. We could hope someone would be able to complete the job we needed done in a neighboring state. Or haul the mares to a world class facility, where when we picked the mares up. There would be no doubt of success. Several people called us crazy for hauling horses that far just to breed, especially in the age of Veterinarian technology we live in. But if you cant get the resources to the horse, you take the horse to the resources.

While in Texas we were able to visit our friends at Frank Perkins Quarter Horses, watch the NCHA Super Stakes cutting show, and explore Ft. Worth. It was in Will Rogers Coliseum though I was reflecting on the long conversation with Don Perkins where the next part of our plan would begin. It became very clear to me that we needed to be able to breed our own mares consistently and only rely on AI for special outcrosses. I had a stallion picked out before we had left for Texas, but in sticking to the plan of one step at a time I took the trip as a chance to weigh the decision. Keeping a standing stud is not an easy decision, but it was the next one, a week after returning from Texas we loaded back up and headed to Chinquapin North Carolina to buy SUN UN DUN from the Press Ranch (Own son of AQHA world Champion MR SUN O LENA, originally bred and foaled on Perkins Ranch) .

With our mares bred, a quality stud in our barn, adding him into NCHA & Ranch incentives. We had finally created the momentum needed. Which would domino into picking up a granddaughter of ON THE MONEY RED (leading sire of money-earning barrel horses six times between 1991 and 2002) out of Ohio, as well as a granddaughter of SIXES PICK (Versatility Ranch Champion and accomplished sire & own son of Tanquery Gin) & ROJO GOOSE (50% Gooseberry Stallion, 98.43% Foundation of Aaron Ranch) from Mississippi. To tie our knot in the 2022 season we sent a mare to an outside trainer for the first time as well, which was a big step into a new part of the equine industry. We broke ground on our new barn/pastures, have acquired acreage we will be able to lease, and continue to grow each year. Looking back we were able to accomplish or start the majority of our goals throughout the year, but looking forward into 2023 there is more work to be done.

This is just the beginning for Bar W Quarter Horses. We hope to grow our mare herd, foal some amazing colts, offer more breeding services, continue to create a network of like minded people and resources. If you have any interest in breeding, buying, networking, or business opportunities feel free to reach out: barwr2020@gmail.com

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