Sharing Knowledge Between Generations – Part 1
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420 – October, 2014
By Kristen Spinning
For millennium, the art and science of horse training has been carefully passed from master to apprentice. Each generation of horse trainers has contributed to the mix and sent their experiences forward in time. Beliefs, rituals, and traditions of the horse training process certainly diversified throughout centuries and have been colored by culture, politics, societies, and economies. Think of the supreme elegance displayed by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna versus the natural fluidity of Bedouin horse trainers. There are countless methods, but all leading to the same end.
Needs and breeds have changed, and the best trainers have changed with them. The one constant has been older trainers sharing knowledge with their younger counterparts. Every trainer in a round pen today has some tenuous connection to those first intrepid souls who originally thought domesticating equus might be a good idea. To see how the tradition of horsemanship education endures in today’s industry, we chatted with several veteran trainers whose success has left an enduring mark. Their perspective on what is most important and how the industry has changed during their tenure gives a glimpse into what the next generation of horse trainers has to look forward to.
Clark Bradley – Findlay, OH
If you were looking around the show world for an example of a professional who is dedicated to sharing knowledge, you certainly would run into Clark Bradley. As a trainer and exhibitor, Clark has been a two-time winner of the NRHA Futurity, a winner of multiple championships at the Congress, and was named AQHA Professional Horseman of the year in 2001…. just to cherry pick a few of his accomplishments. In addition to his credentials as a judge, and a longtime leader in AQHA, Clark has dedicated his life to ensuring the next generation of trainers gets the best education possible. He has been an instructor with the University of Findlay’s Equestrian Studies Program in Ohio for 26 years, and he is a coach of the school’s Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Western Equestrian Team. Though Clark took a ten-year break from teaching, his passion for that part of the industry drew him back in 1996. “I’ve always enjoyed progressing other people, and many have gone on to be highly successful trainers,” he says with pride.
With a keen eye for detail, Clark remains a highly sought-after judge in AQHA, NSBA, and NRHA, and concurs with many trainers that the level of competition today is at the highest level he has ever seen. “I think we have so many more great amateurs out there, along with great trainers and horses,” he says. “The select riders have had really good instruction for a longer period of time, so the competition is tough.” Though he admires such achievements in the industry, he acknowledges the challenges that can come along as a result. “It’s tough these days for a new person on a $5,000 horse to come in and be able to get anywhere. They need a lot of help.” Clark is the kind of horseman who is always willing to pass along some advice, encouragement, and his unbiased opinion.
What do you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
CB: “It seems like every year I learn more. I often wonder how I ever did it 20, 30, or 40 years ago. A lot of it comes back to the basics. You must have an extremely well broke horse. You need to be able to control the head carriage, the shoulder, and the hip. You need the core maneuvers, and the horse must understand completely what you are communicating. Keep it black and white. There is no gray area with horses. You’ve got to show them A, B, and C.”
What do you want to pass on to the younger generation of trainers?
CB: “It’s important to know that not every horse is going to be a great one, so make them the best they can be. No matter what their limitations are, you live with it, and work with it. Sometimes, you just don’t know what the next steps are with a particular horse; you might get stuck. So go back to the simple stuff. Take it in steps. Find rewards for them for each of those stages.”
What do you see as some of the most radical changes over the last 30 years?
CB: “The horses are much better, both mentally and physically. For years, we have been breeding for disposition as much as athleticism, so horses have minds that are better for training. We also have had so much selective breeding for event specialization. For instance, in reining, runs that won 30 years ago wouldn’t place today because there are just so many more exceptional, athletic horses. A 217 run would win before. Now, we see so many more plus ones; we have scores getting up to the 220s and 230s. I don’t think the scoring has changed, other than it’s probably even a little tougher. The horses are that much better.”
What are your views on some of the latest trends in showing?
CB: “People want to compete against others at their same basic level so they have a shot of winning something. If they win a little, it gives them an incentive to keep going. Otherwise, they get discouraged and leave. Look at what USTRC did a few years back. Their numbering system really caught on. A #2 or #3 roper knew they didn’t have a chance against a lot of those guys. However, if they were roping with other 2s and 3s, they could win some money. They start winning, and they move up the scale. Team roping has taken off since then. People in NRHA like that they can win some money, too.
