About our Family

This is all of my family as of November 2011. We just happen to have two weddings and a new grandson this year, so it was an eventful year. Chuck and I are still ranching and raising Quarter Horses. We are always busy with our jobs and families.

Jade (17) is a junior at Belle Fourche High School. He enjoys cutting, team roping and training barrel and rope horses while competing at all levels. He is an Honor Student and owns several breeding mares of his own. Jade is also half owner of the stallion "Fire On Bug". He is a great hand on the ranch and we are glad to have him still here at home helping us.

Courtney (25) is married and living in Texas. She is a sale rep for Corral Boots Inc. and enjoys training and competing on her barrel horses from our operation and her husband Hayse is a very competitive team roper. Hayse works for Agritex Gas. They recently purchased a home at Stephenville, TX. She loves being a wife, is a very good cook, and enjoys making a house a home. She is quite the little decorator.

Troy (30) lives in Knoxville, TN and works for the Federal Government. He was also in the US Air Force for 6 years. Troy loves the country and hunting and hope to have a place where he can have a horse again some day. He has a very cute mini aussie named "Blue", who we adore. Troy owns a home there also. He enjoys working on his old car. I can't wait to see it restored.

Billy (32) is a manager of a wholesale building supply outlet and they live close to us in Rapid City, SD. His wife Laura works in the Education Dept. as a training specialist at the Regional Hospital. Billy was a avid roper and hunter, but now is a dedicated family man for the time being. We are the proud grandparents of Alexia who is (7) and is in the 2nd grade and Austin who was born the end of June. Billy and Laura are great parents. They recently purchased a home close to her parents and great schools. They are always busy with 2 jobs and 2 kids.

Billy and Laura wedding day

Other family pictures from the year!

Our Horses...

We use our horses in our cattle operation because that is the best way still to work cattle and it makes a good horse.. plain and simple. After we put 30 days of round pen and arena work and know they are ready it gives a colt purpose and a job and they don't get bored. They learn to travel and cover country and learn patience. We feel this lays a good foundation to go on and make a great ranch or performance horse. Every horse we use in the arena also works on the ranch.

This is our 35th annual year of breeding and raising quality AQHA quarter horses as part of the Crago family.. The family held production sales for 29 years. In 2005 Chuck and I decided to cut back and had a partial dispersion and sold down to about 15 mares. We had been through some tough years of weather and we tried to hang on to what we had worked so hard for. We kept all but one of our studs, but kept his daughters. The next year we went to selling private and have continued doing that. We have focused on horses that we like to ride that could also go to the arena and win. The bloodlines we really focus on are Doc O Dynamite, Sun Frost, Doc O Lena, Nonstop Bubblin , Dual Pep, Royal Blue Boon and Poco Tivio, Special Effort, Dash For Cash, Colonel Freckles, Fire Water Flit and Shawne Bug. We believe these bloodlines provide the right mixture of run and cow to provide a great minded, highly athletic horse.

Currently the Crago's have an awesome lineup of stallions that exhibit all of the traits we find most important, and cross well with the great breeding program's mares.

(1) Ihavepromises Tokeep is a (14 NOW DECEASED) sorrel son of First Down Dash and out of Lucks Gold by What Luck. Promises has a 94 Speed Index and has earnings that exceed $20,000. He was a trial winner by 1 3/4 lengths and 2nd Fastest Qualifier to the Grade 1 Remington Park Futurity in His First Start! HE IS PROVING TO BE A GREAT BARREL HORSE SIRE. We have 100 breedings of frozen semen on this horse. He is nominated for the FUTURE FORTUNES PROGRAM FOR 2012.. this is a great year to breed your mares to this stallion and get the benefits of this program for your colt. We will continue to promote his get

(2) PC Bronsin is a (AGE 26) buckskin son of Sun Frost out of a John Red mare. HE HAS LOTS OF COW, SPEED AND ATHLETIC ABILITY WITH A GREAT BIG HEART.. WE NEVER HEAR ANYTHING BAD ABOUT HIS COLTS. SOUNDNESS AND LONGEVITY BRED IN. Very light in the mouth and agile in the shoulders with big stops.

(3) CM Dynamite Frost also a good looking buckskin BY Doc O Dynamite and OUT Sierra Frost. (more info) HE IS A SMOOTH LEVEL MOVING HORSE WITH A BIG STOP AND A LOT OF SPEED. REALLY PROVING TO BE A GREAT ROPE AND BARREL HORSE SIRE. HE PUTS REALLY PRETTY MUSCLE ON HIS COLTS. ELIGIBLE FOR LOTS OF INCENTIVES INCLUDING FUTURE FORTUNES IN 2012

(4) Duals Blue Peppy.. (age 8) a bay roan son of Duals Blue Boon out of Sweet Peppy Again. SDRCHA BREEDER DERBY CHAMPION- HE IS SUPER COWY WITH A LOT OF EXPRESSION. HE HAS FAST ,SMOOTH TURN AROUNDS AND SPINS, BIG TAIL DRAGGING STOPS. HE IS ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR LOTS OF INCENTIVE PROGRAMS.

