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Stallions: Justafire: Cover Story

Cover Story: Justafire DGL

by Gina Mishek

The Arabian horse industry is made up of many different people. They come from every corner of the world, every background, and every occupation. Their lives and other interests are so diverse that many of them would never cross paths if it was not for the one great, uniting force Arabian horses.

The mystique of the Arabian has captured many minds and caused their meetings still more throughout the past few thousand years. If you're reading this, chances are that you have met some of your closest friends because of the Arabian horse. Mike and Debby Stephens of Resting S Ranch were brought together from their different backgrounds because they both fell in love with Arabians.

"As a city kid and a devoted fan of the western TV programs of my childhood, I had always yearned for a horse," Mike Stephens says. "At a time in my career that was particularly stressful, I decided that I needed something that could take me away from it all and give me a sense of serenity. It was time for me to fulfill my dream of having horses."

Stephens took the time to research different horse breeds, finding out their histories and characteristics in order to find the breed that would suit his needs and wants to the fullest. He became fascinated with the legends and stories of the horses of the desert, and he decided that Arabians were the horses for him.

While Mike Stephens was dreaming about a life populated by horses, Debby was living it. It was through experiences in training and riding that she became fascinated by Arabians and chose them as her breed.

"When I was young I worked with many different breeds of horses," she says. "As I dealt with all of them, I found that the ones I consistently preferred to ride and work with were Arabians. I was able to form stronger, better relationships with them and I loved their trainability and sensitivity."

Mike and Debby Stephens concede that Arabian horses were what brought them together.

"They were definitely a point of connection for the two of us, " they recount. "We had worked together briefly a number of years ago, before the Arabian horses, and it was not the most pleasant experience. We met again, later in life, with Mike's purchase of his first Arabian horse."

"Debby was at that time a full-time trainer and farm owner," notes Mike. "When I purchased the horse, it was highly recommended to me that I send the horse to her for training. It was at that point that our paths crossed again."

Both candidly admit that their love for the Arabian horse, and the time they spent discussing it with each other, gave each of them a new perspective and eventually became a bond between them.

"We saw a side to each other that we'd not seen before," they explain. Mike and Debby's bond was a strong one, and the couple married. They now own Resting S Ranch, and one of the most promising stallions the Arabian industry has produced, Justafire DGL.

The experiences and backgrounds that both the Stephenses possess, Mike in business and Debby in horse training, make them adept at navigating the horse business.

"My experiences in the business world allowed me to balance plans driven by goals and objectives, with the strong emotion I feel for the Arabian horse," says Mike. "My businesses have included the divergent industries of health care, venture capital, real estate development, automotive, banking, insurance and publishing."

Though he speaks in the past tense about those ventures, Mike is far from being done with his work. In addition to Resting S Ranch, he is currently occupied with a cause that is very close to his heart because of an injury he sustained in his youth, but from which he has since recovered.

"I currently work with the Lakeshore Foundation, which I started in 1986. It has since become the largest foundation in the world serving solely the physically disabled. The training staff and facilities on our campus have recently been awarded the Olympic Rings by the United States Olympic Committee. It's the only facility of its kind in the United States to receive such designation."

While Mike dedicates his professional side to improving the lives of others, he admits that Arabian horses have improved his life by giving him a respite from the stresses of the business world. Early on, horses were a refuge for him, and while they remain so, Stephens comments that his participation and purpose in the horse business has changed.

The Stephenses' involvement in the Arabian horse business began its metamorphosis a few years ago with a search for a new horse. They looked high and low for what they truly wanted a great English pleasure stallion. They searched scrupulously and purposefully for two years. Patience is truly a virtue, and the Stephenses were rewarded for their fortitude.

"We found what we had been looking for in Oklahoma, at Ed and Natalie Gaylord's Lazy E Ranch," relates Debby. "When we saw Justafire, we were smitten. He has such beauty and charisma that he captivated us immediately. At that moment we would have bought him no matter what his pedigree. But, in true 'Mike Stephens' fashion, we analyzed his potential and heritage to determine if he would fit the objectives of our plan. He turned out to be a great performance horse, as his physical build, his brain and his heart foretold he would be. According to his pedigree, we knew he would be able to sire really good horses. It is such a bonus that he has exceeded our expectations!"

