This excerpt was taken from the cover article  in the OCT/NOV 2005 issue of Peruvian Classified Magazine.

"The BareBack Doctor"
Me Llamo California
Ridden by Dr. Don Bailey of Lakeside Peruvians

Like most talented and skilled horsemen, Dr. Don “Doc” Bailey, owner of Lakeside Peruvians, first owned and worked with horses as a young child while growing up on a working farm. Doc remembers fondly the very first horse that was “all his own” presented to him by his parents – a pregnant mare! Very soon afterwards, Doc had the thrill of attending her while she delivered a strapping healthy and beautiful colt for him. That colt ...became Doc’s “most favorite pet of a lifetime” as he raised him, broke him to saddle and enjoyed many years of riding, exploring trails and daring teenage adventures with him.

A few years ago, looking forward to eventual retirement from his busy medical practice, Doc decided to treat himself to every horseman’s dream and create a horse breeding farm for himself and his family. While undecided on a breed, Doc happened upon an article describing the Peruvian Paso horse and its rarity and unique way of going (“gait”), which was similar to the “gaited horses” and breeders in his area.  Peruvian Paso breeder’s farm and family a short time later before Doc was not only the proud owner of his first 2 Peruvian Paso horses – but had also discovered the wonderful new family of friends with whom he and his family would spend the next years riding trails, parading, and competing in Peruvian Paso horse shows!

The good friend who had introduced Doc to the breed on that first visit was Kenny Fogleman, and over the following years, he and Doc were always exchanging information and opinions about each other’s Peruvian Paso breeding programs and results. A few years ago, Kenny called Doc and told him that the owners of the breed’s only double National Laureado Breeding Stallion, RDS Me Llamo Peru++ of Rancho Domingo in California, owned by Raul and JoAnn Del Solar were advertising a special breeders’ stud service package.   Kenny suggested to Doc that he should consider signing up for the package because he could breed his mare via shipped fresh semen and would not have to transport the mare off his farm.

Doc decided that was a good idea and quickly made the arrangements to breed to RDS Me Llamo Peru++.

The following year, Doc was thrilled when his favorite Peruvian Paso mare “MLP Dona California” delivered a strapping handsome and very well-gaited colt for him, which he named “Me Llamo California” in honor of both of the colt’s parents.

Doc raised “California” doing all of the handling and training himself, as he does with all of his horses, broke him to saddle and trained him to the bit. The rest, as they say, is history – “California” – with Doc riding and competing in all Divisions (see the cover photo of Doc “The Bareback Doctor” winning the Adult Bareback Equitation Performance competition on his stallion “California”) quickly became one of the most successful young stallions on the Peruvian Paso competitive show circuit – winning numerous Championships in his very first seasons!!

Me Llamo California is a “horseman’s horse” and truly a horse “for all reasons” – beautiful, excellent correct conformation, the top pedigree of the breed, successful in shows, and also first and foremost a dependable strong and sensible long distance trail riding mount!!  Mare owners who value these attributes are invited to consider him for breeding to their mares in 2006: stud fee: $1,000. LFG

Lakeside Peruvians believes in the philosophy of letting a horse grow up to be a horse. We are blessed with the rich alluvial soils of the Mississippi Delta, which create wonderful conditions for growing hay and grasses to keep our horses healthy, dappled and happy.

We have 300 acres on which we let our horses stay with their herds and grow up strong. We feel that this enables them to grow up into well-adjusted horses with fewer vices.