Infidels Shadow...
Mark spent time recently riding Infidels Shadow (Thee Infidel x Shadys Moonshadow) for A.J.Glick of Roanoke. Shadow is by Mark's mare "Boo" and has a special place in our hearts.
Rockbridge Hunt Pony Club...
Karen Lanning and members of the Rockbridge Hunt Pony Club spent a recent Saturday afternoon with us and learned a bit about the breeding world...
Spring Arabian Classic...
Deb took a TON of pics at this year's Spring Arabian Classic horse show in Lexington, Virginia...check them out...
Pregnancy & Foaling Seminar...
Pregnancy & Foaling was the topic of our latest Client Seminar. The birth of a new colt at 12:30 a.m. the morning of the seminar could not have been better timing!!
The New Custer Boys...
Carol and Junior Custer of Check, Virginia, have two new baby boys in their family, born just 24 hours apart. Check out these pictures of their first time out in the biggie world!!
Talaria Farms Halter Seminar...
Newnan, Georgia was the destination for some of the Amethyst Acres gang this past weekend. Even a tornado hitting Atlanta didn't deter this group...check it out...
Dee Dee Butcher...
The skies cleared and the sun came out this past Saturday just long enough for Teresa to have a nice ride on her beautiful mare Dee Dee....
March 1st Newcomer's Seminar...
March offered a blustery but sunny day for our latest Straight Egyptian Newcomer Seminar...but we had a great group and a great day looking at beautiful horses!
Breeding Seminar...
Several of our Straight Egyptian Arabian breeders recently attended a seminar entitled "Understanding Your Broodmare" in preparation for the breeding season...check out these pics...
Shalinay and Sarah...
Debra Geiser, breeder of the beautiful Straight Egyptian Arabian mare Shalinay Nile DMF, braved the cold temperatures earlier this week to watch Shalinay's owner Sarah Burns ride. Watch for Shalinay and Sarah at the Spring Arabian Classic in Lexington!!
Dee Dee Butcher Under Saddle...Part 2...
Check out these pictures of Teresa Butcher riding her beautiful Straight Egyptian Arabian mare "Dee Dee"...just a week after being started under saddle!!! Congratulations Teresa...you guys look great together!!
Dee Dee Butcher Under Saddle..
The beautiful Straight Egyptian Arabian mare Dasani Dari, or Dee Dee, had her first round pen lesson with Mark today and passed with flying colors...
Momma Pam and Her Kiddos...
Pam Lemon of Roanoke had a wonderful afternoon recently riding her two kids...Krystal and Spirit. This was her first ride on Krystal, who just recently graduated from Mark's training school! Don't they look great together??
Garth & Trent Master the Saddle...
There are definitely future equestrians in the Butcher family...check out Garth and Trent getting riding lessons from Mark on Ellie Crabtree's very patient mare Deena Doriana....
Miss Krystal Under Saddle...
Shebas Krystal Mist, owned by Krystal Mist Arabians of Troutville, Virginia, started her saddle training this weekend. Even though she has a reputation for being a "tinee bit spoiled"....she was a good girl for Mark and is beautiful under saddle!!
Mia Meets Her Sisters...
Mia Moniet RCA was delivered to her new home on Christmas eve by some Amethyst Acres elves...and had a good time checking out her new horsie & human family...
Rachel's BIG surprise...
Rachel Custer had the surprise of her life this past weekend...she thought she was coming to ride Regal so we could get some good video footage of him before he went home. Instead....well, go to the pictures and see for yourself......
December 1st Newcomer's Seminar...
December delivered a beautiful, sunny day for our most recent Egyptian Arabian Newcomer's Seminar and we had a great crowd on hand to hear Shawn Crews of Arabians Ltd. talk about the breed.
Floyd County 4-H Club...
On Saturday, November 10th, we had a visit from the Floyd County 4-H Club and had a great time showing them around the farm and introducing them to a variety of equine breeds, including Paints, QH's, Arabians, Saddlebreds, Friesians and a big Shire!!
