Through the years, I have had the honor of talking about some amazing people as they receive some prestigious awards. Several years ago, I was honored to help the UPHA present the UPHA Sallie Wheeler Distinguished Service Award to Sallie Wheeler. A couple of years ago, I was honored to be able to help present the Audrey Gutridge Sportsmanship Award to Mary Gaylord McLean at Louisville. Just last month, I was honored to help put Bob Ruxer in the Tom Moore UPHA Hall of Fame.
I can not more honored tonight than to talk about two more "bigger than life" people in our industry - this year's American Saddlebred Horse Association Breeders of the Year, Randy and Glyndle Tabor.
Glyndle got his Saddlebred roots in the true grassroots of our industry, "down on the farm." Who needs a saddle? You can see that a jog cart was an important training device for them also. We are grateful that goats quickly gave way to horses and mules, and eventually to Saddlebred horses. By 20, he kept his barn full of training and trading horses.
Marriage to Nadine ... the Korean War ... two purple hearts ... two sons, Danny and Randy, and that's the humble beginning of Three T Farm as we know it today.
It was very obvious early on that Randy was going to follow Dad's footsteps. His first trip to the green shavings was on Gidget, a walk/trot pony. The first time I met Randy and Glyndle, my father and George Gwinn bought Gidget. Randy and Glyndle delivered her to our farm. My father had never seen her, so Mr. Gwinn got Randy to ride her for him. Glyndle put the full bridle on her and Randy got on her - blanket, tailset and all. Who needs a saddle? He's his father's son.
Randy finished school and spent a little time in Danville working for Bill Wise. He returned to work alongside his father at Three T, and the rest is history. No more goats under saddle, no more Gidgets.
Glyndle and Randy have put together a breeding operation like no other. At Three T Farm, there is a delicate balance of old school knowledge and 21st century innovation and technology. Pasture breeding and frozen semen go hand in hand at Three T Farms. At Three T, you'll see centuries-old teasing techniques blended with Randy's own use of an ultrasound machine that he taught himself how to use.
At Three T, there is a delicate balance of old breeding and popular new lines. Their handpicked band of mares have immortalized one stallion, the great Worthy Son, and have another, Roseridge Heir ("Reggie") well on his way to the record books.
A list of great horses bred, raised or trained by Three T Farm can only be partial, the likes of: Have You Ever, For What It's Worth, Himalaya, Aisling's Treasure, Worthy's Rose Dream, James Lewis, The Rose Lady, Worthy Style, Worthy Sonshine, Worthy's Temptress, Amazon Princess, Worthy Winter, Creditworthy, Peppermint Sonburst, Summer 'n Smoke, Worthy Valedictorian, Silent Storm, Worthy's Top Gun, Sportin Life, Sharp Tack, Harlem's Gambler, Fancy Minniken, Trustworthy, Net Worth, and on and on, on and on.
At Three T, there is a delicate balance of wheeling and dealing, and honest and integrity. Ready and able to buy, sell or trade, throw in a blanket or two or 12, deliver anywhere. Yet both Randy and Glyndle have made lifelong friendships with their integrity and fair play.
Perhaps the most unique thing of all about Three T Farm is this: Randy and Glyndle have their hands on every aspect of their horses' lives. They raise every bit of feed and hay they eat; they are involved with conception, birth, weaning, doctoring, turn-out, breaking, training and showing (although Randy would sooner show them at Russell Springs than Freedom Hall).
With such a hands-on approach, can you imagine the feel they get for the different crosses they develop.
You know, good character is like good soup. The best is homemade. I would like the Tabor family to stand and introduce the supporting cast of Three T Farm: wife Paige, wife and mother Nadine - and you haven't lived if you haven't sat at her table for dinner, especially the green beans - brother Danny ...