Creating the Alliance – For the Love of the Breed By Cathy Behn

The Clydesdale horse - beautiful and admired by many has become a lifeline to the world for myself and my family. I have been blessed to have the Clydesdale horse in my life for all of my life. Now, I am not going to disclose my age, but I am closing in on that "senior citizen" status of my life. My parents came to acquire Clydesdale horses when they moved on a farm prior to my birth. The landlord at that time had Clydesdale horses and my parents quickly fell in love with the breed. And so, it all began … now four generations into it … that love continues strong and true. I have actively been involved in promoting and cultivating the breed my entire life, and it is my desire to continue to do so for the remainder … I simply want to serve and work for the Clydesdale horse…. and so, I have created this Alliance…… “All for the Love of the Breed.”

You would have to look long and hard/far and wide/low and high to come across a person that doesn't know what a Clydesdale horse is. They are one of the most notable Draft Horse Breeds in the World. We humans tend to gravitate towards animal species that inspire us, be it be a breed of dog, cow, or pig ... it is the same in the equine world. The Clydesdale is the super star of draft horses and much of their notoriety has been enhanced by the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales—oft referenced as the "golden arches" of the horse industry. It is with great respect that I say "thank you" to Budweiser for promoting the breed we love. It doesn't matter if you have one or a barn full of Clydesdales, we always get goosebumps as we see the Budweiser Clydesdale doing what they do the best......... being beautiful! …… “All for the Love of the Breed.”

As a girl, I would trail to the barn along with my parents to do chores and care for our herd. We raised foals, showed them at halter and hitch, and generally worked all of our lives to "serve" the Clydesdale. It became of way of life, and I cannot remember a time that my admired friends ... the Clydesdales were not in my life. As blood flows through our veins, so does the Clydesdale horse. I am lucky enough to have shared that with my parents, siblings, children and now my grandchildren. My entire family now serves the Clydesdale horse. “All for the Love of the Breed.”

Have you ever gotten the opportunity to look into the eyes of one of these gentle giants? It seems like their soul goes on forever in those eyes. Their gaze is one of trust and admiration for the human standing before them. They trust that you are their caregivers and with the proper amount of training and time, they do nothing but give their all to please you. And with one touch, the ways of the world can be simplified with the sheer magic of the breed. They are large and powerful, but it is as if they don't realize this—they come to meet you at your level. Whether you have—or will have—your own Clydesdale, or if you are simply an admirer of the breed through visits and events where you can look into those eyes … enjoy these gentle giants……… ”All for the Love of the Breed.”

The Clydesdale is an extremely smart, trainable, and willing breed. On our farm, we have been blessed to be involved with every facet of the breed—from breeding, to showing, to driving, to riding—our lives have come full circle with this animal. Many hours we just admire them, and their beauty—each with its own personality. They are faithful companions, trusted therapists, honorable servants. At times it is difficult to tell who is teaching or loving who more – the man or the beast! And we celebrate and work hard for all these things …. “All for the Love of the Breed.”

As a girl, I remember staying up on watch for a foal to be born. I remember going to the barn in great anticipation of what the foal would look like … would it be a boy or girl … would everything be ok? Now, four generations later, we are still watching the camera and going to the barn as a family, grandkids in tow, with the same anticipation of the miracle of birth. This experience is simply God’s grace in motion and we are blessed. I can only hope that all of you will have the honor of laying your hands on a Clydesdale foal in your lifetime, whether it is your own or someone else’s … “All for the Love of the Breed.”

As life has it, things can be perfect or things can go wrong. But the integrity of the Clydesdale people is as true and strong as the Clydesdale itself. Like all things that are so very worth the effort, the path is not always easy. Through communication and networking of the Alliance, however, my hope is that we will build a support system to serve those both already in the industry along with those having that dream. “All for the Love of the Breed.”

Through the Alliance team we will build, it is not just my priority, but also my commitment to advance the Clydesdale breed alive well into the future. Through the programs we build, we will be able to share the Clydesdale with the world. We will be able to increase activities and education that will serve as a tool to enhance the breed by bringing more people into the industry. The sky is the limit of the things we can accomplish to ensure a bright and promising future for the Clydesdale horse … ”All for the Love of the Breed.”

Let us join together to be productive in our service to the Clydesdale Horse … They deserve for us to work together, to support one another, to tell the stories that network Clydesdale people together, to record events, accomplishments and happenings of notoriety, and to just have some FUN along the way … “All for the Love of the Breed.”

In Closing, as a dear friend once said:

“There is not one person in the entire world that is more important or powerful than the Clydesdale breed itself.” — David Walker, Galcantray Clydesdale, Scotland –

“But as a team, we can go forward and be as powerful and strong, yet gentle and compassionate as the Clydesdale Horse” … “All for the Love of the Breed.”