10 / Sport and Trail Magazine
Feral Highland Ponies
the following year, Stonewall Rascal was born and would go on to become the founding sire for the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Horse.
Everett was excited by the article and contacted Michael, asking if a stallion was available to service his mares. Michael explained Stonewall Rascal was only two years old at that time, but promised he would stay in touch. Everett was in full planning mode. He needed to record the lineage of these beautiful horses for an official registry. He formed the Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Horse Registry. When the two men planned together, rather than wanting a horse as heavy as Everett, Michael desired a good medium build, much like today’s modern warmblood, but with loud color. As a result, the Stonewall Sporthorse (<50% draft) was created combining the registries until Everett’ retirement. SSB is managed by Michael and Access Adventure.
In 1997, Everett saw an article in a draft horse magazine about Michael Hanna (Muir) in California, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 15. However, he was very active with horses all his life. Vowing to focus on what he could still achieve, in spite of his disease, he set out to bring awareness by founding the Access Adventures Organization at Rush Ranch. Michael’s positive attitude helped him deal with a myriad of problems while he helped others in his work. It is vital to keep the focus on doing, rather than in lamenting what has been lost Michael believes. The worst disability is a bad attitude.
Michael had been working on a draft breeding program of his own called the Stonewall Sporthorse. He had owned Apache
In 1997, Everett saw an article in a draft horse magazine about Michael Hanna (Muir) in California, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 15. However, he was very active with horses all his life. Vowing to focus on what he could still achieve, in spite of his disease, he set out to bring awareness by founding the Access Adventures Organization at Rush Ranch. Michael’s positive attitude helped him deal with a myriad of problems while he helped others in his work. It is vital to keep the focus on doing, rather than in lamenting what has been lost Michael believes. The worst disability is a bad attitude.
Michael had been working on a draft breeding program of his own called the Stonewall Sporthorse. He had owned Apache Double, an ApHC stallion who had a huge impact in the Appaloosa and racing world, setting track records that still standing. In 1974 he became the first Appaloosa to sell for a record price of $100,000.00 and was the first and only Appaloosa to go over the $2 million mark in winnings of his get. He is the all-time leading sire of racing appaloosas and in 2001, was inducted into the Appaloosa Hall of Fame. Michael turned his interests from racehorses to driving horses when the effects of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) began to invade his life. His love of horses could not be stifled. He learned to drive and boldly went into driving competitions. In 1989, looking for good breeding stock for his program, he found the famous Percheron stallion, Charlie Degas at an auction, a throw away, a shadow of his former proud frame. Michael raised his hand and Charlie Degas became one of the founding sires of the Stonewall Stud Book. He was bred to Stonewall Dottie West, an Apache Double daughter, resulting in a filly named Stonewall Baby Jane. In 1995, a Percheron stallion named Stonewall Showmaster, was bred to Baby Jane and the following year, Stonewall
Rascal was born and would go on to become the founding sire for the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Horse.