Gypsy Horse Open House, BFSGH, December 2006

WHO'S WHO AT BFSGH
Biographies of the team at BFSGH for our big Open House Weekend, Dec 9-10, 2006.

	Christine Bartko has been involved in the horse industry for over 25 years. She has been involved in all aspects of the horse industry, and has experience with a variety of breeds including Arabians, Andalusians, Saddlebreds, Thoroughbreds, and all the major draft breeds. She is an accomplished rider, driver and trainer and has been certified in equine reproduction. Christine is the main buyer for BFSGH. She inspects and purchases all the horses BFSGH imports. Her eye for quality in the breed is confirmed repeatedly by the top placings earned by BFSGH horses in the major Gypsy horse shows across the country. She discovered the Gypsy Horse while traveling in England in 1996 to attend the World Shire Horse Congress. Since that time, she has shot over 150,000 photos of Gypsy horses in her travels. Christine spends nearly half her year overseas each year with Gypsy breeders. While overseas, she can be spotted at the pub with some Gypsies on one day, and then in the presence of British Royalty the next (She prefers the pub :).
	Jeff Bartko started his career in horses when he met Christine in 1986 while performing as a live-theater actor and stuntman. Since that time, he has become a skilled rider and driver of horses. He has a strong background in computers & electronics and uses these skills to maintain BFSGH’s presence on the internet. Jeff received his certificate in farrier science from the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School, and is also certified in Equine Reproduction from Colorado State University. Where Christine spends most of her time working on matters in England, Jeff maintains the American side of the business. Jeff enjoys hauling horses from quarantine farms, and on to their client’s farms, breeding horses, and talking with clients. He can also be seen doing promotional work at shows, fairs, and festivals across the nation. In 2004, Jeff purchased and drove a traditional bowtop living wagon across England to Appleby Horse Fair. Since that time, he has made the drive each year in an assortment of horse-drawn vehicles. Jeff was instrumental in introducing the Gypsy Horse to the Tournament of Roses Parade, and was appointed Grand Marshal for the Festival of the Horse parade in Georgetown, KY for 2006. In his spare time, he enjoys working on the farm, operating an amateur radio station, and studying history.
	Thomas Bartko is a very well traveled lad! In his eight years, he has attended shows, parades, and events all over the US and many parts of Europe. Thomas enjoys riding and driving horses with his family, and spending time with his numerous gypsy friends overseas. His favorite times are spent gathered around a good ‘stick fire’ on a long summer’s day in the north of England after a good 10-15 mile drive on the road to the fair. He has participated in these activities as long as he can remember. Thomas is a full time student and a student of the world! Ask Thomas for one of his famous “wagon tours.”
	Candi Kane brings a combined background in equine management and veterinary technician skills to BFS&GH. Candi is Christine’s sister, and has been appointed the multifaceted responsibility of managing the breeding facility. Candi has served as Farm Manager for 4 years, balancing the demands of client needs with that of monitoring the general health of the horses and administering all treatments. In addition, she performs, semen collection and processing, mare insemination, and foal delivery. Candi is more familiar with the individual horses than anyone else on the farm.
	Utah native Brady Davis has spent his entire life with horses, raising and training Quarter horses for the family’s rodeo activities as well as for numerous cutting and reining ranches. His involvement encompasses varied competitive fields including 4-H, horse shows, and rodeo. Brady has trained and prepped numerous horses of well-known futurity lines for nationwide competitions and sales, acquiring his PRCA rodeo card while still a high school student, specializing in Team Roping and Saddle Bronc riding. His rodeo involvement took him around the country and afforded him the opportunity to help people with problem horses as well as attend various clinics targeting all aspects of handling and training. Brady’s keen interest in farrier science sparked his desire to earn his farrier certification with the American Farriers Association. He began serving as a farrier’s apprentice at age 13 on the family’s ranch. Brady and his wife, Emily enjoy their work with the horses at Black Forest Shires & Gypsy horses and look forward to meeting the clients at the Extravaganza.
	Jennifer Radcliffe is our office administrator. If you have ever called or emailed BFS&GH then you have probably met Jennifer. She answers your questions and if she doesn't have the answers she puts you in touch with the appropriate person to assist you. If you purchase a horse she prepares the contract and takes you through the details of the transaction. She also handles the accounting/Stud Service Agreements for our Breeding Season. Jennifer has always had a great love for animals. She currently has 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 guinea pigs, and 5 fish. The horse has not arrived YET. It gives her great pleasure to be able to assist you in making your dreams come true through the acquisition of a gypsy horse. She loves to spend time with the horses (when she can get away from the office). Jennifer was born and raised in San Diego, CA. She is a graduate of San Diego State University. She, her husband, John, and their 10 year old daughter, Rachel have been residents of CO for 8 years. She has been with BFSGH for 2.5 years.
