History
Our family’s registered Quarter Horse business began with our father, John J. Froelich, who purchased a registered palomino stallion, WR’s Commanche Boy, in 1948. Since then, our father passed down his love for the quarter horse breed to his children and grandchildren who continue his dream of producing "horses with disposition, color, and conformation, ranch raised in big country". By the late 50’s, several daughters of Commanche Boy were roaming the pasture. Comanche Boy is a grandson of Old Man by Old Sorrel who has the distinction of being described as the greatest cow horse to ever set foot on the King Ranch. He became the foundation sire of the most successful Quarter Horse breeding program in the world (King Ranch). Old Sorrel is an early inductee into the AQHA Hall Of Fame.
The next sire used was Slash J. Bill, son of the well-known and National Champion Smutty Bill. In the early 60’s, the first colts from WR’s CM Jon were running on the ranch. This stallion was a direct son of King Trumpet, who was an outstanding performance horse. He was known as having a lot of cow sense, and we liked the size and heart he put into his offspring.
Blackburn 90 was purchased at the Blackburn Ranch dispersion and used as our only stallion for ten years. Many good things can be said about the Blackburn line but their disposition ranks at the very top for us. They seem to have a built-in instinct to like people and are very cowy.
A son of Tufernhel was purchased in the spring of 1979. Homer Tufcola gave some big, well-balanced, and colorful broodmares. He also added some additional bone to his foals.
In 1983, we purchased McKeag, a blue roan colt bred by the Fords of Lemmon, South Dakota but purchased from the Silha Ranch of Bowman, ND. Starting with his first foals in 1986, he produced blue roan colts before blue roans were cool. In McKeag’s pedigree, you will find that he is loaded with Three Bars. We cannot say enough about the attributes that this superior sire brought to our breeding program. From his powerful hip to his classy head, McKeag produced loads of eye appeal in addition to passing on a very quiet disposition and lots of cow sense. Many of our current broodmares go back to McKeag.
Another true-blue roan stallion, Rio Blue Badger, was purchased in time for the 2001 breeding season. Although Badger no longer roams our pastures, we had a great appreciation for his ability to produce foals with very beautiful heads, great color, quickness, and lots of athleticism. The combination of Badger with McKeag daughters made many great offspring with another level of responsiveness.
Golden Poco Storm (aka Stormy) was the next addition to our stallion battery. This very fluid-moving stallion added profile to his sons and daughters. Stormy frequently produced foals with the flashy grullo color, some black, and few dun. His personal record included Reserve World Champion, Open Reining, 2007 IBHA World Show and Circuit Champion, 2007 Gateway to the World, Open Reining. He passed on to his foals his fancy profile and very petite head. Stormy still holds a large influence in our broodmare herd.
A blue roan stallion and the last direct son of McKeag, FQHR McLovin, found his way into our breeding program. His gentle disposition continues the legacy of McKeag. He has produced many offspring with excellent disposition and stunning looks..
FQHR Conagher is a direct son of Kros Shady Lady, a blue roan mare still producing for us. We love Conagher not only for the colts that he produces, but the company he gives us when we are around him.
Dynamic Silver Sky (aka Sky) has just started his breeding career with us and we are excited to see the future of our grullo line expand with him. He has proven to be very trainable and has a physical ability combined with his mental intellect and quietness.
On the horizon, LHR Smart Sugar Boon (aka Boon) will be added to our stallion lineup in 2023. He offers modern performance bloodlines from Peptoboonsmal and Smart Little Lena. His first colt crop will be offered in the 2024 sale.
In 2009, the AQHA Legacy Award recognized Froelich Ranch for 50 consecutive years of adding to the heritage of the American Quarter Horse.
In fall of 2010, AQHA recognized and made Froelich Ranch the first Ranching Heritage Breeder in the State of North Dakota.
In January of 2023, John J. Froelich was inducted into the North Dakota American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame.
Within all this history of stallions and mares, one overall philosophy prevails in our horse business: we breed horses that we love to ride. We choose bloodlines from the greats to make great horses. We use horses to maintain our cattle business, and we breed horses to get the job done. Whether it’s pulling calves to the branding iron, roping across the arena, or taking an evening pleasure ride, these horses are continually proving their versatility.
The two sons of John and Barbara Froelich, and their families have kept watch over his dream and have made it their own...
Terry & Jo
Kelly & Renee; JW, Alisha, & Colt; & Brooke
“Yes there's always fence to fix and cows to check, but we always have time to chat about our horses!"
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