In 1996, after being “horseless” for 26 years, Becky purchased Red from Dr. and Mrs. Tom Shewczyk of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Their daughters successfully showed Red for several years at regional and national Appaloosa events. Red earned a Register of Merit in Hunter Under Saddle.

Red has been Becky’s personal riding horse for the past eight years and he will continue to live out his life at Rao Farms. He truly enjoys his status as #1 horse on the premises.

We are sorry to report that My Red Ryder has passed away on September 3rd 2008, of natural causes. He will be missed, but will always remain a part of this website.

Buzz is a 1990 blanketed chestnut gelding sired by ApHC National and World Champion Two Eyed Buzz x Forever Boss, AQHA. Buzz’s pedigree goes back to Hall of Fame Quarter Horse Two Eyed Jack. However, Buzz typifies what comes to mind when one thinks “Appaloosa”.He stands 15.3 hands tall. His coloring is stunning: his neck and chest are speckled in white and dark chestnut; his white blanket begins at his withers and covers his entire back and hind quarters. He has large chocolate spots on his blanket, and a mark known in Native American lore as “the hand of God” (finger prints and palm print) on his right shoulder. Buzz has white stockings with lightning markings on his right front and right rear legs. His slightly crooked blaze matches his charming, impish personality. Buzz is truly the clown of the barn.

Buzz has earned many Open, Non-Pro, and Youth points. He earned Registers of Merit in Most Colorful at Halter and Youth Halter Geldings. He placed in the Top 10 in three classes at the Nationals in 2003

Buzz has also won numerous High-Point in Show and End-of Year awards in Regional Open Horse Clubs, including the 2000 All Around Appaloosa in the Northern Kettle Moraine Horsemen’s Association.

Jackpot is a red roan 1990 gelding out of Supreme Sire Two Eyed Jackson by Supreme Dam Goer’s Nancy. He is full brother to our weanling stud colt, Two Eyed Van Goer and half brother to our filly, Two Eyed Spectacular and our mare, Two For Saturday. His lineage also goes back to Hall of Fame Quarter Horse Two Eyed Jack.

Doreen and Cliff Hooker of Cranappy Farm in Canada bred Jackpot. He was purchased as a youngster by Shelby Biddlecombe of Alberta Canada, who showed him in many events where he achieved Outstanding Member of the Breed as well as Supreme Member of the Breed status. He holds Superior ranking in the ApHCC in Western Pleasure, Western Riding, Trail, Amateur Western Pleasure, and Halter.

He's back!!! We are happy to announce that Jack Pot has returned home to spend his golden years at the farm.

More on Jacpot on his information page...

We have sad news that Freestyle was laid to rest on Friday, July 18th 2008 at age 27 and in her memory we will always have her on our website.

Freestyle is a 1981 chestnut mare, our only thoroughbred at Rao Farms. She was bred for racing, but it is unclear whether she ever raced. She was bred by Bright West Blood Stock Agency of Texas. She is out of Banker Mike by Flora Neff.

She produced one thoroughbred foal, Freestyle’s Banker, prior to be being purchased as a nine-year old by the Hollings of Willow Run Stable, Mequon, Wisconsin. She began her hunter/jumper career at Willow Run, and was shown for five years.

More info & pictures of Freestyle...

Update 1/28/2010

Today our old brood mare Goer's Nancy was laid to rest due to complications of old age. Nancy was 30 years old and was recently inducted into the Candian Appaloosa Hall of Fame as one of the all time leading brood mares of the breed. She lived at Rao Farms for the last 7 years of her life. She was a great brood mare and loving horse she will be missed.

Goer’s Nancy is a 1980 mare out of ApHC Hall of Famer, Goer x Sherry Rocket AQHA.

Nancy holds dual registration in the American and Canadian Appaloosa Horse Clubs. She is a dark chestnut with spots and roaning over her body and hips. She has a star on her forehead and a stripe on her nose.

Foaled at the Simmons Kennedy Ranches in Herald, California, Nancy spent most of her life with Doreen and Cliff Hooker of Cranappy Farms in Alberta Canada, where she produced many National champion get, and became a Supreme Dam of the Breed.

Nancy was purchased in 2003 in foal to Two Eyed Jackson.
Her stud colt, Two Eyed Van Goer, was born on January 4, 2004.
Plans are to breed Nancy one more time before her retirement, to National and World Champion, The Hunter.

She comes from outstanding bloodlines on both sides of her pedigree. Dreamfinder is her grandsire on the top side of her pedigree, and Cowboy Justice is her grandsire on the dam’s side.

She stood at a very stout 15 hands tall, Cowgirl had beautiful confirmation and she passed it on to her babies. She had a solid chestnut filly by Etch to Impress, and a loud colored leopard colt by Two Eyed Jackson named Street Legal, who won just about everything he was entered in as a weanling and yearling. She also produced Jackson’s Dreamgirl in 2002 who had many wins and placements as a weanling and yearling.  Her newest foal is our own D Z Cowgirl by D Z Weedo born in 2005.

We are sad to report that Cowgirl was laid to rest this summer.

V

Will was born in April 2004 out of World Champion producer Last Detail, AQHA, and our thoroughbred mare, Banker’s Freestyle.

Will is a miniature version of his dark blood bay sire. He has a sweet personality, and loves being the center of attention in the stable. Rao Farms hopes he will grow into a beautiful hunter-in- hand, hunter-jumper prospect.