Stormhaven was founded in 2000 in Appaloosa Plains when Anna inherited the old country farm. She invested her life's savings in restoring the place to accommodate a few Icelandics. She purchased her first 6 horses from all over the world (Dálkur, Gandur and Dimmalimm were among them) and hired a small staff to keep the place running.
It was difficult at first since Icelandics weren't really known, but the Stormhaven team did their best making the breed more popular.
The farm flourished and expanded yearly, allowing more paddocks to be built and more horses to be kept.
It was then that Anna and Adam started dating and eventually married. Their child Wylla was born on that farm and only a few months later they adopted Gabriel, their God son, after his parents died in a car accident.
It was difficult at first since Icelandics weren't really known, but the Stormhaven team did their best making the breed more popular.
The farm flourished and expanded yearly, allowing more paddocks to be built and more horses to be kept.
It was then that Anna and Adam started dating and eventually married. Their child Wylla was born on that farm and only a few months later they adopted Gabriel, their God son, after his parents died in a car accident.
For multiple reasons the Foster Family had to sell their beloved country farm and move to Blackrock, where they purchased an old run down barn. It did however have lots of land around it, which was great for horse pastures. The staff grew and with the land they were able to expand their breeding program. In addition to horses they also started breeding Collies and AmStaffs.
The team was also very lucky to have found Neal who was searching for an Icelandic to buy. They got along so well he was hired right on the spot.
After some time and lots of money fixing the place up they admitted however they weren't really happy there so they made the decision to sell it. With that money and entire team they moved again. All staff members and 30+ horses joined them. Unfortunatly the breeding kennel was closed and most dogs had to be returned (by contract) to their original breeders.
The team was also very lucky to have found Neal who was searching for an Icelandic to buy. They got along so well he was hired right on the spot.
After some time and lots of money fixing the place up they admitted however they weren't really happy there so they made the decision to sell it. With that money and entire team they moved again. All staff members and 30+ horses joined them. Unfortunatly the breeding kennel was closed and most dogs had to be returned (by contract) to their original breeders.
Stormhaven then resided in the beautiful Flanders Fields area. They enjoyed having four seasons again (Blackrock was always Sunny) and were surrounded by beautiful fields, lakes, woods and coasts. The breeding program was expanded to other gaited breeds, a riding school was started as well as Trekking Tours. And a new Kennel for Icelandic Sheepdogs was started.
It wasn't until a tragic accident - killing Adam Foster along with his daughters Wylla and Clara and injuring three employees - that the Farm went through a dark phase. A financial crisis hit (among other things) and the farm was close to becoming bankrupt.
A tough decision was made to sell the property and relocate it's horses and staff yet again. This property was loved the most and will be dearly missed, but Stormhaven itself was rescued in the process.
It wasn't until a tragic accident - killing Adam Foster along with his daughters Wylla and Clara and injuring three employees - that the Farm went through a dark phase. A financial crisis hit (among other things) and the farm was close to becoming bankrupt.
A tough decision was made to sell the property and relocate it's horses and staff yet again. This property was loved the most and will be dearly missed, but Stormhaven itself was rescued in the process.
It was an answered prayer that lead Anna to a stable in Washington (State). The previous owners had it modeled after the stables you find in Iceland with the intention to house Icelandics for Trekking, this dream of theirs was however not to be. Anna found the empty stable before it even hit the market and made an offer which was accepted. The remote stable was very homely but had more than enough space for their horses. For financial reasons Stormhaven was split. The South American gaited horses were sent to a new farm, Cavador, giving Stormhaven a chance to go back to its roots with mainly Icelandics, and only a few other Saddlebred horses.