Sovereign Stables, LLC

08/29/2024

Quiet after the storm. That was a scary one. Big wind, torrential rain (again) and this place that fights every day to return to dust made it through. Thanks to the tireless Payton Stegner and Kelli Johnson for keeping things together in the barn. Everyone is safe!

08/27/2024

This farm has the most magical light of any place I have ever been. After a crazy storm, Carly captured a night time rainbow! No pot of gold yet, but still feel lucky.🍀 🌧️ 🌈

08/17/2024

Going Dutch means something different around here! Super excited to welcome Captain! Thank you to the Dews and Courtney Burkett for making this happen! Also welcome to Hunter and Melodie Barnhisel, excited to be working with Knight on what division needs a palomino, and so lucky to have the handsomest boy Brody joining our beginner lesson string! Special thanks to Jalina Smith for sharing her adorable spotted boy!

08/16/2024

I love this perfect pair. A dynamite lady and her incredible partner!

07/27/2024

We are awkward subjects for a photo, us two. But this horse continues to amaze me. Showing him is an absolute joy.

07/17/2024

The greatest breed there is!

Your child is begging you to start riding lessons, but you’re unsure where to start? Here’s why saddleseat riding is a wonderful option for your child 🫶:

🐎Saddlebreds are curious, highly attentive and intelligent horses and enjoy bonding with their riders. Bonds like this are something children take with them into adulthood, and with a saddlebred, this bond comes easily.

🐎The saddlebred is a gracious horse and is intuitive to a young rider. Big horses with large hearts which allow the littlest of riders to handle them in the show ring. We see this over and over again.

🐎Saddlebreds adore attention. And children love giving them that attention.

🐎Riding a saddlebred teaches great balancing skills, strengthens your child’s body as well as discipline.

🐎Let’s face it, there is nothing more spectacular than a little child showing a marvelous horse such as the saddlebred.

🐎To conclude, horse care and riding teaches a child the valuable lesson of responsibility which is priceless.

Photo credit: Kerryn Ross | SA Saddle Horse

07/12/2024

We are still organizing and figuring out details- but it is an absolute joy to have some storage and homes for things. It’s so fun to see plans realized! I cannot wait to finish the rest! Moving our laundry, creating more storage for tubs and blankets, and reno on the nasty wash racks next. We’ve had so many talented helpers! Thanks to Ken Jackson, and especially Greg Tomlinson for being the most badass handyman ever!

07/12/2024

I have an absolutely amazing giant of a gaited horse for sale. He is broke to death, safe, kind and easy to manage. He’s also L-A-Z-Y- but in a babysitter way.
Great in the full bridle, bright with his ears, a dreamy canter. This 17.2 chonk needs a rider that will push him every step. He can be a fancy dude, or just plunk around and carry a passenger- just depends on the passenger. He’s the same horse every day he comes out- and dependable at shows.
Owner now just needs and easy-peasy, broke to death WTC horse.
Only requirement is perfect headset and tolerant in the full bridle. Literally something to throw her in the ring the rest of the season and not have to work. Looking for a cute country horse or something like that. Gelding preferred.
Would absolutely consider a trade for this incredible guy. I wish I had someone in the barn to buy him- he has served us so well and is a blast to ride!

Just to be clear- we are fine with an outright sale!

07/02/2024

I find Pigpen extremely relatable. Don’t judge me for my chronically sticky steering wheel. Chocolate Babka roll from . Must be eaten immediately.

06/25/2024

All set up and ready to roll with 11 horses for Tanbark. Every year It’s one of those shows where we sweat like heck all day- so I am DELIGHTED that we are expecting temps in the 70s!

06/23/2024

The only photos I am ever using in advertising ever again.

06/22/2024

Our feral barn cats only come out at night- but we are happy to give them a safe and loving place to hide out. They don’t seem to kill anything- and they sure like canned cat food, but it’s all ok with me.

06/18/2024

I have been in horses a long time, but as a breeder, I am a complete novice, a newbie. So far we have had three wonderful healthy colts. I never expected it would bring me this much joy. Every trainer and farm owner knows what a struggle some days are- and these babies and thinking about the future are incredibly uplifting. It is a true privilege to be the steward of these amazing animals- there is no breed of horse that compares. Each one has been handled and loved on from the start- and they are all so unique. This little clown has a big, performative personality already- no wonder they are the Peacocks of the Show Ring! L

06/16/2024

I didn’t have time for many pics- but SO proud of all our riders! Our performance and academy teams did so well! Congrats to (), Gemma and Sophie- !!! And then THIS guy! It was SO hot and he was so tired, but when I asked for one click more, he was there. Silverfox Smoke & Mirrors was the Open Hunter Champion today. It’s hard not to smile on him. Looking forward to our future adventures. I love my special boy!

06/14/2024

Sorry for another Grady post- but you have to post a pic when your horse is so perfect he lets you throw a sidesaddle on him and truck around at a horse show with 3 other rides in it. He got another FROOT. Saddlebreds (and this one in particular) CAN DO ANYTHING!!!! ❤️

06/13/2024

So my birthday isn’t until October, but our truly amazing customers had a surprise ready when I got to the show to set up last night! Custom adjustable curtain frames! They know me and the staff have been coveting these for a long while. I almost started crying! It’s hard to be the only tall person in a sea of little people! Thanks to Lauren for spearheading this- Pete Rozwadowski for producing them, the BEST customers for getting it done! Drew we almost didn’t miss you last night! 🤩🫣😂🤷🏼‍♀️❤️❤️❤️❤️

06/12/2024

Every day is improved by this little babes who is already wearing a halter and leading without a buttrope at 2 and a half weeks. He really is a charming little dude. So proud of the three colts we’ve produced. &palaces

06/11/2024

When the boss realizes she now has to wear readers to do clipping- our delightful summer intern gets to learn show clipping! Ainsley will be learning all aspects of working horses and running the farm this summer and we are lucky to have her. Next up, breaking babies!

