Halter headlines for Ted Turner, Jr.

Few have been as consistently successful in this specialized discipline as Ted Turner, Jr., of Turner Ranch in Aubrey, Texas, who knows exactly what it takes to bring home the blues with horses that aren't ridden at the shows. Rather, they are judged on conformation, appearance and appeal, traits that can be inherited, but which develop under watchful, experienced eyes and blossom during the relentless pursuit of excellence at Turner Ranch in Aubrey, Texas.

Right now, three horses in particular demand Turner's rightful fair share of attention, beginning with a yearling stud, Kidlook, by Kid Clu out of a daughter of Mr Conclusion, Delightful Desires. "I've showed him five times, and he's never been beaten," Turner reports proudly, adding that Kidlook is qualified for the AQHA World Show.

Kidlook has, ironically, got "the look," attests Turner. "He's very modern with an extremely long, pretty, pencil neck and a lot of a balance." Turner partners with Tim Hanlin on the stallion, bred by Roger Perry of Ocala, Florida.

Between he and wife Darlene, the Turners have won an astounding 61 AQHA world championship titles. Photo by Don Trout©

According to her accomplished handler, "she carries a lot of muscle but still looks like a lady's supposed to look, with a lot of femininity...very pretty."

Turner's wife, Darlene, owns JS Mister Marvelous, 2 years old. This horse is the AQHA's leading halter gelding, open and amateur. Ted Turner, Jr. describes the chestnut youngster as "gorgeous overall, a 'pictured' horse with lots of balance, very flashy." The horse is by Mr Connections and out of Im Simply Marvelous.

Quality, Not Quantity

The recession hasn't impacted the halter horse business in a significant way, reports Turner, who believes "it's still a good time, but everybody wants a winner: if it's not the top of the line, you can have a hard time selling it. Anybody will buy the best one, but it's the ones 'in between' that are taking the hits."

Turner's a firm believer in dealing in "quality, not quantity."

In spite of the recognition and the stacks of awards, the Turner family head is rather quiet about it all. "We don't blow our own horn a lot," concedes Turner. "We just try to do a good job. We're very family oriented, and we're all in it. This is all we do. We work very hard."

If ever someone reveled in his work, it is Turner. "I love the horse business and love the horses. They are all individuals and they are treated that way here at my ranch. I look forward to working my own horses every day and I do my own feeding. It's a hands-on operation here, all facets."

With so many horses to choose from, what attracts Turner to a prospect?

"I am real big on prettiness," he confesses. "A horse has to have a look about it. I like something that's not ordinary, maybe with a 'freaky' face or neck."

The routine at Turner Ranch doesn't vary on purpose, with the same program enacted six days a week. "The first thing we do in the morning is vacuum the horses between 7 a.m. and 7:30. Then, sweats (horse garments that encourage sweating for beautiful coats) are put on them and then they're ponied (led) behind a four-wheeler. That's how we condition the horses. We like to sweat them three to four hours a day. Then, they're cleaned up in the early afternoon, then before 5 p.m., tied up and brushed again.

Creatures of Habit

"It doesn't matter if we're at home, or on the road, the program is the same. Horses are creatures of habit, and they need to be treated that way. We maintain them as though we were entering them in a bodybuilding contest. You want them to look fit, firm, conditioned, with good tone. Of course, part of our success is because we've been fortunate to have good horses and great customers."

Turner's goal is for his horses to look immaculate when they enter the ring. "We try to do everything possible to make them look their best. After all, most folks would agree that first impressions are really important. Judges look at the whole horse."

If patience is a virtue, it certainly plays a role in watching a promising young halter horse mature. Turner recalls one of his champion stallions, which, he recalls, was bought as a yearling but "didn't 'come together' until the fall of his second year. It's hard to wait all that time when you have so much money invested. He finally matured when he 'caught up with himself.' It's like a gangly teenager who's 6' 6" who finally fills out in his body and looks normal."

If you're thinking that halter sounds appealing, contact Turner Ranch at (940) 365-9010 for sales information.