Welcome to Frost Hill Farm - Please join us for a virtual farm tour!

 

updated 01/21/2012

Welcome to Frost Hill Farm! Thanks for stopping by. I'm Karen Rudolph, and these little horses are my passion. My love for horses goes WAY back. According to my parents, my first word was "horse" and I was riding my toy bouncing horse before I could walk.

There were no dolls for me growing up. Breyer models & horse posters filled my bedroom and my only wish was a horse of my very own.  In 1978 (when I was 13) that wish came true. Bit O' Honey was a Heinz 57 kind of horse. About 14 hands tall with a head as big as a Draft Horse and crazy blue eyes. I spent more hours on her back than in my bed. Every morning in the summer I'd hop on (bareback of course) and ride until the sun went down. I entered my first horse show with her - and won my first ribbon.

After a few years, Dad realized I was serious about this "horse thing" and we began the search for a horse I could show and be competitive with. After a few "failures" we found Killowatch (AKA Shadow) a 4 year old Appendix Registered Quarter Horse, who may possible be the greatest horse that ever lived. For 8 years he was my best friend & soul mate. We showed at the local shows, moving up to the AHSA Hunter circuit and finally found our niche at the AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association) shows. Sadly, I lost Shadow in a pasture accident when he was 12.

During this time, our horse collection grew, with my brother & sister wetting thier feet in the equine world. I got married and soon after,  our family grew by one child, every year for 4 years.  Many horses came and went - a few stayed longer than others. Meanwhile, my children grew and two of them developed a real passion for horses. So the cycle continued and I went from the horse show competitor to the horse show mom.

My Dad (now referred to as "Grampy") loved the horse shows and he faithfully brought the girls & their horses to every horse show within a day's drive. For 10 years, that was our life. Under the guidance of Gretchen Mathes & Eugene Spagnola, we enjoyed showing all over the East Coast, with wins from Florida to the Quarter Horse Congress.

You are probably wondering how the minis fit into all this..... Well, through all the years of showing the Quarter Horses, we always had one "tiny" horse at the farm. Nothing fancy, but I always loved the little ones. One of my daughters actually brought me into the world of quality AMHA/AMHR Miniature Horses. She convinced me that she REALLY wanted to show the minis and with just a tiny bit of pursuading, I caved, and Investment Farms Mercedes came to our farm in 2002. Frost Hill Farm was born. While my daughter quickly moved on to other things (but still continued to show the big horses) - I was hooked. After Sadie, came Alvadars Justablaze and then another, then another. It took me a few years to actually get in the show ring with the minis, but in 2006 I ventured into the world of showing and have enjoyed every minute.

In 2007, I purchased a true "miniature" horse trailer from Limestone Miniatures (then located in Kentucky). Not wanted to bring the trailer back to New Hampshire empty, Janet gladly obliged by sending LM Idols Valentino Hawk home with us. WHAT A HORSE! After watching him grow that fall I just had a feeling he was a bit too nice for me to show alone. That's where Lee Crutchfield & Kirby Jones came into the picture. Valentino had 3 successful years showing, with many AMHA World & AMHR National Championships, Regional Championships, Supremes and Champion of Champions. (thanks, Lee & Kirby!)

My herd has slowly grown, and my children have done the same. We said goodbye to our 30 year old Quarter Horse, Bandit this summer. In 2011 Frost Hill Farm welcomed one new foal to the world - Frost Hill Silent Sephora. "Susie" was assisted into this world by the expert hands of Heather & Shannon Troglauer at Mulligans' Run Farm in SC and is now home enjoying the NH life.

We have had a show year of a lifetime n 2011! -I showed AOTE with three horses. This fall, we came home with 2 World Champion titles and two Reserve World Champion titles (those 2 were actually TIED for World Champion!) and High Point AOTE Halter at the AMHA World Show.

There is a possibilty of a new mini barn in the near future to accomodate all the horses I "just can't live without". I know it's a cliche' but it is so true about minis being like potato chips. You really can't stop at just one. Each and every one is special and I love them for many different reasons.

Thanks for stopping by! If you'd like to have more than just a "virtual visit" - just drop me an email. I love to show off my little horses. They are all registered AMHA/AMHR - and every one comes from champion lines. Im a HUGE First Knights Billy Idol fan, as well as L&D Scout & Champion Farms Nighthawk so you will find a lot of those bloodlines at the farm. Most of all, the horses here have wonderful temperments, which make them not only winning show horses, but also best friends.

Wishing you the best in 2012 and beyond!                                                                                 Karen :o)

 

 

Poster Credit: MiniEquine Photography - Sandy Revard

 

Artwork by Kaitlin Stone