Stanley Ranch History
by Ferman Ansel
This is a wonderful story, about two dedicated, hard working, risk taking people, with a dream, that they made come true. Dave and Molly Stanley through the years have developed the Stanley Spanish Arabian Ranch into the Source for high quality athletic Arabian horses. They continue to win competitions at National Championship levels and in 1997 several of their horses were again National Champions in the U.S.A. and Canada. The mares *Discoteca+/, *Bouganvillea, *Iberia and *Jezebel+// ruled the ring in Jumper and working hunter classes. Here is the rest of the story.
This part of the story begins in the childhood of John David Stanley, who was born in
Stanleytown, Virginia, and grew up with saddlebred and walking horses at Stoneleigh Farms.
Good horses had been part of his family since before his grandfather’s horse was shot
out from under him at the battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. Dave, his brother Tom
and sister Anne were expected to ride their show horses every day before and after school.
Dave won his first horse show trophy at the age of six, on a saddlebred pony mare
‘Sugar Mint’,
and continued to show throughout his childhood.
When Dave was ten,
his father traded for a young thoroughbred gelding, eighteen hands high, who provided
Dave’s introduction to jumping horses. This gelding went on to be on the first US
Olympic team that went to Canada.
Later, after college and Korea, Dave hunted with several of the East Coast hunts. Then,
as Dave puts it "That was all a lot of fun, but it was time for me to go to
work." Many years passed in a busy life with his family and in business, as President
of Stanley Furniture, founded by Dave’s father, Thomas Bahnson Stanley, who was
Governor of Virginia in the fifties.
Dave Stanley and So High. Delmarva Show, Delaware 1977
Dave spent many a weekend and vacation time with his children, Lizz, John David Jr, and Allan at the family hunting camp, a large and swampy area.. Dave and the children hunted, fished, and built 1,000 wood duck houses that were placed around the camp along with crops planted to leave in the field for feed. Their efforts went a long way to re-establish the wood duck population in that area, and taught the children a life-long love of the outdoors and respect for animal life. Dave is proud and pleased that in addition to good school work, three of his grandsons are state champions in duck, goose, and turkey calling.
Dave became very connected to an Arabian stallion, a son of Witez II he rode every day during a five week long hunt in The Yukon in 1960. Dave says, "I rode an Arabian stallion that was sure-footed, athletic and tough. The fact that he would also ground tie for hours on end, and come to a whistle was no deterrent for my enthusiasm for him. His combination of attributes got me thinking seriously about the Arabian breed."
Back in the United States, Dave did some extensive study and travel to look over Arabian horses. He then began a domestic breeding program in 1962, which continued for twenty years. The herd at Sitting Rock Farms produced many halter and performance champions. Feeling strongly that his herd was in need of a solid outcross, Dave researched numerous bloodlines, looking for a consistent top-quality nick for his mares. He located 7 offspring by Spanish stallions out of Raffles granddaughters that were the good, better, best he had been seeking. In looking into the idea further, he had a conference with Molly Stapleton regarding the horses she had seen in Spain, reviewed her photo and pedigree information, and decided on a study trip to Spain. Dave’s original intention was to find a few outstanding stallions for use with his domestic mare band. Dave says, "That plan changed after I saw what the Spanish Arabian had to offer. The horses in Spain were generally good. The day I saw the Military mare band in the south of Spain, I found myself surrounded by what to my mind was the most beautiful and consistent mare band ever. Everywhere I looked I saw a truly beautiful mare, and another, and another."
Dave continues, "After being a dedicated Arabian breeder for over two decades, it was driven home to me that the Arabian horses which had the ability to reproduce the highest percentage of top-quality offspring were the ones that gave the most satisfaction."
During his years with the domestic breeding program, Dave Stanley gave much of his time for the betterment of the Arabian breed, through extensive IAHA and AHSA Committee work. Dave always supported the local 4H programs and Pony Clubs in the Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point area and gave tours of the farm and introduction to the Arabian horse to busload after busload of grade school children from that area. Dave says, "I think we were on everybody’s list, and we would expect several busloads each week in the spring."