(5) CM Nonstop Nitro (age 7) a black son of Nonstop Bubblin out of Miss Thorn Doc Bar UNSHOWN TO DUE INJURY BUT IS TRAINED AND RODE ON THE RANCH.. WE ARE PROVING HIS COLTS. AND HE REALLY SIRES COLTS WITH KEEP HEADS, LOW HOCKS, GREAT SHOULDER, LOTS OF MUSCLE Definition. THIS STUD HAS A LOT OF BONE. NITRO'S COLTS ARE COMING OF AGE AND HE WILL BE NOMINATED FOR SEVERAL FUTURITIES. WATCH HIS PAGE FOR UPDATES

(6) FIRE ON BUG - A FANCY CHOCOLATE PALOMINO STALLION WHO IS A SON OF THE GREAT FIREWATER FLIT (sire of over $2 million dollars in winners) AND OUT OF A PRODUCING SHAWNE BUG X FLIT BAR MARE.. NO DOC BAR IN HIS BLOODLINE, WHAT A GREAT OUTCROSS FOR MULTIPLE BLOODLINES. THIS A HORSE THAT WORKS IN THE ARENA ON A COW OR FOR JUST ABOUT ANY EVENT. WATCH FOR MULTIPLE INCENTIVES ON THIS GUY.

We still pasture breed our mare to our stallions and foal mostly in May. We stands our studs till then and retain frozen semen them for our customers to use. Our colts are born in the pasture to grow strong bone, feet and muscle while covering big country and eating good grass. We bring our mare and colts to the corrals to halter break in August and September . We start them on Alfalfa/grass hay and futurity blend feed with whole oats. We worm everything and wean the colts in about a month after they are on feed. The mares go back to the pasture and are happy to be alone again. We winter most of the mares out and they graze all winter if it doesn't bury up with snow. We also cake them every other day and chop ice for water. The old or young mares get babied some at the barn.

We sell mostly babies, but almost all horses are sold by the time they are 2 or 3. Selling private has allowed us to place the right colt with the best customer to suit the discipline they are choosing. Our customer base has been the performance world anywhere from versatility and ranch horse events to mounted shooting, roping, barrels, poles, rodeo ,cutting, cowhorse, reining or even jumping. They are still horse that you can go do a days work on. We have shipped semen to Australia and horses to Panama.. We are very excited about our future.

We were very pleased that repeat customers and new ones also appreciated our program. We keep in mind the type of horses we like to ride and get along with , they sell and people like them.. We like them to be athletic, a good disposition and correct conformation. Our goal is to keep bloodlines that have had success while adding popular bloodlines that are known to win. We have been successful in getting our horses in some good hands to promote them. Our horses are winning at every level and at many events. We were one of the first to have a website and still maintain that for information, you can always go to www.crago.com and see our family history and our horse and cattle operation.

A great asset to advertising our horses has been the internet. Digital photos and videoing that you can get to your customers fast is a of great importance to get a deal closed and the keep the customer happy. Putting a video to www.youtube.com/cragoquarterhorses has been very helpful. Taking a great picture is the so important to show what you have. We still use magazine advertising as as some people do not have and won't use internet, but still like to see and read articles about the horses. The social network "Facebook" has been another new tool to advertise and showcase our horses to reach customers and friends. We always enjoy great magazines like "Working Ranch" , " The Quarter Horse Journal" and Western Horseman" We get to read about other successful ranchers and their lifestyles and informative articles.

Having our name out there for years and a good reputation helps our customers know we are knowledgeable and trust worthy breeders with ethics. Anyone that knows us, knows us and knows horses are a huge part of our lifestyle that are a passion not a passing hobby.

We know that working with horses and bloodlines that we have owned in the pedigree give us an edge on how the horse will perform. We have the knowledge of how they will ride and the common sense to buy bloodlines they will cross with and compliment each horse. We want to send out a big "Thank You" to our customers. We enjoy each and every one of you and appreciate your business.

"Feedback" form if you have any questions. We have about 20 weanlings for sale along with a few yearlings, two year olds, started and seasoned horses. Our door is always open and coffee on. We love to meet new friends and see the old ones. Hope to see you all soon.

Sincerely,

Chuck and Mary Crago and Family.

Blue heads up the Eastern US sales division!

New to the staff this year is Bling!

We want to welcome her to customer service.

Dally (Yard Foreman)

Dawson (Security)

And a welcome to Rusty who will be heading up our International Dept!

