JOB REQUIREMENTS
A good handler must have the instincts of a horse, the athleticism of a gazelle and the courageous heart of a lion. This definition is particularly fitting for runners who “catch handle,” a part of most handler resumes. Often a handler will be hired to present to a judge or breed inspector a horse he has never met. In the blink of an eye he must evaluate the horse, becomes its leader and engender its trust. “Sometimes you get a horse only minutes before the
presentation. How difficult it is often depends on how much the horse has done before the show,” explains Michael who has presented over 500 mares and foals to a variety of breed registries. “I prefer working with the horse beforehand. They listen better. If the horse is nervous or distracted or upset, say from a tractor or a horse trailer going by, it’s easier for me to get its attention back to me if we have worked together.” “My strategy? Keep them off my toenails,” laughs Bruce.
“It’s pretty much instinct. A good handler is part horse. I get a connection fast. I read them and understand their language fast. I’ve been riding since I was able to ride. I grew up in Sacramento, California and horses kept me out of trouble. My dad was a horse person, a ranch guy. He ran dog field trials and I scouted on horseback for him.” “It’s all about body language,” says Nick, who has shown
Andalusians and Friesians to the national championship levels and worked at many Warmblood inspections. He has handled horses for dressage Olympians Leslie Morse
Michael Bragdell shows the horse R. London Calling by Royal Prince at the Stone Tavern Breed
Show. Photo ©
SusanJStickle.com
and Hilda Gurney. He pairs the riding theory of impulsion with in hand technique. “Most important is to get the biggest strides matching the horse’s gait with half halts on the bridle so he comes under himself.” Professional handlers, like any athlete, are fit. Growing
up in Sweden and running track and field in high school and riding jumpers, Michael at 36 is a marathon runner who has run the challenging Boston Marathon. “It’s an advantage to be a good runner; it feels more natural. But you can be a good runner and not be good with horses. It takes a combination of both to present horses well.” Having five athletic sons and daughters who play
soccer, football and basketball, Bruce’s life keeps him in shape while Nick works out at the gym four times a week and does spin classes three times a week. “Horse handling is a sport, and not only should the horse be an athlete, but so should the person.” “You’ve got to be able to run, to use your body well.
Body language is important to animals. You have to use your body to express energy,” according to Bruce, 37. “What I really enjoy is when you get a special horse and it’s going at its full peak and I’m running to keep up with him. It’s electrifying especially when the crowd gets up for it and starts stomping and hollering.”
THE DANGERS
Life on the triangle also can be hairy at times and a good handler must be a quick problem solver. Participants aren’t always well school or experienced outside their familiar
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