	Debbie Terry brings a 30 year professional horse training history to our team that includes Arabians, Morgans, and Hunter Jumpers. She has worked with renowned trainers Tom Dorrest, John Lyons, Monty Lyons, Monty Forman and Robert Dover. Marie Harrity and Gary Smith are responsible for Debbie’s introduction to Gypsy horses, and of all the horses that have enriched Debbie’s career span, she says that the Gypsy is the most willing, kind, and intelligent. Debbie still trains a limited number of horses at her farm in Franktown, CO and offers management, business, and market development through her company, DMT Enterprises, Inc. Her company sponsored this year’s very successful Colorado Horse Park’s Gypsy show.
	Todd Draheim is from New Holstein, Wisconsin. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Equine Management and taught in the equine program at Lakeshore Technical College from 1990 to 1996. From 1985 to present, Todd has worked in the horse industry with a variety of breeds and disciplines. With draft horses, he has driven Belgians, Percherons, and Clydesdales to numerous wins at Nationals, Internationals, and many state fairs. Todd’s draft horse judging credentials include the World Percheron Congress (VA), Great Lakes International (MI), Keystone International (PA), the National Western Stock Show (CO), and the North American All Star Championship. In the sport of combined driving, he has navigated pair drivers and four-in-hand drivers at national competitions, the World Championships in Hungary and Germany, and World Cup competitions in Sweden, Germany, and Holland. Todd has also driven Hackneys to a coach, Saddlebreds in Fine Harness and Park classes, and has handled and ridden sport horses in breed competitions and inspections. As a clinician and demonstrator, Todd’s involvement includes Equine Affaire, Midwest Horse Fair, Hoosier Horse Fair, and Equitana. As a 4-H graduate, Todd remains dedicated to helping out with 4-H projects when time permits. Todd has been driving dozens of horses at Black Forest Shires and Gypsy Horses in the weeks leading up to the Extravaganza and will be available throughout the days for test drives and providing information on every driving horse on the farm. Todd will be offering a basic harnessing and driving demonstration on the weekend and will be happy to answer questions and assist you in your driving horse decisions.
	Marie and Gary have been raising, showing and breeding Shire draft horses in Colorado for 17 yrs. In 1995 they joined forces with Dave Cameron won the National Show Team championship. Gary and Marie have claimed numerous national titles in halter and driving and currently compete in farm, feed team, and obstacle classes. Their horses are utilized regularly on the farm spreading manure or giving neighborhood rides. They have participated/ competed in shows, demos, expos, and parades from California to Massachusetts and are life members of both the American Shire Horse Association and the Gypsy Cob Society, members of the Colorado Draft horse Association, Colorado Horse Park, and founding members of the Flying Feathers Gypsy horse association. Gary was just elected vice president of the southern chapter of the Colorado Draft horse association, and both of them help organize the Draft horse show at the Colorado Horse Park. In 2004, they joined Chris and Jeff Bartko and traveled by horse drawn caravan and crossed North England to the Appleby horse fair. They have owned Gypsy horses since 2001 and use them alongside their Shires for shows and work/pleasure. They currently breed and train Gypsy horses and Shires southeast of Denver in Elizabeth, Colorado. Gary's favorite pastime is driving his horses around the neighborhood with his 2 1/2 yr old granddaughter and preparing her for taking the lines.
	Dr. Celeste Hill is a veterinarian from Sweetwater, TX, who has owned horses (and lots of other creatures) all of her life. Celeste has handled and worked with draft horses for the past seven years. When not playing with her horses she rescues wildlife (like bobcats and foxes) and volunteers for an animal rescue group. Celeste currently owns and shows the two-time national grand champion Shire gelding, “Willie,” who holds titles in ladies and junior cart at the national level for two consecutive years. When her horses are not in the show ring Celeste enjoys taking them to the local children's home where she gives rides and drives. Celeste believes in promoting horsemanship and therefore volunteers with 4-H and Girl Scouts to get youngsters interested in horses. She finds that the children seem to really enjoy learning about draft and gypsy horses. Celeste enjoys riding in the Sheriff's Posse and helping with local playdays in her home state of Texas. Last year Celeste purchased her first drum horse (Shire X Gypsy) filly, and is planning to add to her herd in the near future. She regularly helps BFSGH out in horse care matters, and even traveled to England with Chris and Jeff in the spring of 2006 to participate in Shire and Gypsy Horse activities. Her skills as a veterinarian and as a competitor in the show-horse world come together to make her a huge asset to the gypsy and drum community.
