I would like to talk briefly about two fine stallions I am having the opportunity to work with and train.
Iron Giant whom we call Iron, owned by new Alliance Member Kent Harris, is a one year-three month old, 16 hand black Percheron Stallion. He's been developing his confidence nicely since he's been training with us. Not much bothers him and there's every indication he'll mature into an exceptionally solid and athletic Warhorse.
He won't be ridden until he's at least two years old and he'll have a lot of foundation training by then that will enable him to progress rapidly.
It's very important with young horses like Iron to help them build confidence. (Hey, what are we raising here - kids or horses?) Whatever the case, one can't go wrong when it comes to building confidence.
Our other Warhorse trainee is an 18 hand black and white Shire Stallion named Dallas, owned by Alliance Members Charlie and Jenell Vogel. Dallas has already won an impressive number of championships in the Draft Horse Show Ring. He's a very impressive animal. He's got very good looks, presence and brains, and he's athletically talented. Hopefully his jousting career will not only include carrying his owner, Charlie Vogle, down the list, but we hope he'll pass on these exceptional qualities to his offspring.
He was a little headstrong when we first met. I figured this out as I was being dragged across the arena - about 90 to 100 feet, a new record for me. Once he learned that this behavior didn't do him any good, he started settling down.
Watch for this beautiful Warhorse in upcoming Alliance events.
My thanks to Charlie and Kent for allowing me to train such fine quality horses. They are going to turn some heads, that's for sure.
James Zoppe
Founder and Director
American Jousting Alliance