Get Up Close and Personal With Sires Like Zippos Sensation, A Scenic Impulse, John Simon and More During 2015 TX Farm Tour
Zippos Sensation
By: Brittany Bevis
You’ve seen their pictures in the glossy pages of our magazine and witnessed their offspring earn countless accolades in the show pen, but have you ever seen them up close and in person? Now is your chance to have a once-in-a-lifetime meet and greet with some of the top APHA and AQHA stallions in the horse industry today.
It’s all part of Texas Farm Tour Day, which is scheduled to take place the day prior to the start of the APHA Convention in February. Spearheaded by APHA National Director Alison Umberger, the Texas Horse Country Farm Tour has been organized to allow the public to meet stallions like A Scenic Impulse, The Big Sensation, Zippos Sensation, Radical Rodder, John Simon, I Got Em Talkin, I Only Date Models, and many more.
“For those of us traveling long distances for the meetings in Fort Worth, this is a great opportunity to see many well known ranches and stallions,” Umberger says. “I received a great response and have nine facilities participating, including Highpoint Performance Horses, Simons Show Horses, and McQuay Stables. This is a self-guided tour, so people can make their own schedule and will need to have their own transportation. Carpool space will be available and can be coordinated on the Facebook event page or by emailing me at ali.umberger@gmail.com.”
APHA stallion John Simon
APHA members traveling to Texas next month won’t want to miss this unique opportunity. The Farm Tour will take place Thursday, February 26th encompassing the area in and around Pilot Point, Aubrey, Tioga, Gainesville, and Whitesboro.
Nine equine facilities including McEquine Enterprises, Kristin Layher Show Horses, Highpoint Performance Horses, Manor House Ranch, Schroeder Ranch, McQuay Stables, Mitchell’s Show Horses, Select Breeders Southwest, and Simons Show Horses have agreed to open their doors to the viewing public.
It’s important to note that this event is not affiliated with APHA in any official capacity, and there is no cost to participate. Organizers are recommending that, in lieu of payment, participants make a donation to the American Paint Horse Foundation Youth Scholarship Fund.
Visiting hours for the stallions have been set by each individual facility with some by appointment only. Check the list below to make arrangements if necessary. For those interested in carpooling with a group from the Convention location in Fort Worth, email ali.umberger@mail.com or RSVP on the Facebook event page 2015 APHA Convention Farm Tour.
Farm Tour Day – February 26, 2015
*please note visiting hours set by facility*
- A Scenic Impulse– Standing at: McEquine Enterprises
Also standing: Certain Potential, Huntin For Chocolate, Only In The Moonlight, Good Machinery, Invitation To Flash, and Doya Think Im Flashy.
390 Gunter Rd, Whitesboro, Texas
Contact: Rick McDonald 903.816.1559
Kim McDonald 903.267.3914
Hours: 11am to 5pm
- The Big Sensation- Standing at: Kristin Layher Show Horses
10415 Friendship Rd, Pilot Point, TX 76258
Contact: Please call Kristin at 940-435-8322 when you’re on your way
Hours: 8am to 5pm
- I Got Em Talkin- Standing at: Highpoint Performance Horses
Also Standing: Hot Ones Only, Hubba Hubba Huntin, VS Code Red, and VS Flatline
11015 Cole Road, Pilot Point, TX
Contact: Christi at 940-440-2006
Please call for hours
- I Only Date Models- Standing at: Manor House Ranch
10415 Friendship Rd, Pilot Point, TX 76258
Contact: Brian Raggio 940-367-1584 or Deena Raggio 940-367-1585
Please call for hours
- John Simon- Standing at: Schroeder Ranch
6736 E Hwy 82, Gainesville, TX 76240
Contact: Joan Schroeder 940-668-6469
Please call for hours
- McQuay Stables- Home of APHA Hall of Fame inductee Colonels Smoking Gun “Gunner”
Standing: Yellow Jersey, Holleywoodstinseltown, Mister Nicadual, Smart and Shiney, and Gunners Tinseltown
15135 E. FM 922, Tioga, TX 76271
Contact: Cori Slingerland 940-437-2470
Hours: 8am to 5pm (Lunch is from 12-1)
11250 Osburn Rd, Pilot Point, Tx 76258
Contact: JT 918-271-2194
Katie 918-605-9597
Please call for hours
- Radical Rodder- Standing at: Select Breeders Southwest
2982 Rock Hill Rd, Aubrey, TX 76227
Zach Kahn cell- 940-465-4359
Please call for hours
- Simons Show Horses– Standing: Original Cowboy and Zippos Sensation
9811 Friendship Rd, Pilot Point, TX 76258
Contact: Sara Simons 940-367-5651
Andrea Simons 940-367-3053
Hours: By appointment
Other points of interest:
Clark’s Outpost Bar-B-Q
101 N Hwy 377, Tioga, TX 76271
(940) 437-2414
Paul Taylor Saddle Company
7849 Highway 377 South
Pilot Point, TX 76258
(940) 765-7977