This is all of my family as of November 2011. We just happen to have two weddings and a new grandson this year, so it was an eventful year. Chuck and I are still ranching and raising Quarter Horses. We are always busy with our jobs and families. Jade (17) is a junior at Belle Fourche High School. He enjoys cutting, team roping and training barrel and rope horses while competing at all levels. He is an Honor Student and owns several breeding mares of his own. Jade is also half owner of the stallion "Fire On Bug". He is a great hand on the ranch and we are glad to have him still here at home helping us. Courtney (25) is married and living in Texas. She is a sale rep for Corral Boots Inc. and enjoys training and competing on her barrel horses from our operation and her husband Hayse is a very competitive team roper. Hayse works for Agritex Gas. They recently purchased a home at Stephenville, TX. She loves being a wife, is a very good cook, and enjoys making a house a home. She is quite the little decorator. Troy (30) lives in Knoxville, TN and works for the Federal Government. He was also in the US Air Force for 6 years. Troy loves the country and hunting and hope to have a place where he can have a horse again some day. He has a very cute mini aussie named "Blue", who we adore. Troy owns a home there also. He enjoys working on his old car. I can't wait to see it restored. Billy (32) is a manager of a wholesale building supply outlet and they live close to us in Rapid City, SD. His wife Laura works in the Education Dept. as a training specialist at the Regional Hospital. Billy was a avid roper and hunter, but now is a dedicated family man for the time being. We are the proud grandparents of Alexia who is (7) and is in the 2nd grade and Austin who was born the end of June. Billy and Laura are great parents. They recently purchased a home close to her parents and great schools. They are always busy with 2 jobs and 2 kids. Billy and Laura wedding day
Other family pictures from the year!
Our Horses... We use our horses in our cattle operation because that is the best way still to work cattle and it makes a good horse.. plain and simple. After we put 30 days of round pen and arena work and know they are ready it gives a colt purpose and a job and they don't get bored. They learn to travel and cover country and learn patience. We feel this lays a good foundation to go on and make a great ranch or performance horse. Every horse we use in the arena also works on the ranch. This is our 35th annual year of breeding and raising quality AQHA quarter horses as part of the Crago family.. The family held production sales for 29 years. In 2005 Chuck and I decided to cut back and had a partial dispersion and sold down to about 15 mares. We had been through some tough years of weather and we tried to hang on to what we had worked so hard for. We kept all but one of our studs, but kept his daughters. The next year we went to selling private and have continued doing that. We have focused on horses that we like to ride that could also go to the arena and win. The bloodlines we really focus on are Doc O Dynamite, Sun Frost, Doc O Lena, Nonstop Bubblin , Dual Pep, Royal Blue Boon and Poco Tivio, Special Effort, Dash For Cash, Colonel Freckles, Fire Water Flit and Shawne Bug. We believe these bloodlines provide the right mixture of run and cow to provide a great minded, highly athletic horse. Currently the Crago's have an awesome lineup of stallions that exhibit all of the traits we find most important, and cross well with the great breeding program's mares. (1) Ihavepromises Tokeep is a (14 NOW DECEASED) sorrel son of First Down Dash and out of Lucks Gold by What Luck. Promises has a 94 Speed Index and has earnings that exceed $20,000. He was a trial winner by 1 3/4 lengths and 2nd Fastest Qualifier to the Grade 1 Remington Park Futurity in His First Start! HE IS PROVING TO BE A GREAT BARREL HORSE SIRE. We have 100 breedings of frozen semen on this horse. He is nominated for the FUTURE FORTUNES PROGRAM FOR 2012.. this is a great year to breed your mares to this stallion and get the benefits of this program for your colt. We will continue to promote his get (2) PC Bronsin is a (AGE 26) buckskin son of Sun Frost out of a John Red mare. HE HAS LOTS OF COW, SPEED AND ATHLETIC ABILITY WITH A GREAT BIG HEART.. WE NEVER HEAR ANYTHING BAD ABOUT HIS COLTS. SOUNDNESS AND LONGEVITY BRED IN. Very light in the mouth and agile in the shoulders with big stops. (3) CM Dynamite Frost also a good looking buckskin BY Doc O Dynamite and OUT Sierra Frost. (more info) HE IS A SMOOTH LEVEL MOVING HORSE WITH A BIG STOP AND A LOT OF SPEED. REALLY PROVING TO BE A GREAT ROPE AND BARREL HORSE SIRE. HE PUTS REALLY PRETTY MUSCLE ON HIS COLTS. ELIGIBLE FOR LOTS OF INCENTIVES INCLUDING FUTURE FORTUNES IN 2012 (4) Duals Blue Peppy.. (age 8) a bay roan son of Duals Blue Boon out of Sweet Peppy Again. SDRCHA BREEDER DERBY CHAMPION- HE IS SUPER COWY WITH A LOT OF