06/11/2024

As we head into two horse show weeks coming up, i’d like to remind all of my riders of this! Enjoy your horse, the weather, our cool barn family, the daily comedy provided by your trainers, smile at, say hello to and cheer for our fellow competitors! Remember it’s fun- and how lucky we are to get to do this at all! 🐴 ♥️ 💜 🤍

Tuesday Tip:
Remember, this horse showing and riding is supposed to be FUN! That's how most of us got started. Smile, enjoy your your horse and what you are learning. It's all a process. Some days you win and some days you learn! I have found that the more you have fun, the more success you make. Being overly critical of yourself or your horse generally works against you. Always find the good in everything first. Whether you are the rider, trainer, sponsor or parent be positive, be supportive. No one tries to do poorly! SO many riders beat themselves up and are critical of themselves. They don't need help at that! Focus on the positive and you will see much more positive results! Try it and see what happens!!!

06/10/2024

Who pooped on the floor?

06/06/2024

School's Out for Summer - It's time for HORSE CAMP!

🐎 Are your kids ready to trot into summer fun? Our Beginner Horse Camp is here to make their equestrian dreams come true! Whether they are first-time riders or looking to improve their skills, our camp is the perfect place to saddle up and make memories that will last a lifetime! 🏕️

4.5 days* camp with a Horse Show Recital and Pizza Party on Friday!

📅 June 17-21 6-9yrs
📅 July 1-3* (3 day camp) 6-9yrs AND 9-14yrs
📅 July 15 - 19 6-9yrs
📅 July 29- Aug 2 9-14yrs

⌚9am - 4pm
💰$575 per rider

At our camp, your child will:

🤠 Learn the basics of horseback riding from experienced instructors.
🧹 Learn how to care for the horses in every aspect from grooming to feeding and first aid
🐴Meet our very own baby horses
🍦 Make new friends who share their love of horses.
🌟 Develop confidence, responsibility, and a deeper connection with animals.
🥇Fun Horse Show to display their skills on Friday!

Our camps are designed for kids ages 6-14, grouped by age, and no prior riding experience is necessary. Safety is our top priority, and our trained staff will ensure that every child has a fun and rewarding experience in a supportive environment. 🌟

Limited spaces are available - so don't delay! Sign up your young rider today and watch them blossom into a confident equestrian! 🌟🐴✨ email [email protected] to sign up!

🐴🌟

06/04/2024

Happy first official day of retirement to one of the special guys in my career. Arrowhead’s Blueman has been a staple in the midwest show pleasure division for years. He is last year’s recipient of the Flaming Award, given by the Minnesota Saddlebred Horse Association. I’ve known Blueberry for 15 years. Of all the horses I have worked and shown- I have NEVER known a horse who loves the show ring like this guy. His retirement came too soon, and while those things are never fair, I look forward to taking the best care of him with his family for the rest of his life. We look forward to his final trip to the ring with his official retirement ceremony and party at Tanbark at the end of the month. It’s hard to think of never riding him into the ring again, but a blessing he is still full of himself and Mr Personality every day!

06/03/2024

There is STILL so much more to do in our beautiful new tack room. This has been a huge project. From the insulation, to the wood, to the power to the plumbing. A huge effort to bring a space that has had very little upkeep since 1962- when this part was constructed and offer my wonderful customers and staff a updated, kind of luxurious place to work. If you’ve watched enough HGTV- you know that EVERY renovation ends up eating your bank account- and that tracks. But we are on to stage 2- laundry moving, laundry tub sink, shelves for convenient tub storage. Phase 3 is demo and reno of rhe washrack also known as ‘the den of creatures’. Then phase 4, strengthening and welding all the stall bars and painting all the stall fronts. We’ll just fit all that in at night. Grateful to everyone who has dedicated time and money to see my vision here. From Tom, dumping cash in, some of my lesson dads painting ceilings, Nic on insulation, the fabulous Greg on being an absolute machine on every piece of the project, to my customers living in the horrible chaos for the last year and Payton & Lauren constantly organizing, putting stuff away and making things better.

06/02/2024

Why should kids get all the fun? Select Friday evenings all summer long, we will be offering 'camp' for horse people over the age of 55! (If you're not quite there, but still want to participate, that's cool too!) Each session will be on a Friday evening, last about 3 hours, and we will cover LOTS of horse care, working with horses fun topics. We will also do some riding, driving and learn techniques to retain strength, balance and flexibility to prolong our riding careers and stay fit. Each session is $75. You may also buy a block of 4 or 8 sessions at a 15% discount! The format will be very collaborative, relaxed and social- also a great way to meet new people with similar interests, and enjoy our beautiful sunsets here at the farm (maybe with a glass of wine when we are done!) I absolutely love my 'mature' riders, and I AM one myself, so understand some of the unique challenges we face! We will also have some guest attendees lined up! The first session will be Friday, June 21st at 6pm. We will be doing approximately 2 of these a month- and will have the rest of the dates soon! If you have NO horse experience, or a LOT, there is room for you here! Message me for details! We are located in Dayton, just 25 minutes Northwest of downtown Minneapolis!