Centurion x Copper King's Lady

Gladiator sadly crossed over the rainbow bridge very peacefully on 3/22/08.  He was just shy of 34 years of age.  He was the horse of a lifetime and is greatly missed by the many whose lives he touched over the years!

Gladiator, AKA "Gladdy" is the one who started my obsession with the Hackney breed. I was taking driving lessons at the time using Standardbreds. We rounded a corner and this majestic animal trotted up to the fence with natural motion higher than any horse I had ever seen before (he was barefoot).  I could NOT get him out of my mind!  Two years later I had the great fortune to become his owner.

                                         Gladdy as a 2 yr old stallion                                         Gladdy at 25 yrs of age

Gladdy and I had many adventures along the way.  We participated in weekend long trail rides/camping trips.  We showed together for many years under saddle and studied classical dressage together.

The photo above is an unusual photo of a Hackney as it shows the end of the suspension phase, rather than showing height of action.  It is one of my favorite photos because it demonstrates the Hackney's unique ability to step way under themselves.

And, of course, there was actually driving this horse!  What a thrill to sit behind him, watch that power yet feel total lightness in your hands.

In his later years, Gladdy taught children how to drive.  His youngest "student" was 8 yrs old at the time.  He was kind, patient and took his "job" of teaching AND keeping them safe very seriously.  Truth be known, he had far more patience with children than with adults.

Gladdy ended his show career at the age of 27, being shown in hand by his 2 favorite little girls:

Gladdy spent his last years watching over our ever growing herd of Hackney horses.  He is buried in his favorite grazing spot in one of our pastures.  Our goal is to produce many more just like him!

Click here to view Gladdy's extended pedigree.