EXPRESSION. HE HAS FAST ,SMOOTH TURN AROUNDS AND SPINS, BIG TAIL DRAGGING STOPS. HE IS ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR LOTS OF INCENTIVE PROGRAMS. (5) CM Nonstop Nitro (age 7) a black son of Nonstop Bubblin out of Miss Thorn Doc Bar UNSHOWN TO DUE INJURY BUT IS TRAINED AND RODE ON THE RANCH.. WE ARE PROVING HIS COLTS. AND HE REALLY SIRES COLTS WITH KEEP HEADS, LOW HOCKS, GREAT SHOULDER, LOTS OF MUSCLE Definition. THIS STUD HAS A LOT OF BONE. NITRO'S COLTS ARE COMING OF AGE AND HE WILL BE NOMINATED FOR SEVERAL FUTURITIES. WATCH HIS PAGE FOR UPDATES (6) FIRE ON BUG - A FANCY CHOCOLATE PALOMINO STALLION WHO IS A SON OF THE GREAT FIREWATER FLIT (sire of over $2 million dollars in winners) AND OUT OF A PRODUCING SHAWNE BUG X FLIT BAR MARE.. NO DOC BAR IN HIS BLOODLINE, WHAT A GREAT OUTCROSS FOR MULTIPLE BLOODLINES. THIS A HORSE THAT WORKS IN THE ARENA ON A COW OR FOR JUST ABOUT ANY EVENT. WATCH FOR MULTIPLE INCENTIVES ON THIS GUY. We still pasture breed our mare to our stallions and foal mostly in May. We stands our studs till then and retain frozen semen them for our customers to use. Our colts are born in the pasture to grow strong bone, feet and muscle while covering big country and eating good grass. We bring our mare and colts to the corrals to halter break in August and September . We start them on Alfalfa/grass hay and futurity blend feed with whole oats. We worm everything and wean the colts in about a month after they are on feed. The mares go back to the pasture and are happy to be alone again. We winter most of the mares out and they graze all winter if it doesn't bury up with snow. We also cake them every other day and chop ice for water. The old or young mares get babied some at the barn. We sell mostly babies, but almost all horses are sold by the time they are 2 or 3. Selling private has allowed us to place the right colt with the best customer to suit the discipline they are choosing. Our customer base has been the performance world anywhere from versatility and ranch horse events to mounted shooting, roping, barrels, poles, rodeo ,cutting, cowhorse, reining or even jumping. They are still horse that you can go do a days work on. We have shipped semen to Australia and horses to Panama.. We are very excited about our future. We were very pleased that repeat customers and new ones also appreciated our program. We keep in mind the type of horses we like to ride and get along with , they sell and people like them.. We like them to be athletic, a good disposition and correct conformation. Our goal is to keep bloodlines that have had success while adding popular bloodlines that are known to win. We have been successful in getting our horses in some good hands to promote them. Our horses are winning at every level and at many events. We were one of the first to have a website and still maintain that for information, you can always go to www.crago.com and see our family history and our horse and cattle operation. A great asset to advertising our horses has been the internet. Digital photos and videoing that you can get to your customers fast is a of great importance to get a deal closed and the keep the customer happy. Putting a video to www.youtube.com/cragoquarterhorses has been very helpful. Taking a great picture is the so important to show what you have. We still use magazine advertising as as some people do not have and won't use internet, but still like to see and read articles about the horses. The social network "Facebook" has been another new tool to advertise and showcase our horses to reach customers and friends. We always enjoy great magazines like "Working Ranch" , " The Quarter Horse Journal" and Western Horseman" We get to read about other successful ranchers and their lifestyles and informative articles. Having our name out there for years and a good reputation helps our customers know we are knowledgeable and trust worthy breeders with ethics. Anyone that knows us, knows us and knows horses are a huge part of our lifestyle that are a passion not a passing hobby. We know that working with horses and bloodlines that we have owned in the pedigree give us an edge on how the horse will perform. We have the knowledge of how they will ride and the common sense to buy bloodlines they will cross with and compliment each horse. We want to send out a big "Thank You" to our customers. We enjoy each and every one of you and appreciate your business.
"Feedback" form if you have any questions. We have about 20 weanlings for sale along with a few yearlings, two year olds, started and seasoned horses. Our door is always open and coffee on. We love to meet new friends and see the old ones. Hope to see you all soon. Sincerely, Chuck and Mary Crago and Family.
Blue heads up the Eastern US sales division!	New to the staff this year is Bling! We want to welcome her to customer service.
Dally (Yard Foreman)	Dawson (Security)
		And a welcome to Rusty who will be heading up our International Dept!