Twombly Arena Horse Sales

August 4, 2009

Dear Twombly Family,

Thought you might like to see some pictures of Cal on the colt we bought from you last fall, Docs Bronze Crown. I knew when I picked him out and Cal didn't say no, that he was going to be special. He is truly going to be a great all-around horse. From roping, ranch work to pleasure riding, anything you want to do on him he will gladly do. However, you had better be prepared to do it quickly. Yet, he is quite and easy to be around.

Last week we were lucky enough to be able to attend a "Chris Cox 3 Day Intermediate and Advanced Horsemanship Clinic".   It was held in Corvallis, Montana, only about three hours from us. We have wanted to attend one of his clinics for a long time, we think so highly of Chris's abilities, but Texas is such a long haul. Cal and Crown did such a great job. Lonsum went too, but the very long and hot days were too much for my lungs.

The 8-hour days were very intense. There were only 20 people in the class and Cal and Crown learned so much. At the end of the 3 days, Chris Cox gave a $250.00 award to the horse and rider who advanced the most. Many factors were taken into consideration, but Cal and Crown won the award. I cannot
tell you how proud I was of the two of them. I cried like an idiot. Dan, Cal has the same goofy look on his face as when I bought Lonsum Valentine from you.

So many people came up to both of us all weekend asking where did we get Crown. We told them about all three of the horses we have bought from you over the years and how we could not be more pleased with them and you guys. All three of the horses are different, but Lonsum is still the "top dog" and my beautiful baby. The buttermilk buckskin is big and tough and is great on the ranch. Dan, I gave your web site address and phone number to quite a few people and told them how great you and the whole family are.

It does not look like we will be able to make the fall sale. Although, we really wish we could. We think it's great you are having the sale at the ranch. Please send Cal a catalog as he is already wearing out the computer looking at your web site.

                  Take Care, Vandee and Cal DeCora,

Been meaining to touch base for some time, but you know how summers go with a 5 year old and a 2 year old girl to chase.

Demon "aka Bruiser" has found a home. I've not gotten a chance to put much time in or haul him around, but what we've done at home and how he has acted with Gracie has been just what we were looking for. Alies has doen a fantastic job in getting him to this point, he goes where you want and the trip doesn't bother him. He arrived as advertised and we are looking forward to getting to know him the rest of the summer and coming fall.

Thanks again for all your help thru this process. It's nice to know there are folks like you out there.

I just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with Jaybirds Bueno Guy (Lot #49). I brought him to a little local show yesterday and arrived late and just had time to saddle him before entering the arena.

He rode into the arena like a horse twice his age and experience. It was just a little pleasure class and he didn't win but I was very proud of the way he handled the situation. You did a fabulous job starting this guy. Thanks John, this little gelding is a keeper.

Just wanted to "Thank You" for all of your help answering my questions during your sale and letting me know which horse would workout best for me.

I've really enjoyed my new horse "Reno" better known by all of you as Rusty. I felt Reno fit him since it was such a gamble going to Wyoming and picking out a horse and driving home -- all by myself. He is working out just great! I've been collecting him up so that he now picks up his leads on the first beat. We will be moving over 800 head of cattle off of wheat Thursday and Friday and shipping them to our ranched in the Flint Hills. I can't wait to use Reno!! Thanks again.

We made it home last night at 1 AM. We were going to stay somewhere along the way and arrive today, but, we decided to make it a 16 hour trip.

This filly has done a great job, seeing as she has been on a horse trailer since 9AM Friday, with little break in between. We really enjoy her. I have to admit that we have had some bad “ranch raised” experiences. This filly, however, has been kind, gentle, willing, and easy to be around. She was standing and then “begging” for the curry comb this afternoon.

Apparently, your weather is following her. After she arrived in Arizona, we were hit with high winds, snow, then heavy rain. On our trip home, we hit a sandstorm in Barstow, Ca. with 70 MPH headwind, 60 MPH headwind and snow in Tehachapi, Ca., almost zero vis fog the last 100 miles home. We then woke up this AM, to a highly unusual 3-4 inches of wet snow. (Glad we came in last night, as they shut the highway down).

