Katie said. "In every one of them you can see their father. They are all great minded, and owners can't say enough about how wonderful they are to be around. Big boned, and great movers, they are truly destined to showcase Ziprageous ability as a sire."

      At home, the Strickers have a weanling Ziprageous filly out of Life's A Zippo, by Zippo Pine Bar.

      "She's big, sweet, pretty, and a gorgeous mover, "Katie said.

      There are several great mares in foal to him for the 2005 foal crop . This outstanding group of mares include multiple superior producers, Congress Champions, top ten Champions, World Show Top Tens, a six-time Palomino World Champion/Reserve World Champion Producer, and multiple Futurity Champions / Producers. Together these mares and their get have won well over $100.00. There are several other wonderful mares expecting Ziprageous foals in 2005. A very special thank you goes out to all the mare owners who after seeing their mare's first Ragouts baby, decided to breed back to him this year.

      As Ziprageous was about to enter his first season, Johnny and Kathy made a conscious business to further their education on their new venture, breeding. They attended a two-day clinic / seminar hosted by DeGraff Stables in Port Clinton, Ohio. Clinician, judge and author, Karen Berk presented her nationwide tour, Advanced Technologies in Equine Reproduction. The intensive, hands on clinic created a lasting impression on Johnny and Cathy. Other attendees included numerous vets, accomplished breeders, and newcomers looking for guidance. Education was the key word. Classroom subjects and wet labs included, mare and stallion anatomy, endocrinology, stallion  collection, semen evaluation, freezing, AI, lab training, legal issues, shipping, troubleshooting, and the latest available products and research from leaders in the field. For nearly a decade, Berk's ERS mobile has traveled nationwide and internationally, freezing and troubleshooting stallions of all breeds and disciplines.

       Cathy wanted more than an advertising plan for Ziprageous' future. She wanted to establish her young stallion and her program, as a leader in reproductive excellence. So the Strickers reestablished contact with Berk. Ziprageous was put through as intense breeding / semen evaluation, including testing for motility, morphology, concentration, velocity and longevity. Additional cultures   and hormone assays passed with flying colors. Ziprageous' semen quality is not a guess. When selecting this young sire, mare owners can be assured of semen correctly collected, processed, dosed and shipped, by a staff committed to conception.

       Cathy got together with Berk and developed and implemented a breeding program for Ziprageous, that focuses on a high degree of service to the mare owners.     The program calls for strict adherence to breeding soundness exams, monitoring the stallion's daily sperm output versus daily sperm production, both overnight and counter to counter shipments, and most importantly, semen on call.

On Monday, Wednesday, Friday only collections. ERS Stallion Station South, located in Ocala, Florida, is a reproduction only farm, with no interference with trainer schedules. ERS is totally dedicated to their mare owner clients, and the care of the two stallions standing at their Stallion Station South, Ziprageous and Congress Top 10 halter stallion, Kid Conclusion.

       The Strickers also established a Ziprageous Foal Incentive Fund. Cash awards are being given to Open and Amateur World Champions sired by Ziprageous, and a scholarship program for Youth champions is being developed. In addition, Ziprageous is enrolled in 15 other outside incentive funds, including AQHA.

       "I feel so lucky to be a part of him, because I believe in him so much, not only as an individual, but as a show horse, a companion, and a sire," Katie said. " The moment I saw Rageous step out of his stall at Cleve Wells' I just knew he was the one. He is so natural and strong, but he also has a big heart. He is the kindest horse to be around. This summer I was lucky enough to bring him home so I could ride him myself. I truly found out why I fell in love with him the instant I laid eyes on him. Being around a lot of horses I have realized that anything can catch you're eye, but I believe that it takes a Special one to capture your heart, and that is exactly what Ziprageous did when he walked into our lives."

       For additional information on Ziprageous contact Karen Berk, ERS Breeding Manager at (352) 208-4747 or visit Ziprageous at his website: www.ziprageous.com.

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