Dave did acquire the good Spanish stallions he was seeking, and the outcross proved very worthwhile, leaving a strong legacy on the East Coast after the original domestic herd was dispersed in 1982.
Dave Stanley on Yansan (twice AHSA high score Park Horse)
winning at Tampa, Florida 1980
Dave and Molly married in 1982 and moved to a ranch in the west with the preservation Spanish herd. To live on a ranch in the west had been a dream of Dave’s since the age of thirteen, when he accompanied his father’s foundation herd of Hereford cattle from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Virginia. The herd traveled by rail, with only Dave and a cattle wrangler to look after them. Each night the car would be put off on a siding, where they would make a campfire and cook their dinner, after feeding and watering the cattle. This trip inspired in Dave a real love of the west.
In recent years Dave has hunted regularly with Los Altos Hounds and served as President. The Stanleys also belong to Red Rock Hounds (Nevada) and have hosted a number of meets at Stanley Ranch (near Reno). In 1989, they hosted two days and the Hilton Ranch hosted one day of the first Pacific District Joint Meet, to which all eleven hunts west of the Rockies were invited. Nine hunts had riders there, and two groups (Arizona and Colorado) drove 900 miles for the meet. Great sport was had by all.
This year, at a meet of Red Rock Hounds held November 23, 1997 there were eleven
Arabian horses in the field from Stanley Ranch, and the riders were from all over the
country that day after the IAHA Convention. The regular Red Rock horses and riders were
out as well, but we do believe the Arabians had them outnumbered that day, and a good day
it was. This meet was featured as the Cover of the March-April 1998 International Arabian
Horse.
Santa Ynez Valley Hunt meet 1992. Left to right: Molly on *Bouganvilea, Dave on *Elena, Lisa Stapleton on *Jezabel.
In 1996, Dave was instrumental in conceiving the idea and sponsoring the first Pacific Coast Arabian Sport Horse Classic. Held at Rancho Murieta in June of ’96. This was a two day show with classes in the Sport Division (Dressage, Hunters and Jumpers, Equitation over fences and Arabian Sport in-hand, with two hunter classes over the outside course as well). The horses eligible to show had to have Arabian, Half or Anglo Arabian registration papers.
It proved to be an idea whose time had come. The show was a success, and inspired the formation of the California-Nevada Arabian Sport Horse Club,
who held the next PCASHC show in June of ’97. This show added hunter pleasure and show hack, and had two rings of dressage on Sunday. There was also a Western States Arabian Sport Horse Futurity formed in ’97. The PCASHC show in 1998 will be held June 6, 7, and 8 in Vallejo.
Dave says, "This division for the sport Arabian has a lot of support from a great number of people. These conformation classes are for the horses that will go forward into the sport classes (Hunters, Jumpers, Dressage, Show Hack, and Hunter Pleasure). In addition, the horses are shown in the sport in-hand classes in such a way that it will be a ‘natural’ for the amateur owners who want to show their own horses in conformation. The classes will be judged by open hunter and dressage judges, who have spent a lifetime with the sport type of horse. This will ensure that the horses shown will get an unbiased look from the judge, and that they will be judged as athletes."
MARLYSE REED STAPLETON STANLEY
Molly Stanley grew up in Fairmont (southern) Minnesota. Though Molly’s immediate
family lived in town, she related closely to both her grandfathers, who always loved their
horses. Grandfather Harvey Guilford Ross had two brothers who were pony express riders.
Grandfather Walter Bailey Reed had a sister Myra who, with her husband Ben Trimble,
pioneered a horse and cattle ranch forty miles out of Cheyenne, Wyoming. They lead the
Cheyenne Frontier Days parade for many years on their matched sorrel horses. Great-Aunt
Myra rode her horse ten miles a day (to keep the horse in shape) when in her eighties.
Molly first rode a cutting horse on a visit to Great Aunt Myra and Great Uncle Ben’s
ranch, at the age of eight. This also formed the idea of living on a ranch in the west
with her horses as a dream, in Molly’s mind.