Thanks so much for responding to our question about Ducky ! We have been tossing around all kinds of names for this gentle giant.... and the name "Ducky" has grown on us. I guess that is going to be his name !! I wanted to write to you to tell you about the first few days with Ducky. It started with his ride to California. The hauler broke down in Arizona and his truck was hauled to the dealer. It was late so the guy called a friend of his who came and got Ducky and brought him to his ranch. We were so disappointed and so worried about the horse. The dealer told him it was going to cost over $8000.00 to get his truck going. He said no way and bought a new truck. It then took another day to put on the hitch on so he could tow the trailer. It seemed to take forever to get to our home in California. We waited up all night and he arrived on a cold windy rainy night at 3:30 am. We ran down to meet him and Ducky came out very very scared with his eyes bugged out !! I thought OH NO! I took him up to the barn and got him in his stall and of course he peed right away. He was really hungry too ! The next morning we got up like it was Christmas morning and ran to the barn. We let Ducky out in the arena and he went nuts!! And I thought OH NO! He has a huge buck. Back and forth bucking !! This went on for a few days. We waited one week before my daughter was brave enough to get on the big boy. He was PERFECT!!!! He has been oh so wonderful since that day. This was my husbands idea to buy this horse and I knew nothing about it until he was bidding. I believe we are blessed! This horse fits so perfectly in our family. I will have John send you some pictures of him. He sleeps in a large box stall with shavings every night and we open his door in the morning to a very large turnout area. He has a best friend... our other horse "Hollywood" and 2 miniatures horses he seems to think are pretty funny. He has a wonderful life with us. We just want to say Thank-You very much for your honesty. We truly love Ducky !!!!!!!

Hi Alies. This is Melissa - I am the one that bought "Monster," the blue roan gelding this last fall. I just wanted to drop you a line to update you on the best horse in the world. I meant to send you a Christmas card but I just never quite got my act together.

Anyway, Blue is doing terrific. I am boarding him at a beautiful stable on the south side of Denver with access to lots of trails and facilities. We haven't been doing much riding lately because it always seems to be eaither too icy, too muddy, or too cold & windy, but I do take him for long jogs (I'm training for a marathon) just to keep him in shape and give him a change of scenery.

The picture I attached is of him and his best friend Luke on one of our walks last week at their stable. He is an absolute sweetheart, so willing to please, and I'm just really enjoying him.

Thank you so much for all the work you did with him, and with our sales transaction. Hope all is well.

Thank you for taking the time to visit with me on the phone today regarding what horses you currently have available.

I can't say enough about the horse I bought from you last January. We LOVE HIM, LOVE HIM, LOVE HIM He has been a highlight to each and everyday of my life since we purchased him. Still a stallion and as peaceful as any gelding under normal circumstances.

Thanks for selling us such a great horse and friend. You and your family were completely honest and forthright about my horse and he was EXACTLY AS REPRESENTED.

I would recommend you to anyone that is looking for a better quality horse that will have a lot of shape, quality and eye appeal.

I bought "Ace", Zan Its Two Eyed, at the auction in Torrington. Of the hundred+ horses I have owned or rescued, he is the one I have waited for my whole life. He turned two the day after I bought him, and one week later he went into training. Mel Dahl in Jackson, Wyoming, had him the first two months, and then I turned him over to Grant Golliher, the Horse Whisperer in Buffalo Valley, Wyoming.

He has had him one year, and is absolutely in love with him. Ace is extremely intelligent, very easy to train, very, very willing to learn, and so calm about anything you expose him to. His temperment is the best I have ever experienced. He loves to chase cows, and does so at every opportunity!! We are training him for all events in the World Show, and letting him show us his strongest interest.

I want to thank you again for the wonderful colt you sold me. Zan It colts are, in my opinion, the best on today's market. I have several friends who went to your spring sale, and to yesterdays sale, and they have all bought Zan It colts. I am doing my best to spread the word about the quality of his offspring.

Ann,

George got word from Tia that you were asking for pictures of Cinch. Rebecca is in love with Cinch and has had a wonderful summer.

I've got lots of "cute" stories about Rebecca & Cinch. She is doing real well at the horse shows. Thanks for a wonderful horse!