“The number of NRHA levels has done a great job of giving every kind of reining horse and rider a place, from green as grass to your top futurity horse. The new AQHA levels have been really good at doing the same thing as well. We also see increased interest in the novice amateur division. It’s a good direction for the industry.
“As for trends in classes, I see that very few trail or western riding horses weren’t first good movers in western pleasure. A horse needs to be born a good mover and started off as a pleasure horse as a 2- or 3-year-old. Amateurs are more and more interested in trail these days, but if you don’t have a good jog or lope on the flat, it’s hard to compete going over the poles. Ranch Horse Pleasure is the fastest growing class these days. It’s fun. Again, you need a very well broke horse. The ideal horse would be one that’s a pretty good reiner and that’s also a good mover. He might be a little too lazy to be a great reiner, but you need to have all those buttons on there, yet be able to get a good collection and smooth line.”
Terry Thompson – Aubrey, TX
Terry Thompson has consistently been one of the top trainers in NRHA, AQHA, and ApHC competition. He grew up showing horses and later chose to make his passion his profession. He made a name for himself as a young trainer over 40 years ago and continued dominating the business through the decades, accumulating over 250 National and World Titles. His $325,000+ earnings in NRHA put him among the top 100 money earners.
Forever striving to learn more and stay at the forefront of the industry, Terry chose to become a judge. He currently holds cards in the AQHA, APHA, ApHC, PHBA, NSBA, FEI, NRHA, and NRCHA. He has officiated at the NRHA Futurity five times and has judged numerous World Championship shows. His judge’s perspective flows over into his training and coaching. He strives to teach his clients how to understand their horse, their own abilities, and how best to present the whole package. He is as passionate about passing on knowledge as he is about gaining it. He’s ridden enough good horses and bad horses to have some advice for just about every situation. He said with a chuckle, “I guess I’m looked upon as a sage now.” If you ever have a chance to ask Terry for some pointers, you will surely get an education beyond your wildest dreams and not look at your sport in quite the same way ever again.
What do you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
TT: “The most successful trainer is a better student than trainer. I figured out, early on, you constantly have to keep learning. I watched everyone, what they did right and what they did wrong. If I got beat, I went and learned more from the people who beat me.”
What do you want to pass on to the younger generation of trainers?
TT: “A good work ethic is important. You have to continuously do more and do it better. A young trainer needs to go somewhere to work and learn for seven years. Stay with a trainer and learn everything he knows. You can’t put in two years and think you can go out on your own. Don’t think all those people you were riding horses for as an assistant are going to follow you.
“Another thing I tell people is to never go outside your horse’s abilities. There is no fairy dust or magic wand that will transform your horse. You can’t force what isn’t there. Work with what you have. It takes years to understand a horse’s ability. You have to take a hard look at yourself as well. In the end, ask yourself if you’re smart enough, talented enough, and athletic enough to compete at the highest level. Realize where you are at, and work with that.
“It takes an education to be a horse trainer. You have to know how to speak, how to talk to people, and how to spend money and handle all the financial aspects. In the end, horse training is a job. You have to be able to make a living. When starting out, you don’t have customers or stock. No one is going to give you good horses. Most trainers are always broke because no one pays anything in our industry. The best advice I can give young trainers is to get five- or six-year-old horses and give lessons. That way, you’ll have a consistent income. You will also learn how to work with people and how to teach them to do what you are asking. Along the way, you develop a program for non-pros.”
What do you see as some of the most radical changes over the last 30 years?
TT: “How we are breeding horses and the overall knowledge that is available has changed the most. Breeding is always a crapshoot, but now we have broodmares who are talented being bred to the best stallions. We are breeding for horses that move well, move fast, and are not crazy.
“Another thing that has changed is that riders and trainers need to stay in shape. The level of competition is so high now that we are moving towards riders needing to maintain fitness and athleticism to be able to show.”
What are your views on some of the latest trends in showing?
TT: (with a chuckle) “I don’t know what the trends are.
