Marefield is fortunate to have Poppaea who comes from a motherline established by the Clasen family in Hiddestorf, near Verden. Grandam Worms was a DLG class winner and overall vice champion. Poppaea's dam, Asta, was one of the two Argentan sisters retained for the Clasen breeding program. Poppaea’s full sister, SPS Prinzessin Asta, is dam of SPS Fenjala. In 2002, Fenjala added to her many past achievements at mare shows by earning the champion title in the 4- to 6-year old division at the prestigious Ratje Niebuhr-Schau.

Marefield purchased Asta when she was carrying Poppaea. While the old mare’s major production days were past, we hoped to produce just a few more foals from this celebrated mare family before Asta was retired from breeding. Unfortunately, Asta was killed in a freak accident when Poppaea was only a few months old. The little chestnut filly was traumatized by the experience and, we believe, was somewhat stunted in her development as a result of losing her mother at such a young age. The genetics were there, however, and we considered Poppaea a good breeding risk for continuing this outstanding motherline.

Of the first foals bred by Marefield, Riverdance was sold as a yearling to Avery Dimaggio in Apex, NC. Agrippina sold in the autumn of 2002 to the North Bay Group of Virginia Beach, VA.

While on breeding lease to Mo Swanson, Poppaea produced two Gold Luck fillies, each of which was inspection site filly champion of her year. Poppaea also produced a colt by Gold Luck in 2002. In 2001, Poppaea produced for Marefield the Fabriano son Fhinland, inspection site colt champion. Fhinland is now being raised as a stallion prospect for Marefield by co-owners Bob Orton and Sherra Kosch at their Buck Branch Farm in Gladys, VA.

In 2003, Poppaea produced a Fabriano filly to carry this mare line to its second generation at Marefield.