GoHorseShow is honored to have interviewed many people whose lives were touched by ultimate professional horseman, Timothy Beau Whitney, who passed away in his sleep on September 2, 2012. Born 60 years earlier in Santa Monica, California, Whitney’s love for horses developed in the early years at his maternal grandfather’s citrus and avocado ranch.
“I am the trainer I am today largely because of his guidance,” says California native, Charlie Cole, who met his now business partner, Jason Martin, at Whitney Ranch. “He was tough but he put me on some of the best trail and western riding horses I have ever ridden.”
Several top trainers and exhibitors in the industry worked or were coached by Whitney. They are forever indebted to his ability to find good horses for them to ride and show. This illustrious list includes Carol Metcalf, Charlie Cole, Jason Martin, Vicky Holt, Shawn Hays, the Blecker sisters, Casey and April Devitt, Jason Wanderer, Erica Lang, Nancy Chapman, April Salisbury, Karen
Graham, Debbie Kail, Debbie Cooper, Patty Vatterott, Susie Hutchinson, and Ellen Francisco.
Many of the top horses he was involved with include: Cue Stick, Boogers Jewel, Tanquerey, Lucky Diamond Dell, Flashy Attraction, OK Im Zipped, Eras Spectacular Zip, Barpassers Cody, After Eight, Ima Top Leaguer, Hyline Jubilee, Shine My Zipper, and Cant Stay Zipped.
In his teen years, Whitney was known as an exceptional stock seat equitation, cowhorse, and trail rider, but at the age of 19, his life changed forever when he was in a car accident that left him a quadriplegic. Despite not having the use of his arms or legs, Whitney became one of the most sought-after coaches, instructors, and mentors in the industry.
“Riding with Tim, I was able to witness what others viewed as a disability to actually be a great ability,” says Jason Wanderer, who trained with him several years ago. “He would sit and watch every class at every show and watch and watch and watch from the first class of the day to the last. By watching, he was able to pick up on the most subtle nuances of horse and rider from approach to position to cues to clothes and dissect what worked and what did not,” Wanderer reveals. “This detailed eye made him highly critical of his students. For Tim, there always could be a refinement or improvement no matter how good the go–which he was quick to point out even if you won. He always wanted you to know there was more work to be done in pursuit of perfection with his quintessential smirk on his face which means you did well.”
Showing in California, everyone could always tell which kids trained with Whitney.
“I will always remember Tim at his ranch in Carpinteria– giving lessons to ten to 15 people at one time,” says former rider for Whitney and AQHA judge, Casey Devitt. “His ranch reminded me more of a horse show, and he had an amazing eye for detail and matching horse and riders.”
Close friend and trainer Nancy Cahill remembers that Tim could do more with words than the trainers that had the physical capabilities of riding and actually showing their clients.
“I will remember Tim as a wonderful horseman with a brilliant dry sense of humor,” Cahill says. “I will also remember that he was a stickler for cleanliness and perfect grooming of his horses.”
Trainer, judge, and show manager Larry Gimple from California remembers that he was often disgruntled when it came to Tim and his clients. “I kept asking him why his clients were so far ahead of mine and he told me that my time would come some day,” Gimple says laughing. “I never saw his disability. I never saw his clients riding in the middle of the night like I did trying to fix problems. I just ended up resorting to buying his horses for my clients because they were more broke.”
Former pupil, Erica Lang, remembers training for the Mac McCue Medal Finals, a highly coveted horsemanship class that was more important to Tim than most classes at major shows. The class was held at a huge open show in California and involved three days of very intricate horsemanship patterns.
“I remember training with the other girls for the class and Tim giving us these insane patterns that none of us could remember. He would make us switch horses, ride for hours without stirrups, and being so exhausted both physically and mentally that I could barely function. However, all of that was worth it when Tim told us he was proud of us. His compliments meant the world to me,” recalls Lang. “I would have blisters on my hands and feet and be so sore that my legs would spasm. He was a tough teacher but he truly cared about his students and their success. He made champions and left a lasting impression on everyone who was lucky enough to work with him.”
Client and close friend Nancy Chapman started riding western horses again after an accident on a hunter horse paralyzed her temporarily. “We both bonded over our accidents, but I always wondered why me and not him–as far as being lucky and having the ability to recover from my accident,” Chapman reveals. “I remember one of his techniques that I think helped people become skilled riders was that he would ask his riders questions, ‘What did you think about your circles? or ‘What did you think about your approach to those lope logs?’ He helped his riders work it out themselves and become better riders because he didn’t tell them or show them what to do. He was tough and told it like it was, but he made you want to be better.”
Whitney was also very special to the Blecker girls. Former student Tricia Blecker says that he was a remarkable man, but he could be “snarkier” than anything and loved them with the same intensity as he drove them to strive for perfection–including lessons without a cinch to keep them in the middle of their saddles. Their relationship with Tim started with Tricia in 1975, Marcia in 1976 and Lala in 1978 with riding lessons on his retired show horses.
“If we had only known then what a privilege and honor that was that evolved into each of us having successful youth careers with him and Marcia coming back to work for him as his rider. We were a part of his family, and he ours with holidays, birthdays and trips to Lake Arrowhead in addition to the hundreds of horse shows,” Tricia reveals. “Marcia was married at the Whitney Ranch and he gave Lala away at her wedding. He has been a proud Uncle Timmy to our children, provided us with a tremendous amount of opportunities and life lessons that we will forever remember. We are fortunate to have had him by our sides until his passing and will miss him terribly.”
“Tim Whitney was my friend from an early age growing up showing on the West Coast,” says trainer and AQHA judge Debbie Kail. “I respected him so much as he was the most beautiful western equitation rider I had ever seen. He had a great eye for horseflesh and I will truly miss him. The industry has lost a great member of our family.”
Chapman mentions that even though he couldn’t ride physically, Tim told her that he would ride in his dreams and school her horses in his sleep. Cahill adds, “I am glad he is now free to ride the best horses that Heaven has to offer.”
Click here to view a slideshow of pictures of Tim throughout the years. Thanks to Tricia Blecker and everyone else who provided these fabulous photos.
From Sandy Arledge:
Tim’s place of operation was in the Santa Barbara area, and for years, he hauled 20 or more clients to Earl Warren Fairgrounds for the horse show. We felt it fitting, therefore, that he be honored at the upcoming FALL CLASSIC QUARTER HORSE SHOW…
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
TIM WHITNEY
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Earl Warren Fairgrounds
Santa Barbara, CA
Celebration will begin at 5:30 or at the conclusion of the day’s classes.