It's not so often that a physically beautiful, athletically talented and genetically gifted stallion comes along. Justafire DGL is, beyond all doubt, one of those individuals. In purchasing him, the Stephenses' level of visibility within the industry is changing.

"In the past, our relative low profile in the Arabian industry has been due to the respect we have and wanted to show for those who have great experience and knowledge of the Arabian horse," the Stephenses note. "Our profile is changing now and will continue to do so in the future because of the knowledge we are absorbing from our experiences and from dealing with those people whom we respect. We believe that, as Justafire's offspring continue to prove that he is a stallion influencing the breed in a positive way, we will continue to gain respect in the industry.

"Right now, we are meeting more and more people because of Justafire people who share our enthusiasm about him and his offspring are spreading the word. Through this 'Justafire family' we receive news of his get and keep up with their progress and their increasing number of wins. At Resting S Ranch, we are committed to Justafire and his get. We will continue to provide the very best care and promotion for them. The customer service that Resting S Ranch will provide to our growing family is individual and personal. We are committed to having the offspring of our clients' breedings be successful."

What Mike and Debby Stephens saw in Justafire's pedigree when they first discovered him is enough to make any Arabian breeder's heart skip a beat. Justafire comes from some of the most illustrious horses of the last century, and he is ready to carry their torch into the new millennium.

"We know that Justafire will follow in the footsteps of his great grandsire the immortal *Bask in producing beautiful, athletic horses," the Stephenses state. "Justafire is sired by Afire Bey V and is out of the mare MC Justa Kate, who was Buckeye Reserve Champion English Pleasure Junior Horse and Scottsdale Reserve Champion in open English pleasure, and who is sired by U.S. Reserve National Champion English Pleasure Open horse The Chief Justive, and out of the U.S. National Champion Futurity Mare Sey Cherie. Through the combination of his sire and dam's pedigrees, Justafire is a champion in both halter and performance, having been U.S. National Reserve Champion English Pleasure Junior Horse and U.S. National Top Ten English Pleasure Open, as well as a halter champion. He has his own individuality, backed up by proven bloodlines. What's more, Justafire has proven to be one of the few sires with the ability to produce national champions in both halter and performance.

"Justafire is meeting all of our breeding goals," the Stephenses continue. "We want to produce individuals who are nationally competitive in halter as well as performance, and it is important to us that the horses are a joy to own. In these days, owning a horse is not a necessity. Horses must be worthy of ownership and be able to do what the owner wants, whether that is winning in competition, pleasure riding, or simply being a companion. They must be adaptable and a pleasure to own. We want to provide a source for strong, beautiful horses with great attitudes and minds."

All of the attributes that the Stephenses desire to produce with their breeding program and Justafire are exactly the traits that make horses successful in the show ring. Beauty, athleticism and good minds make them formidable competitors, and Justafire's foals have already made their presence well known in the show ring.

"Justafire was the youngest stallion to ever sire a National Champion when his daughter Mary's Gift was named the U.S. National Half-Arabian Yearling Sweepstakes Filly Champion, and at the same Nationals, he was the Reserve National Champion English Pleasure Junior Horse. His foal crops have been successful in the National Futurity Performance classes in all divisions, and many have gone on to be National Champions in open competition. Also, we have to mention the beautiful, record-breaking S Justadream, owned by Michael and Rachel Wilmet, the winningest halter mare in history by the age of three. Now she has produced an exquisite look-alike filly, S Just Dream On, who is owned by Resting S Ranch, proving that Justafire's breeding strengths pass on through his offspring and will continue the legacy."

One of the traits that is essential for success as a sire is the ability to pass on positive traits when crossed with a diverse selection of bloodlines. Again, Justafire is showing that he has all of the qualifications to be designated as a great sire. He has sired purebred and Half-Arabian champions in the English, Country, Hunter, Halter and Western divisions at all three national horse shows - the U.S. Nationals, the Canadian Nationals and the National Show Horse Finals.

"We have used a variety of bloodlines across the board since Justafire's first foal crop," report the Stephenses. "We tried many different ones to see which would work best, and to our delight we have had good results with all.

"1994 U.S. National Champion Mare Aalusive Bey, who has Egyptian bloodlines, produced S Justice, who was named unanimous Region XII, Region XV and Buckeye Champion Stallion AOTH. Also, S Fheelena and Justafire together produced S Justabella, owned by Resting S Ranch, who was a regional champion yearling sweepstakes filly and who recently, at the age of 3, was named Region IX Champion Mare.