“As judges, we are not supposed to promote a style or trend. I don’t worry about it, because it works itself out. People hated when pleasure horses’ heads were so low. The head and neck are balance points for a horse. When exhibitors start following a trend that affects the movement of the horse, it shows up in the lead changes, turns, and the stop. Anything out of line shows up in performance, attitude, finesse, quickness, and so on. All that affects scoring. Know the rules; study the rules. Know what judges are scoring on. Many people haven’t read the rulebook. If you know the rules, you aren’t likely to follow a trend that causes your score to go down.
“The classes that are growing the fastest are the ones which people deem to be fair. When the scoring system is clear, and the marks are posted, people like that. They like when there is an explanation. Money is helping, also. People want to have the chance at winning something. When I won the Derby, it paid $10,000. Now, there are so many futurities with huge purses. In reining, the Affiliate Program has also brought in a lot of people. Everyone wants their own class or level so that they can be competitive.”
Mike Hay – Pinnacle, NC
Mike Hay has seen and worked in all facets of the show horse industry. He currently focuses much of his time helping to create the next generation of show horses. At his state-of-the-art breeding facility, Pilot Knob Quarter Horses, Mike has managed many leading sires and World Champions, breeding up to 300 mares a year. His roster of clients reads like a Who’s Who in the Quarter Horse World. The breeding business runs seven days a week for six months a year. The rest of the year, he stays extremely busy as an AQHA and NSBA judge. Mike can be found at center ring at many prestigious shows, including the World and Select World Shows. Mike takes great pride in the part he played bringing along many of the nation’s leading sires. He grew up in the business and says with a mix of laughter and gratitude, “I’m glad to still be doing it after all these years.”
What do you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
MH: “The market has changed so much. We’ve seen breeders produce one type and then another. If I knew what the trends were going to be, I could have done better.”
What do you want to pass on to the younger generation of trainers?
MH: “How to handle customers and people in general. There’s a common mentality that if you can ride a horse, you’ll be successful. But it is your handling of people that keeps you going. Don’t burn your bridges. Treat everyone as though you are going to be doing business with them 5, 10, and 20 years from now. They may be very important in the future.”
What do you see as some of the most radical changes over the last 30 years?
MH: “The number of horses coming along has certainly changed. There used to be so many people raising ten or more colts each year. Now, no one is raising more than three or four. The market used to be in weanlings and yearlings. Now, it’s in broke horses. People don’t want to put the time and money into prospects. As things have gotten more specialized, people started chasing the money in futurities. Entries are strong in futurities, and will probably stay that way.
“There have been big changes in how young people learn this business. We used to work for practically nothing, just to get the experience. We did everything we could for the chance to learn from someone who was successful. It’s hard for young trainers to get that kind of experience now. The cost of this business is so high that barns aren’t making enough money to hire that extra young person and be able to pay them what they need to live. It’s very difficult, financially, for a young person to get into the business.”
What are your views on some of the latest trends in showing?
MH: “Multiple event horses seem to be where the future is. I think the all-around horse will hold its popularity.
“As for trends in the industry, the stability of the larger associations is important for all of us. For example, AQHA has to stay strong and profitable to keep the entire industry going. We take it for granted that they will be there supporting every part of the business. We need to be looking at that more and doing what we can to help.”
Troy Oakley – Pilot Point, TX
Troy Oakley has been collecting trophies at the center of the arena for longer than many of his fellow trainers have been alive. He learned the business from the ground up, and credits his early apprenticeship with Lester Howard for helping to build a solid foundation for his success. As a young man, he was eager to learn from the masters and didn’t shy away from the long, grueling hours. Along with developing the finesse of communicating with a horse, those years instilled in him the principles of accountability and responsibility that continue to drive him today. He says proudly, “we didn’t have barn helpers. We did it all, and it was a lot of hard work.” He is also grateful for the breadth of his education. “I learned all of the disciplines. I eventually chose pleasure to focus on, but I could ride anything.” Troy’s conviction, determination, and passion to continuously better himself paid off with his own horses, for his clients, and for the young trainers he mentored throughout his career.
