Keyes Ranch
Spreadsheet (download)

Cartagena Photos

Conejita Photos

Promesa Photos

Promesa's Vet Report

Soneta Photos

Diablo Photos

Driving Directions
to Keyes Ranch

Letter from a Buyer

Letter from a Seller

The Graduates

Our Horses & Trail Photos

Overnight Stabling

Bandera trail ride

The photo above is of Leslie Wylie and Mankins (AKA Mikey or Rowdy Intensions) competing at Prelim at the Virginia Horse Trials, Spring, 2001.

December 26, 2000

Dear Carol,

Everyday I am more and more thankful that the horse you sold me, Rowdy Intentions, can come into my life. He is every bit the horse you said he was and more. In the year I have owned him, he has progressed smoothly from a green but talented youngster to a successful preliminary level event horse. Rowdy has also become my best friend and companion. He possesses a combination of docile affection, an unfailing eagerness to please, a unique personality that keeps me constantly entertained, and a maturity of focus that is uncommon in horses with his relative inexperience.

Furthermore, he is sound and athletic. In fact, my trainer Julie Black (2000 U.S. Olympic three-day competitor) has commented multiple times on his potential to take me as far as I want to go competitively. She also made me promise that if I ever decided to sell him, I would give her first dibs. (Unfortunately for her, I don't think that day will ever come!) Julie will be the first to tell you that she would like to find horses like Rowdy to bring along herself, but simply doesn't have the time to go sifting through people's back yards and combing through horse for sale ads trying to locate special horses. Instead, she just makes a one-stop-shop trip overseas to buy horses. Most people don't have this as an option, and though they may be difficult to find (it's a big country!) I believe that there are must as many nice horses here in the US. Also, I think it is becoming increasingly rare to run into someone who is familiar with the horses he or she sells and is willing to put the effort into matching horses with the right homes.

When I bought Rowdy from you, Carol, you were very thorough — making sure I knew exactly what I was getting into before I made the trip from Tennessee to Texas, quite a trek! Because you did the research into his past, I knew exactly where he came from, who had trained him throughout his life, and his lineage. This knowledge eliminated that scary part of the horse-buying experience, not knowing what various roads your horses has been down and what effect they might have had on him (past injuries, residual training problems, etc.). And your thoughtfulness and care did not cease when the check passed hands! Your follow-up letter and emails further reflected your confidence in the sale. I have heard many a horror story of buyers who have attempted to contact the former owners of their horses only to find that they have mysteriously vanished! Trust is so important when it comes to the horse-buying and selling process. I would recommend buying a horse from or through you to anyone without hesitation, and the next time I am looking for Rowdy's new brother or sister you will be the first person I call!

Tell anyone who is considering buying a horse from or through you to give me a call or email me at lwylie82@aol.com if you need a reference from this satisfied horse owner.

Sincerely, Leslie M. Wylie