Decades of Equine Excellence and Heritage

Stone sign for Walnut Creek Ranch with horse and calf illustrations.

Walnut Creek Ranch started in 1995. I had been riding and training my own personal horses for 30 years and decided to finally give the place a name.

I had been involved with Arabians, Morgans, Thoroughbreds, Quarter horses, Fox Trotters, and Warmbloods over the years. When I saw my first Andalusian in the mid-1980s, the Andalusian instantly became my premier choice for my future riding companion. I couldn't afford one until 1998 and found a yearling, a gray stallion, that started my ongoing love affair with this magnificent and noble breed.

I sold the first stallion after breaking him to saddle, because my dream had always involved a black stallion. You bond with these horses so closely, for a lifetime, and they are such a substantial investment that I truly feel you should get exactly what you desire. This is why

I allow people to choose the sex and color of the foal they want when they purchase an in-utero foal from me. I looked at several black colts during my search until Rico instantly caught my eye.

A metal farm gate with a horse silhouette in the center.

A serene park scene with a water fountain between two trees.

A horse running at sunset in a fenced area.

Silhouette of a person feeding a horse at sunset.

Snow-covered rural gate with a wreath during winter.

Photo credits (2): Kevin Sink

After working with these first two wonderful stallions, I decided I needed additional Andalusians. You will find that it is very difficult to have just one. Their nobility, intelligence, beauty, courage, humor, willingness, and efforts to please far exceed any other breed.

They will grab your heart and not let go.

Rico had impressed me so much that I decided to do some more research before purchasing some mares for him. I spoke with many knowledgeable breeders who were happy to share their passion and love of this horse, and I thank them for their insights. After reviewing the information and knowing what I wanted to produce in a breeding program, I decided to go with the P.R.E. (Pure Raza Espanola). I had this in mind when I purchased Rico, and my experience with him and guidance from others convinced me that the P.R.E. was the epitome of this breed.

Decorative wrought iron sign bracket with cow motif on barn exterior.

Horses grazing and standing in a green pasture with a wheat field background.

I had seen enough "Americanization" of the Arab and Morgan over the years that I welcomed the chance to have the Spanish judge my horses for their stud book. They have kept this breed true and consistent for many centuries, and I value their commitment, love, and dedication to the P.R.E. Participating in the inscription and revision process of the Spanish stud book would only enhance my breeding program.

Two black horses grazing in a green field on a sunny day.

I saw my first black Andalusian in 1987. He was the imported Escalera stallion Dejado, owned by the Parras. He had impressed me enough that I wanted some of his daughters. I found two (Hilandera and Golosa), and my mare herd was started. I saw that the breed was fast becoming very popular with dressage enthusiasts, and thus began my search for a big, forward-moving black mare. Novena TCV fit the bill.

She is pictured here below on the left and with her black P.R.E. twins on the gallery page.

By then, I had Rico working under saddle. His work ethic, athleticism, and strong build made me take a longer look at the Guardiola breeding on his dam's side. I found that the Guardiola horses had been bred for these characteristics. Guardiola's bloodlines are extremely rare in the U.S., and even fewer are Black. I decided I may need to import in order to find a black Guardiola-bred mare. Through the wonderful Lanys Kaye-Eddie, I found the perfect mare right here in the United States, Mirame ORO, pictured on the right below. See more about the Guardiola Stud Farm on its page.

This incredible black mare was not only half Guardiola and linebred to Centella V, the Guardiola Champion of Spain, but she was also a daughter of the incomparable Indiano XVIII. To top it off, she was gorgeous, correct, and had the extended movement that is so desirable. She became the crown jewel of my broodmare band.

A brown horse trotting in a grassy field near a wooden fence.

A black horse trotting gracefully in a fenced grassy field.

A brown horse trotting in a fenced grassy field.

In 2013, I again looked for a superb broodmare to complement Rico and share the crown with my Black Indiano XVIII daughter.

My Dejado daughters were now too old to produce, and 2 other broodmares had been sold to continue their lives as riding partners.

Since watching Bo Derek in Bolero, I had always wanted to produce a palomino P.R.E., but until now, it had been an almost impossible undertaking.

Even though I was searching for that "pot of gold" in color, quality, and bloodlines were still a top priority.

Because they were still so rare, I knew I would have to find an imported mare with the creme and chestnut gene so that she and Rico, with his chestnut gene, could give me the gold I was seeking. It took a while, but I found her.

Her sire was the renowned double dilute Paco Marti stallion Revoltoso XXIX, and her dam, Urrea, was a military-branded mare of impeccable bloodlines.