Hi Ann & Dan -
Would you please send us a spring sale catalog. Cal has been drooling over your internet catalog and would like to see a hard copy. It just doesn't seem to matter how many good horses we have, there always seems to be room for more. I had hoped to be able to send you some spring branding pictures by now of Lonsum, but the weather

has been to cold to start branding yet. I LOVE MY BOY!!! He is wonderful. He's quiet and sweet with me, and Cal uses him a little on the ranch and really likes him. He roped a few calves last week with him and was impressed. He teases me that Lonsum is so spoiled, he is and I love him. I can't tell you how many people Cal has told about your sale and how impressed he was. We have good horses in Idaho and we own a few of them, but your sale was very impressive. Maybe we'll see you this fall.

"ZAN ITS MIRACLE"
We are really enjoying Miracle. He is so awesome. I think you might get a lot of business in the future. He is by far one of the nicest colts in the East. People are seeing it & asking lots of questions. We laid over in Indiana on our way home from getting him from Dan. We competed there at a USTRC roping. I rode Miracle around each day after the roping was over. They left the cattle in the pen & we got him acquainted with them. He is going to be a real good cow horse. He has presence about him that seems like he knows what the cow is going to do, even before the ole cow does. We like that a lot. One fellow there at the roping, was a performance horse trainer. He was blown away with the fact that he was only two. He looks, acts & performs like at least a 4yr old. We're great friends with Charlie Daniels Ranch foreman. He wanted to buy Miracle for Charlie. I had a few other offers, but I just told folks we had some pretty big plans for the colt. Miracle is a true gentleman & we love him to pieces. However we don't spoil him. He's getting better all the time & I think he has what it takes to go all the way. Shawn Flarida moved to Ohio. He would have rode him for us, but I didn't want to send him that far right now. It's important that we have a horse left after reining, because were planning on getting JD Yates to put head/heel & calf roping on him. Mike McIntyre is 40 min. from us, I think he's currently ranked third in the world in reining. We're planning on getting him to ride Miracle. That way we can monitor his progress. Meanwhile, while he's waiting to go to Mikes, were continuing his education in reining & using him around the ranch to work cows. He is a true joy to be around. Everyone should know how nice Zan It foals are. I'm going to the McQuay Stables web site to let Tim & Colleen know how nice Zan Its colts are. They love to hear about the Dun It get. Thanks again for all the help over the past two & 1/2 years. My Miracle was worth the wait. THANK YOU so much for such a great horse. I'm truly bessed by God to have him.

Just wanted to let you know that the little buckskin we bought a week or so ago, is doing well. Would like to especially thank John for the "handle" he put on him. In the limited riding done so far, he has been a pleasure to ride. Good mind, well mannered, moves out freely, and is not spooky of things, considering he is just a three year old. It is obvious that Dan has a good eye for good horse flesh with good minds on them.

We got the catalog yesterday and Tom has been looking to see what you have that we can go two ways with. He wants to know what you think about lots 25, 30 and 45. You have always been honest and up front with us and have worked with us to get us to this point in the kid's lives.

We'd like to say a special thank-you to Alisa, John & Tia for all their help in showing us all their horses, a job well done. If you ever find yourselves wanting to see Vancouver Island, please look us up, Bob would love to take you all fishing.

I drove from Atlanta, Georgia to the April 21, 2002 sale. When I visited your farm on Saturday before you got back, I was greeted by Alies and shown all the horses I was interested in. Your daughter did an excellent job answering my questions and representing your family's sale. I felt very welcome to visit your arena and meet you and your family.

I was lucky enough to be the high bidder on Lot 30 'Coyote'. I had no idea how lucky I was until I had him home for a few days. In the roping arena, he is the finest head horse I have ever ridden, quick, catty, fast, calm in the box, pulls, faces, you name it. Two days after I got home I put one of my adult riding students on him. What a pup, laid back and babysitting. He is very easy going and easy to be around which you know.

Tom & I wanted to send you a note to let you know how very very happy we are with our horse BJ (the paint) that we bought from you in August. We absolutely love him. He is gentle and well mannered. Buying sight unseen is kind of scary, but we are totally happy with him. Tom is riding him now, but my 20 year black Gelding is slowing down & I hope Tom will

pass him on to me when the time comes. We would definitely like to buy another horse from you if you have more like BJ. Please send us your catalogs and up coming sales. We don't have a lot of money to spend but the range BJ was in works for us. I enclosed a couple of pictures a friend took of him with her daughter in Sept./Oct. Tom thinks he's grown some in the last couple months. He is beautiful as well as sweet. Thank you again. We will wait to hear from you!