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Photo Above: My daughter riding a 20 year old Walking Horse, Pepper, through the Keyhole pattern at the
Trempealeau County 4-H Horse show. I can't even tell you what year this was but it was a long time ago.
She won the high point trophy in the Junior Division that year with this old horse who had never shown before.
What Our Customers Are Saying
This is what our buyers and visitors are saying about our Echo foals:
Rachel from Ontario, Canada, about her filly, NFF My Echo's Foxxy Lady: "She is the most independent, intelligent
little thing I have ever seen. "Where's my grain, where's my hay, talk to me and pet me." I just love that little thing!
She also has a grand run-walk in the pasture with head just a bobbin'."
Valerie from Graceville, Florida, about her filly, NFF Wilson's MayFlower: "If someone offered me ten thousand dollars
for this filly, I would not take it. When I visited your farm I was not looking to buy a horse. Once I got home, I looked
at your website and had to have her. There is something special about her that caught my eye. I see greatness in her.
Star Gray is so mellow you would think he was a gelding. He has great nerve and disposition."
Marianna from Estes Park, Colorado, about her filly, NFF Wilson's Aurora: "I just love her. My friend, Lisa, had her
husband snap a few photos and I believe he captured her "doing the walk", which delights me beyond belief. I'm
delighted with Aurora, believe we may call her "Rose", she's delicate and gaity!"
Reprinted with permission from Marjorie Lacy, Editor, Canadian Walking Horse News, from the January/February
2004 issue: Rachel Hill of Fort Frances, Ontario writes "I am excited to report that I have purchased NFF My Echo's
Foxxy Lady from Diane Sczepanski of Northern Foundations Farm, Whitehall, WI, a beautiful chestnut sabino filly.
This fine little filly is by Diane's wonderful stallion, Echo's Star Gray Wilson and out of a Red Bud's Rascal mare,
Rascal's Favorite Lady. I just can't believe how laid back this young thing is. Diane had only recently weaned her
and she traveled all the way home just fine. Nothing seems to bother Foxxy, and she just loves people. I am sure
part of it is due to her great foundation breeding and the wonderful dispositions of both her dam and sire, but I also
think a lot of it has to do with the work Diane commits to her weanlings. Part of the reason I am settled on Diane's
program was the package she offered with her babies. She starts them off with a good ground program getting them
halter broke, used to obstacles such as ramps, poles, barrels, and tarps. She has them all used to a pony saddle
on their backs, loading in trailers, and having their feet handled. They are led and handled on a daily basis and
it shows. But above all, it was obvious Diane poured her heart into raising these babies. Walking amongst her
many horses in the field, I could have brought any one of them home, they were all beautiful. I know I will enjoy
having Foxxy."
Joan Hendricks, Wisconsin, said, "You are right about educating people about the difference between the "Big Lick"
horses and the "real" TWHs. I can't tell you how many horses we looked at when a friend and I were looking for
a Walker. That's why I was so impressed with Star Gray when I first saw him (and got to ride him when he wasn't trained)."
Sue, from South Dakota, writes, "We are sooooo appreciative of how much you handled Queenie and Melanie, and
although we don’t get to mess with them every single day, they have that loving and caring foundation and they are
so smart and learn quickly. You must have lots of patience to teach them. So just think about all the foals you’ve
handled in the past and be thankful they turn out so nice. "
Dawna Hanson, Eau Claire, Wisconsin has been working with Laura on some groundwork training with Jewel, the
2003 filly from Williams Annabelle. Dawna writes:"Yes, I have been working with Jewel. Oh I love that little filly!!!!
Our plan is for me to work with her once a week. So far I have been trying to take Jewel up to her tolerance level
of "work" and then back off. We are accomplishing things in tiny steps, but moving forward. You can tell she has
had some prior good training too. I am sooooo impressed with that little horse!!! She has such a wise soul for
such a youngster! She listens so closely and has such good attention span she actually tunes in to your intentions!!!
She seems to be very smart and learns fast. If you get that with breeding Anna's sisters to Star Gray, I can't see how
any one elses babies can beat it!!!! I can't explain enough how incredible that little horse is!! I always thought
Anna had such a deep soul, something special I sensed inside of her. I hope her sisters have it too!"
Angela Etheridge of Franklin, Virginia says this about Chantilly Lace, better known as "Tilly": "I absolutely can not
thank you enough for my little girl. She is absolutely a dream come true. As you know I started working with her
some on parking out the day after she arrived, she has been here for 5 days and all ready she will automatically
start "parking herself" as soon as I stop walking. She ties wonderfully-doesn't even move a step. She'll stand quietly
to be fly sprayed--and even today I introduced her to the clippers--she was a little leery but never got upset and
touched the clippers twice with her nose while they were on and allowed me to lightly trim the long hairs under her
jaw and chin. We do daily in hand exercises--and she will calmly leave the barn for a walk without getting overly
emotional about being away from the other horses. The work you put into these babies just shines through.......I
have recommended you to a few people who are looking at getting a new walker, and I wouldn't be surprised if we
don't look into getting another one from you in the future. Thank you ever so much for this gal--I love her more
every day."
More from Angela:
"Well let me start off by AGAIN, thanking Diane for this marvelous girl. Her first ever show was today and she
was an Angel.........We had 2 horses get loose one ran by the trailer and the other actually got loose at the trailer
beside us and Tilly handled it GREAT.