Her movement was breathtaking.

And so.... Sentencia PI joined my select broodmare band.

.....And lo and behold, she produced 3 gorgeous "pots of gold" out of her first 4 foals with Rico.

I am so proud of these gorgeous, high-quality palomino Walnut Creek offspring!

Left - 2015 Dorada WC

Two horses nuzzling affectionately outdoors.

Middle - 2917 Disosa WC

Close-up of a light brown horse with a flowing white mane.

Right 2018 Sol WC

A light brown horse standing in a fenced grassy area.

In 2002, I decided I needed a bigger place for my growing herd of Andalusians. After several years of searching, I found the right property. 40 acres of beautiful brome grass pastures with a creek running through all the pastures.Over a mile of pipe fence was installed. Barn plans were drawn up and construction started. This time, it was going to be done exactly the way I had always wanted.
We call it: "The Place That Rico Built" since he had generated the funds to make it possible.

A vast green pasture with metal fences under a clear sky.

A black horse running in a grassy field with trees in the background.

A single-story house with a large grassy lawn and a front porch.

Concrete stalls with custom grill work were put in.
Foundation forms were set up and the stalls
were poured before any framing of the building was done.

Ruined buildings in a devastated urban area under a blue sky.

Construction site with concrete walls and muddy ground.

Empty horse stable with individual stalls and a concrete floor.

Dimly lit stable corridor with horse stalls on the right.

A horse standing in a fenced area near a large barn under a blue sky.

The tack room and stallion stalls were on one side of the barn with outside doors to an 8 acre stallion pasture surrounded by 6 foot pipe fence.

Broodmare stalls were put across the aisle, along with a run in for additional weather protection.The foaling stalls are monitored by a video camera wired to the bedroom TV for 24 hour viewing of mares that are due to foal.

The mare stalls and run-in are connected to the 10 acre mare brome pasture.

A 60' x 120' indoor arena was added and attached to the stall barn. I felt an indoor arena was necessary to provide consistent footing for Rico's reining training and sliding stops, as well as a secure footing and cover from the elements for breeding mares.

I also designed a breeding apparatus in a corner of the arena. It had a walk-in foal catch pen and a strongly built front panel. This way, the foal is safely caught and out of harms way. The mare can then put her head over into the foals' pen and brace herself against the panel while being bred live cover. Rico is so well mannered that I can now safely breed a mare with a foal by myself if needed.

Construction site with wooden framing and scattered debris outdoors.

Interior of a rustic barn with sunlight streaming through the open door.

Indoor horse riding arena with sand flooring and wooden barriers.

Interior of a barn with wooden walls and dirt floor.

My dream is now a reality.

A woman lovingly touches foreheads with a black horse in a fenced grassy area.

Blonde woman joyfully riding a black horse outdoors.

A woman in a dress hugs a black horse outdoors.

The black stallion of my fantasies has become my riding partner, a trail horse supreme, a National Show Champion, and the horse of a lifetime. We have done this together; as a team....Rico has never been to a trainer, and the fact that only his amateur owner has accomplished all this with him is a testament to the breed. He has proven himself over and over; not only as a true friend, but a prepotent sire who improves every mare that he has bred. He has provided wonderful companionship, as well as the means to build the horse facility I have always wanted. He still gives me chills when I see him poised and looking off in the distance.

My mare herd is complete for now. The girls all have wonderful bloodlines and represent not only the traditional style, but have good movement to complete the package.

My ranch fulfills my every need and is a smooth-operating and peaceful place. I can sit on my porch or look through my windows and see mares and foals grazing on lush pastures on one side and my black stallion with his mane and tail flowing, galloping across the other pasture.
I have achieved everything I have ever desired. I am proud of my horses, my facilities, my breeding program and each and every foal that I produce.

My breeding goal is to produce P.R.E. foals whose conformation is classical and baroque . These foals will be strongly built with good bone, be extremely athletic and can grow up to do whatever discipline their new owner desires. Couple that with a temperament that has courage, intelligence, a strong work ethic and a willingness to please. They will have proven bloodlines to produce future outstanding P.R.E.'s and a majestic beauty to take your breath away

Two brown horses running together on a grassy field.

Two horses running and playing in a fenced grassy field.

I experience daily the joy, awe and success that the P.R.E. Andalusian has brought to my life.

A dark horse gallops energetically in a fenced field.

Woman joyfully riding a black horse in a fenced field.

Photo credits: Della Smith