A WEALTH OF RIBBONS

Those national championship ribbons are a familiar sight to the Vallejo team, who has collected 50 national championships, 23 reserve national championships, and well over 200 top tens. With so many wins, it is hard to pick one that stands out above the rest. Bob mentions the U.S. National Western Pleasure Championship with Rohara Moon Storm as being especially memorable. "Most of the time, when I ride a class, I have a pretty good idea whether or not I've ridden it well enough to have a shot at winning it," says Bob, "and it was no different with the ride on Rohara Moon Storm. What makes this win stand out for me is the fact that it is the first win I've ever had on a horse that I owned. After all these years, I finally know how my customers feel when I win with their horses. It's special." Kathie agrees, saying "Probably the most memorable win for me was the first time I won the Working Cow Horse class at the Nationals on Vallejo Cypress, a third generation Vallejo bred horse ... it was like a dream come true for me."

It's a long road from the breeding shed to victory lane at the Nationals, and it all starts with swinging a leg over for that first ride. Kathie particularly enjoys those rides on their young, Vallejo-bred horses, mainly because she knows the breeding and potential so very well, and often has shown the sire, dam and full siblings to national titles.

Bob emphasizes that every time he gets on a horse, whether it's the first time or the thousandth, he pauses for a moment to make sure he is tuned in to the level of that individual animal. "If it's an A+ horse, I'd better be an A+ rider, or else the horse will get ahead of me," states Bob matter-of-factly.

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THOUGHTS ON TRAINING

When the Vallejo show team hits the road, the days get longer. Often rising at 3 a.m. to work all the horses before the show starts, Bob says he is definitely a morning person. Working each horse early in the day gives him an idea of where the horse is mentally, and allows him to fine tune as needed to put the horse into the appropriate frame of mind for the class. The Harts are usually not found socializing at shows. Bob feels they are there to do the job the clients are paying for, and that is to do the best they can with the horses. They are not being paid to party. When scheduling allows, there is occasionally time for dinner with friends and customers, but that only happens when they are finished preparing the horses and know they are ready to show at their peak.

The entire Vallejo team, from grooms to amateurs to owners, is a strong support system. Everybody is there to watch each horse from the farm, and cheer the riders and horses on. Bob notes, "Many of our clients are long term because they are treated well. We try very hard to be like one big family group. Everybody roots for everybody else, and a win belongs to everyone. A win is truly a group effort."

There is a common thread between the top trainers. They do the basics well, and do them thoroughly, never skipping a step or slacking off. Bob denotes the difference between a horseman and a trainer: "A trainer makes a horse do tricks rather than imparting long-term knowledge to the horse," states Bob, "while a horseman has empathy for the horse and can work within the horse's natural instincts as well as training it. The easiest way to differentiate between a trainer and a horseman is to ask yourself 'Would I let this trainer take care of my horse -- not train it -- just care for it?' Too many young trainers want to do the tricks without paying their dues and truly becoming horsemen. It all takes time, focus, and genuine understanding of the horse."

Bob has some very definite ideas about training and his philosophy. Quite simply, he feels that if you don't take the time to get inside a horse's head and find a way to affect the way he thinks, there is no way you will have any real lasting success in training his thought patterns to understand what you're asking him to do. Additionally, he puts great emphasis on not rushing the training process. He does not work for owners who tell him what a horse should do and how long he has to get the job done, since that is against his training philosophy.

"It takes a minimum of 90 days to get a horse to the point where I can safely evaluate the direction the horse's career should take," says Bob. "Sometimes we have to send a horse home before the 90 days are up. If we feel like we're wasting the owner's money, we flat out tell them so. Most horses make it through the evaluation stage, and from there I will advise the owners as to the next steps in their horse's career. If the owners listen, and chose to give me the time to do the job right, I'll make a good horse for them. If they choose to do otherwise, that's fine too, since it's their money and their horse. I want people to think of me as a good horseman, not just a trainer or showman. It's important to take the time to bring out the best qualities in a horse, and I expect my horses to try their hearts out for me. In order to gain that kind of trust from a horse, I never ask for more than it can do. I've won a lot with less than great horses because they were able to give me that 110 percent. I treat every horse like it were national championship material, and the horses never quit giving."

