Often times as owners in the horse industry, the question arises, “to sell or not to sell?” When faced with this decision, there can be practical as well as emotional ties to the final decision. Former owners, Janae Walker Bronson, Kyle Brenner, and Ray Arnona, have had the privilege of owning great horses early in their careers who went on to win Congress and World titles this year.
Janae Walker Bronson – A Well Dressed Man and The Fire Escape
A Well Dressed Man, also known as Calvin, was purchased by Bronson as a two year old in December of 2010. Formerly known as Deacon, this talented bay gelding is now a two-time Congress Champion in the Amateur Hunter Hack, a World Champion in the Junior Working Hunter and a World Champion in the Amateur Equitation Over Fences.
The 2008 bay gelding by HBF Iron Man was described as “small, hairy and green broke” when Bronson and her trainer, Scott Jones tried him out. “He had really great cadence and he was strong underneath – you could tell he was going to have a really cool look when he shed out and grew up,” Bronson recalls. (pictured right the day she bought him)
Although Bronson adds that it took Calvin more time to mature into a show horse, he seemed to always have a big personality. “He lost his stall ball privileges when he was three after he put his ball in the automatic waterer which completely flooded his stall,” Janae remembers. “After that, he would still play in his water, leaving his stall soaked in the corner.”
When Janae sold Calvin to Sarah Elder Chabot, she immediately knew he went to the right place. “One of the first pictures I saw of him right after Sarah bought him was Calvin turned out in the paddock with a couple of balls, and I knew he was in the right home!”
Around the same time she bought Calvin, another impressive new prospect came into her life. Bronson was in Texas for a conference in January and decided to meet with breeder, Ruth Ellen. “I was seriously just going for dinner and had no intention of buying anything yet,” Bronson recalls, which eventually led her to see Escapist’s last two foals.
However, when Bronson first laid eyes on, The Fire Escape, also known as Jim, she knew he was special. “We walked into Jim’s stall and he was a bright red colt with a big blaze, flaxen mane and tail and a hip taller than my head,” recalls Janae.
Though Jim (pictured right, on the far left) may have been going through the awkward yearling stage, Bronson claims that she believed he would be an AQHA World Champion someday. The 2010 sorrel gelding by Good I Will Be and out of Escapist lived up to her expectations.
In 2012, Jim was the Congress Masters Reserve Champion in the Hunter Under Saddle under Janae’s ownership. The bittersweet day came to sell him afterwards. (pictured below left) Jim was sold to Lauren Rodberg of Dana Point, California.
“It was an extremely hard decision but it helped knowing that he was going to a great home and a great program,” says Bronson. “We all know that showing horses can be heartbreaking at times, so watching both Sarah and Lauren have their dreams come true with horses they love has been amazing.”
In 2015, for new owner Lauren Rodberg, The Fire Escape and Dave Miller were Congress Champions in Progressive Working Hunter, Reserve Congress Champions in Junior Hunter Hack and Junior Working Hunter, World Champions in the Junior Working Hunter, and Reserve World Champions in the Junior Hunter Hack and Progressive Working Hunter.
“I know how special it was for David Miller to win his first World Championship as well as Ellen’s mare, Escapist’s last foal to become a World Champion,” Janae says.
Not only is Bronson happy for the respective teams when they win at such prestigious shows, but it has also made her work harder to try for her own Congress and World Show trophies.
“Seeing both of these horses go on and do so well has given me more confidence to trust my eye,” Bronson reveals. “I have not yet won the Congress or World show yet, so I am fired up to keep chasing the dream. Having both of those horses do so well just reinforces that it is attainable. I don’t really dwell in any regrets about selling either of them. I am truly happy for Sarah and Lauren. I’m using any mixed feelings to motivate me to keep moving forward!”
While she adds that some horses can take very different paths – a solid foundation is key. As for Bronson, she is excited to see what the future holds for her current horses, The Roan Bone, The Party Bus and her weanling filly out of a daughter of Escapist who she believes will be very special.
Kyle Brenner & Chasing A Dream
Chasing A Dream, also known as Skittles, is a 2012 sorrel gelding by A Dream Remembered and out of Glow Chippin by Zips Chocolate Chip and was purchased by Brenner in July of 2013.
The triple registered AQHA, APHA and PtHA quickly proved his worth by winning the NSBA BCF Three Year Old Intermediate Non Pro Western Pleasure with Brenner aboard only three weeks after his purchase.
“The first time I swung my leg over him at H&P Ranch, I knew immediately that he was exceptional with his natural ability and amazing lift,” says Brenner.
Though Skittles was originally bought to be eventually re-sold, Brenner still admits that it was hard to let go of the talented gelding because he knew that he was destined to do great things.
“I didn’t put a time frame on selling him; it just happened rather fast. I only owned him for a month and then leased him the remainder of that year,” Brenner recalls. “I definitely had mixed emotions, but I stuck with my original plan. In a second, I would own him again if I had the opportunity. He truly is a wonderful example of an AQHA western pleasure horse and also holds the talent to excel in other events.”
Most recently, Skittles was named the 2015 AQHA World Champion Level 3 Junior Western Pleasure horse, exhibited by Randy Wilson and owned by Killi Crawford.
Kyle would like to congratulate Randy and Killi as well as Jim and Deanna Searles on his win. Kyle notes that he feels extremely proud to be a part of this horse’s beginning and the opportunity to own such a unique individual, “a true champion,” Kyle says.
Ray Arnona & Whatscookngoodlookin and Snap Krackle Pop
After selling the legendary mare, Whatscookngoodlookin (Candy), Arnona (pictured left) believed that it was time to look for a replacement horse to fill the shoes of Candy.
When Arnona made the trip to Ohio with trainers, Rusty and Katie Green, he fell in love at first sight with a beautiful grey mare by the name of Snap Krackle Pop (Brandy) who is by RL Best Of Sudden..
“She was like a pet, she was never any trouble and she was always phenomenal,” says Ray as he reflects on his time spent with the mare, who he owned her entire two year old year.
Ray points out that while most people usually take time to decide if they would like to purchase a horse, he knew that both mares were special and bought them immediately after pulling them out of their stalls.
“She was very sweet and trained up nicely. Anyone who has ever laid eyes on her knows how special she is,” he says about Brandy. The mare went on to win the Superhorse award at this year’s AQHA World Show as well as World Championships in the Junior Trail and Western Riding with Blake Weis. (pictured right as a two year-old winning the Reichert Two Year Old Challenge with Rusty Green)
Ray says he has one regret about selling these two mares. “I am very fortunate and I have been doing this quite a while. I have had a lot of good horses, but I wish I would have kept breedings to both of the mares,” Arnona admits.
Despite this regret, he still feels proud to see them succeed. “When they win, I feel like I have won,” says Ray with a laugh, including that he believes more people have called him to congratulate him on the mare’s wins rather than his own. Ray adds that they will always be a special part of him and his success in the show arena. He is proud to be a part of their development in their younger years.
