Member - Donna
It was getting frustrating until we went to a big boarding
stable in St. Louis called Valley Mount. I rode one of
their "trail horses" and, once again, he wasn't a fit. They
had several barns there, so we went to
The hand called him a Fox Trotter/Quarter Horse mix. He was 10 years old. After spending
some time on the ground with him, up I went and rode the most wonderful ride there ever was.
What in the world was it?? "That's a fox trot", said my new friend and I was in love all over
again - this time with a gait. What I didn't know then was that Topper was no mix - he was a
natural Fox Trotter! He even had the show canter.
Topper and I spent the next 6 years together. He taught me everything he knew and to this
day, I have him to thank for being the rider that I am. Well, life goes on and it was time for
college. I sold Topper (which I could never have done today). I told myself and promised
Topper this was a temporary situation - that I would soon have another horse. I still can hardly
believe it, but 20 years went by. The big 40 was nearing and I said enough is enough. I'm
getting a horse again. And the only logical breed was a Fox Trotter.
I was living in Wisconsin and found a breeder nearby. She had nothing to sell, but invited me
to come out and I could ride Clipper - one of their steadies. I was thrilled and nervous! But,
once I got on Clipper, Topper was there, so it was just fine and I felt that gait again. I went
home knowing that I wanted one, but now had to search.
The following night, Lynn (Clipper's owner) called - my heart stopped when she said if I wanted
him, he was mine! Needless to say, he was mine. Clipper and I have been together for 12
years now. He is 20 and has taken me on thousands of miles of trails. He is my steady Eddie
and one of my best friends. Since I got Clipper I married Russ who was a Quarter Horse guy.
Well, that just wouldn't do (if he wanted to ride with me that is) and we got Suede. Suede is a
smaller studly little guy who has the most natural beautiful fox trot I have ever ridden. We have
had him now for about 10 years.
Things were good, we had two horses and that was enough. Until a friend of mine called and
told me about a pretty Palomino yearling she saw at Amos Musselman's. Now, doesn't every
little girl who grew up in the Trigger era, want a Palomino? But, a yearling?????? Me?????
Of course, I went to look and Dusty is now 16 hands and 6 years old (and beautiful I must add).
Training a horse has made me a better rider and, now I have another best friend. Russ and I
live in Brown County and our property is surrounded by the Hoosier National Forest. We ride
whenever we can and are so grateful that we have this wonderful hobby to share. Life is good
on a Fox Trotter!
