IMPORTANT
The Annual Horse Progress Days tour scheduled for Thursday, June 30, meeting at:
Dinky’s Auction Barn
9084 East 5590 North
Montgomery, Indiana 47558
Please arrive by 7:45 a.m.
Bus will depart promptly at 8:10 am, and return at approximately 5:00 p.m.
and includes a hearty noon meal served in an Amish home.
To make a reservation and to make payment, call
Kenny Wagler tour coordinator at 812-687-7716
(Click each location name to read more)
The Midday Lunch Stop
Knepp’s Equine
In 2021 Knepp’s Equine stood eight stallions and collected from them, most of them were drafts but other breeds are considered as well. Derek grew up and was surrounded by the horse activity of his father Jake and mother Jean who were named Double J Belgians, which gave him a solid foundation for supporting the breeding, presentation and promotion of the Belgian breed throughout the industry. Today’s popular sires are well represented in the mare matrons of Knepp’s Equine. They include horses like PVF Ricky J, Orndorff’s Master Encore, N.B.’s Captain Jr., Detweiler’s Prince Charming and Circle Lane Jr., to name a few. Currently he is using Freeway’s Roger, a 19 hh RKD Asset son out of Sweet Water Melody she a Concerto bred mare, as a herd sire. Here we should see some 2022 foals along with their quality mothers.
Verlin Knepp Pulling Bred Belgians
Verlin, a third generation horseman in his own right, didn’t get serious about breeding and producing quality pulling foals until about the year of Y2K. You might want to ask a lot of questions here, especially about his program that specializes in prepping his horse babies for the annual fall Daviess County Draft Horse and Colt Sale, where they are always well accepted. Seven mares are in foal for 2022 and there is always some young stock on the pasture. Verlin is a 40-plus year worker at K and K Truss Factory but still, his mares earn their keep with some hay and corn farming. His mare’s paternal progeny include King’s Final, Neal K, OVO Cecil and Rock Digger. He even has one old King Farceur mare! Former herd sire Dolly’s Neal K.’s breeding position has fallen onto Tim Bob Supreme, and in addition for the 2022 breeding season he plans to use OVD Cecil and Breezy Knoll’s Rudy. All or most of the Verlin Knepp sons and sons -in-law are in some way endowed with a passion for pulling horses. If you are a follower of pulling horse genetics or simply enjoy the horses themselves, plan to enjoy this stop!
Graber Enterprises
In 2006, having grown tired of the dust and dirt of old furniture, Country View began manufacturing new living room furniture. Father Henry passed away in 2008, but in 2009 Ben Graber came on board as Viola’s new husband and a business partner who was good with his hands. In 2015 Viola’s son Martin became partially involved with the business and Country View Furniture entered the wholesale market. In 2018 they went completely wholesale, shipping into 10-12 states including Texas and Arizona, Graber Hand-Crafted Furniture was then created to sell all kinds of furniture retail. In 2019 son Martin came on full time, and now handles the CEO duties of the enterprise. And, be sure to check out the garage where you will see a special religious scene that was strangely created. It’s a surprise you won’t want to miss.
Graber Family Farms Produce
The daily workforce is made up of several teams, including the grandchildren and others. This peace-loving and soft spoken family which for the better part of three decades relied on carriage and buggy manufacturing and restoration for their livelihood, is now completely reliant on produce and animal farming. The revenue nosedives showered upon many types of enterprises in the recession of 2008 are what led this family into a new and rewarding livelihood. Seeking other sources of income, this self-reliant family planted a quarter acre of produce consisting mostly of sweet corn and tomatoes, something which everyone eats. Thus was born Graber Family Farm Produce. Today’s crops include 35 acres of watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkins, tomatoes, sweet corn, bell peppers, potatoes, and other things. Most of the produce is marketed at the local produce auction and at local farmers’ markets. Again, this is what Horse Progress Days endorses; a sustainable family operation, not absent hard work, but reliable and dependable for the teaching of the basics of growing food and more importantly, the roots of our Christian heritage.
Rose Acres Percherons
You will be inspired by the variety of sprawling enterprises that have transpired here, now owned and operated by the three generations of family who live here. Elam, youngest son of Enos and Viola was 15 years old when the family moved here. He oversees the day to day endeavors which include a 600 sow farrowing operation, a custom fence building crew, fiberglass parts sales and service, selling hay wagons, the farm operations of course, and the Percheron horses. And oh yes, he is also a licensed auctioneer. There should be eight baby Percherons frolicking in the meadow by the summer of 2022, most sired by their stallion Kerwin’s Lincoln who stands at Jacob Yoder’s in Ohio. Lincoln is sired by Pleasant View King and out of the world champion mare Kerwin’s Emma. Elam is married to Ida Graber and their children, the third generation and a major part of the operation, are daughter Leann and son Eldon. You will enjoy this spacious yet hidden nook.