"Daredevil Marlyse" her mother would write, curing a barn sour horse in 1948. (it did get cured, say's Molly)
As a child Molly received and allowance of five cents a week. She always spent her allowance to go see Roy Rogers or Gene Autry movies. She was so happy when her allowance was increased to ten cents a week so she could go to both shows to watch the horses.She rode whenever she went to her grandfather’s farms, and in between would ride any horse of any breed that was available. By the time Molly was ten years old, she wrote in her ‘Log of Life’ book that her ambition in life was to breed horses that had stamina, beauty and kindness. Every night she would say a prayer that would go like this" Lord please bless everybody, But please dear Lord give me a horse".
Now, fifty years later she remarks, I am sitting in a house surrounded by this type of horse. I think the Lord gave me a horse for every prayer.At age thirteen, Molly’s father bought her a wonderful riding horse named
‘Lucky Star’, a palomino, from Scoby and Leone King, who happened to be the only
people in her home town who showed horses. Thus began her career as a junior rider at
horse shows. Scoby King still shows horses and drove the Champion Hackney Harness pony at
the Minnesota State Fair in ’97.
Marlyse Reed and Royal Cinda Belle, Winner in the 3 Gaited class Minnesota Palomino show 1951
While in college at the University of Minnesota, Molly was a member of the U of M Riding Club, and boarded her horse at Valley View Stables, who at that time stood Valley View Supreme and had just hired the legendary Chet Nichols in his first training job. Molly occasionally had the opportunity to ride some of the saddlebreds, and once drove Night Flight, which furthered her interest in a good show horse.
After college, as a young adult with a family, (daughter Lisa Stapleton) Molly lived in
Los Angeles, trained many jumping horse riders, and showed hunters and jumpers
successfully on the LA County circuit,(sometimes against Larry Langer and Clyde Kennedy). 
Molly Stapleton on Yankee Dollar, Pickwick Stables show, Burbank California, 1969.
In the 60’s, she returned to Minnesota and founded Woodside Training Stables, specializing in training Arabians in many divisions. Interestingly enough, a half-Arabian grandson of WITEZ II ( a real look alike for WITEZ II. Bay with four low white socks) was purchased from Larry Torgerson by Suzette Johnson, one of Molly’s clients. SHANNIN was National Champion in two divisions, and Reserve AHSA High Score as well.
Her own favorites were the Hunters and Jumpers. Molly had many champions on the local, Regional and National level, including REDD BARRON, the first National Champion Arabian Hunter in 1976, ridden by daughter Lisa Stapleton. REDD BARRON was purchased by Josh Quintus the following year and became his first show horse. Also in 1976 Molly trained and rode the first National Champion Arabian Hunter Pleasure Horse, GE SULLIVAN, a FERZON son owned by Daniel C. Gainey. During this time Molly acted as Director for the Minnesota Arabian Assn and Region 10. She also served IAHA on the National and Regional Show Classes, Youth, Dressage, Anglo-Arabian and for a number of years as National Chair of the Hunter/Jumper Committee. During her term as Chair of the H/J Committee, Molly authored the rules for that division for the AHSA Rulebook and IAHA Handbook.
As the world turns, Molly authored the Arabian Sport Division Resolution which was
voted in the affirmative at the 1997 IAHA Convention. Molly has been appointed by IAHA
President Mary Anne Grimmell as National Chair of the Ad-Hoc Committee to develop rules
for the new Arabian Sport Division, which will include conformation classes for the Sport
Arabian, and suitable to become classes for the young horses.
Molly on Taga owned by Harvey Mueller. Region 10 Champion Park Horse 1976. (Woodside Training Stables)
In October of 1976, at the conclusion of a very successful National Show for Woodside Training Stables (two National Champions, one Reserve and seven Top Tens), Molly flew to Spain to see and evaluate the Spanish Arabians, with the thought of bringing several home to show as hunters and jumpers. That first trip really opened Molly’s eyes as to the high quality of the horses there, and she decided she must go into more depth of knowledge on the Spanish Arabians. After two years and three study trips to Spain, it became clear to Molly that a more in depth preservation program was called for, to be able to reproduce consistently this outstanding type of Arabian horse for the Arabian sport classes.
