Our team
william & Tawna House
William and Tawna discovered a little piece of heaven on the eastern shore of MD and are continually working to renovate their historic 1713 manse on 14 acres. Their historic “Sledmore” is home to DQS as well as a private recording studio and event venue for music concerts, weddings, family reunions, and more. You will find them both around the farm in some capacity 24/7. It is a labor of love.
Founders
Tawna House
BREEDING DIRECTOR - With over forty years in the horse industry, Tawna began with a start in her early days as a graduate “B” pony clubber, focused on eventing and dressage. As a young adult she went on to do ratings, lessons, clinics, and judging in the MD region for the USPC in both Dressage and Eventing. In 1995 she redirected her focus full time on breeding Warmbloods. Her focus is on producing upper level FEI hind end movers , Decorated in Quality. Her success and breeding record in the breeding world can be reviewed on USDF under “Tawna King”. Producer of many Premium foals, site Champions, DSHB Champions, and breeder of two licensed stallions, her accolades in breeding alone allow her the qualifications to obtain her USDF “r” license in Dressage Sport Horse Breeding. You can read the story on how her breeding came to be in-depth on the “History” page. As a side note, she is also an accomplished singer and is how she met her husband
william House
William is the foundation here at DQS and a pillar of support in all areas. You will find him everywhere from overseeing farm management, day to day operations, spending time with his horse Shadow, and even client services. For his day job, William “JuJu House” is an internationally renowned drummer and producer for such greats as Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, E.U.’s song “DaButt” in the Spike Lee movie “School Daze”, Chuck Brown, David Sandbourn, Paul Reed Smith, with the most dressage connected fun fact - he is the drummer on the Grace Jones song “Slave to the Rhythm” which was used as the opening song by Andreas Helgstrand and “Blue Horse Matine” at the WEG 2006 Freestyle Final. William is a rhythm genius savant.
This musical freestyle “super duo” also consult on individual production, from rhythm synchronizing, original instrumentals, and full test music selection and choreography upon request.
Gabriella Cottone
Assistant Breeding Director / Mare Owner Liason
Gabriella is a long time business associate and friend. We have been mutual sounding boards breeding wise for many years. We could not think of anyone more knowledgable to act as our mare owner liaison and we are proud to have her be apart of our team.
Gabriella is an additional option for interested mare owners reaching out to DQS for breeding questions. She can evaluate and ensure our stallion is the best fit for your mare as we take Sire/Dam pairing very serious to ensure the best foal possible.
Gabriella also owns her own very successful Warmblood breeding operation “Cottone Sport Horses” and is also a producer of top FEI prospects. Make sure to follow her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CottoneSportHorses
affiliate team member farms:
Cedar Creek Stables
Abe Pugh - USDF Gold Medalist
Rachel Pugh - USDF Siver Medalist
FEI Dressage trainers for Royal Graffiti.