Story Book Stables

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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.

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...
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!

Rick Christen looking good aboard his mount, GHOSTFACE, in the Non Pro Derby at The Best Of West!💪🏼
10/12/2026

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

FABIO & NOTORIOUS BID looking fancy…A nice run for Fabio and NOTORIOUS BID, owned by Jordan Willette, in yesterday’s Ope...
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!💪🏼

CONGRATULATIONS… VANESSA + SHESASCOLDASICE! A great run scoring a 218 in the AZRHA Best Of The West Open Futurity, takin...
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! 👏🔥

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

Team Story Book had an impressive day in the show pen yesterday, with some great runs in the Open Futurity…One of those ...
10/10/2026

Team Story Book had an impressive day in the show pen yesterday, with some great runs in the Open Futurity…

One of those runs was by Fabio + Rick Christen’s Americasnextdreamboy, marking a very solid 216.5– bringing home a check for $1,700+👏🏼

Looking forward to a busy afternoon here at the BOTW!Team Story Book will have 5 entries showing in the Open Futurity— B...
10/09/2026

Looking forward to a busy afternoon here at the BOTW!
Team Story Book will have 5 entries showing in the Open Futurity— Best of luck to Vanessa & Fabio!💪🏼

Proud of the run that Jim put together aboard the Story Book owned GOTTA WHIZ GUN in the Open Derby here at the AZRHA Be...
10/09/2026

Proud of the run that Jim put together aboard the Story Book owned GOTTA WHIZ GUN in the Open Derby here at the AZRHA Best Of The West Show!👏🏼
Well done, Jim!

These two…😍Vicki Santo & her boy, SMARTYS STYLIN, had a good day in the pen yesterday, placing well in the Non Pro & Int...
10/08/2026

These two…😍

Vicki Santo & her boy, SMARTYS STYLIN, had a good day in the pen yesterday, placing well in the Non Pro & Intermediate Non Pro!👏🏼

We had a great day yesterday in the Non Pro class here at the AZRHA Best Of The West…🏆 Rick tied for the WIN in the Non ...
10/08/2026

We had a great day yesterday in the Non Pro class here at the AZRHA Best Of The West…

🏆 Rick tied for the WIN in the Non Pro & WON the PT Non pro aboard INFERNO ON ICE, with a 71.5!

He also picked up 4th in the NP & 2nd in the PT Non Pro on his other mount, GONNA OUTBID U!

Well done, Rick!👏🏼

Address

28823 N 138th Street
Scottsdale, AZ
85262

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