Mare Power Produces Proven Product
Stuart Ranch—the oldest ranch in Oklahoma under continuous family ownership—defines family and commitment. Terry, a member of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, is the sixth generation Stuart to run the ranch, and she embodies those core values. Terry and her two sons, Clay and Robert Forst, run the diverse 45,000 acres of land that includes horse, cattle and outfitting divisions.
"We also have an online meat company and service 2 grocery stores in our community," Terry said. "Clay developed the ranch's the outfitting division, while Robert runs the horse and meat company divisions of the Ranch." The Stuart Ranch, though, stands on a foundation of great horses—that they're constantly pushing to improve. The introduction off the Riata Buckle is the next evolution of the Stuarts' stories program.
"Our foundation is always our mares," Terry said. "Consistency is king, and we believe that comes from outstanding mothers. We keep a majority of our colts through 2 years of age. Those that stay throughout have a great chance of being successful. We expose them to a lot of things and listen to them. They will tell us what they are going to be, and where they will be most competitive. We are honored to bring this program to the Riata Buckle. It's such a great opportunity."
Terry had heard about the Riata Buckle from a friend at the Snaffle Bit Futurity, and she immediately called Lance from the show and told him that they wanted in.
"We believe in what we produce," Terry said. "We obviously like our stallions, but we don't get locked into a certain stud. We want to be able to change if we don't like the results. Just because a certain stud is good horse doesn't necessarily mean he will cross well with our mares."
Although most of their horse sales are private treaty, the Stuart Ranch is having their first online auction through Professional Horse Services, LLC September 17-18. This has been a sale four years in the making, selling 22 head of horses and five breedings to their Riata Buckle stallion, Seven S Grand Slam. The proceeds from one of the breedings auctioned off will benefit a veteran's military program.
Terry served as president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association and was named the 2007 Oklahoma Cattleman of the Year. Terry is involved with the AQHA ranching counsel. The ranch won the Best of the Remuda award in 1995. Robert serves on the Oklahoma Cattleman's Association ranch rodeo committee, and he is highly competitive in the Ranch Horse Association of America. Stuart Ranch is one of the ten prestigious ranches in the Cowboy Invitational at "The Run or A Million," where Clay will be riding for the brand.