Halloween Spooks...
Things got a little scary at the Purple Gang Halloween Cookout when a Green Witch and some guy that looked like Beetlejuice showed up!! We would have had more photos if the "witch" had remembered to bring her camera....thanks to Teresa Butcher for capturing these images!!
Mia Moniet RCA...
A big congratulations to Jean and Skip Skipper of Callaway, Virginia on the purchase of their beautiful Straight Egyptian Arabian filly Mia Moniet RCA (Thee Infidel x Minstrils Moniet by The Minstril). Welcome to the Purple Gang!!!!
Arabians Ltd. Showing & Training Seminar...
Mark and Deb spent the weekend of September 21-23 in Waco with the Arabians Ltd. gang during their Client Showing & Training Seminar...and Deb took a ton of pictures...so, enjoy!
Spike & Dori...
Congratulations to Cynthia and Doc Petty of Tenkenva Arabians in Mascot, Tennessee on the purchase of the handsome Thee Desperado son WF Ali Salil (a.k.a. Spike) and the beautiful Magic Elixir filly Dorianas EPYC Magic (a.k.a. Dori).
Sarah and Shalinay...
Congratulations to Sarah Burns of Roanoke, Virginia on the purchase of her first Straight Egyptian mare, Shalinay Nile DMF (Pimlico RCA x Kiyaras Nile Star by Ansata Nile Bay). Shalinay was bred by Debra and David Geiser of Lexington, Virginia, who also bred Pimlico RCA. Watch for pictures of Shalinay under saddle coming very soon...yeah Sarah!!!!!!
National Breeders Conference...
Several of the Amethyst Acres gang recently attended the Pyramid Society's National Breeders Conference at Imperial Egyptian Stud in Parkton, Maryland. It was an excellent forum on Egyptian Arabian Breeding in this country between 1900-1973, and the information presented was extremely valuable to our group.
Equinology Foundation Course...
Amethyst Acres is hosting a week long (August 17 - 24th, 2007) Equine Massage Foundation Course for instructor Ruth Mitchell of Equinology, Inc. This is an intense workshop for people hoping to become Certified Therapists...check back each day for updated photos...
Dee Dee Butcher...
Congratulations to Teresa, Todd, Trent & Garth Butcher of Dayton, Virginia on the purchase of the beautiful Straight Egyptian Arabian mare Dasani Dari (Alixir x Bint Bint Daheda by The Minstril) The whole family (including Grandma & Grandpa!!) spent this past Saturday morning getting to know each other and "Dee Dee" relished the attention!
Johnny Johnston Photo Shoot...
The world famous photographer Johnny Johnston visited Amethyst Acres last month and took some phenomenal photos of our horses...we had a great time working with one of the all time masters!
July 28, 2007 Egyptian Newcomers Seminar...
What a beautiful day to enjoy beautiful horses! Check out the pictures from our most recent Egyptian Arabian Newcomers Seminar...and plan now to attend our next one October 6th!
2007 Bedford Horse, Hound and Wine Festival...
Magic Elixir and Mark were the People's Choice Award Winner of the Parade of Horses at this year's Bedford Wine Festival. Thanks to Donna Johnson for inviting us...we had a great time!
2007 Egyptian Event in Lexington, Kentucky...
10 great days, three Top Tens...check out these pictures of all the fun!!!
2007 Inaugural Arabian Breeders World Cup in Las Vegas...
Debra Geiser of Darameadows Farm and Deb Burke of Amethyst Acres joined Shawn Crews of Arabians Ltd., Tammy Bittorf and Terry Ziler of the Z Ranch, and hundreds of other spectators at the first ever World Cup held April 20-22nd in Las Vegas.
Spring Arabian Classic...
Even though the weather was cool, the Spring Arabian Classic was hot, hot, hot for the Amethyst Acres gang...check out the pics and the ribbons...
Straight Egyptian Newcomers Seminar...
