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Tennessee
Walking Horse OnLine Congratulates
1999 Adult
Supreme Champion
Arlene Pralle,
Florida
Remembrance's Fireman
The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors'
Association recently awarded the title of TWHBEA Supreme Versatility
Champion to Remembrance's Fireman. The ten-year-old stallion is owned by
Robert and Arlene Pralle's Maranantha Meadows, a picturesque walking horse
farm with slightly rolling hills and lush green pastures located near
Ocala, Florida.
Fireman is the result of the Pralle's own breeding program which first
began when their farm was located in Iowa. He is by their noted stallion,
Sun's Remembrance, out of an Ebony Masterpiece mare. The same combination
that a year earlier had produced Saint's Charisma Dawn, a beautiful little
filly that brought great joy to the Pralle's family and friends during her
brief life.
Fireman's personality was well-defined from the beginning. Even at
three-months-old, he made it clear that it was his job to entertain
whomever came into his vicinity. It was nothing for him to steal a
person's ski cap and bury it in the snow or take mittens from his or her
pocket and throw them into the air. He even managed to take his halter off
every time he was loaded into the trailer and still look angelic about it.
The Pralles moved Maranantha Meadows to Florida in 1990. Not surprisingly,
such a move was quite an upheaval for the family. That, combined with an
intense breeding schedule for Sun's Remembrance, caused the young colt to
be turned out to pasture where he grazed quite happily until he was
four-years-old.
Obviously, four years old is a little late to start a stallion, so Arlene
chose his trainer carefully. Sometimes being a stallion as well as a
favored pet is not always a good combination. A trainer had to be willing
to possibly put up with a lot of aggravation.
Ultimately, Tami Conkle of Conkle's Walking Horses in Dade City, Florida,
was chosen to break and train Fireman. Not knowing what to expect, she
proceeded cautiously. She fitted the bridle, and he accepted it willingly.
She put on the saddle and tightened the girth, and Fireman turned his head
to see the interesting contraption. Then, when Tami gingerly put one foot
in the stirrup and swing herself up, she was prepared for anything. But,
as she settled into the saddle, a delighted smile lit her face. Fireman
behaved like a dream. Not one indignant step or show of temper. He was so
calm and collected that Tami wondered if Arlene was playing a trick on
her. Surely a stallion this gentle and responsive had to be already broken
to saddle. He hadn't been ridden, Arlene assured her, he was just a very
special horse.
It wasn't long before the new team made their show ring debut in one of
the many central Florida horse shows. The stallion's walking talent was
apparent from the beginning, and Tami and Fireman began their arduous
journey to Supreme Versatility Champion.
Tami directed the black stallion in all types of versatility events
including English pleasure, driving, western riding, trail, basic reining,
water glass, jumping, and more. The duo also earned promotion points by
dressing up like Indians and serving as the live mascot for the PAL Youth
Football league in Tampa. Of all the versatility events, Tami says jumping
was Fireman's favorite event. "He is so good at it," she says. "He lifts
and folds and sails right over the jumps so easily. And, he has fun doing
it. "
Having fun doing it is one of the key elements of the Supreme Versatility
Award. Remembrance's Fireman fits that description perfectly.
Reprinted from Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse
magazine, April 2000
Adult Supreme Champions
Youth Superior Champions
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