"Polish lines have worked incredibly well. Acquaitance, by Eukalyptus, produced multi-National Champion Mare S Jusadream. Our JK Amadeus daughter S Accapella produced Justasolo, a high-trotting, very correct, tall colt who is a wonderful performance prospect.

"As for Half-Arabians, there have been a variety of excellent crosses that have produced National Champions in the halter, English, hunter, and western divisions. Those champions include Central Park West, owned by Bruce and Sherry Lane National Champion in English Pleasure Junior Horse and AAOTR and her full sister, Justabout A Mover, owned by Resting S Ranch Regional winner English Pleasure Junior horse; DRA Justawildchild, also owned by Resting S Ranch, 2002 U.S. National Champion Half-Arabian Futurity Filly; and another Resting S Ranch horse Shaken Not Stirred, a full brother to National Champion Yearling Sweepstakes Filly and English pleasure champion Mary's Gift, owned by Clay and Angela Stanley, was Scottsdale Top Ten and Regional Reserve Champion in English Pleasure AAOTR."

Justafire's breeding manager, Russ Vento emphasizes that this is a stallion that can truly produce great results across the spectrum of bloodline crosses.
"Justafire's breeding strengths are his consistent ability to pass on the typey Arabian look and carriage," states Vento. "His beautiful, large eye, well laid back shoulder, extreme length of neck and clean throatlatch, his strength of hip, correct legs and feet, and his trainability mentally and physically, are traits that show up in his get. I think that Justafire's success as a sire in producing champions in all divisions lies in his ability to accentuate the positive on the dam's side of the pedigree, in addition to giving them his own strength, athleticism, trainability, and Arabian type. He produces horses, both purebreds and Half-Arabians, that can be successes in the amateur or open divisions they can do all things."

Throughout his breeding career, Justafire has been bred to some of the industry's most elite mares, such as the venerable Rohara Emenee. This year, Justafire will be bred to another impressive roster of mares. Stemming from many different bloodlines, they include eight mares who are themselves national champions or who have produced national champions already. Monrovia, sired by Barbary, is a familiar face to any horse show attendee, as she is in the show ring a lot, and in the winner's circle whenever she is shown. In fact, she is the winningest mare in the English divisions ever. Her 2004 Justafire foal will inherit incredible talent from both its parents, as is evidenced by her 2003 Justafire colt Mondavii, owned by Battaglia Farms. Also bred to Justafire for a 2004 foal is the beautiful and athletic, full sister to Afire Bey V, Alyaska Bey V, who is a multi-National Champion in English pleasure. Gitara, the dam of Canadian National Reserve Champion Stallion Gitar MF, and Lola Hogan, the dam of the U.S. National Futurity Stallion Extreme Echo, are also being bred to Justafire DGL. The Stephenses recently purchased the American Saddlebred mare She's Phi Vacious, By Phi Slamma Jamma, dam of champions, including 2003 Scottsdale Unanimous Champion Half-Arabian Saddle/Pleasure Type Gelding Ricochett, who was also recently named unanimous champion in the same division at Region XII. She too will be bred to Justafire to produce yet another outstanding foal. With all of these great mares and more being bred to Justafire, his upcoming foal crops are truly a cause for excitement in the industry.

"In our commitment to continue to foster Justafire's future, he was moved to Battaglia Farms a little less than a year ago," say the Stephenses.

"Bob Battaaglia is a master horseman, and is rightly renowned in our business as a great trainer and a consummate teacher. He continues to set high standards for his horses and riders and consistently upholds them. Bob inspires confidence in his horses and clients, and he sets the bar for exceptional training. He has a gift for matching a rider to the right horse and it shows in the history of wins at Battaglia Farms. We knew that he would bring out the very best in Justafire.

"We also knew that Justafire's breeding career would be well served by Russ Vento, whose expertise in the areas of reproduction is remarkable. We've had a very positive response from clients who have bred to Justafire, and they remark on his professionalism in all aspects of breeding. Russ has an eye for detail that is greatly appreciated, and we commend him for keeping breeding customers happy."

When it comes to breeding, the first and most vital step is to get the mare in foal. However, there is far more to the process than that, and Russ Vento and Battaglia Farms leave no aspect unattended to when bringing a new foal into the world.