Troy admits that, over the years, he got caught up in a circle of pushing himself harder and harder, working, riding, and showing. In August 2009, he suffered an aortic aneurysm. The surgery that saved his life and the subsequent long, slow recovery period has changed his life substantially. But he’s certainly not the kind of guy who’s going to sit around complaining or play the victim. With the spirited conviction for which he is known, he says, “I learned a great deal from my health problems. I know I have to listen to my body. I didn’t listen before, and it about killed me.” Troy acknowledges that there is a powerful and unexplainable kind of therapy that comes from working with horses. Although his doctor ordered him to slow down, he is by no means going to give it up. “It’s as if the Good Lord said, ‘this is what you love, and it is your passion. You need to take the time to appreciate it’ So that’s what I’m doing. Riding does so much for the mind, body, and soul. I would do it even if I didn’t get paid.”
What do you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
TO: “It might sound corny, but as you’re going along, you need to stop and smell the roses. I didn’t do that. I got caught in that circle of going round and round. I’m blessed; I have a second chance at life, and I truly enjoy it. By the grace of God, I haven’t gotten back into that circle. I’m not in a rush anymore. I keep five to six horses in a small training program these days. It might take two-and-a-half years to get a horse really solid, and that’s a lot of time and money invested. The top rated pros can’t do that. They have too many deadlines and client expectations. I’m rather pleased with the 2-year-olds I have in the barn right now. In the past, I would have hurried them along for the fall futurities. Now, I’m happy waiting for their three-year-old year.”
What do you want to pass on to the younger generation of trainers?
TO: “I always tried to help others in the business and have had a lot of apprentices over the years. I guess what I would want to stress is that you need to let that horse tell you when it’s ready. Get your ego out of the way, watch, and listen to the horse. You might need to take a different approach to a particular horse or get a different perspective on what he’s doing. Don’t be afraid of taking time to develop that horse’s skill set and your own. It’s also important to step back and take a look at the circle from the outside. Don’t take it for granted. Live each day to the fullest.”
What do you see as some of the most radical changes over the last 30 years?
TO: “Horse training is at its highest level in 35 years. Knowledge has been shared so much over the years, between trainers, that training has gone over the top. The horses are in the best condition I’ve seen, and competition is at the most elite level. It doesn’t matter what the associations set as guidelines, it’s the top tier of trainers who are driving this move to excellence. For example, look at the recent AQHA Youth World and Select World Shows. The exhibitors there were so good and so competitive. You probably see several horses in each class that you could group together with a similar level of performance, movement, transitions, conditioning, and such. Then, you really have to be able to split hairs between horses in that group.”
What are your views on some of the latest trends in showing?
TO: “Training has surpassed education. The public and people new to showing see these elite horses and expect all horses to be like that. However, there is only one Michael Jordan or LeBron James. It’s the same in the horse industry. You go to a weekend show, and the horses there can’t compare. It’s makes it hard for someone just starting out. We need, and must reward, excellence at all levels. It’s good to have a place or level for everyone to show. The weekender shouldn’t have to compete with the elite show horse.
“As for the horses, it’s really good to see them extending flow. We’re seeing a need for horses to be able to do other things than just pleasure, for instance. Pleasure is the introductory class to get a person started. Then, they want to be able to do more types of classes, and the horses have to do more, but still be good movers.”
Denny Hassett – Auburn, KS
Denny Hassett has been campaigning champion Quarter Horses for a half-century and is the author of “Winning at Halter,” which describes how to select, fit, and show a halter horse. He is very humble about his accomplishments and is more excited about the horses he has brought along than the awards he has won. He didn’t plan to get into the horse business, saying, “In 1962, I was working for a gas company. Friends talked me into going to some open shows, and I got interested in what I saw. By 1970, I’d quit my job and started training full time. There were plenty of times I wondered if I did the right thing. I no longer had a regular pay check.” The 23 World Championships his horses have earned, along with numerous Reserve World Championships, and a plethora of futurity class wins seem to validate that he made the right move. Through his career, Denny has been committed to treating people fairly, believing that in return they will treat him fairly. Though that philosophy has contributed greatly to his success, he humbly says that he’s been blessed with good customers. He has been a successful all-around trainer, but Denny is best-known for his ability to win at halter. He had the honor of presenting such legends as Mister GQ, Conclusive, and Decker Impressive. Though Denny has cut back on the number of horses he fits and shows each year from 25 to 6, he still guides his clients along the winning path. The 2-year-old colt, Kayotic, owned by Debby Brehm, has been on quite a roll and claimed a Reserve Championship at the 2014 Select World Show.