	Dr. Jeff Weinberg is originally from Sarasota, Fl. He completed his undergrad at the University of Florida and his DVM from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the caribbean island of St. Kitts. He then spent a year at Oklahoma State University completing clinical rotations before completing a surgical internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. Jeff has spent the past year and a half practicing in the Colorado Springs area working extensively with Black Forest Shires and Gypsy horses since arriving in Colorado, thoroughly enjoying his time spent with the staff and horses at BFSGH. He has checked, treated, and been involved in the repro of hundreds of gypsy horses. While in Kentucky, Jeff met his wife Jade and has been married for just over a year. His growing family includes: a 2 1/2 year paint/TB filly and a 5 month old Corgi named "Tucker". Jeffrey Weinberg, DVM, Aspen Ridge Equine Hospital, PC, 1480 E. Higby Rd, Monument, CO 80132, Phone:(719) 265-6677 Cel: 492-4121 www.aspenridgeequine.com
	Judy Brodland owns six of the registered Shire geldings in the Tally Ho Shire hitch of Rifle, Colorado. Three of those geldings claimed the Unicorn win at the 2005 National Shire Show, and Judy also took 2nd place behind Dr. Celeste Hill in ladies cart at this year's 2006 National Shire Show in Columbus, Ohio with her 2005 National Reserve Champion gelding “Ben". The former Editor of the American Shire Horse Association is a freelance writer and photographer whose equine pieces have appeared in numerous publications including Rural Heritage and The Shire Magazine. She launched her Shire endeavors from Washington State before relocating last year to Colorado's western slope. She drives her Shires team and single in both show and farm implement settings and also assists in Tally Ho Shires' annual driving clinics. In addition, she brings her horses to public schools in the area to introduce youngsters to driving. Judy's Shires are scheduled for the American Shire Horse Association's annual meeting and education day at BFSGH for clinical utilization in both conformation and driving. Judy has recently been seen showing Gypsy Horses with BFSGH in Colorado and California shows, and will participate with the Gypsy Horse group in the Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan 1, 2007. She loves to talk about the merits of the gypsy horse and would happy to assist you during your visit at BFS&GH.
	Kim Oest resides in Fort Collins, Colorado as she completes her Bachelor’s Degree in Equine Sciences at Colorado State University. Her exposure to the Budweiser Clydesdales at a young age ignited her passion for draft horses, and at 11 years old she became an accomplished member of the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association. She purchased her first draft horse, a Shire gelding in 2001. During senior year of high school, she purchased Black Forest Ides of March “Heidi". Heidi is bred to BFS&GH’s Burnham Green Alfie, and her Clyde mare is bred to Galway Warrior. When her interests eventually spread to Gypsy Horses, she made a 2005 purchase of ‘Johnny,’ a Gypsy colt from Lottery. Kim has been working for BFSGH since August 2005 and has toured with BFSGH from Kentucky to California including the 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade. She is headed back to Pasadena with the crew for the 2007 parade. She is now preparing to head back to Pasadena, CA to ride in the 2007 Tournament of Roses. Since Kim does a lot of riding and takes the time to acquaint herself with individual Gypsy personalities, she is eager to help you with your questions or needs.
	Fifth-generation Romany Michael Vine makes the trip from England to share immeasurable experience and knowledge as only a true Traveler can. Michael is one of the most prominent breeders of Gypsy Horses in the history of their existence and is responsible for many of the imports as well as the famed stallion, Nobby. Michael’s dialect is as rich as it is intriguing, and he enjoys talking about his life with Gypsy horses in addition to sharing with all of us Gadjes the fascinating details of being born into one of the most enchanting cultures in the world. If you have the chance to ‘chat him up,’ Michael will be happy to assist you as you select the perfect Gypsy horse.
	Kathy Dopita’s sculptural and graphic work has been sold throughout this country and others for many years and has won numerous Best of Show awards. A recent oil painting portraiture she created was donated by it's purchaser to "The Children's Hospital" In Denver for the planned Family Amenity's Center. An early chess set she designed was purchased by Steven Spielberg. She has studied in New York, California, and many places in between. Her current residence is here in Colorado in Black Forest. More about her sculptural work can be viewed at www.kdopitastudio.com. She is available for portraiture of you and your horses, and welcomes custom design commissions of all sorts. You may reach her here at K.Dopita Studio, 14750 Kaessner Lane, Black Forest, CO 80921 719-495-4535, cell 719-510-0767 Toll free 1-877-833-3829