CLICK HERE to view the September issue of GoMag
ABOUT THE COVER
Nancy Ditty and Forever Twisted are featured on the September cover of GoMag. Forever Twisted, affectionately known as “Pretzel,” is by Gone Viral and out of the famous show mare, Forever Kool.
This formidable team just returned from a banner NSBA World Show, where they were unanimous Champions in the BCF 3-Year Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure, World Champions in the 3-Year Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure, Reserve World Champions in Amateur Western Pleasure and Reserve World Champions in Green Western Pleasure. Pretzel was also Reserve World Champion in the Three-Year-Old Novice Horse Western Pleasure with Katie Green.
Forever Twisted and his dam, Forever Kool were bred by Ditty Up Farms in Ocala, Florida. An interesting side note is that both mother and son won the NSBA World Championship in the Three-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure with Nancy in the saddle. Forever Kool won the prestigious class in 2019.
Nancy and her mother, the late Susan Scott, are both members of NSBA’s Quarter Million Dollar Club. Nancy’s parents, Stanley and Susan Scott put Haylo Farms in Ocala on the map as legendary breeders and Nancy and her husband, Seth have continued the legacy with their own breeding program.
Forever Twisted had a rough start from birth. Nancy said he got his name Pretzel because he was born all legs and with a twisted nose. “His nose was shaped like a fish hook. It had molded like that from how he sat in the womb,” Nancy explains. “Also, the recipient mare that carried Forever Kool’s embryo immediately disowned him. My staff and I immediately began frantically searching for a nurse mare.”
They found a nurse mare quickly through Cold Springs Nurse Mares, but with his odd-shaped nose, he could not nurse correctly at first. “The milk would run right out of his mouth and down his face,” Nancy remembers. “We couldn’t bottle feed him because he would have the same issue, so we gave him milk through a bowl of saved milk from another mare for the first month or so.”
Nancy told us that it was frightening to see his declining health. “He spent many days in the clinic. While fighting for his life, our basset hound, Dixie never left his side. He was so puny and frail, but he grew into something special as he healed with unlimited hay, grain and grass. He’s strong now and loves life. Seeing how hard he had to fight to live, shows how much he loves life. You can see it in his expressions all the time. He is always happy with his ears forward.”
Ditty explains why she chose Gone Viral to cross with her mare. “For starters, I was impressed by his performance and pedigree. I believed that breeding to Gone Viral would not only enhance the good qualities of Forever Kool, but also contribute positively to the industry by producing a horse that possesses both talent and good character. Finally, there were few options with her breeding of Machine Made and RL Best Of Sudden. So, I felt that Gone Viral was an excellent match for her and resulted in a foal that embodies the best characteristics of both parents.”
The cross between Gone Viral and Forever Kool has already succeeded beyond expectations. Nancy says that she loves Pretzel’s attitude and personality. “He is always so willing and always aims to please. He never worries about anything. He showed in five classes at the NSBA World Show and came home with five trophies.”
Ditty looks forward to continuing to show Pretzel and enjoying him as much as she did when showing his mother. Watch for this duo at the Congress, showing in the Three-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure and Amateur Western Pleasure, and Green Western Pleasure with Katie Green. Also, Forever Kool’s second foal, Forever In Always plans to be shown at the Congress in the Maiden Two-Year-Old Class under the guidance of Cole Baker.
We wish Nancy and all her horses the best of luck in Ocala at the WEC Championship Show, Congress and AQHA World Show.
CLICK HERE to view the September issue of GoMag
Cover Design: EM Design & Photography – Cover Photo: Cody Parmenter
The deadline for the October Congress Issue of GoMag is Saturday, September 28th. To reserve your space, call or text Suzannah Fuhrman, GoHorseShow’s Co-founder and Executive Vice President at 214-449-8716 or email her at [email protected]. She will be happy to answer any of your questions and can help design an advertising package to fit your needs and budget perfectly. GoHorseShow…Where The Winners Go.
