TF Clydesdales’ newest foal, Nova (center) pictured alongside (l-r) Liby, Jace, and Emma Bauer on Saturday, March 22, at their farm located in rural Gladbrook. The sixth-generation farm is owned by the Bauer children’s parents, Katie and Jake Bauer, and their grandparents, Becky and Steve Fevold. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Editor’s Note: This story will publish in next week’s (April 4, 2025) print edition of the Telegraph. In addition to publishing here, the story also appears in this week’s print edition of the Sun Courier.

GLADBROOK – Two days after the spring equinox, the vibes were all spring last Saturday afternoon at TF Clydesdales in rural Gladbrook as the youngest generation frolicked with the farm’s newest member – a filly aptly named Nova, Latin for ‘new.’

The farm, located northeast of Gladbrook, is owned by Becky and Steve Fevold along with their daughter and son-in-law, Katie and Jake Bauer. The ‘T’ in TF stands for Becky’s maiden name Thoms, while the ‘F’ now signifies her married name (and Katie’s maiden name) Fevold. Before patriarch Steve’s time, however, TF just meant ‘Thoms Family.’

But it was all about the latest generation, the Bauers’ three children, on Saturday, March 22, as Emma (fourth grade), Liby (kindergarten), and Jace (preschool) ran around with Nova in the spring sunshine under the watchful gaze of Nova’s first-time mom Tessa, a stunning, dappled black Clydesdale.

“My kids are the fifth generation to raise registered Clydesdales on this farm,” Katie explained as she stood under the perfect blue sky in the paddock while her children and horses circled in play. “They are the sixth generation to live here.”

Nova, a nearly two-month-old black Clydesdale filly, and her mom Tessa pictured on Saturday, March 22. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TF Clydesdales is one of only a half-dozen notable Clydesdale breeding operations in Iowa, Becky said, and one of just six across the country dedicated to raising black Clydesdales.

On Saturday, Nova, born on Groundhog Day, was still sporting her fluffy, grayish-brown baby coat. But soon enough, that newborn fluff will shed to black.

Nova’s birth on Feb. 2 went perfectly, Katie said, although most everyone in the family missed it as they were traveling.

“We were actually in Florida showing horses. But [Clydesdales] birth fast – only about 30 minutes. Everything turned out fine.”

As of press time, the farm was still expecting two more foals due around the end of the month. The spring equinox (March 20) is a bit late for the farm’s typical foaling schedule, but still nothing too out of the ordinary, Katie explained.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“We want them on the ground before we get busy and all the mud and constant changing weather. The [breed originates to] Scotland, so the humidity gets to them.’

While they await those last two babies, Emma, in particular, has been soaking in both the early spring days and time with Nova. The little filly seems to possess an exceptional personality, Katie said.

“[Nova] is very inquisitive, and [mom] Tessa is very laid back. Tessa, she just wants to love. So, Nova is very special.”

Much like these early spring days.

TF Clydesdales’ newest foal, Nova investigates a toy truck left in her paddock on Saturday, March 22, by the farm’s youngest human member, four-year-old Jace Bauer (not pictured). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Nova cheekily checks out the reporter’s camera on Saturday, March 22, in rural Gladbrook. Her owner, Katie Bauer, described the black Clydesdale filly as “very inquisitive.” PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Tessa, a six-year-old black Clydesdale mare, leads her foal Nova across a paddock on Saturday, March 22. While both horses are black Clydesdales, Nova has not yet lost her newborn coat. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Emma Bauer, a fourth-grader at North Tama Elementary in Traer, feeds hay to two of her family’s mares on Saturday, March 22, in rural Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Emma Bauer peeks out from behind her pet pony, Sissy on March 22 at her family’s farm in rural Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Nova framed by a perfect spring sky on Saturday, March 22. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Emma Bauer smiles on March 22 in rural Gladbrook while petting her family farm’s newest member, Nova, a black Clydesdale filly. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER