Randee at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show.

Name: Randee Beckman.

Born: In October! (No need to be more specific - LOL).

Current residence: Virginia.

Family: Daughter Katie Gardner (riding teacher and rider, currently promoting Otteridge Thoroughbreds) and son Will Gardner (college student and musician).

Pets: How long do you have? LOL. Barn cats, house cats and two English Springer Spaniels.

Horses: Numerous Thoroughbreds, crossbred ponies and Welsh ponies.

Occupation: Marketing representative for The Clothes Horse - www.theclotheshorse.com.

What is your "claim to fame"?: I was fortunate to be a daughter of the late Eileen Beckman and to have learned from the best in our business.

Hobbies: Raising fancy Welsh and crossbred ponies, music, cooking, running and traveling.

Philosophy on life: To be able to say at the end of each day that I've done the best that I can with what I have.

Best horse advice ever received: To be your own biggest critic and to remove emotion from decision making. As a breeder, it's my job to improve the breed. If I can't do that, I need to stop breeding.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?: Hummm, I'm not sure. I'm pretty much an open book and my friends know that. I am exactly as I seem to be, if that makes sense.

Is there anything you would like to add? Yes. Please consider the economy and our industry when breeding ponies and horses and stop breeding so many mediocre animals. Very few should enter into the breeding world. Too many "flavor of the month" stallions are being promoted with no performance behind them of merit. Just because you have a mare doesn't mean she should be bred and just because your mare had a colt born doesn't mean it should be kept intact. End of sermon.

In your opinion, what sets Welsh ponies apart from other breeds?
The Welsh breed is so versatile. I really think that describes it best. There are different sections of the Welsh breed which allows them to be best matched to the different genres of our sport. I work most closely with the Section B Welsh ponies [which are larger than Section A ponies, have more elegant movement and athletic ability and a more flat-kneed movement that is desired in the hunter ring] as they are best matched as hunter ponies or cross best with TB mares. Welsh ponies have hearts of gold and are brave. What's not to love?