Gate To Great Horses

The horses that enter the Great Geldings program will spend anywhere from a few months to a year or more transitioning from track life to ranch life. Many hours of rehab and training go into each horse and we strive to develop them for their best suited career as indicated by their aptitudes.

Once the horses go through the Gate To Great program, they are ready for their new career. If you are interested in a particular horse, contact us for details on the individual's progress and fill us in on what you are seeking in your next mount.

This page will change as horses enter or complete the training program.  Bookmark us and check back often!

About our current offerings:

A majority of our Thoroughbred geldings come to us from one of the top breeding/racing programs in the nation, Solera Farm of Williston, Fl. Under the watchful eye of owners Dr. Krista Seltzer, D.V.M. and Edward Seltzer, these horses represent generations of black-type producing mare lines they have developed. Most of their horses are foaled in Kentucky and are pointed to the early books of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Others are broken and trained at the Florida facility under the eye of trainer Curtis Garrison before being sent trackside with some of the best conditioners in the racing business. All are retired with plenty "left in the tank" as second careers are in mind and come to us with full histories, which we make available to our buyers. They are registered but papers are not available. As the second owners, we do our best to determine each gelding's strengths and weakness in an effort to find the right home. We are honored to be entrusted with these royally-bred horses!

Take Command ("T.C.")

15.3 hd. Gray Gelding

2016 by Field Commission X Espanola Way (by Cozzene)

10 starts, 3 wins, Winner of The Carry Back Stakes at the Tropical Meet, FL, Earnings:  +$129K. Last raced 12/13/2020.

Take Command is a personable gelding that likes attention. He was successful at the track and has made a nice transition into life as a pleasure mount. He is easy to catch, nice to work with on the ground, good to shoe, stands tied quietly, saddles up and heads out of the yard to work without drama. He has started some light cattle work checking pastures without issues and takes obstacles such as V-ditches, water, brush and hills in stride. Very, very smooth gaits and easy to fit to Western or English tack. Currently going in a mild curb and learning to neck-rein. Stands for the mounting block. Lives outside 24/7 on grass or hay, no grain, and is not agressive when turned out in a herd. He is a cribber, but stays in good flesh without a collar. We got T.C. from Tropic Lightning Racing LLC by reference from his breeder and have his full history. If we don't know the answers to any questions regarding this pretty gelding, we are more than happy to put you in contact with his previous owner. He has not been passed around and has had the best of care from day one. This guy has the gaits and eye-appeal to do very well in dressage or just let him create horse-envy among your trail riding friends! Papers not available. We've had a lot of these Field Commission horses from Solera Farm, and they have all been super-nice to handle. As Field Commission is no longer around, his offspring have become a high commodity in the sporting world, and this lovely gray is no exception!  Call Dale at (605) 569-2249 for details. Priced at $12,000. 

Sallal (GB) -  "KING"

15.3 hd. bay gelding

2012 By Exceed and Excel (AUS) out of Wise Melody (GB)

Multiple winner in Europe and USA

This hunk of a bay has been one of the main ranch horses, doing every job needed, from gathering big, rough pastures to branding calves. The "go to" horse of the string for a number of years with tons of outside miles doing the tough jobs. Good to catch, shoe, load, tie, and so much more --  it really requires a phone call to Dale for the whole scoop. "King" started off in England, raced in France for Al Shaqab and was imported to America to win again before making his way to the cattle country of western South Dakota. See his photo gallery and videos below. This offering came to us through Herringswell Stables/ Graham Motion. Those of you who have followed our page for a while know this one well, as he's been featured for several years, doing all types of jobs. $ Five Figures - Call for details- Dale: (605) 569-2249 (c).

Bit Growth ("Rico")

15.2 hands, chestnut gelding

2012 By Tale of the Cat out of Miss Fremont (by Rahy), Pa-bred

19 starts, 3 wins, $40,051

Here's a real survivor and hard-knocking guy. From Tampa Bay to Mountaineer to Puerto Rico, this gelding enjoyed the winter off and is just starting back, with new jobs such as pushing cattle and checking out the place. From the family of millionare Dixie Union, Broodmare of the Year, Fall Aspen, and Horse of the Year, Dubai Millennium! Keep an eye on this page for updates as his new career begins. Status: In training