What do you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
DH: “It helps to have people who believe in you and what you’re doing when you’re starting out. It’s a tough business with a lot of uncertainty. Having support makes a difference.”
What do you want to pass on to the younger generation of trainers?
DH: “You have to change with the times. Be open minded enough to adjust what you’re doing. If you’re stubborn and think you know everything, someone else, who is willing to change, will pass you by. It’s real important to treat your customers and the other people you work with fairly—the way you want to be treated. You never know when or how you might work with them again.”
What do you see as some of the most radical changes over the last 30 years?
DH: “The style of halter and pleasure horses has changed a lot over the years. Everything has become so specialized now with breeding. You really can’t ride the halter horses we show today in western pleasure. They don’t move the way a good pleasure horse needs to move. We won’t ever see it again like it was in the ‘60s, where one horse did it all.
“We do have all-around horses, and they are growing in popularity again. They may not be great at everything, but they certainly need to be very good at pleasure to go anywhere.
“The number of halter horses showing has dropped a lot. It wasn’t uncommon to have 30-50 head in training, back in the day. We would have a whole barn of just sale horses. It’s not so easy to sell halter horses anymore. It has gotten so expensive to show these days, especially if you have a family. People can’t afford to go out and buy a replacement halter horse every year. So the numbers are down, but the quality remains high.”
What are your views on some of the latest trends in showing?
DH: “Performance halter has been an asset to the industry. It’s a place where conformation matters. You can have a really good-looking horse that’s built right, yet he can go out and compete in the performance classes. That horse could never compete with the pure halter horses, but he can do well in performance halter. Performance halter will never take the place of halter, but I think it will continue to grow.
“Another thing I see is that shows keep adding more and more classes, which means they are going so late. It makes it very hard on the all-around exhibitor. They may be going all day long. It’s hard on the judges, also.”
Ted Turner – Aubrey, TX
For over four decades, AQHA Professional Horseman Ted Turner has been training and conditioning horses and horse enthusiasts to reach their highest potential. He won his first World Championship in 1972 with an Appaloosa, and from there he consistently stayed on top. Ted is known by many in the industry as one of the greatest all-time halter horse trainers. He holds the record for the most AQHA World Championships won by an open exhibitor.
Ted continues at a pace that makes many fellow trainers heads spin. He is raising a group of babies, and he has a very active clientele. “We’ve been very busy,” he comments from the road, on his way to the Breeders Halter Futurity in Des Moines. “We just had the Youth World and Select World Shows. We picked up three World and two Reserve Championships. Now, we’re getting ready for Congress and a couple futurities. So yes, it’s been very busy.”
His approach to training involves unwavering consistency, attention to detail, and a healthy dose of respect. Each horse in his barn is treated, fed, and worked as an individual. He drills his youth and amateurs with the same principles: practice, practice, and repeat. He asserts that by following this plan, both horse and exhibitor will be prepared and have the confidence to perform well in the arena.
What do you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
TT: “Nothing I have learned over the years would change the way I have worked with horses.”
What do you want to pass on to the younger generation of trainers?
TT: “Be more dedicated and work harder. We work six days a week with a strict routine of exercise and grooming. Repetition is the key: doing the same thing, every time, with no variation. I also believe that if you keep horses healthy on the inside, they’ll be healthy on the outside.
“New trainers have to learn how to take care of customers. You have to make sure they have a good time. Good customers are few and far between. If you’re lucky enough to get them, you need to be fair and honest. Don’t over promise. Tell it like it is and don’t offer false hope. Tell them the truth, not just what they want to hear. If you don’t, it’s going to bite you in the butt in the end. Relationships are everything in this business.”
What do you see as some of the most radical changes over the last 30 years?
TT: “Everything is specialized now. We used to ride horses and then show them in halter. Now it is one way or the other.”
What are your views on some of the latest trends in showing?
