In Memory of Margaret Elizabeth (Betty) Joseph

Betty Ross of Isabella, MB and Jim Joseph of Elkhorn, MB were married in October of 1959 and resided on the family farm at Elkhorn, MB. In 1965, Betty applied for an Equine Ranching Contract with the thought that it would be a good investment.

In 1970, Jim passed away which left Betty to raise their four children all under the age of 10 years. Betty did not lose hope as there was the equine ranching plus the cattle to manage, and she along with her parents and many helping hands kept the farm viable and growing. In 1972 Betty made a choice to start a breeding program with Percherons. Her dream was to someday have her barn filled with blacks and greys. Betty traveled to Waverly Fall Sale in 1972 to purchae her first stallion, Koncar Lou, son of Paramount King out of Beauty Laet. Koncar Lou was awarded Reserve Grand Champion Stallion at Toronto Royal in 1969. Also at this sale, she purchased two black registered mares from the late Ray and Art Bast of Wisconsin. Betty in the following year purchased three good pedigreed mares from the Michalyshen Bros of Oakburn, Manitoba.

Betty's next choice of stallion was Golden Ridge Shriner, a son of La Don's Koncarnona Hector out of Arl Bren Judy, whom was purchased at the Toronto Royal Fair from the late Fred Hampson of Ontario, where he was named Grand Champion Stallion in 1977.

In 1980 Betty made a significant stallion purchase in Freddie's Fury. Freddie was purchased from the late Joe Michalyshen of Brandon, Manitoba. Before Betty purchased Freddie's Fury, there was interest in Freddie as a gelding. Being a son of Fury's Commander and out of the big drafty Donna Degas, he proved to be like his sire. Freddie had a short breeding career however, as he was struck by lightning in the pasture with his mares in the summer of 1984. Regardless of the mare that Freddie bred, his colts were all modern, hitchy and exceptionally promising. One of Freddie's sons Duke was top selling Percheron gelding at the Eastern State Draft Horse Sale in Columbus, Ohio and was purchased by Ponderay Ranch of Idaho. Two other Freddie sons to mention were shown and each were awarded Reserve Grand Champion Gelding at the Toronto Royal on separate occasions.

Freddie's Fury

In 1984, Betty purchased ATC Chief from David Carson of Ontario. Chief was sired by Leo Degas and out of Miss Dollie. Chief was a massive 18HH and well over a ton. He sired many growthy colts and his daughters became good brood mares.

In 1986, a very promising yearling stallion, General Lee sired by Blizzard out of Condelichte Flirt, was offered for sale after the passing of Joe Michalyshen. General Lee was shown as a two year old and won Supreme Champion Stallion at the 1987 Canadian Western Agribition. General Lee proved to be a top breeding horse, passing his style and action on to his offspring and leaving top quality females. Elkview Jana was a favorite among visitors and also Betty's pride and joy. Jana was Grand Champion Percheron female at Agribition in 1993. General Lee also sired many top sons, two of his son's were drove in the Ames hitch of Minnesota. Another son, Pularosa Ben was purchased from Albert and Joyce Pulak of Westbourne, Manitoba. Ben has proven to be a good breeding horse.

General Lee at home

General Lee in his show clothes 1987

In the fall of 1990, Betty traveled to visit long time family friends, the late Leonard and Olga Kennedy of Alberta. This is where she bought a promising stud foal Starlight Diamond Chief sired by Ryan Day Diamond Ernie Dragano and out of Black's Bell Paul. Diamond surpassed all expectations, his offspring suited most horsemen. As one of his daughter's Elkview Kandi was the high-selling Percheron female at the Buckeye Draft Horse Sale in Dover, Ohio in 2000. Some of his sons became top hitch horses that were shown across North America. One to mention was Elkview Luke, who was awarded All-American Percheron Gelding in 2000, and shown by Cedar Farm Percherons of Michigan.

Starlight Diamond Chief

Hillcrest Tyson Laet was added to the herd in 1995. Tyson was a son of Heidi's Buckeye Ambassador and out of Poplar Leaf Aggie and was purchased from George Jones of Kentucky. Tyson was a massive horse standing over 18.2HH and weighting over a ton. He left size and quality in his foals.

Always striving to maintain and improve her breeding herd, Betty purchased E.T.F. Prince Valiant after he won Reserve Junior Champion Stallion honors at the National Percheron Show in 2001. Prince was sired by M.G.'s black Diamond and out of E.T.F.'s Ebby. This stallion produced Elkview Prince, who was the high-selling colt at $10,250 at the NAERIC Draft Horse Classic Sale in Regina in 2003 and purchased by Gordie Ruzicka.

One of the last additions made to Betty's herd before her passing in 2004, was the purchase of Valley Creek Darrell by All-Stars Prince Rocket and out of Koncarlaet's Dixie, purchased at the Columbus Ohio sale.

The equine ranch and Percheron breeding program is still operating today by both her sons, Ross and Gordon. It is thanks to Betty's dream, an accumulation of good foundation stock and her keen eye that have made Elkview Percherons what it is today.