GoHorseShow enjoys recognizing the underdog and horses that are real winners as far as therapeutic riding horses or ones that have changed the lives of many through helping them through a sickness or other challenges.
We also thought it would be interesting to hear from many of the top professionals in our industry about horses that were underrated in their opinion and never received the recognition they might have deserved for one reason or another. Maybe they were injured, never had the performance they should have at the major shows, or maybe they were worth their weight in gold as a youth or learner horse…but never won a major championship.
Multiple AQHA World and Congress Champion trainer Jerry Erickson shared that one of the underrated horses that he showed in the 80’s and 90’s was Just Plain Mac. The 1981 bay gelding was by Mac Bar Dee and Fancy Blue Chip. He was shown by Jacqueline Jacobson, Kathleen Thomas, and Terri Lindsey during his show career. He amassed nearly 1000 points in eight different events from pleasure driving to the western pleasure. Mac’s best events, though, were the working hunter, hunter hack, and hunter under saddle.
While Mac did win some big prizes in youth–he never won an Open AQHA World Championship. “Some will remember him, but most have never heard of him,” Erickson reveals. “He was purchased to be a learner horse and he was so kind and honest that he not only trained two beginner over fence riders; he also taught me how to ride in working hunter. Despite being purchased as a learner horse, he did go on to win two Youth World Championships, an open honor roll, a Congress Championship and I think an open Reserve World Championship!”
“He was gentle, kind and willing. He was not a very big horse in my memory but always jumped his heart out while we were schooling together,” says Flora Brama who showed against him as a youth while under the guidance of Jerry. “He came from a very special time period and family of Jerry’s horses. I too remember him as a great one in a big barn of horses like Ruler I am, Parliament, Dial Bar Sambo and so many more.”
Erickson adds, “Over the years, I see many horses that are great at their jobs and take such good care of the riders. Many never win a major event, yet, as I watch I wish there was an honor that could be given them,” Erickson told GoHorseShow. “However, most are loved and well cared for and that is their reward.”
Watch for more articles featuring trainers and some of their favorite underrated horses over the years.
