November 22, 2005 – Ottawa, Ontario – Five years after winning the coveted Governor General’s Cup, Ashland Farm was back in the winner’s circle with another homebred entry on November 10 at the 2005 Royal Horse Show held as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON.

Ashland Farm first won the Governor General’s Cup in 2000 with its flashy bay stallion, Popeye K, who has since gone on to enjoy a phenomenal hunter career in the United States. Five years later, Popeye K bloodlines have once again proved successful as Roman K, by the Argentinean thoroughbred Yavari, owned by the Earle family of Puerto Rico, out of Rivoli K by Voltaire, a full sister to Popeye K, beat out 54 entries to take top honours. Following a judged line class, the Governor General’s Cup is awarded to the three-year-old Canadian-bred horse best suited to become a sport horse.

“It is amazing to win in 2000 with Popeye K, then to come back this year and win with a totally different type of animal,” said Paul Morgan who, with his wife Darlene and business partner, Peter Karneef, bred and own Roman K.

Extremely athletic with excellent conformation, Roman K is a blood bay stallion that recently received top marks for his show jumping ability at the Canadian Sport Horse Stallion Licensing in October.

“Roman K represents the best qualities of both Thoroughbred and Warmblood breeding,” ascertains Morgan. “His sire, Yavari, an international show jumping horse that competed at the 1995 Pan American Games, brings athleticism, bravery and heart to the equation while the dam’s line, which features the well-known stallion Voltaire, brings not only proven show jumping ability in terms of power and scope but also flashy good looks and a strong presence.”

Both Roman K and Popeye K are the result of a breeding program built by Karneef, who breeds his carefully selected mares to top European bloodlines. Paul and Darlene Morgan, who operate Ashland Farm located just outside of Ottawa, are co-owners of every horse bred through the program and are responsible for managing their breeding and competition careers.

Popeye K is now owned by Rachel Spencer and shown in the hunter ring under well-known professional, Tommy Serio. At the time of the sale in January of 2003, Morgan stated, “We had the opportunity to take Popeye K through the first part of his career as a stallion, and now it is time for him move into the second part of his career as a show horse. I hope that Rachel is able to make him a champion in the hunter ring and, in three or four years from now, I hope he has become a prolific stallion with sought after offspring.”

Two short years later, Morgan’s hopes have come true as the top three horses in the under saddle Lieutenant Governor’s Cup - Over The Moon, Sailor’s Spirit and Nyla K, were sired by Popeye K while four of the top ten horses in the Governor General’s Cup – Sailor’s Spirit (2nd), Nyla K (4th), Over The Moon (6th) and Porsha K (9th), were also Popeye K progeny.

Ashland Farm stands several top quality stallions including Roman K’s sire, Yavari, a CWHBA and Canadian Sport Horse Gold Premium Thoroughbred stallion; the KWPN-approved and Canadian Sport Horse Silver Premium stallion, Ikoon; the KWPN pinto and CWHBA and Canadian Sport Horse licensed stallion, Tricolore; and the Dutch Warmblood stallion, Novalis, who is approved by both the CWHBA and Canadian Sport Horse Association.

For more information, please visit www.warmblood.com.