saddlebred
Woven within the fabric of the storied Kentucky horse industry is a diverse collection of horse breeds, all splendid in nature but different in many ways.
The American Saddlebred is one such breed, often just as visible as its Thoroughbred cousins and with a beauty and uniqueness all its own.
That is how Todd and Alison Walker see it. They, along with son Tyler, own and operate Spring Hill Stables, a 16-acre family Saddlebred farm nestled in the heart of racehorse country. The main part of the business involves boarding and training horses for others to show or sell. They also train riders of all ages and different riding styles.
In addition to the training and teaching, there are a host of other chores involved in caring for the animals and caring for the farm. That means the Walkers wear many different hats. In addition to his training duties, Todd Walker also serves as the truck driver who gets all the horses from show to show. The farm is home to 30 horses in training and seven or eight lesson horses, along with a few others.
The Walkers also cut their own hay, clean the barns, exercise the horses, make repairs to anything that breaks down, and the list goes on — including occasionally judging horse shows.
But doing it all and then some is what farm families do in order to stay on the farm. The Walkers and those like them epitomize the meaning of “family farm” and in turn provide a solid backbone to the industry.
Todd Walker, a native of Lancaster, Ohio, grew up on a horse farm but decided to come to Kentucky after working with a horse here for one week. That’s all it took to fall in love with the state, and he knew he had to be here. He actually opened his first public barn at the age of 16 and worked with Thoroughbreds.
“My first passion has always been Saddlebreds, but whatever walked in the door was what you worked just to pay the bills,” he said.
Alison Walker, who is from Ashland, Ky., did not grow up on a horse farm but lived down the road from one and loved horses. So she made a deal with her parents: If she got straight As in school, she could have one. She, of course, made the grades, and it would be her involvement that would later lead her parents into the business.
It was after a trip to the World Championship Horse Show, held each year at the Kentucky State Fair, that she fell in love with the grace of the Saddlebred, she said.
Naturally, the Walkers met while attending a show. Both admit it was love at first sight, and through 17 years of marriage, they have been working very much as a team, and the horse industry has been their livelihood.
Alison Walker works with many young riders and said coming to the barn to ride is good for them.
“They learn responsibility and how to be a good person and socialize with other people. We encourage them to support each other. They learn to care for the horses and the focus it takes to ride and be involved,” she said. “The youngest kids I work with start at three years old and go up to adults.”
Each week, 35 to 40 of those students make their way to Spring Hill — some for the pure pleasure of riding and others with hopes of riding in a show someday. And when the Walkers travel to the multitude of shows held each year, they are followed by their students. Alison Walker refers to them as the “barn family.” Making everyone feel like family is something she says is the key to the success of their operation.
She also said that another important aspect of being in the horse business is to be in this state.
“There’s nothing like being in Kentucky. If you’re going to have a horse business, it’s here in Kentucky,” she said.
She added that the state could make things a little easier on the horse industry in order to keep it here and thriving, such as eliminating the taxes horse owners pay on necessities like feed.
That help couldn’t come too soon as the economy has had an impact on all aspects of the equine industry. But those in the business are learning to adjust.
“The horse industry is in trouble right now with the economy — I don’t think it matters what breed you’re in — but Saddlebreds are holding their own,” Todd Walker said. “Owners have learned how to manage their money, so it’s easier to go to horse shows or take riding lessons. And there are enough horse shows in the state that we don’t have to go out of state to a lot of shows.”
Those owners can stay home and be at a show within an hour of where they live, from the smallest of county fairs to the best show in the world, he added.
That show, the World’s Championship, features Saddlebreds from all over the country.
Karen Winn, executive director of the American Saddlebred Horse Association, which has offices at the Kentucky Horse Park, said the state fair show is the plateau all Saddlebred trainers strive to reach.
“The ultimate goal of any Saddlebred trainer is to win the championship at the World’s Championship Horse Show. This year, 1,848 horses were entered in the week-long show, with over $1.2 million dollars in prize money at stake,” she said. “Horses in many divisions had to qualify to compete at the fair though 330 preliminary competitions all over the U.S.”
Many of those qualifying events happen at the numerous county fair shows, as well as other competitions.
While there are those outside of the business who think the horse industry is for people with money to burn, the Walkers have built their business by making the dream of owning and showing a horse a reality for anyone who wants it.
“There’s no reason why anyone can’t have a horse or have the opportunity to show or just be a part of this,” Todd Walker said. “There are a lot of different levels of it. We can have just as much fun at the county fair as at the World’s Championship. You have to learn what a person can afford and enjoy. You have to be able to enjoy the business from either end.”
Alison Walker said aside from the animals, she loves the social aspect of what she and her husband do.
“I like the people — the people you meet and the people whose lives you touch,” she said. “It’s a good feeling to know you have had a positive influence on them and their love for the horses.”
She added that she thinks creating a family atmosphere contributes to the sustainability of the farm.
Todd Walker feels the same way.
“We love what we do. It’s very challenging at times if the tractor breaks down or one of your helpers doesn’t show up that day or you just don’t feel good,” he said. “But it is something special when you get attached to this industry. If you go to a horse show and your rider comes out last but still smiling, that’s why you do this. Our ultimate goal is to win, but we try to teach our adults and our kids it’s all about the ride. Everything you do is about the ride, and there’s nothing like it.”