Two decades later, Dave and Molly’s hopes for their horses have been realized. At this time the horses wearing the Stanley Ranch ‘Clover S brand’ are being used for both showing and field hunting. They have been recognized as National Champion Hunters, Jumpers and Hunter Pleasure Horses in two countries, and National Champion Halter Mares and Stallions in another, as well as receiving their Certificate as Recognized Field Hunters, awarded by the Masters of Foxhounds Assn. They have been awarded Legions of Honor, Legions of Supreme Honor and a Legion of Excellence by the International Arabian Assn, and have received Medals as National High Score horses in the Arabian Sport Horse Assn of Whaleyville, Virginia and the American Horse Shows Assn of New York. One mare has won the King Saud Trophy, as AHSA National Grand Champion High Score Arabian Horse, and was also Grand National Champion at the Cow Palace twice. The horses shown in the new Arabian sport in-hand classes have been Grand Champions as well.
There are five members of the Stanley family currently showing the horses, and four family members who hunt. Molly’s daughter Lisa Stapleton ( who has a master’s degree in psychology) was recognized by the Arabian Horse World in their ‘Totally Tops’ for Amateur owners with five National Titles (with *DISCOTECA) in 1997. Granddaughter Courtney Stapleton-Smith was Canadian Reserve National Champion Hunt Seat Medal in 1997, as well as being a straight ‘A’ student who will graduate from High School at age 16. "We couldn’t be happier to have such a wonderful horse and people family with whom we enjoy the outdoors, and working towards personal bests in healthy competitions", says Molly.
Molly is currently listed in Who’s Who in Women in America, Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World.
Their goal was to select a gene pool that could produce national champion hunter jumpers and performance horses. They had to be very shrewd negotiators with the Spanish breeders, It was harder to buy a good horse in Spain than to sell a good horse in the U.S.A. Often times Molly found herself thinking about some of the deals of other breeders in Spain and wondered why they would do that. Consequently they sometimes had to buy the dams to be able to breed what they wanted to produce.
Video of Molly Stanley winning the 1980 Scottsdale Arizona championship.
In 1979 Molly and Dave began what would eventually be the largest importation of horses by one breeder in the history of the U.S.A.. They opened a new ranch in Spain and moved their breeding stock west and focused on the Spanish Arabian outcross and a Straight Spanish program.
In the early 1980's their presentations of Spanish Arabian horses was a premiere event at major horse shows.
They
erected large tents and brought in wine stewards from Spain that served for lunch,
the food, sherry, and wine native to or imported from Spain to those
attending the Horse show.
It was an
opportunity for dignitaries and horseman from around the world to learn first hand about
the Arabian horses from Spain.
1980 video frame of Dave Stanley on the left, John Grimmell A past President of The International Arabian Horse Association and his Wife Mary Ann Grimmell who is serving as the current 1998 President of that organization.
The Stanley's did their homework on the Spanish horses. They learned the Tabal line was very important, Ocalina was a very prolific (23 foals) and important mare, Garbo was a real athlete, The stallion Ursas was the best of the Polish stallions imported into Spain, Malvito produced type and typical heads with large eyes and his progeny were good jumping horses, some clearing over seven feet.
The horses in Spain are treated as horses, turned out and foaled in pastures. They have access to natural water and the weak ones die, the strong ones live. The Spanish horses are very consistent in size 14.3 to 15.1 due to the self contained line breeding program.
Using this knowledge they negotiated the purchase of the best available breeding stock. *Corinto, one of the last two remaining sons of the legendary Malvito, and out of Congo"s superior daughter Undina II, this magnificent stallion typifies the highest Arabian standard-embodying a fine mind in a beautifully correct and athletic body.
*Brasil, A son of the great Galero was three year old National Champion of Spain in 1979. A charger right out of the Arabian Nights , with color and flair to take one"s imagination on a fantasy ride. His dam Fatima is a daughter of *AL Cobre's dam Abisinia II and was a contributory part of the great victory parade that won for Abisinia II the 1978 Broodmatron title at the Spanish Nationals.
