As she herself learned, it's modern technology to the rescue. Today, thanks to embryo-transfer technology, Valraune lives a double life as both a broodmare and a competitive dressage horse. The mare's first embryo-transfer foal, PrimRose, by Pik Solo, was the USDF 1998 Reserve Young Horse Champion. Tough choices are part of life for the small breeder, as is the difficulty of attracting the attention of prospective buyers, who tend to gravitate toward the larger and better-known farms. The bigger breeders hardly have to advertise because people know they're there.
Time is a precious commodity to most small breeders, and frustration can run high.
People are unsure and insecure. Breed shows have proven the most effective way for Grunbok to get the word out about her horses. We have a little difficulty with the local dressage market because people see the island and the ferry situation as a barrier. One person who called for a video of a youngster lived only 25 miles away, she says. Grunbok plans to upgrade her broodmare band.