Pilot Point

Valor Farm

Near Aubrey

The Pilot Point area has drawn visitors and settlers to the gentle rolling hills of North Central Texas for over 150 years. The town was first known as "Pilot's Point" for a high point of timber line trees that served travelers as a landmark. Pioneers began settling in the area in the late 1840's. Pilot Point was near an early immigrant trail and was a stop on the Butterfield Stage route. The original town was platted in 1853, making Pilot Point the oldest town in Denton County. Today we are surrounded by pristine ranches that are the homes of regional, national and world championship horses. The horse industry is our most renowned and fastest-growing industry in the surrounding Pilot Point area. Many of the horse ranches from our area open their facilities to the public, offering education and enjoyment of horses and of the horse industry. Pilot Point boasts several wonderful State parks including Jordan Branch, home of Lantana Lodge, and Isle du Bois, of which offer a myriad of outdoor activities. The parks include a beautiful Greenbelt Corridor with a 20-mile multi-use trail system. The trail begins at the Ray Roberts Dam and ends at the headwaters of Lake Lewisville. This unique trail corridor meanders along the heavily wooded banks of the Elm Fork Branch of the Trinity River. Equestrians, hikers, bikers, canoeist, birdwatchers, anglers and other outdoor enthusiast can access the trail at one of the three trailheads, located at Hwy. 380, FM 455 and FM 548.

A. Born2Be Show Horses, Cole Rd., This ranch boasts two excellent trainers that teach both english and western riding. Paint horses are a primary breed at this ranch. www.venturefarm.com.

B. Walking Tall Ranch, Cole Rd., Dedicated to the development and training of all gaited breeds with an emphasis on the Tennessee Walking Horse. Walking Tall's desire is to the delivery of smooth, professionally trained horses for customers all across the country. .

C. Four Fillies, 11242 Friendship Rd., is a training facility offering riding lessons and trail rides at beautiful Lake Ray Roberts State Park. www.fourfillies.com, 940/391-4293.

D. Edgewood Lanning, Inc., 9979 Oak Creek Dr., is owned by Bill and Ann Lanning, and is a premier Quarter Horse, Halter Horse Ranch. Through their first rate promotion and breeding program, the famous Mr. Conclusion became the all-time leading sire of AQHA. Visitors welcome. www.edgewoodlanning.com, 940/686-9416.

E. KaiseRosa Ranch, 1100 St. John Rd., is home to Diversified and Dynamic Kid To A Te and trains top-award winners. Owner, Steve Cruse, is a leader and judge in the Appaloosa industry. www.kaiserosaranch.com, 702/499-8317.

F. Reata Ranch, 10875 St. John Rd., sits atop gorgeous acres and is home to some of the finest Quarter Horses in the area. Reata Ranch specializes in Halter Quarter Horses. Their most famous is Coolest, an AQHA leading sire. Coolest has sired more than 30 World and Reserve World Champions. www.reataranch.net.

G. Steve Cruse Show Horses, 9029 Arvin Hill, specializes in youth, amateur and open events. www.stevecruse.com, 940/686-8084.

Aubery, Texas

H. Northwind Ranch, 11636 St. John., is dedicated to breeding, training and showing world class western pleasure Quarter Horses and is home to multiple Congress and World Champions. Currently they stand Sweet Talkin Chip, a multiple World and Congress Champion sire. www.northwindranch.com, 940 686-9110.

I. Wilbanks Paints 'n' Pasos, 11560 Merrill Rd., is a horse breeding farm dedicated to producing fine registered Paints and Paso Finos. www.paintsandpasos.com, 940/686-5462.

J. Frazier Farms, 12189 Merrill Rd., possesses the mission to breed, raise, and market exceptional American Quarter Horses with the form, movement, and mind necessary to compete in the world-class western pleasure arena. www.frazierfarms.com, 940/686-5664.

K. Valor Farm, 9599 FM 455 E., is owned by Clarence Scharbauer, Jr., a former president of the American Quarter Horse Association. He has been prominent in the equine industry for over 40 years and is a member of the breed's Hall of Fame. His late wife, Dorothy Turner Scharbauer, owned race horses from a young age. Her father, Fred Turner, won the 1959 Kentucky Derby with Tomy Lee. With the goal of winning another Kentucky Derby, the Scharbauers began buying Thoroughbred yearlings in 1984. By 1987, Dorothy and daughter, Pam, had captured the roses with the great Alysheba, who became the all-time leading earner and was later inducted into the Hall of Fame. In 1991, the Scharbauers purchased the 393 acres on which Valor Farm sits. Currently the stallions at Valor Farm include: Wimbledon (winner of the 2004 Louisiana Derby), Magic Cat, Early Flyer, and My Golden Song. Their stallions rank among the leading Texas and national sires each year. www.valorfarm.com.

L. Crown Point Farm, www.crownpointfarm.com, 940/367-0251.

M. Reality Ranch, 1616 S. Hwy. 377, sits on 45 acres, is a Quarter Horse Halter ranch, and is home to World Champion Impressive Sundance. Set on the same grounds is the Horse Country Lodge. www.realityranchquarterhorses.com, www.horsecountrylodge.net, 940 686-9324.

N. Jay Star Ranch, 11031 Strittmatter, is in the 14th breeding season with Mister GQ. This 17-hand Quarter Horse has won a World Champion and two Reserve World Champion titles. www.jaystarranch.com, 940 231-8434.