*Padre, the 1976
Spanish National Champion was a horse that moved with never ending beauty across the
pastures of your imagination. He is the image of his great sire Garbo-the premier sire of the Military stud in Spain
*Komuste 
This
grey son of Mosafi and out of the mare Chispa II was the senior sire of Juan Del
Cids breeding program. he produced a number of action horses.
The mare lines were very important to Molly and Dave, they were the key to all future success in there goal of producing world class performance horse.
Molly on Rah Gem, Owned by Les and Dorthy Hendrickson. August 1976 ( Woodside Training Stables) Johnny Johnston Calendar Photo.
They imported mares like *Kirat II, *Iberia , *Discoteca, *Bouganvillea and *Riad I (dam of natl ch *Bouganvillea).
*Bouganvillea won the 1997 Canadian National Championship Jumper competition and U.S.A. top ten.
There are four daughters of Kadofa's at the Stanley ranch, They are: *Jezabel+// (by *Diamante) , 17 National Titles, including 1995 Canadian National Champion Working Hunter and Jumper (first time one horse has won both in the same year) 1997 Canadian Reserve National Champion Working Hunter, Reserve in Hunt seat Medal.
*Iberia (by Gebel Tarik) 1997 Canadian National Champion Working Hunter.
*Galaxia (by Negal) 1992 Canadian National Champion Working Hunter, Top Ten show hack.
*Efigie (by Marmol) regional Champion Informal Driving, Informal Combination, Region Top Five Show Hack. Kadofa was by Zancudo and out of Ocalina.
*Discoteca who's grandsire was Maquillo was the U.S.A. National Champion Jumper and working hunter AAOTR, (first time for one horse to win bothin same year). She was the Reserve National Champion working hunter AAOTR in Canada in 1997. *Discoteca+/ has a daughter Isabella (by *Padre) who has qualified for Hunter Pleasure at her first class A show. *Discoteca's Grandaughter Sarasate (by Belmonte) is just beginning her show career and shows a lot of talent. *Discoteca+/ was bred by the Stanley's in Spain from SABA, a daughter of *JALEA III.
Nombela is another mare who could not leave Spain, but three daughters (by different stallions0 are in the US. *Delicia (by Galero) was reserve Supreme Halter Junior Female at the Spanish Nationals when Dave showed her. In addition, *Graciana (by Negal) was imported by Sharon and Lyle Peterson, and *Jazmeina (by *Diamante) is at the Stanley Ranch.
Opalina also could not leave Spain, but her daughter *Joyamia+// (by *Diamante) is a US and Canadian National Champion.
Saeta, also still in Spain, is the dam of *Diamante (by Galero) , producer of two National Champions. Saeta had three sons while the Stanley's owned her in Spain, every one stallion quality with lovely movement.
Cantinera II (the "Queen of Spain") by Malvito, did not leave Spain, but produced *Esperanto (by Marmol) one of the principal stallions at the Stanley Ranch.
Daikiri (daughter of Supreme Champion Mare POLKA) stayed in Spain, but produced *S S Orion (by Faketeko), the elegant Junior stallion at the Stanley Ranch.
.
A good deal of the good offspring are from these mares, these mares virtually produced no offspring that did not produce on. Molly Stanley 1980
These mares have become living legends in the Spanish Arabian Breeding, as they had exquiste heads and excellent conformation.
Imelina's dam was Verana, Impedida's dam was Veralina, Galatife's dam was Veracruz. Galatife was the dam of Orive.
Dave and Molly have been in the Arabian horse business for nearly forty years, The last twenty years have been focused on the specialized Spanish Arabian breeding lines. The Stanley's have thirty Arabian horses at their ranch in Nevada and their success is the result of a vision, hard work and persistence. We are still witnessing the legacy of these two dedicated people.
The Arabian Horse
Legacy Inc. appreciates and thanks DAVE AND MOLLY STANLEY
for taking the time
and considerable effort and permissions required to take the photographs in Spain and
providing many others
included in this Spanish Section.
E-Mail stanleyranch@tele-net.net
