MB Quarter Horses is about recognising the amazing versatility of the Australian QH and what selective and careful breeding can achieve. We run two concurrent breeding programs and if anyone would like more information on either please read on or email Nicci here.

Left: Megabyte's final run in the 2006 Open Futurity Right: Megabyte April '08

Western Program

At Mb our aim is to breed outstanding Reining horses but this alone would not allow Megabyte's potential as a truly versatile sire to grow. So, our western program has two parts. Our focus is on breeding to the best Reining and Cutting mares available and producing a taller, more athletic style of reining horse with the ability to take anyone to the top due to their amazing temperament, natural ability and trainable nature. We are beginning work with the youngest of Mega's sons, from his first batch of foals bred by Condor soon and hope to have a video of him up here shortly.

The second part is aimed at people who are looking for a versatile, tall and very pretty Pleasure, HUS or versatility horse. Megabyte will serve our performance AQHA mare in October this year, Cheeky Charmer by Chicks Impressive Charm and we have high hopes for the foal. Mega's dam Kings Golden Era has produced a number of outstanding performance horses and we hope to continue this tradition by breeding Mega to well bred, and good moving mares.

Megabyte will begin his Western Performance career this year and has begun his training very well. We hope to show him at Trail, Horsemanship, Western Riding, Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle and Working Hunter.

We run a strict selection process for outside mares and those thinking of breeding to Megabyte are encouraged to get in touch and chat about what they are looking for. We are excited about brining the best aspects of your mare out and simply have questions to ensure your foal will be exactly what you are looking for.

Diamond Tribute, January '08

English Program

For ladies (or men) wanting calm, trainable young horses with movement, looks and ability for Dressage there is a definite shortage, especially if you are not in the market for a very tall horse. Mb purchased a wonderful Thoroughbred mare, Diamond Tribute who will be the first mare to participate in this program. Her details can be seen on our Broodmares page.

Our aim is to produce young performance horses who are capable of starting their training at a younger age, who are able to be ridden by anyone and who will have the abilities of their TB and WB peers. Megabyte is just under 16hh and has wonderful hock action and a superb canter. We will only be selecting outside mares with good movement and a proven trainability but most of all temperament is key. Our youngsters will be sensible, smart and VERY enjoyable. Stay tuned to see photos of our first foal in the program.

Competition Team

MB Quarter Horses is actively promoting with their show team. This is headed up by Megabyte himself but stepping up in 2009 will be Nicci's little 2 year old, Yulgilbar Valco (Elmo). This little man was bought as a 10 month old from Yulgilbar and is showing incredible promise and natural ability as a Reining horse. He is currently in light work, starting spins and working very well.

Look out for Mb in 2008!

Left: Diamond and Elmo Right: Elmo

Our Horse History

MB Quarter Horses is run by Nicci Foster and John Di Benedetto. While John is fairly new to the industry, Nicci describes the way she fell in to horses as "not having a choice". The daughter of prominent Equine Nutritionist, Antoinette Foster, Nicci has been around horses since the day she was born. Her first pony, Bubbles was a Shetland x Welsh and she got her first Quarter Horse at age 11... "From the moment Dylan arrived home with us I knew there was a difference between this horse and every pony and horse I had ever had." Dylan was a 15hh gelding by Tondara Cutter Sur named Cutters Star. Although showing not a lot of promise as a cutting horse, Dylan would excel in Show Jumping, ending up in Hong Kong and worth around $30,000!!

Left: Nicci and her first pony bubbles Right: Nicci's first QH, Cutters Star

"I just loved Dylan, I would ride him every where, took endless photos of him picking up sticks and carrying them around. He was just amazing, looked after me so well and did everything I ever asked him to do." Nicci's first western show was a bit of a disaster, having no experience she went in to the Showmanship class and faced the front... "I must have looked like a total idiot but I had a ball, from that day all I wanted to do was show Quarter Horses."

As a Jnr Youth rider Nicci rode for Double C QHs, taking Doc's Doodlebug to the 1994 Vic State Champs and QH Congress and placing 6th out of 27 in the Hunter Under Saddle and 6th out of 24 in the Hunt Seat Equitation. This was only 3 shows on from that dreadful start with Dylan!! After riding Doodlebug, Nicci had the chance to ride Beverley Manner's gorgeous old gelding Yulgilbar Pablo which she rode to a Runner-Up Hi Point Jnr Youth at the Southern Spectacular in 1995.

Left: Oops! Nicci's very first show, facing the wrong way!!

Nicci's first Reining Horse came in 1997, in the form of Glen Browitt's loud gelding Colrando Chex Charlatan and they were very successful at Reining, Hunter Under Saddle and Dressage, picking up numerous Champions. In 2000 Nicci moved to the UK where she would have a break from riding for almost 5 years before returning to Australia in 2004. In 2006 she finally bought a new horse, the 10 month old bald faced Yulgilbar Valco with partner John. John's uncle trained trotting horses while he was growing up and he has fond memories of the times he would sit on the cart with his cousins while the Clydesdales paraded around the Royal Melbourne Show. Although horse ownership has been a new part of John's life he has taken to it well and is looking forward to MB Quarter Horses' first breeding season.

One thing both John and Nicci agree is how much they admire their stallion, Megabyte. "When I first saw him at the 2006 Nationals I turned to John and said 'if I dreamt up my ideal horse it wouldn't come close to that'. I never in a million years thought he would end up with us!" John agrees "He is so quiet, nothing ever worries him and he is always so well behaved. I never have to think twice about Nicci being safe when she is riding him around the place."

MB Quarter Horses are commited to the growth of the Australian Quarter Horse as they believe in the breed's versatility and ability to be everything you ever would want in a horse, just like Nicci's first QH Dylan.