TT: “Futurities are growing and growing. They are helping breeding programs, and sales are increasing again. People have a chance to win some money, and they like that. Halter futurities, in particular, have been the best thing. The breeders have gotten together to sponsor them, and the money is huge. We don’t have as many futurities as they do in reining or other disciplines, but the ones we have are big and it’s very exciting. Everyone wants to go and try to win something. Last year, there was $1.3 million given away at the Breeders Halter Futurity. It’s been a positive experience for everyone.”
Gretchen Mathes – Harwinton, Connecticut
Gretchen’s Powder Brook Farm lies in the rolling hills of Northwestern Connecticut, an area steeped in colonial and agricultural history. It was originally her family’s dairy farm, but as Gretchen’s passion and success with Quarter Horses grew over the years, so did the facilities at Powder Brook. It eventually transformed into a first-rate training and breeding operation. Without a lot of money in her early years, Gretchen relied more on hard work, resourcefulness, and her independent nature to work her way up in the business. She learned much at the shoulder of Sandy Vaughn. She also put a lot of effort into breeding her own mares and produced some phenomenal foals. People started noticing, and her career started its upward trajectory. Her peers recognized her contribution to the industry in 2007 when was awarded with the AQHA Horsewoman of the Year title. She doesn’t reflect on her life as a tally of wins, though. Gretchen puts much more value on what she can do to help others become better horsemen. “I’m happy knowing I have helped to put some very good people into the business,” she says. She is very proud of her children, Johnna and Cole Letchworth. Johnna continues the family tradition of showing excellence as a National Collegiate Equestrian Association rider.
Gretchen still trains horses for halter and showmanship, but much of her time goes into managing the farm and accumulating frequent flyer miles as a highly respected AQHA, NSBA, and NRHA judge. It was her passion to know more, see more, and promote the betterment of the breed that led Gretchen to judging. She wholeheartedly wants to see the best horses rewarded and the industry, as a whole, move forward. “I have often been questioned by exhibitors as to why they placed last. I like to give constructive criticism. You can’t just run someone into the ground at his or her first show. Find something good to say. Even if it’s a little thing, it’s a way to teach them about how they can do more. Then, they’ll do better next time. I’ve had people write me notes thanking me for my comments. People really appreciate when a judge takes the time to talk to them.”
What do you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
GM: “I would be a much better trainer now than when I was starting out. Sometimes, you try too hard to win, and that doesn’t really work out. With horses, you can’t pound a square peg into a round hole.”
What do you want to pass on to the younger generation of trainers?
GM: “Honesty and really good horse care will get you better customers than winning with only average horse care. People love their horses. When people can go to sleep at night knowing you are taking good care of their horse, they will stay with you. You have to have credibility and compassion to build long relationships. Remember, you are who you hang with. I hope people have learned that from me.”
What do you see as some of the most radical changes over the last 30 years?
GM: “There was about a ten year window where young trainers cared more about what a horse could win for them than the actual horse. You didn’t see as good a level of care. Today, conditioning and care are much better.”
What are your views on some of the latest trends in showing?
GM: “Judges are often blamed for industry trends. Judges judge what’s brought in front of them. Trainers and breeders need to make sure they’re doing their work. If they’re all showing a certain style or following a trend, and that’s all we have to judge, there will still be a winner. Many times, I didn’t like anything I saw in the ring, but unless I could disqualify them for breaking a rule, I still placed them.
“These days, horses must be slick, fit, and very well-conditioned. Everyone wants their horses to look the best. The extreme level of competition at shows is amazing. The high-end pleasure horses are amazing athletes.
“Halter horses are much healthier and sounder now. The WCHA helped with the standards for halter. Even the insurance companies played a little part in that. Breeders are breeding for better legs and are keeping them more fit.
“I see leveling as being very helpful at some of the shows— especially the super tough shows. It’s good for bringing people back to showing and for people who, for whatever reason, had to give it up for a number of years. The competition is so intense, you can’t expect someone who is just starting, or just getting back into it, to be able to go head-to-head with the people who have been doing it so well for a long time.
