Along with standing nine fine stallions, the Beattys have also carefully put together a band of around 50 broodmares from which they are now raising a large selection of exceptional pleasure and halter prospects. Quarter Horse Bloodlines in this broodmare band include some of the most popular pleasure horse sires in the industry, such as Flashy Zipper, Zippin Bonanza Flash, and Barpassers Image, and Appaloosa Bloodlines include some of the top ApHC halter sires.

Dave and Connie own Shady Creek Ranch in partnership with Maureen Grogan and Peggy Yockey, both from California, and the operation is a realization of something Dave has wanted to do for a long, long time.

Dave, who has handled the breeding duties for such notables as Mr. Impressive, Top Sail Cody, and Flashy Zipper, got his start in artificial insemination techniques over 25 years ago, a year before he went to work for MBJ Quarter Hoses in 1981, alongside Bruce Walquist. Then, a few years later he took a similar position with Bob Loomis while Bob was still in Nebraska. "I was there for a year," says Dave, "And, it really gave me an excellent opportunity to gain some overall insight into the breeding business as a whole. Coming from an operation where cost was never an issue to one where the horses paid the way helped me understand what would be necessary if I ever got a breeding operation of my own."

Following his stint in Nebraska, Dave teamed up with Bruce, again, this time at Cedar Wind Farm in Abilene, TX. It was here that Dave first came into contact with Flashy Zipper when he was acquired by the farm's owner, David Jones, and from that time on Dave's future has in some way been connected either to the stallion or his son, Zippin Bonanza Flash.

"After I helped Bruce manage the breeding operation for Mr. Jones for a couple of years. I went to work doing the same thing for Winridge Farm." Dave recalls, "Then, after Bruce started his own horse operation with Flashy Zipper, I went to work for him in Cleburne and stayed there until Bruce sold both Flashy Zipper and Zippin Bonanza Flash to a man in Georgia and I was hired to go to Georgia with them."

"We stayed in Georgia for six years," he continues. "Then, when Zippin Bonanza Flash was sold to some people in California, arrangements were made for me to haul the horses out there. While I was there, they offered me a deal to stay since I was the only one that had ever bred the stallion, and I took them up on it. And, that's where we lived until we purchased the property and started building the operation here in Oklahoma four years ago."

"California is also where I got involved with Appaloosas," he adds. "As time went on, the Beck family that I was working for got heavily into Appaloosa halter horses. So, even though my interests had always leaned toward performance horses, I found myself showing--and better appreciating--halter horses as they brought home around 70 to 75 ApHC World titles, National Championships and High Point awards."

When Dave first envisioned his present operation. It was strictly to breed and promote their own horses. However, it soon became apparent to everyone involved that standing a number of good stallions from multiple breeds and disciplines, having a good selection of halter and performance prospects, and taking a few outside horses would provide a much needed service. Thus, the operation has evolved into what it is today--Shady Creek Ranch.

From the article by Kay Yandell written for The Southern Horseman (November 2006)