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100 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2011 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE F A B U L O U S F A R M S

By Erin Gilmore

Fifteen years ago, Barbara Ellison was just a rider. But as the amateur/owner purchased one, two and then three warmblood stallions to compete with, breeding seemed a natural next step. So began Wild Turkey Farm, breeder of hunter/jumper sport horses. And in a relatively short time, Wild Turkey horses have made their mark. Two offspring of foundation stallion Liocalyon competed last fall in the show jumping at the World Equestrian Games, and Wild Turkey breeding stallions regularly clean up on the West Coast grand prix circuit.

2011 begins a new chapter for Wild Turkey Farm. The completion of a brand new breeding and training facility near Portland, Oregon is the realization of a dream for Barb. After raising her children and founding Wild Turkey Farm in Woodside, California, in the ‘90s, the Oregon native is moving her horses “home” this month, to a 200-acre farm in the Willamette Valley. Surrounded by neatly fenced felds, a quiet river and lush fr trees, the 22-stall training barn, 24-stall broodmare barn and 15-stall retirement barn house the past, present and future generations of Wild Turkey sport horses. 

All photos by Barbara Ellison

Even though it was just bare land when Barb frst set eyes on it, she was sure that the property was meant to be the home of Wild Turkey Farm. Today over a dozen pastures surround the farm structures

Wild Turkey Chevelle, a 2010 Chesapeake flly, is a keeper, says Barb. She already moves much like her dam, Wapity T, a hunter with beautiful movement. “I think she’s going to be special,” Barb adds. “Right now she’s not for sale!”

Wild Turkey Farm