4 hours after arrival it was finally time for our class (they were running a tad slow) 9 horses showed up for the Two
and Under class (that includes Tilly and my gal Hope) as more entries showed up around the ring...I turned to hubby,
Ed, who was showing Hope for me--and told him I don't think we will be leaving with a ribbon----there were some
NICE horses....QHs, a drop dead gorgeous paint yearling, Warmblood, Friesian, a Welsh Cob..and of course my girls.
I went in with Tilly before Ed entered with Hope....because I thought Tilly would get upset about Hope walking away
from her-but Tilly will willingly walk away and left Hope---so I went in first. Tilly was a good girl, she really didn't want
to pick up speed-but the judge walked a little ways behind her kissing to her to help me urge her on-and we got a few
good flat walk strides in. She stood like a dream in line up as the judge made her way to look at us. I was just
beaming she stood so well, I was so proud--and kept repeatedly telling her how very proud I was of her---that she
was a very special girl--and that Dixie was watching us and how thankful I was for her, and to her for allowing me
to come to her in the most hardest times and cry into her mane. As I am saying all this to Tilly I hear the announcer
come on and start reading off the results of the class--I'm still telling Tilly all of the above-and listening for Hope's
name to be called (I knew she had a better chance of a ribbon than a TWH in an open breed show) and all of a
sudden it hits me what they are saying on the PA--I heard Chantilly Lace--THEY HAD CALLED HER NAME--my jaw
just dropped--then I realized they had called her for FIRST place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unconsciously I reached for the necklace
around my neck that holds a small amount of Dixie's cremains and kissed the celtic heart knot that decorates it...I
was in absolute tears.....NFF Wilson Chantilly Lace had won her first ever class at her first ever show. As I lead Tilly
from the ring I heard Hope's name called for 6th. We didn't have anyone with us to take pics while we were in
the ring...but here are some we took after...........I am SOOOO very proud of this little girl. my mind is still reeling......."
Beth Stephens, Beason, Illinois, bred her mare, Ebony's Miss Shadow to Star Gray in 2004. Here is what she says
about her foal: "Diane, He’s got that head nodding, overstriding walk! He is so easy to work with! I can’t say
enough about how lucky I am to have found you and Star Gray for my colt! The farrier was out for the second time,
and he just stood there. He was more interested in checking out the guys pockets than worried about his feet.
Leading has come a long way, oh, he’ll still check to see if I REALLY want him to move, but once I turn him to
the side to unlock his feet, then he’ll follow where ever I take him."
Mary Ann from Casey, Illinois says this about NFF Wilson's Lady Scarlet, now known as Rosie: "Yes, she does
like the scratches under the chin! She is doing well with her ground training. I use the Clinton Anderson
method for weanlings and yearlings. SHE IS A LITTLE GAITER! She takes off across the pasture in the nicest
little walk I have ever seen!!! I'm so glad I bought her, my husband has even been out there petting her and
thinks she is the sweetest thing."
Rachel Hill, Ontario, Canada says in an email on March 12, 2006:
A while back I had stuck to a schedule with Foxxy, doing just small stuff with her like tacking her up, leading her
around a little and grooming her. She absolutely thrives on the attention. The most I had done riding with her
was small training rides in a small ring I made. We would go around a couple of times in each direction and then
I would ask her to halt and turn. I have done this maybe 6 times, never really sitting on her back for more than
15 minutes. But the last 6 weeks have been one snow fall after another and the ring is almost impossible to ride in.
This morning I had two friends show up to go riding with me, one beginner rider and one seasoned.I thought what
the heck, I need to start doing something with this mare so I saddled Foxxy up keeping in mind the limited
training I had done with her and away we went. I put the green rider on Eb and the more experienced rider
on Ransom and just hoped he would go nice and easy. She was incredible, Diane. It was like she had been
riding for years and was amazing. The trail ranged from deep soft snow and trees she had to walk over to shear
ice patches. She did it all like a pro. And.....her gait is marvelous!!!!
She entertained us all too. This time of year there are things popping out of the snow banks with the melting
snow. As a three year old Ransom was kind of freaked by this. Foxxy wanted to check everything out right up
close and taste most of it! I know I will have a fun season with her this year.
Get Star Gray to keep making babies Diane, they are special.
Rachel
Val from Graceville, Florida sent this message on May 7, 2006:
I tell you Diane, Flower was gaiting better BAREFOOT than with a regular keg shoe. Image that? The only
reason I put shoes on her was because her hooves were wearing square in front. Put front shoes on her and
now she moves different. Wish I never put shoes on her. She was GAITING BETTER and FASTER- BAREFOOT
than with shoes on? Go Figure?
Now that's what I call GOOD BREEDING..........I think the mares that you are crossing with Star Gray is the perfect
combination. The stars in Wisconsin must of been shining a little brighter the night Flower was born. She is a
special mare and I Thank God for being the lucky one who called you and bought that little filly. Never dreamed
she'd top out at 16 hands. She impresses everyone who sees her. I never dreamed she could rack at over 17 mph
and be just as smooth as if I was doing a running walk.
Love my Flower..
Thank you for selling me the BEST HORSE I have every owned!!
God Bless,
Valerie
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