Shawn Crews of Arabians Ltd. joined us March 24th, 2007 for our first Newcomer's Seminar of the year. A large crowd enjoyed a picture perfect spring day...
Check Custer Crew...
Carol and Junior Custer of Check have three very talented, future halter trainers in their family...daughters Rachel and Alex and son Jared...here are some pictures from Saturday's halter lessons...
Botetourt 4-H Judging Team...
The Botetourt 4-H Judging Team recently visited Amethyst Acres to practice their skills on several Arabians. It was a frigid day, but everyone had fun and learned something...check out the pictures...
Abby & Sarah...
Sarah Burns of Roanoke is getting her beautiful mare "Absolute Desperado" ready for the March Arabian Classic...check out Sarah and Abby practicing...
Allspice Annie...
Allspice Annie is a beautiful Blue Roan Quarter Horse filly owned by Michele Pardee of Callaway. She was recently weaned and is here at AAEC for "Kindergarden" lessons.
Spirit and Pam...
Pam Lemon of Roanoke enjoys a relaxing ride on her gelding "Spirit" on a beautiful January day...
Friesian Mare Liske E...
Darcy Miller of Glen Burnie, Maryland is the proud owner of the beautiful and talented Friesian mare "Liske E"...check out these pictures of Mark starting her under saddle in preparation for a dressage career.
Straight Egyptian Newcomers Seminar...
Shawn Crews of Arabians Ltd. joined us October 28th to introduce newcomers to the Straight Egyptian Arabian. It was a fun day and plans are in the works for several more seminars in 2007!
Louisville...One Last Time...
This is the last year U.S.Arabian Nationals will be held in Louisville, so the Amethyst Acres gang took a trip to Kentucky to see the greats...one last time!!!
Fall Classic Arabian Horse Show...
We had lots of fun at the Fall Classic in Lexington, Virginia this year...and a new "Super Hero" made his debut in the ring...check out these pics....
Arabians Ltd. Client Seminar...
The Virginia Gang recently attended a Training/Conditioning seminar at Arabians Ltd. in Waco, Tx. We all had a wonderful time and it was hard to pick from the 285 pictures I took...but here they are...
OT and Sarah...
Sarah LeBlanc is busy practicing for the Fall Arabian Horse Show...check out these pics of she and "OT" practicing for Sport Horse in Hand!
MB Mistaz
We are delighted to announce that Melissa Huprich of Lilburn, Georgia is the new owner of the beautiful Straight Egyptian stallion MB Mistaz. Melissa is a second generation breeder who shares our passion for Arabians. Congratulations Melissa...we could not be happier for you and Staz!
Ellie Pam & Jack...
Congratulations to Pam & Jack Marcus of Renick, WV on the purchase of the beautiful Thee Desperado daughter
Elusive Desperado. Check out these pics of the proud new parents!
Abby & Sarah...
A big congratulations to Sarah Burns of Roanoke on the purchase of the beautiful Thee Desperado daughter Absolute Desperado. Abby and Sarah look like they were made for each other and we wish them may years of happiness!
Mark & Deb's 10th Anniversary...
Family & friends joined Mark & Deb to celebrate their 10th Wedding Anniversary...which turned out to also be a surprise birthday party for Deb...it was a wonderful evening!
Halter 101...
Saturday morning halter lessons have been alot of fun for Mark, Pam, Sara & Jacque...check out these photos!
2006 Egyptian Event...
The Virginia Gang took another "Road Trip" in June to the Egyptian Event in Lexington, KY. A great time was
had by all!!!!
Jean and her Girls...
Congratulations to Jean Skipper of Virginia Beach (soon to be Callaway) Virginia on the purchase of her first
horses...a mother/daughter pair of beautiful black & white mini mares named Moonbeam & Lightning Bug!!! Aren't they
the cutest??
Shez Willin...
Shez Willin is a great name for this beautiful black & white paint mare...she was been willing to do anything asked
of her, including being started under saddle! Congratulations to Joyce Atkinson on the purchase of this beautiful mare.
