TOPPER'S UPDATE

In the summer of 2005 we made the very difficult decision to place Aquila's Top Command up for sale as we felt he would be better suited in a larger breeding facility.  After many many inquires we feel we found the perfect home for Topper.  It is with pleasure and a bit of sadness that we announce Aquila's Top Command has been sold to Ruth Goeb of Coachmen's Rest Morgan Horse Farm in Glen Rock PA.  Ruth has been a well-known and well respected breeder within the Morgan community for over 30 years.  Ruth's commitment to breed for quality not quantity as well as her belief that the horse's coat color should be considered only after producing the best possible foal was well suited with our own beliefs.  Ruth will continue breeding this fine stallion to her well bred, athletic and beautiful mares as well as continue to stand Aquila's Top Command to approved outside mares on a limited basis. Congratulations Ruth, we wish you many years of beautiful Topper foals.

Some people may or may not believe in “kismet” I happen to be one that does… In the spring of 1996 while thumbing through the new issue of the Florida Morgan Horse Associations membership directory I happened upon a black and white ad for palomino stallion. This ad coincidently was located just above our farm listing. Now some of you may think so “big deal” but as fate would have it this was! I had spent the better part of 4 years on a quest trying to locate the “type” of colorful that also carried the bloodlines I desired…I knew what I wanted… I just had not found it exactly.

In truth I had never heard of the Aquila’ Morgan horses, but that soon changed when the stallion of my dreams looked back at me from the pages of that directory. A beautiful, refined, long necked, big eyed, beauty with the bloodlines that included Waseeka’s In Command, Nocturne, Upwey Ben Don, Senator Graham and Flyhawk (to name a few) was actually here in Florida. I consider myself to have a pretty good sense of humor, and I began to suspect that perhaps someone was playing a great joke on me but shortly after some investigation I realized it was true. Aquila’s Top Command (Futurity Command x Foxy’s Cotton Queen) really did exist. I immediately arranged to visit the farm where the stallion was standing and was even more impressed with him in person. In addition to his beauty and refinement, the stallion had the kindest disposition of any stallion I had ever encountered. Topper displayed an intelligence and quiet dignity that I had never encountered in any horse, let alone a stallion. I was truly in love! Unfortunately it took another 3 years, and a series of very sad events in this stallion’s life before the dream became a reality.

In September 1999 Aquila’s Top Command was purchased within hours of being sent to the killers. Topper had already suffered through two colic surgeries in the 24 months prior to our purchase, and was extremely debilitated. I would like to once again publicly thank Sue Smith and Kelly Meyers of Symphonee Farm in Gainesville Florida as well as Dr. Randy Emmons who without their loving and careful care this beautiful stallion would not be apart of our lives today.
Aquila’s Top Command has been a consistent producer for us, throwing his beautiful length of neck, big poppy eye and superior disposition. We have been incredibly pleased. Regardless of the color this stallion has given us the foals have all been of the highest quality and the marketability of these foals has now led to a waiting list.

Aquila’s Top Command Click images to view larger versions...
Photo by Suzy Lucine	Photo by Suzy Lucine