"In creating a foal, there are objectives that are more short-term, but there also needs to be a plan for the future," notes Vento. "We work with the clients of Justafire and Resting S Ranch to develop and implement those plans, and to follow through in all aspects. In the 2003 breeding season, we have had over an 80% conception rate. We're looking forward to those foals' arrival in 2004, and to what will certainly be their successful futures."

The high conception rates and overwhelming customer satisfaction that have been a hallmark of Justafire's 2003 breeding season are, according to the Stephenses, due to the expertise at Battaglia Farms. Over the years, Battaglia Farms has worked with stallions, breeders, and farms of all shapes and sizes, and their experience makes them able to suit the needs and demands of all clients. Their exacting management standards and skills ensure successful breeding results and the best in customer service. They have stood at stud many of the breed's most respected and renowned stallions, and in the past eight years alone, they have bred approximately 200 mares annually by shipped semen, in addition to the mares bred in-house and via embryo transfer. There are few breeding programs that can boast as much experience and such exceptional results. Russ Vento says it has much to do with their connections, on professional and personal levels.

"We have incredible working relationships with our customers, as well as with Federal Express and the airlines, through which we send out semen. We have established a truly unique relationship with the companies that transport the semen, and it is just not possible to get that elsewhere. Since September 11, the process of shipping has changed dramatically. Farms have to apply for 'known shipper' status with all of the major airlines, which entails representatives of the airlines coming to view and approve the farm. We've been approved by all of the major U.S. airlines, as well as by Fed Ex and UPS, to ship semen. Many other farms can't provide that. It allows us the ability to ship semen same-day, if it's needed. Having those designations and abilities has resulted in getting high rates of conception. What matters above all in working with stallions, though, is expertise and experience in management. It needs to be precise, but it also needs to be focused on the well-being of the stallion. His weekly collection schedule is one day on, one day off, which helps in preventing him from becoming too stressed. Management involves more than just the stallion. It emphasizes keeping strong ties to those who are breeding to him. Management, experience and relationships make for strong breeding programs."

"Bob and Russ have lent guidance, an eye for perfection, and a high degree of professionalism to our goals as a breeding farm, and towards Justafire's breeding career," state the Stephenses. "We appreciate that they are both very straightforward in their communication with us in all aspects of our business. With Bob and Russ, we feel we have a common purpose. We trust them and have huge respect for their talents. They have been a great resource for us, and they have become true partners in our commitment to Justafire.

"They are very involved in the planning and implementation of our breeding, marketing and competition objectives," the Stephenses continue. "Bob and Russ have put together a plan for Justafire's future, according to a specific outline. Not only are we achieving everything we hoped for, but together, we have been able to do so sooner than we had ever anticipated."

The Stephenses are looking to a future with Justafire and his get that goes beyond the breeding barn. They have already demonstrated their commitment to keeping in touch with those who breed to Justafire and their enthusiasm for following the careers of his get. Debby Stephens has experienced such excitement showing the Justafire gelding Shaken Not Stirred so much that she has sent the three-year-old gelding A John Twitty, already a Scottsdale halter champion, to Battaglia Farms for performance training.

"My personal show ring goal is to ride 'just' Justafire offspring," she discloses. "I believe they are nationally competitive in all divisions. I have found the Justafire get to be alert, willing and very trainable. The ones I've ridden have that extra 'something' which gives them that 'want to do it' attitude. When you work with them day-to-day, they pick up each ride where you left off. Once they get it, they have it. Our Resting S Ranch horses are all still young and coming into their own. I hope to ride them with championship garlands around their necks. It would be a fulfillment of my girlhood dreams of breeding and riding great horses."

In the Arabian horse industry, memories are long. The horses that have produced great offspring, the horses whose get have bettered the breed, are permanently etched in Arabian history because their bloodlines carry on. No matter how far back into the pedigrees their names reside, the achievements of their progeny continue to make them relevant. Though he is still relatively young at age of 11, the Stephenses believe that Justafire is a stallion who will be remembered for a long time to come.

"When Justafire is gone, he will live on through the great horses he produces," they remark. "The legacy he will leave will be one of beautiful, athletic, strong, typey, and unmistakably Arabian horses. We believe that he will be remembered as having positively contributed to our breed."