It’s been just over a year since the gavel fell on the auction of top stallion VS Flatline, aka “Kobe.” While Kobe needs no introduction, many people were surprised that AQHA newcomer Chandler Marks purchased him.
Despite being relatively new to AQHA, Marks has been an equine enthusiast for many years. We recently sat down with him to get the details on his equine passion, business ventures, and newfound enthusiasm for Quarter Horses.
A Man of Many Interests
Marks has been a horse-lover since childhood and even began riding a Quarter Horse at age three. His love of horses is well-rounded, bringing him to various breeds and disciplines throughout the industry.
“I’ve been a horse fanatic since childhood,” Marks laughs. “For most of my career in the industry, I focused on breeding and showing miniature horses. Despite my aunt’s best wishes (she loved Paints and Quarters), I adored miniature horses. I put much effort into making the perfect crosses and showing them to multiple championship titles.”
He continues, “I’ve sold my miniatures around the country and internationally to the United Kingdom and even to the leader of Dubai.”
But minis weren’t Marks’ only passion. “I also spent years breeding and showing Arabians and Saddlebreds.” While Marks has since sold his Arabian operation, he still keeps many Saddlebreds and miniatures on his farm.
“As a result of getting into different breeds, I’ve been interested in dressage, hunter jumpers, saddle seat, and various disciplines that have brought me around the world. I enjoy the animals and appreciate all the talented horses and riders.”
Marks’ love for horses led him to start his boutique equine insurance company, The Marks Agency. He also purchased a portion of the property formerly known as Padua Thoroughbreds in Ocala, Florida, where he now bases his breeding operation.
“I own NMotion Equestrian, LLC., which is my breeding facility. It sits on 73 lush acres and has 44 stalls. Our facility neighbors Kenny McPeek’s Thoroughbred training facility.” For those unfamiliar with McPeek, he trained the 2024 Kentucky Derby winner, Mystic Dan.
With such a beautiful facility and diverse background, Marks is now looking to the future of NMotion Equine. “We are continuing to breed miniatures, but have cut down the operation a little to make room for the new contingent…the Quarter Horses.”
Welcome to AQHA
“A few years ago, I started to take a serious interest in the Quarter Horse industry. Specifically, I was drawn to all the great programs that AQHA offers for young horses with the longe line events. I was also excited about the futurity and incentive options like Southern Belle, Super Sires, and Premier Sires – to name a few.”
Marks explains, “I still love the other associations I am a part of or have been part of, but with my busy schedule, it can be difficult to travel to these locations where those boutique associations have a foothold. AQHA is truly a national, and let’s face it, international, association that offers members first-class showing opportunities in various exciting locations.”
“My facility is in Ocala, and there are some incredible options for Quarter Horses right in my backyard – which is amazing.”
Marks considers himself a student of bloodlines – miniature horses, Standardbreds, or Quarter Horses. “I love it all, but I’m most passionate about breeding and finding the perfect cross to result in a foal that wins and a program that betters the breed. I could sit for hours pouring over bloodlines and conformation photos – it doesn’t feel like work when you love it so much.”
“A few years ago, I had one to two Quarter Horses. As of this year, I have 18 and am expecting eight foals in 2025.” He laughs, “When I get excited about something, it’s ‘go big or go home!’” His first foal, due in 2025, will be a full sibling to VS Goodride (VS Flatline x Goody Goody Gumdrops).
“One of my first AQHA purchases was a mare out of Assets Agenda by Hot Ones Only. I also love the RL Best Of Sudden daughters. I have a mare that I’m super excited about by RL out of Zippin The Breeze that I bought from Dan and Kathryn Frederick. So, I’ve been working to build up my broodmare band with some great quality mares quickly.”
Purchase of VS Flatline
“I bred my first Quarter Horses in 2022, and one of the foals was by VS Code Red, and the other was by VS Flatline. In 2023, I visited both stallions and fell in love with Kobe. Something about him drew me in, and he has been at the top of my mind since that day.”
He laughs, “It must have been fate because the day I read the announcement of the VS Dispersal Sale on GoHorseShow, I immediately started scheming about buying Kobe.”
“I decided to bid from home because I didn’t want to risk travel issues and have that interfere with my plan. I decided to make a ‘practice bid’ on an embryo by RL Best Of Sudden out of Vital Lines Are Red, and, shockingly, I won it. I laughed at the time and said that if Kobe went above my budget, I would at least walk away with something amazing.”
A few lots later, the time came for Marks to make his move. “I teased a friend and said, ‘Maybe I’ll get lucky and get him for x dollars.’ And it turns out, my wishful thinking wasn’t far off from what I bought him for – it felt like a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
“When they said I won the bid for Kobe, it was an out-of-body experience. I couldn’t believe it. Then reality hit, and I said, ‘I need a team to help me navigate this because I may have just jumped into the deep end,’” he smiled.
Marks ended up finding quite the team in Highpoint Performance Horses. “I am beyond grateful to the team at Highpoint for helping me navigate the industry and do right by Kobe and his breeders. This past year, his breedings were up by 20% from the year prior, and we already have some incredible mares booked for him in 2025. The future is bright.”
As for the embryo Marks accidentally won; that was also a bit of a fate. The resulting foal was born this past January – a strong colt likely to be AQHA/APHA due to a spot. “I reserved the name ‘Winning Bid’ for him, which feels appropriate. I’m hopeful that he will have the potential to be a future junior stallion so that I can keep the ball rolling.”
Looking to the Future
Marks hopes to enjoy his foray into the ‘deep end of the AQHA pool’ by continuing to grow his breeding program. “I’d like to show in the longe line with some of my homebreds, and I also have dreams to one day show in the Western Riding – which is such a strong event for the VS line. I’m so thankful to be welcomed into the industry, and I’ll do my best to leave my ‘mark.’”
He encourages those traveling to the Florida winter circuit to stop by NMotion Equestrian and say hello. He also hopes to host an open house around the Sudden Impulse Futurity in the spring, so stay tuned for details on that event.
The next time you see Marks at a show, feel free to stop by and say hello – he makes for good conversation and has some pretty amazing miniature horse photos on his phone.
