Little Bit Farm is very proud to report that at the 2007 Sporthorse Stallion Performance Test at Paxton Farm, our three-year-old ISR/Oldenburg stallion Rashka (Raymeister x Tashka/Opus) not only won the 30-Day Short Test, but earned the highest score in the history of U.S. stallion testing, and possibly even in all European testing, as well, with a score of 164.86.
Although Rashka is still maturing physically at 16.3 hands, his innate talent for both dressage and jumping was more than apparent. He won both the jumping and dressage indexes: jumping 153.80; and the highest stallion test dressage index ever achieved, 175.34; including a “10” canter from all the judges. Rarely does a youngster of three display so much natural aptitude, along with a sweet temperament, the willingness and desire to learn and work, and such a high degree of natural uphill connection. Training Leader Helmut Schrant gave Rashka all 9’s for character, temperament, ability to work, willingness to work, canter and rideability. With each of the guest riders, Rashka displayed a work ethic and desire to please that belied his youth and earned him four 9’s and an 8 for rideability. Rashka has all the attributes of a true champion.
Rashka is the latest success story for Little Bit Farm and Ken Borden, Jr. For the past two years, we have been the #1 United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Breeder of the Year. Our robust breeding program has produced Rashka’s sire, dam, grand sire, grand dam and a great grand dam. We owned his sire, dam, both grand dams, two great grand dams, and a great, great grand dam; so we have these bloodlines still at our disposal. We have not only siblings to Rashka, for whom we have high hopes, but also other lines of international quality, approved stallions, and Horse of the Year winners, including those from our foundation stallion, Rashka’s grand sire Opus. Our quality is at today’s high standard because of Borden’s careful attention to combining the best characteristics and pedigrees, and because of the very hands-on approach he takes to the management and training of his horses. This includes his commitment to bringing his stallions to the 30-Day Performance Test so that he can remain intimately involved in their progress.
As proud as we are of our own horses, we think the growth and success of Little Bit Farm’s breeding program is simply a reflection of the dedication to excellence of many fine breeders across North America. The proof is in stallions of the quality of Rashka, and the mares that produce them. Horses being bred in this country are of international quality, and it is time to recognize that “Buy American” can have an equine intention. Talent, temperament and character second-to-none are available right here in our own back yard.