My Mount Rushmore of Draft Horses (And Why These Four Made the List)
As a part of JFP Equine and someone who has spent a lifetime around Clydesdales, Belgians, and other draft horses, I get asked a surprising question during our Ultimate Clydesdale Experiences:
"What's your favorite horse?"
The truth is, that's almost impossible to answer.
I mean... where do you even start?
— I finally decided to sit down and think about it.
As a part of JFP Equine and someone who has spent a lifetime around Clydesdales, Belgians, and other draft horses, I get asked a surprising question during our Ultimate Clydesdale Experiences:
"What's your favorite horse?"
The truth is, that's almost impossible to answer.
I mean... where do you even start?
— I finally decided to sit down and think about it.
It's kind of like asking someone to pick their favorite memory.
So instead, I decided to create a Mount Rushmore.
And when you're only allowed four spots, some really good horses get left off the mountain.
A quick disclaimer before we start: this list isn't purely based on quality.
This one is about connection.
Admiration.
Memories.
The horses that left the biggest mark on me.
And in no particular order (because ranking these four would require an entirely separate article), here are the four that would go on my Mount Rushmore of Draft Horses...
BUCK: The Biggest Belgian I'll Ever Forget
A Belgian.
A BIG Belgian.
Actually, scratch that.
A huge Belgian.
Buck was one of our family's horses when I was around 12 years old, living in Forest, Ontario, Canada.
Now, every horse owner thinks their horse is big.
Buck was big enough that it was officially documented.
I remember it clearly.
The North American Belgian Championship in Toronto had a class for the heaviest horse.
Yes, with an actual scale.
And yes, an actual competition.
Buck won - against some serious competition from both Canada and the United States.
I don't remember the exact number, although for some reason 2,424 pounds sticks in my head. What I do know is it was somewhere north of 2,400 pounds.
That's a lot of horse.
The coolest part?
I got to lead Buck during the awards ceremony where the trophy was presented by former professional wrestler and Canadian Football League star Angela Mosca.
Which made perfect sense because Angela Mosca wasn't exactly a small man himself.
Not long after that, our family moved from Canada to St. Louis when my dad, Jim Poole, began his career with the Budweiser Clydesdales.
Buck was sold.
But he's one of those horses you never forget.
And all these years later, I still haven't.
GATOR: The Horse Who Loved the Spotlight
Gator, one of Barclay Poole's Mount Rushmore draft horses, was known for his striking appearance and natural ability to connect with people at public events.
Gator was a Clydesdale owned by JFP Equine a few years ago.
And man, was he sharp.
Not the biggest horse we ever owned.
Not the heaviest.
But just a really, really good-looking horse.
Great color.
Great markings.
The complete package.
But what I remember most about Gator wasn't how he looked.
It was how much he loved people.
He was one of the first horses we regularly took to appearances, festivals, wineries, community events, and public gatherings.
And he absolutely ate it up.
Some horses tolerate attention.
Gator seemed to genuinely enjoy it.
He would pose for pictures.
He'd nuzzle into people.
He somehow always knew where the camera was.
And he made every event feel easy.
I remember hauling him all the way to Denver for a corporate appearance.
After a long trip, most horses would be happy just to stretch their legs.
Not Gator.
He stepped off the trailer ready to work the crowd like he'd been preparing for it his entire life.
Today, Gator lives in Texas with a wonderful family where he's spoiled, well cared for, and living a pretty good life.
And honestly?
He earned it.
TORCH: The Complete Package
Torch is a Clydesdale horse owned by JFP Equine and a member of the farm's Core Four. Shown here with Jim Poole, Torch is known for his quality, personality, and success at the National Clydesdale Sale.
OK.
The final two entries might have a little recency bias.
Or, maybe they're simply good enough to belong here.
I'm going with the second option.
Torch is a legend at JFP Equine.
And what's interesting is that this is actually the second time we've owned him.
