We first became involved with the Akhal-Teke in 1987, as the breeding manager for the only A-T stud farm in the US. After leaving, we focused on competing the Akhal-Teke and did so successfully for many years in various of the FEI disciplines before acquiring our foundation stallion Gindarkh 13 in 1995. This prompted the switch to a breeding focus, which we have concentrated on since 1996. We have traveled to see Akhal-Tekes in their homeland of Turkmenistan, as well as in Russia and Europe, and continue to educate the American public to this treasure through attending equine expositions and other publicity functions.


Upon attending Equitana USA in 1996 to promote the Akhal-Teke breed, we saw our first Caspian and were fascinated by the history and presence of this little genetic treasure. Our hope to someday contribute our rare breed experience and resources to help this equally endangered genepool was finally realized in 2005, when the puzzle pieces of time, space, and resources finally came together, and we were able to acquire our Caspian breeding herd. We look forward to continuing to expand our knowledge of this breed while helping to increase its numbers.


Allegra Steck graduated from Lake Erie College with a B.A. in Equine Stud Farm Management and has been employed in the equine world continuously since graduation, in every aspect from boarding stable manager to apprentice trainer. She has competed in USDF dressage, USEF showjumping, and USEA eventing, as well as occasionally foxhunting. Jeff Whitten works outside the equine world, in carpet design for Mohawk Industries, but has been breeding AQHAs and Angus beef cattle for many years. He, too, has been captured by the intelligence, beauty and grace of the rare breeds. They were married in May of 2006 and live in an 1893 farmhouse they are renovating in their spare time, with their whippet Rajah, shepherd mix Shadow, and cats Henry, Sparky and Taz.

We intend to continue our endeavours for many years to come to insure not only the survival, but the flourishing of these two most precious equine resources.