“Ranch Horse Pleasure is a very good trend. A lot of people are trying it out and having fun. When it’s good, it’s very good. People like the western lifestyle. They don’t need the silver saddle and all the sparkles. They just need a good working horse that’s handy, smooth, and intelligent. That’s the kind of horse that’s great to ride.”
Bruce Walquist – Claiborne, TX
“I’m as busy as I want to be,” Bruce Walquist says between shows. Training and showing full-time since 1980, Bruce has certainly seen a lot of changes in the industry, but he has always been determined to keep up. “I’m learning new stuff all the time,” he reflects. “It’s hard to stay current. It takes a lot of time, but you have to do it.” He still raises a few of his own horses and stands one stud, but Bruce spends most of his time working with a solid, longstanding group of youth, amateur, and select riders. It’s a family affair as well. Daughter Whitney Walquist-Vicars has been successfully campaigning the Walquist-raised gelding, Southwestern Gunman. The pair was honored last year with the 2013 Farnam Reserve All-Around Amateur title at the World Show.
A seasoned exhibitor, Bruce also scrutinizes the show pen from the other side as a judge. His busy show schedule means he has to turn down some judging requests, but he enjoys both immensely and is still having fun in the business after all these years. “I love the horses,” he says. “They have provided a good living for me and my family. I’m lucky to have so many great relationships with people from all over because of showing.” As dedicated to the industry as he is, Bruce also has the experience and confidence to tell it like he sees it. He is always willing to share his knowledge or opinion with fellow horsemen.
What do you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
BW: “You learn so much as you go along. I wasn’t as good of a coach when I was young. Now, I’m older and wiser. You really have to figure out how to teach and coach each person as an individual. They are out to do the best they can. It’s my job to get them there, but also to help them realize what their best is, and work with that. It’s also important to be open minded and willing to change with the times.”
What do you want to pass on to the younger generation of trainers?
BW: “I’m a little concerned with our industry in general that we, as older trainers, are not doing a good job of educating the younger trainers about breeding and bloodlines. They may know some of the big name stallions of today, but there is so much to learn about bloodlines, and how certain crosses work.
“This business is about so much more than just showing. There is a lot of learning about all-around horse care that needs to be done. We haven’t passed down the true meaning of being a horseman, like we did years ago. Used to be, you learned it all from the ground up. If you didn’t break and train 2-year-olds, you weren’t considered a horse trainer. Now, that skill has lost its importance.
“Another important piece is how to take care of your clients. You have to give your best 100% of the time, and always be completely honest. If you cut corners, it shows up in the end. That’s true about all of life. Don’t lie to anyone. I might be wrong, but I say what I believe. Sometimes, people don’t like what they hear from me. They might go on to someone else and that’s okay. If you are always straight with people, when things do go wrong, they won’t be as disappointed, because they know you did your best. That’s something you can learn, but it’s really more about how you were brought up. How you take care of clients, and people in general, is about the kind of person you are deep down.”
What do you see as some of the most radical changes over the last 30 years?
BW: “Breeding has probably been the biggest change over the years. We’ve also gotten so much better with training and teaching the skills of each specialization. It is interesting to see how every event has improved. We know how to get the most out of body control. We can control every part of the horse now.
“There is not as much of a market for prospects or raising a horse to compete anymore. Everyone wants to buy something and show right away. Owners want something that can go and show right now, and they are willing to pay more money for ‘right now.’ It may be the economy in part and partly that need for instant gratification. Nobody wants to build the product anymore. It takes a lot of time to start a young horse and get to a point where you can do anything. It takes patience and dedication, also. If you are running up and down the road showing, you can’t put in that time.”
What are your views on some of the latest trends in showing?
BW: “We are way more mobile then we used to be. Traveling all over the country is expected. That helps in a lot of ways. We know who the best horses are in the nation, east coast, west cost, wherever. When you get to the Congress or the World Show, it’s no big surprise. You know what your competition is going to be like, and that drives up the level of competition. If you are going to challenge yourself to be the best, you need to show against the best.”
We would like to thank these veteran trainers for sharing their sage advice. Next month, we will hear from some of the hottest up-and-coming trainers to find out what they are hungry to learn more about in this ever-changing industry.
