The Story of Clark’s Chair
By: Brittany Bevis
The horse world lost a legend on January 18th, 2022 when Clark Bradley passed away at his home in Newark, Ohio. For those of you who didn’t know Clark, his experience and expertise in numerous breeds and disciplines in the horse industry was unrivaled.
For almost three decades, Clark was an instructor at the University of Findlay, and he became a coach for the Western Equestrian team in 1996 assisting in leading several National Championship teams and two Reserve National Championship teams to victory. He was also an assistant coach within IHSA and helped his teams win multiple IHSA National Championships.
Clark judged at AQHA, NRHA, and NSBA shows all over the world, including the AQHA World Show, four times. He conducted countless educational clinics and trained horses and riders in disciplines ranging from Horsemanship to Reining for over 40 years. He and his students won major titles in Western Pleasure, Reining, Roping, and Cutting.
Clark also served as President of the NRHA, President of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, and was a National Director with AQHA. He received numerous awards during the course of his storied career. In 2001, he was honored by AQHA as the Professional Horseman of the Year. He was named to the NRHA Hall of Fame in 1994 and the All American Quarter Horse Congress Hall of Fame in 2008. He was the recipient of the Southern Belle “Living the Mission Award” in 2013 and AQHA’s Most Valuable Professional by the Ohio Quarter Horse Association in 2015.
Recently, Clark’s wife, Bonnie Bradley, shared a photo of a black director’s chair with an inscription that reads, “In loving memory of Clark Bradley. Loved by many, missed by all.” Bonnie explains that the chair was a gift from the seniors of the UF Equestrian Team to their coaches.
“There is a story behind the chair. Clark was an assistant coach for the University of Findlay Western Equestrian IHSA Team for 20 plus years. They traveled to California, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and many states in between- competing and winning.”
“A black chair just like the one in the picture went to all the shows, unless the team flew. Clark would sit in the chair and coach the rail. It was a gathering place for team members to get advice about patterns and the truth of what they did wrong and praise on what they did right. There was never judgement or criticism. He always made it a learning experience.”
“After Clark’s passing, the seniors of the UF Equestrian Team gifted the coaches this chair in memory of Clark. The chair sat along the rail at Regionals and this weekend is at the rail at the Semi-Finals at Black Hawk College.”
“Thank you to the team members and coaches for honoring Clark in such a special way.”
We remember interviewing Clark for a 2014 The Equine Chronicle article entitled, “Sharing Knowledge Between Generations.” In response to the question, “What do you want to pass on to the younger generation of trainers?” this is what he had to say.
“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.”
We’re certain that a great many trainers, students, and horseman have benefitted from Clark’s generosity in sharing his wisdom and, will in turn, pass what they’ve learned onto the next generation. That would’ve made Clark very happy indeed.
Thank you to Bonnie for sharing this special story and photo with us.
If you have a great story to share, email B.Bevis@EquineChronicle.com.
