From The Publisher
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14 – May/June, 2023
By Tom Grabe
A True Great One
Spring is here and with it the youngsters that might be the future stars of our industry. By the time you read this, foaling season will be just about over. I love this time of year. There’s nothing more enjoyable than watching sucklings dance clumsily with their mothers and weanlings test each others skills of speed and endurance.
This is a special time in their lives. These foals will grow over the next year or two and be graded as to their potential to become the next great one. Some will cut the mustard and others won’t. The ones who show greatness will be applauded wherever they go. Those that don’t will still be loved, just in a different way by a different group of people.
What defines a great one? Is it the muscular good looks of a big, beautiful halter horse or the gentle, flowing motion of an outstanding pleasure horse? Is it the drive and stamina of a top rope horse or the agility and determination of a great cutting horse? Is it the ability to leap tall objects in a single bound, like a hunter-jumper or the speed to outrun the competition, like that of a race or barrel horse? It’s all of these things and more.
This is what is so attractive about our sport. Our breeds are versatile and our sport offers something for everyone. No matter your interest, if horses are involved we’ve got something for you. And great horses are abundant.
