 |
| Danny Truett and his 3-year-old mare, Shez Obviously Dandy, compete in halter preliminaries on November 6. |
Danny Truett of Huntingdon, Tennesse, bought his first horse and saddle about 40 years ago. He rode the big buckskin across railroad tracks and down the highway to get him home. Thankfully, he transported his halter mare in style to this year’s World Show.
Danny shows Shez Obviously Dandy in amateur 3-year-old mares on November 9. Bred by Paul McWhorter and Tommy Hill, Danny purchased “Zowie” from Christina Licavoli of Hazelwood, Montana, in 2004.
“I’ve shown her as a yearling, 2 and at 3. I do my own work most of the time and feel like I have a little bit better shot in the amateur competition,” Danny said.
“She’ll show against most people because she’s got a look about her. She’s a pretty mare, and she’s got a good disposition,” Danny said about Zowie.
Zowie does have a couple habits Danny said he could do without.
“She will find a way to spill her water. What I’ve had to do is try to outfox her by tying her bucket or putting it in a box,” he said. “It really irritates me, but she’s good to trim and get ready - other than her water.”
A compliment in disguise, Danny said his mare is often very relaxed.
“She comes ready to show,” Danny continued, “But most of the time, when I get her into the show pen, she’s so relaxed that I have had a hard time getting her alert and her ears up.”
This is Zowie’s first amateur show at the World.
“Last year, we placed 4th in (amateur 2-year-old mares at) the Select show in Amarillo. My goal is to someday get one of those big trophies,” Danny said.
As a retired school superintendent, Danny now works as a school improvement consultant. When he gets off work, Danny goes home and gets Zowie out to keep her in condition. He also owns a 2-year-old full sister to Zowie. Indiana Emmy might find her way to the World Show next year.
“She (Indiana Emmy) has the same disposition and isn’t as tall as this mare,” he said looking at Zowie.
With experience and knowledge from his showing career, Danny said he recognizes common halter horse trouble.
“With halter horses, there is a tendency to keep them heavy when you try to keep them fit for 12 months,” he continued, “When they are so heavy on their feet, most of the time they’ll develop feet and leg problems. And we do an injustice to the industry if we don’t pull them back once in a while and back them off to keep them sound,” Danny said.
To maintain his horses, Danny said he tries not to keep them too heavy year-round.
“Even after this show, I’ll probably pull the shoes off of Zowie. (That way) her feet can spread and develop and get back to round like they’re supposed to be,” Danny said. “A couple months later, I’ll start back up on her.”
Danny said he’s attracted to halter shows because he has an appreciation for beautiful horses.
“I like to see how trim, fit and conditioned you can get them. A lot of times, you can outwork a lot of people getting your horses presented and trimmed correctly. I’ve always liked a pretty horse,” he said.
“I’ve always loved horses for some reason and that’s what I’ve been doing for about 40 years.”
