THE STORY OF ACE
Just like people, each of our Clydesdales at JFP Equine has a unique story.
We love to tell all about ‘em to visitors. It’s one of our favorite parts of our CHORE TIME Clydesdale Experience.
And none of their backgrounds are more impressive than our resident superstar, ACE.
Most are surprised to learn that it’s actually the second time we have owned ACE … but more on that in a minute.
ACE is originally a Canadian, born in the prairie province of Saskatchewan.
The first time he came to JFP Equine was in 2016 as a BIG, young gelding with a ton (literally) of potential.
The plan was to keep him for a few months, get him trained up and looking great for entry into the 2017 National Clydesdale Sale - an annual, Clydesdale-only sales event put on by the Clydesdale Breeders of the USA.
And that’s exactly what happened.
In April of 2017 we took ACE to the sale where he was presented in front of hundreds of potential buyers from across the U.S. and beyond.
Buyers at these sales range widely from those wanting their first ever Clydesdale to seasoned owners looking to build, or fill holes in, their competitive show hitch.
Although we had only owned ACE for several months at that point, we had developed some attachment. It was tough not to.
Not only was he already an impressive physical specimen at that point, but you could tell instantly that his personality was pretty special.
We didn’t want ACE going just anywhere. It had to be the right fit.
And boy did we luck out. The perfect buyer for ACE had their eye on him from the start, and ended up with the winning bid.
That perfect buyer was HALLAMORE, a Boston-area company that has showcased one of the most impressive 8-horse hitches of Clydesdales in the world for decades. Lots of history, ran by very skilled and knowledgeable horsemen, with one of the BIGGEST bunch of Clydesdales you’ll ever see.
Hallamore uses their Clydesdale hitch to promote their heavy-duty construction equipment brand.
ACE was going to be the perfect fit inside this well-known 8-horse hitch.
ACE in the Hallamore Clydesdale hitch.
Although he took a little piece of our heart with him, he was going to a wonderful home - and he’d be lucky enough to travel around the east coast to various parades, festivals and events, performing in front of tens of thousands of people.
A pretty lucky guy indeed.
In 2023, after seven years of being a HALLAMORE Clydesdale, ACE had kind of done it all. He had logged lots of miles, proudly done his duty, and there was nothing left to prove. It was time for a little rest and relaxation.
And when the call went out looking for a new home for ACE to settle into, we put our hand immediately up. Reuniting with this big guy would be a welcomed event at JFP Equine.
I remember the day he arrived back at our stable, coming off the truck after a lengthy ride from the east coast …
Normally, it takes a day or two for new horses to get acclimated.
But not with ACE. He strutted right into the barn and into his old stall like he had never left. He was quick to eat, to drink and relax. I think he was glad to be ‘home.’
ACE has been back now for over a year.
ACE, backstage!
We like to refer to him as being ’semi retired’ with the emphasis on ’semi.’ We still keep him pretty busy with events not only at our JFP Equine barn, but off site as well at festivals, corporate events, concerts, weddings and parades across the St. Louis region and beyond.
He’s living the good life, with the perfect mix of just being a horse AND still being on stage in front of eager crowds who want their picture with him. And we couldn’t ask for a better ambassador of JFP Equine or Clydesdales in general.
We invite you to come check out ACE - all 2,300 lbs of him - and some of his Clydesdale buddies at one of our upcoming CHORE TIME Clydesdale Experiences OR Clydesdale ‘Backstage’ Meet N’ Greets. He’d love the opportunity to meet and hang with you!