How do you go about finding a handler?

[VarsityHero4]

I'm going to be entering the hunter breeding world with my 3 yr old. How do I go about finding a handler for him? Do I just look for them at shows? Any that you know of have websites? What can I expect to pay and what does my horse already need to be able to do? Thanks.

[ShowjumpersUSA]

I'm bumping this threat because I'm thinking of taking my two year old to hunter breed shows this year and know next to nothing about the ins and outs of doing it.

[VirginiaBred]

I can give you some excellent suggestions.

PM me if interested. :)

[Kanga]

Bruce Griffin has been my handler for a couple of years now and I can't say enough good things about him. Check his website out at griffinsporthorses.com and see what shows he might be at.

Good luck to you!

[elly]

Bruce Griffin is as good as they come - he has handled a number of youngsters for me and I can not recommend him highly enough - his email address is GGRIFFS04@aol.com

Best of luck to you !

Elly

[chrissymack]

Anyone know of any handlers to be recommended who do the WEFs/Littlewoods?

[SymRanch]

I'm going to be entering the hunter breeding world with my 3 yr old. How do I go about finding a handler for him? Do I just look for them at shows? Any that you know of have websites? What can I expect to pay and what does my horse already need to be able to do? Thanks.

Since you're in PA, you can start by checking out the breeding shows of the Pennsylvania Horse Show Association: http://pennhsa.org/

By looking at the 2007 results you can get some names of professional handlers in the area. You can usually "pick up" a handler at a show, but it's better to give them a call and line one up in advance if you want one that suits you (they all have different strengths and styles!)

Editing to add that you can pay anywhere from $25-$100/class for a handler. It depends on the handler and the show!! (another reason to set up a relationship with a handler in advance)

[QuillcoteFarm]

I have never used him, Bruce Griffin, but seen him at many breed shows, with many types good and naughty - he is amazing to watch, and very patient :winkgrin:

[Fairview Horse Center]

I believe the OP was looking for HUNTER breeding handlers. Has Bruce ever handled Hunters? I thought he just did DSHB & Inspections.

For Hunter breeding, I would contact Junior Johnson. If he is not available, I believe he has brothers that are doing some handling now.

If you go to a Hunter breeding show to talk to a handler before hand, take a few GOOD photos of what you have. You are more likely to find someone good that is willing to handle your horse, if you can show them you have a competitive youngster, AND you are someone that knows how to turn them out (reason for the GOOD photo)

[CuriosoJorge]

A lot also depends on whether you seek someone you can meet at the horse shows and hand off the baby to, or if you are looking for a live-in program for your young horse.

[Edgewood]

I believe the OP was looking for HUNTER breeding handlers. Has Bruce ever handled Hunters? I thought he just did DSHB & Inspections.

For Hunter breeding, I would contact Junior Johnson. If he is not available, I believe he has brothers that are doing some handling now.

If you go to a Hunter breeding show to talk to a handler before hand, take a few GOOD photos of what you have. You are more likely to find someone good that is willing to handle your horse, if you can show them you have a competitive youngster, AND you are someone that knows how to turn them out (reason for the GOOD photo)


Darlyn, that is what I did exactly. I have only shown 1 filly in hunter breeding at 2 shows (local in PA and Devon). I contacted 2 different professional handlers and I sent them several photos of the filly (2 conformation and also ones from the front and back. I did the EARLY, probably in December or January (I know she had a winter coat in the photos). Both agreed to handle the filly at the local show and at Devon, but I chose to go with Ralph Miller, (deceased - see Chronicle obituary below) mainly because he was really well know in hunter breeding. So, I narrowed down who I would approach by reading past issue of COTH and contacting the handlers and sending photos of my horse. Make certain that they are GOOD photos.

Pleased to say that my filly did well at both shows and placed 7th at Devon in a class of over 20 2-year old non-TBs. That was good because she was a bit "hot" for hunter breeding and didn't do the slow trot so well. She currently is showing successfully at A shows in Childrens Hunter.

2. In The Country | Sept. 20, 2002

www.chronofhorse.com/inc/02/oc (http://www.chronofhorse.com/inc/02/oct11_inc.html) - [Cached] (http://cache.zoominfo.com/CachedPage/?archive_id=0&page_id=338916085&page_url=%2f%2fwww.chronofhorse.com%2finc%2f02%2fo ct11_inc.html&page_last_updated=10%2f18%2f2002+11%3a15%3a25+PM&firstName=Ralph&lastName=Miller)
Published on: 10/18/2002 Last Visited: 10/18/2002
Ralph David Miller Jr.

Prominent horseman Ralph David Miller Jr. died at his Pidgeon Creek Farm in Chester County, Pa., on Sept. 26 after a six-month illness. He was 68.

Mr. Miller was a lifelong horseman, starting his career with Mrs. Henry Biddle and M. Edgar Mills in Chester Springs, Pa. In 1967, Mr. Miller and his wife, Barbara, purchased their Pidgeon Creek Farm, where he became a respected post-operative caregiver for the New Bolton Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

His farm also became the base of Mr. Miller's broodmare and foaling operation, which led to his 30-year career of showing young horses on the line. Most recently, he handled John Harvey's Orlando to capture the pony breeding grand championship at the Devon Horse Show (Pa.) in May. Mr. Miller's other Devon breeding victories included Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wheeler's Steal The Fire, winner of the 2000 and 2001 best young horse title. His other successful horses were his wife's That's A Bargain, Shaky Market, Kari On Countess and Over The Counter, and Mrs. Carol Thompson's Final Agreement.
...
Mr. Miller was also a USA Equestrian-licensed hunter breeding judge and a member of the Hunter Breeding Committee. Beyond the show ring, he helped to organize the Pickering Hunt Pony Club and the Pickering Hunt Horse Trials.

A passionate foxhunter, Mr. Miller was a huntsman for 18 years and has housed the Bellwood Hunt hounds at Pidgeon Creek since 1978. (For a photo of Mr. Miller with the Bellwood hounds, see March 15, 2002, p. 196.)

He is survived by his wife Barbara; daughter Anne Marie McDonald; and brothers, Harold, Robert and Elmer.

Memorial donations may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Fund at 39 Bonnie Brae Road, Spring City, Pa., 19475 or to Vitas Health Care at 1740 Walton Road, Suite 100, Blue Bell, Pa., 19422.

Staff

[LivviesMom]

I asked around. Watched handlers at shows, got recommendations and then emailed a few handlers.
I paid $40 for her initial class. If she wins or places and goes on, then it's $20 per class after that.

I normally handle her myself, but for the Royal I went with a handler.. I was too nervous. This year it's all me!