Home
About Us
Our Beliefs & Our Mission:
Leroy and Noell Devenny have lived in beautiful Central Oregon since 1994. They married the Spring of 1993. They have two sons, Derek and Caleb. This is very much a family business and all members are dedicated to the success and care of the horses.
All of the horses residing at DSA have high foundation pedigrees. We are proud to incorporate the legendary Ghostwind bloodlines, believed to be descendants of the spotted ancestors of the Don Region of Russia and came here via Russian trading ships traveling along the Pacific coastline. The Toby horses were generated from descendant stock straight from the Nez Perce & Palouse Indians. They are the purest known Appaloosa blood from the Pacific Northwest region. Many ApHC Hall of Fame horses known for their versatility are found in our pedigrees. While there are bloodlines to other breeds (Arabian, Thoroughbred, Quarterhorse, Saddlebred, Mustang, etc.) woven throughout the pedigrees of all the DSA horses, each horse was chosen for it's concentrated Appaloosa bloodlines that lead to the F# registered stock that began the ApHC. By crossing these highly concentrated Appaloosas with other highly concentrated Appaloosas, DSA intends to strengthen the overall breed and preserve the Foundation bred horses. Our desire is to contribute to the Appaloosa being recognized as a purebred breed.
DSA strives to avoid the modern day Appaloosa that is heavily bred with Quarterhorse bloodlines as we believe that particular phenotype does not portray the TRUE Appaloosa, like those that the Nez Perce & Palouse bred for. You will never see or purchase a horse from DSA with Impressive (AQHA) breeding. Due to Impressive's HYPP genetic disorder the Devennys feel that those bloodlines are a detriment to the Appaloosa breed as a whole.
DSA is not a mass production breeding program. Our goals are to produce two to four quality foundation bred Appaloosa foals every year to offer For Sale. We are selective in our breeding practices. We will only sell intact colts if they are a pre-arranged breeding with deposits or if the colt is of the highest quality in conformation and disposition and DSA deems that individual a suitable stallion prospect.
Our History:
Noell has over thirty years experience with horses. She grew up on an Appaloosa breeding ranch owned by her mother and step-father in Douglas county, Oregon. In the late 1980's their operation was moved to 238 acres of high desert in the Millican Valley of Deschutes County, Oregon.
It wasn't enough for her family to just breed and sell Appaloosa horses, they also raced them in the sport of Endurance. Many of the horses raised by her family were Endurance medallion winners. In the ride season of 1984, Noell overtook all other junior competitors to win the Junior Mileage Championship in the Pacific Northwest and American Endurance Ride Conference with over 1,800 miles accumulated in a single season. All this was accomplished from the backs of two Appaloosas, both achieving their 1000 mile medallions from ApHC.
Leroy and Noell were gifted their first Appaloosa together the Fall of 1992 from Noell's step-father after her mother was killed in a tragic work related accident. That horse was Millican April and she was to be Noell's mother's next endurance prospect. You can read more about April on the DSA Mares page.
Building Our Dream...
In 1997, the Devennys purchased two more foundation Appaloosas from Alice Pratt in preparation of building a small breeding ranch. A 3 yr. old near leopard stallion prospect and his half sister who was a non-characteristic bay.
Due to unforeseen events in their lives, the Devennys dreams of breeding foundation Appaloosas was put on hold for several years. The bay mare was sold, her yearling filly retained, and April's only colt was gelded and sold. The stallion was gelded and kept as a trail mount. His story can be found on the DSA Geldings page.
2007 brought new hope and opportunities to the Devennys. Their dream of raising foundation Appaloosas was rekindled. With that dream brought the horses that are currently residing at DSA today.
Noell hopes to return to the endurance trail in the near future with her own Appaloosas. Her desire also leans to introducing her horses to the show ring. For the moment, she and Leroy are content to breed, train, and sell quality Foundation Appaloosas.
5/11/2011- We are pleased to say that we are reaching some of our goals. We are making a statement in the show ring, get noticed on the trails, and getting compliments from respected colleagues. Oh and the foals being produced...WOW! We are very pleased so far. We have many more things to do so stay tuned for further updates...