Copper lived virtually in our backyard in Colorado. Here's Copper and our German Shepherd Cody enjoying the snow and being silly on a sunny winter day.

In July 2005 we moved to Oklahoma. Now Copper lives at Okie Cattle Co. amongst show-quality Longhorn cattle, top shelf hunting dogs (pointers), and other horses. This is one of the pictures used for her registration application.

Trakehners are a pure breed, meaning they have a closed stud book. They are allowed to be crossed with Thoroughbreds and Arabians (as in Copper's case), though the offspring must be inspected to be included in the stud book.

In November 2005 we loaded her up and took her to the national convention and inspection in Conroe Texas (north of Houston). It was an act of blind faith, but the results were awesome. Copper won her class at the show and was accepted into the Preliminary Stud Book at inspection. Her inspector was Brad Kerbs, one of the most respected of a small circle of inspectors. Inspectors share with the audience their comments on each candidate. When I had finished presenting Copper he took the microphone and said to the audience, "Steve is an Episcopal priest, and Steve, today your prayers have been answered!". Copper had never been away from home, and her behavior was perfect. She is intelligent, willing, giving, kind, and athletic. She's more than I've ever hoped for.

Each year the ATA holds a benefit Stallion Service Auction. Last year we won the bid for a season to Tycoon, a very promising young Trakehner stallion. In the midst of the move to OK last year we didn't get Copper settled. We've bred her again this year (2006) and feel hopeful that she is in foal. Tycoon is pictured here in training. Reports suggest that he shows great promise in 3-Day Eventing, but also has a rich pedigree for dressage and hunter. 

Serenity Ibcar is the sire of Copper. An Egyptian Asil Arabian sport horse, Ibcar is a gem. Asil is a title given to Arabians who can be proven to descend solely from pure desert ancestry. He has proven himself at Arabian and open sport horse competitions both in-hand and under saddle.

The story of Copper's beginning is an interesting one. Dennis and Lee Ackerman are breeders of Arabian and Trakehner sporthorses (www.monumentasil.com). Their relationship with the master Trakehner breeders, the Petersons of New Mexico, began with their purchase of the Trakehner Grand Prix Dressage mount Ibsen. Out of that relationship came the opportunity to breed the pick of the Peterson's impressive mare band to one of the Ackerman's Arabian stallions. Upon inspection the Ackerman's chose xXXXXXXXX, who is out of the same dam as Ibsen, thus a half sister. They chose Serenity Ibcar to breed to this "choicest of the choice". The result is Ima Copper Girl. We are indebted to the Ackerman's for allowing Copper to come into our lives. Give them a look if you're interested in a really classy sporthorse.