HOUDINI
2004 16.2h American Thoroughbred Gelding by Hot Rock out of Nancy’s Star
Prolific 4 and 5* competitor. Multiple wins at Advanced level and countless awards
“Hewie” goes down in eventing history as one of the greatest American Thoroughbred ambassadors of all time. An uninterrupted 8 years at the Advanced/5* level earned him many top placings and year end awards. An injury in 2018 prevented him from boarding the plane to Badminton, but he’s well on his way to making a strong comeback in 2020. He is known for his goofy behavior and often can be found “making a scene” at the horse show, but when he takes the stage he always brings the goods.
A SPORTSFIELD DIAMOND
2011 17h ISH gelding by Heritage Fortunus out of Dilly’s Diamond (Diamond Serpent)
FEI Winner and 5* prospect
“Sparky” is a newer ride for Katie, having been purchased by The Champagne Syndicate from former rider and world number 1 Oliver Townend in 2018. Sparky is a former winner of the prestigious Dublin Horse Show Young Event Horse class, and with Oliver he had several good placings at 2 and 3* level. With Katie he has had some very good runs at the same levels including a FOD win at Foshay International CCI2*-L in August 2019. Sparky will be considering an Advanced upgrade in the spring of 2020.
COR DE LEA
2013 16h Oldenburg mare by Cor de Lux out of Rasa (xx)
The Champagne Syndicate’s white lightening
“Cora” was bought in early 2019 by The Champagne Syndicate as a young, untested prospect. In 2019 she had a meteoric rise in the sport, going from her first competition to placing 2nd at her first attempted at the Preliminary level, and 4th in her first FEI event. She is steady and focused and will be looking to one-up herself in 2020 with the ultimate goal of Young Horse 3* Championships.
HANNIBAL
2009 16.2h Warmblood Cross gelding by Silivo I out of Rosetta Stone (xx)
Stalwart Preliminary/2* campaigner with many top placings at the level
“Pickle” is a unanimous barn favorite with his good looks and mischievous nature. He is a Sun’s Hall Farm homebred and has been competed through the Intermediate level. He has won his fair share of Preliminary horse trials and finished out 2019 with a 6th place at Foshay International CCI2-L. Although he may not be a 5* prospect and likely should have been sold many times over, he has stolen our hearts and will remain a much loved pet of the Ruppel family.
FE MARDI GRAS
2012 16.2h British bred Thoroughbred gelding by Mr Big Cat out of Be My Guest
“Mardi” has the unique honor of being the only homebred of Olympic and WEG medalist Clayton Fredericks. And what remarkable breeding he has - his sire Mr. Big Cat was a winner up to the 3* level and his dam, Be My Guest, enjoyed success at the 5* level, with a 5th place finish at Kentucky and a 3rd place finish at Burghley. It’s because of Be My Guests’ top placings that Mardi came into existence - he is an Embryo Transfer foal which is a prize received by the top placing mare in the field. Mardi was chosen to be Katie’s partner because of her relationship and success with Thoroughbred horses. He has a “puppy-like” personality and is a favorite among the working students. Although a bit of a slow burner, he’s had multiple top finishes at Training level.and will be looking to contest his first FEI event in the spring of 2020.
CHAMPAGNE SYNDICATE SHARES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS HORSE
YOUNG HORSES
Ages 3-5 horses are started at the farm and are all for sale while simultaneously being produced for top level eventing. They come from various backgrounds, from off the track, to homebreds, to being sent here to be broken in/sold. Please inquire if you’re in the market for a young prospect. Most have been to competitions and have full vettings with x-rays on file.
“High Calibre” 2013 Hanoverian/TB mare by Principal van Thornsele
”Murphy” 2015 TB gelding by Gio Ponti
”Casper” 2015 TB gelding by Silver Key
”Two Shy” 2015 TB mare by Power Brokers
”Matisse” 2015 TB gelding by Cowboy Cal
”Spot” 2016 Holsteiner/TB gelding by Lotus T (Sun’s Hall Farm homebred)
BILLY MCARTHUR
2012 15.3h AES gelding by Tangelo van Zuuthoeve out of Billy McCruise (Cruising)
“Billy Mac” is a new face in the barn, being acquired over the summer/fall of 2019. He was bred at Pippa and WIlliam Funnells’ prestigious Billy Stud in the UK. He shares the same sire with Mara Depuy’s exciting 4* horse Congo Brazzaville. Billy Mac was sold at the Goresbridge sale in 2015 and found himself in America, where he won several events up to Training level under Daniel and Kaitlyn Clasing. While a great competitor, he is by far the laziest horse in the stable - frequently laying down and sleeping for the majority of the day. Even during the busiest hours, he remains completely unbothered by all of the traffic. Billy Mac is a #mood
CHAMPAGNE SYNDICATE SHARES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS HORSE
BROODMARES & FOALS
Katie enjoys running her own hobby stud farm at her personal home of
Sun’s Hall Farm in Anthony, FL. The goal of the breeding operation is to produce select foals that are by quality stallions, out of proven mares, and have a high percentage of thoroughbred blood without sacrificing movement or scope. All foals will be offered on the open market for sale once they have been broken in, but if you are shopping for an in-utero or unbroken prospect, please inquire.
Broodmares:
”Fifi” - Afleet Alex / Roberto
”Peanut” - Simon Pure / Gold Case
Foals:
2017 TB filly by Fast Anna (Medaglia D’Oro) out of a Distorted Humor mare
2017 Holsteiner cross filly by Lotus T out of Peanut
2018 Holsteiner cross colt by Lotus T out of Fifi
In Utero
2020 SHB(GB) foal by Tomatillo out of Fifi
2020 SHB(GB) foal by Tomatillo out of Peanut