March 2006 Spring Arabian Classic...
Congratulations to Pam Lemon and her handsome 3-year old Half-Arab
gelding "Shahmans Spirit" (Shadys Shahman x Cheyenne) on their FIRST PLACE win at the Spring Arabian Classic in Sport Horse In-Hand!! Check out these photos of Spirit's FIRST EVER horse show and FIRST EVER adventure off the farm!!
March 2006 Waco Trip...
A big thanks to the Arabians Ltd. staff for being wonderful hosts. Pam, Lesa, Lance, Tammy, Martha, Cornelius and Mark & Deb had a wonderful time and will definitely be back soon!!!
Rennie...
This handsome Appaloosa cross gelding named "Rennie" is a real sweetheart and was very easy to start under saddle.
He is owned by Jerome Hodges of Rocky Mount and is going to make Jerome a wonderful companion for years to come!
Bambi and Sammy...
Sammy and Bambi are big, handsome Irish TB crosses who are here to start their saddle training. They are proudly owned by
Lisa and Mike Mendell of Flint Hill, Virginia who look forward to Eventing them this year.
WARNING...THESE MIGHT BE THE CUTEST
PICTURES YOU HAVE EVER SEEN...
Check out these pictures of Brooke Peery and her daughter Kendra...definitely like mother, like daughter when it
comes to horses!!!
Morgan and Stormy...
Morgan Peery takes her first ride on her TWH gelding "Stormy"...check out these cute photos!
Brooke Exercises the Boys...
Brooke Peery is an excellent rider and a big help to us at Amethyst Acres...she comes several times a week and helps Mark exercise the horses....check out these pictures of her riding some of of the big guys...
Stormy Peery...
Stormy is owned by our neighbors, Matt & Karen Peery...he's here at "Camp Mark" to start his saddle training. Isn't he a handsome boy???
Centy & Wimby...
Check out these two handsome boys....Centy and Wimby of Sunrise Stables in Lexington. They are here to learn walk, trot, canter before returning home to start a show career. Centy is owned by Gammon Nuckols and Wimby is owned by Sarah Berhalter of Lexington.
Victor Steel Photo Shoot...
If you're looking for a great local photographer, we highly recommend Victor Steel of Moneta. Check out these recent photos he took for us and our clients.
Spirit Grows Up TOO!!...
WOW...look who is already under saddle...Shahman's Spirit, owned by Pam Lemon of Roanoke and by Mark & Deb's Polish Arabian stallion "Junior"...won't be long before mom and Spirit hit the trails!!
Kendra & Colleen Ride Applejack...
Check out these cute pictures of Kendra and Colleen Peery riding the mini gelding named "Applejack"....I see some future Olympian riders out there!!!
True Grows Up!!...
Seems like only yesterday Love Bug Kirtley gave birth to a beautiful baby filly...and now she is all grown up and being started under saddle by her human mom, Allison Kirtley of Roanoke. Check out these pics of Allison & True's first ride...
Mallory & Mercy...
CONGRATULATIONS to Mallory Stephenson of Roanoke, the new owner of the beautiful Arabian pony mare "Meine Mercedes"
or "Mercy" as she is better known. Mallory & Mercy make a great team and we wish them many "happy trails!!"
OPEN HOUSE PICTURES...
Thanks to everyone who came to our Open House this year...here are a few of the pictures that Cousin Terri took. There are some awesome shots of the stallions at Victor Steel Photography
Pam & Krystal...
CONGRATULATIONS to Pam Lemon of Roanoke, the new owner of the beautiful Straight Egyptian Arabian filly "Shebas Krystal Mist." Watch for Krystal at this year's Egyptian Event, and watch for Pam and Krystal in the show ring this fall!!
Cary & Grace Fowler Ride the Stallions...
These two young ladies are quite the riders! Check out these pictures of Grace riding the Welsh stallion Merlin and Cary riding the Arabian stallion Khemo.