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THOUGHTS FROM OTHERS

What is it that makes Bob Hart Jr. and the horses he rides stand out in the show ring? Noted horseman Bob Battaglia says "I've known Bobby Hart since he was barely a teenager -- probably 25 years. He's a dedicated horseman, and most importantly, willing to learn and willing to share his knowledge with others. With both Bobby and Kathie, the horse comes first. They are totally dedicated to the horse, itself. They also do their homework, and their horses come to the shows prepared. Their presentation is always tops."

Battaglia recalls the first time he met Bob Hart Jr. "It was at a show, and with my background in the Saddlehorse business, we always kept everything in the aisles just so. We were stabled across from the Harts, and I was busy sweeping the aisles and cleaning tack. Mama Hart yelled at Bobby 'Look what they're doing -- you better get busy and sweep your aisle and get your tack cleaned too!'"

Illinois trainer Brian Scoggins is impressed with Bob Hart's willingness to go outside of the breed to learn. He has known Bob for 20 years, and recognizes him as a fierce competitor with an intense desire to win. "He is all business," states Scoggins.

"I would much rather golf against Bob than show horses against him," says Western trainer Bill Porcher of Willow Brook Arabians, who regards Bob as a friend and an exceptional horseman. "One thing I really enjoy is sitting and discussing horses and training methods with Bob. I have really benefitted from Bob's knowledge and expertise; he has always been very willing to help or watch me school a horse."

Ed and Bobbi Stuckenhoff own Scottsdale Western Pleasure Champion Princess Huck V, and Ed notes that a large part of the reason Bob is so successful is that he believes in his training methods and never wavers from his system. "In the show ring, Bob knows what it takes to make a champion, and he rides with that in mind. When he goes into the ring, his one goal is to have the last circle the horse makes be a championship victory pass," states Ed. "Bob is good because he's driven. He works hard for his success."

Trainer Gene LaCroix has known Bob since the mid-60s and has a great deal of respect for both Bob and Kathie. Bob has given Gene assistance with Western horses, and Gene has reciprocated with the English horses. Gene is particularly proud of the fact that Bob bought a Western horse from him and notes that Bob is a real student of the pleasure horse. "He has developed it and set the standard for all of us to follow," says Gene.

Wendy Griffith of Ventura Farms has a great deal of admiration and respect for Bob Hart Jr. as well. She has spent some time working with Bob and was very impressed. "He has good methods of dealing with horses, and is a very good teacher with the rare ability to clearly explain his methods," Wendy says. "He also has a good relationship with his horses, not at all impersonal. Bob's horses go well because they're trained well. I've learned a lot from Bob, and am looking forward to learning more."

"Bob is a horseman's horseman," states Joe Betten. "He is a perfectly balanced combination of what I call 'doing' and 'being.' Doing refers to his drive and ambition, and being has to do with his total understanding of the horse. He is a great teacher."

Kim McAferty owns the double National Champion Kentucky Kisses, and states delightedly, "Just to own a horse like Kentucky Kisses has been a privilege, and being able to train and show under the tutelage of Bob Hart Jr. is an extra bonus. It was so gratifying to have Kentucky Kisses win both the amateur and the open Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Championships at the Canadian Nationals. We had worked so hard to get there, and it all paid off. Bob's enthusiasm and support as he worked with me and Kisses was the icing on the cake."

As a little girl beginning her show career, Michele Blackwell idolized Bob Hart Sr. and has known Bob Jr. forever, she says. "Bob is a standout because he has dedicated his life to the betterment of the Arabian horse. He takes training to a higher level. Bob has been there for me over the years. For example, this year at Canadian Nationals, I called Bob from the show, and he analyzed my problems, gave me sound advice designed to get me back on track with my horse, Lightnin' Strikes. The next thing I knew, we had won the reserve national championship. I'm proud to call him friend," states Michele.

"Bob and Kathie are super people," says client Susie Farmer. "I've known them for about eight years, and it has been a wonderful association. As a trainer, Bob is second to none, and as a teacher, he has the rare talent of being able to adjust to each person depending on the amount of pressure they can handle. He is always challenging me to do my best. I have a great deal of respect for both Bob and Kathie, not just for the wonderful way they treat their horses, but for the way they treat us, their clients."