The first time we owned Torch, we sold him through the National Clydesdale Sale.
Not only did he sell well.
He tied the record for the highest-selling horse in the sale.
A record that had also previously been set by another JFP Equine horse.
Torch is everything people imagine when they picture a great Clydesdale.
Quality.
Color.
Markings.
Flash.
Movement.
Presence.
But what makes him special is that he combines all of that with personality and intelligence.
He's smart.
He's aware.
And he seems to know exactly how impressive he is.
Last December, Torch came back home to JFP Equine.
Today he's a member of our "Core Four" and plays a major role in our Ultimate Clydesdale Experiences, Clydesdale "Backstage" Meet N' Greets, and appearances throughout the region.
Not a bad semi-retirement gig.
And from what I can tell, he's enjoying every minute of it.
ACE: The Horse Who Changed Everything
ACE, one of Barclay Poole's Mount Rushmore draft horses, has become one of the most recognizable Clydesdales in the St. Louis region through appearances, events, and the Ultimate Clydesdale Experience at JFP Equine.
Was there ever really a question?
18 hands 3".
Approximately 2,300 pounds.
And a personality (and heart) that's somehow even bigger than that.
Ace has become a bit of a celebrity around the region.
He's appeared in television segments.
Newspaper features.
Social media videos.
Festivals.
Corporate events.
Christmas celebrations.
Oktoberfests.
Derby parties.
And about a hundred other places I never imagined a Clydesdale would find himself.
We've done a lot together.
We've taken pictures with probably tens of thousands of people.
Visited music venues.
Met well-known artists backstage.
Walked through the front doors of major retailers.
And somehow convinced people that bringing a giant horse into unusual places is perfectly reasonable.
More importantly, though, we've built trust.
We've trusted him.
He's trusted us.
And when you travel as many miles and attend as many events together as we have, that kind of partnership becomes pretty special.
But it's the everyday stuff that's just as important with ACE.
The quiet moments in the barn.
The little things.
His personality.
His intelligence.
His willingness to tackle just about anything we ask of him.
And his ability to make us laugh when we least expect it.
People often ask what makes a great Clydesdale.
Size helps.
Quality helps.
Color and markings certainly don't hurt.
After spending decades around draft horses, I've learned that greatness isn't always measured by size, championships, or sale prices. Those things matter, but the horses you remember most are the ones that create a connection.
The ones that make the work enjoyable. The ones that leave stories behind.
They become partners.
They become memories.
And if that's the criteria, these four earned their spots on my Mount Rushmore.
At least for now.
Ask me again in five years and I reserve the right to change my mind.
Who's on Jim Poole's Mount Rushmore of Draft Horses?
That's a whole different conversation... and one we'll share soon.
Want to Meet Some of Our Favorite Clydesdales?
At JFP Equine, horses like ACE and TORCH are part of our:
Now if you'll excuse me, I've probably just offended about 86 other Clydesdales and Belgians that think they deserved a spot on this list.
And honestly, they may have a point.
But for today, this is my mountain!
Frequently Asked Questions About Draft Horses
What is a draft horse?
A draft horse is a large breed of horse traditionally bred for pulling heavy loads, farm work, and driving.
What is the difference between a Belgian and a Clydesdale?
While both are large draft horse breeds of similar size, they have a distinctly different look. Clydesdales are known for their feathered legs while Belgians are often a little heavier-bodied with a more powerful, compact appearance. Color is often the easiest way to tell them apart—most Clydesdales are bay, dark bay or black with white markings, while Belgians are commonly blonde or sorrel (chestnut) with flaxen manes and tails.
How much does a draft horse weigh?
Most draft horses weigh between 1,800 and 2,200 pounds, although exceptionally large horses can exceed 2,200 pounds.
What is the largest draft horse breed?
Individual horses vary, but Belgians, Shires, and Clydesdales are among the largest draft horse breeds in the world.