Herbert Derickson – Wartrace, Tennessee

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING HORSES PROFESSIONALLY?
48 years

TELL US SOME FAMILY HISTORY OF RAISING AND SHOWING WALKING HORSES.
I grew up in Kentucky, on our family farm. I am a third generation horse breeder. My father, H.T. Derickson established a Walking Horse Training Stable in 1965.

OF ALL THE HORSES YOU HAVE TRAINED, OPEN AND AMATEUR, DO YOU HAVE A HORSE YOU FEEL MADE YOU INTO THE TRAINER YOU ARE TODAY?
Countdown Heatwave was my first world champion that I trained. We had him when we moved to Tennessee in 1991. He is still one of my favorite world champions.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG ASPIRING TRAINERS?
Always rely on your God given training talents and what are the natural born talents of the horse, and….patience, patience, patience!

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN THE PERFECT YEARLING?
Pedigree, conformation and thirdly the movement.

HOW ARE YOU MANAGING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK? IS YOUR BARN ON LOCKDOWN? ARE YOU STILL HOLDING YOUR REGULAR CLIENT APPOINTMENTS? HOW HAS THIS AFFECTED YOUR TRAINING?
We are managing to continue care and training of all our horses. We are not encouraging customer visiting. We are using this time to be prepared for when show season resumes. 

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST WORLD GRAND CHAMPION AND WHY?
The Pusher, he had the gait that I look for and that I like and he has gone down in history as one of the few great sires.

IF THERE WAS ONE AREA OF THE INDUSTRY YOU COULD CHANGE OR RAMP UP, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Self discipline of trainers, and always promoting a positive image for the future of our industry.

IF YOU WERE NOT AT THE BARN OR A HORSE SHOW, WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I am an avid sports fan and I love being with my children and grandchildren.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TV SHOWS, MOVIES OR NETFLIX FEATURES HAVE YOU BEEN BINGE WATCHING DURING THE PANDEMIC?
Fox News, Family Feud, “Self Made” Miniseries on Netflix and the NFL Draft

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER THUS FAR?
Breeding, raising, starting and training Mr. Magnifico to the 2019 Two-Year-Old World Grand Championship.

WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM CAN YOU GIVE TO THE HORSE INDUSTRY ON THE PANDEMIC?
Keep calm and keep riding! Horse shows will start back soon!