Story Book Stables

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Scottsdale, AZ
Story Book Stables

Breeding, Training, & Showing Outstanding Reining Horses. Story Book Stables is the culmination of a lifetime passion for owners Brenda Joyce and Rick Christen.

When the pair met at the High Roller Reining Classic in 2013, both were avid Reiners who were breeding show horses for themselves, and happily competing as Non Pros. But that quickly changed. Brenda had always dreamed of owning horses on a ranch out west, from the time she was a little girl, born in Brooklyn and raised in Manhattan. The daughter of a developer, she refused to go into the family business, and became a bestselling novelist, with 54 published novels to her credit, all in 26 years. When she met Rick, it was time to live out the second half of her dream. Rick was raised in Toledo, Ohio, and began riding horses as a small boy. His dream of being a pilot in the Air Force was destroyed because of his height, and instead, he wound up racing sailboats—until he decided to go into the family roofing business. When he met Brenda, a reining horse frenzy was unleashed. They began combining forces, sharing horses, swapping embryos, and then they built Five Bells Ranch. The Ranch is a dream come true for them both. 5 Bells Ranch encompasses 22 acres in the heart of Rio Verde, Arizona. It includes a 41-stall state of the art show barn, a 280 x 150 covered arena, a covered round pen and walker, numerous turn outs, irrigated front pastures, another state of the art mare motel, three casitas for employees, other apartments, and more. Set on both the east and west sides of 138th Street, the east side is for the mares, babies and yearlings, and the training operation is on the west side.

10/28/2026

How about that?!
Vanessa & her mare, PLATINUM PEAKS, marked a 219 in the CRHA The Challenge Open Derby this past weekend!
Well done, Vanessa!!!👏🏼💜🧡

10/26/2026

A very solid 216.5 & a check for Fabio & Rick’s EASY MONEY SNIPER in the Open Derby this past weekend, at the CRHA The Challenge! 💪🏼

10/25/2026

Wishing the best of luck to Fabio & Vanessa in today’s Open Derby! Go get ‘em!💪🏼👏🏼💜🧡

10/25/2026

A good day in the show pen for TEAM SBS…

Fabio & NOTORIOUS BID, for Jordan Willette, + Vanessa & LV VOODOO TOP WHIZ, for Story Book Stables, both marked a very solid 215.5– both adding $1510.50 to their earnings! Well done!👏🏼

10/24/2026

Today is Open Futurity day here in California at the CRHA The Challenge— wishing the BEST OF LUCK to Team SBS!💪🏼🧡💜

10/12/2026

Help us wish our very own, Fabio Russo, a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!🥳🎂🍻

We hope it’s a fantastic day, Fabio! We’re so proud to have you a part of the team!

10/12/2026

Rick Christen looking good aboard his mount, GHOSTFACE, in the Non Pro Derby at The Best Of West!💪🏼

10/10/2026

FABIO & NOTORIOUS BID looking fancy…

A nice run for Fabio and NOTORIOUS BID, owned by Jordan Willette, in yesterday’s Open Futurity, gearing up for next month’s NRHA Futurity!

Looking forward to seeing this pair back in the pen!💪🏼

10/10/2026

CONGRATULATIONS… VANESSA + SHESASCOLDASICE!

A great run scoring a 218 in the AZRHA Best Of The West Open Futurity, taking home $4,658.83 for owner Story Book Stables!

Well done, Vanessa! 👏🔥

10/10/2026

217.5👏🏼
Vanessa & THE SILVER GUN had a pretty run in the Open Futurity for owner, Story Book Stables, cashing in on a $3,700+ payday.
Well done, & thank you, Vanessa!

Address

28823 N 138th Street
Scottsdale, AZ
85262

Website

https://storybookstables.com/

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