Client Spotlight: Nancy Ditty’s Family Legacy of Producing Champion Quarter Horses Thrives in Ocala

At Ocala Horse Properties, one of our most satisfying experiences as Marion County realtors is getting to know our clients and community members. The Ocala equestrian world is a diverse one, representing multiple breeds and disciplines, which is what makes “The Horse Capitol of the World” so unique!

Our clients who have purchased farms in Marion County are equally as unique, representing interests in an array of horse breeds and disciplines. We truly enjoy getting to know our real estate clients and appreciate their willingness to share stories about their passion for horses and how they came to settle in Ocala.

One such client is Nancy Ditty, owner of Ditty Up Farm, and one of only two inductees into the NSBA’s Quarter Million Dollar Club. Her mother, the late Susan Scott, is the only other amateur western competitor to receive this prestigious quarter horse award.  Ocala Horse Properties is grateful to Nancy for giving us the time out of her busy schedule to gain some insight into her family’s history, her Quarter Horse equine operation at Ditty Up Farm and the thriving western community here in Ocala!

OHP: Describe your Family Legacy. How many generations of QH breeding and training has existed within your family?

ND: First and foremost, I am honored to call it a family legacy.  Our family’s success goes back to my Grandfather, Gabriel Powers, aka ‘Popeye’ to me. Popeye came from New York and settled in Miami, Florida when my mother Susan Scott was just twelve. The love for horses came from my grandmother, who then passed it on to my mother, then to myself.   The love for animals thrives deep in our family from dogs, to parrots and horses.

OHP: When was Haylo Farm established, how has it evolved over the years?

ND: Haylo Farm was established when my Grandfather came to Ocala and fell in love with the beautiful rolling hills of Marion County. I enjoyed growing up at Haylo farm and following in my mother’s footsteps with her love for the American Quarter Horse. I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to ride and show some of the industry’s top horses.

OHP: Tell us about Ditty Up Farm – What is the focus, is it breeding, young horses or showing?

ND: When I originally started shopping for a place of my own to house my own horses, I originally wanted just ten acres and a 6 stall barn. My mother was a big instigator in encouraging me to go bigger, boy am I glad now that she did.  We bought Ditty Up from OHP and was a great experience and investment.  When my husband Seth, son Luke and I first moved in, the World Equestrian Center had not even started new construction! We are thrilled to be so close to all the new and exciting things happening at WEC.  Our location is close enough to enjoy all the amenities of the World Equestrian Center and also have the luxuries of our own private paradise. 
 
Since we have moved to Ditty Up, I have really enjoyed focusing on the breeding of some of my great established show mares to the industries’ best stallions.  Nothing gives me more gratification than watching the babies out of my mares grow up and start a young career of their own.

OHP: Please list your top memorable horses and accolades. I know there are many, so select your top few!

ND: I have been so grateful for all the good and bad horses I have had to opportunity to ride.  So many life lessons learned.  Some of my most favorite horse are the following: Forever KOOl, Aka Pumpernickel is extremely special and the mare I am currently showing. What makes her so “Kool” is not only has she taken me to the winners circle numerous of times, but she is out of my mother’s favorite mare “Pumpkin”. Pumpernickel has a heart of gold and always brings a smile to my face when we compete.
 
Another great show horse that will always hold a special place in my heart is Troubles A Blazin, aka Mercedes, she will live the remainder of her life here at Ditty Up with me.  She helped me to accomplish a lot of my show career’s goals at the national levels. She is a key piece to Ditty Up’s success with her offspring. 
 
My biggest honor was to be inducted in the NSBA’s Quarter Million Dollar Club right behind my mother as the only two non-professionals in the club currently. 

OHP: Who are your key team members at Ditty UP?

ND: With every great successful business there is always an impeccable staff to help support it and make it thrive.  I am very fortunate with my three businesses, Coast To Coast Truck and Trailer Sales, Nelsons Truck and Trailers, and Ditty Up to have such  an eager and helpful crew that makes my companies run smoothly.

OHP: What are your long term goals for Ditty Up?

ND: My long term goal for Ditty Up is to be able to continue in the way Haylo Farm was originally developed. To breed, show and promote the American Quarter and Paint Horse breeds that are a result of my Family’s long term commitment of excellence. These footsteps that are very hard to fill. These horses have taken over a lifetime to develop. 

OHP: What western disciplines are thriving in Ocala? How would you describe the western and/or equestrian community in Ocala?

ND: There are so many different Western disciplines in and around Ocala. From, my favorite, the Western Pleasure Events, to Reining, the ever growing Cow Horse events, not to mention the Speed Events that are so popular in this Equine Community that I call home. The associations that I travel and associate with the most are AQHA, NSBA, APHA to name just a few.

I think the whole Equine Industry in Ocala is very tight knit family. It does not  matter what discipline you are in.  I happen to know firsthand what an amazing family they are.  During my darkest and scariest moments with the loss of my first husband, Brad, and my mother Susan Scott, they have been the light during the darkest times!!   What a great extended Family we all can benefit from – I love my horse family!

OHP: We are assuming you’ll be competing at WEC in the spring of 2021. What horses will you compete and which divisions will you enter?

ND: I am looking forward to the April show at WEC.  It is so nice to have my horse show family in my home town and I’m looking forward to entertaining them here at Ditty Up.

I will be showing Forever Kool, aka Pumpernickel, in the Maturity Non-Pro Western Pleasure and Amateur Western Pleasure.   I am also looking forward to showing Your Made For Me, who is out of Troubles A Blazin and by Machine Made aka Mermaid, in the 3 year old Non-Pro Western Pleasure. It will be a great treat to finally show Mermaid as I am  super excited to show and compete with Mercedes offspring. 

OHP: What attributes of your Mom do you want to carry forward for her legacy?

ND: What I have learned the most from my mother, is so hard to put in writing.  If I could just carry on an ounce of her amazing attributes she gave to the horse community in Ocala, Florida and around the country that would be an amazing feat.  She was a shrewd business woman.  She was also a woman who loved life and fought hard each day to conquer the horrific disease of being a diabetic. She walked with Grace and Kindness, everyone who had the great privilege to know her felt as if she was their best friend and confidant.

Once again, the team at Ocala Horse Properties wishes to thank Nancy for sharing her family’s storied history in the quarter horse industry, and her future vision for Ditty Up Farm. Nancy and her family are an excellent example of farm owners in Marion County committed to the equestrian lifestyle and growing industry in our region.

To learn more about Ditty Up please visit:
https://dittyupfarm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DittyUp

To see the schedule for the April Western show schedule at WEC please visit
Sudden Impulse NSBA Western Shows at WEC Ocala

For a list of current farms and land for sale in Ocala, please visit Farms for Sale in Ocala. Give us a call, we are ready to give you a tour of beautiful Marion County!