The Origins of the Ultimate Clydesdale Experience
Some ideas hit you like a lightning bolt.
Others quietly follow you around for decades … waiting for the right barn, the right horses, and the right moment to come to life.
The Ultimate Clydesdale Experience at JFP Equine is very much the second kind.
It Started With a Simple Question
About three years ago, we asked ourselves a question that felt both obvious and a little crazy:
What if people could experience Clydesdales the way we do?
Not from behind a fence.
Not from a distance.
Not as a quick photo-op before being herded along.
But up close.
Hands-on.
Personal.
Immersive.
The kind of experience that makes you forget to check your phone because a 2,000+ lb horse just leaned into you for a scratch.
From the start, the goal was simple: create something unique and unmatched, woven tightly into the story of Jim Poole and the legacy behind JFP Equine.
But the true, initial spark?
Well, that goes back much further …
A Canadian Summer That Planted the Seed
Before the Ultimate Clydesdale Experience ever had a name, it lived quietly in the back of my mind ... thanks to some time at Shamrock Acres in Arkona, Ontario, Canada.
Owned by Mike and Doreen Orrange, Shamrock Acres hosted a week-long Clydesdale camp for kids that was, quite frankly, genius.
Kids didn’t just see Clydesdales.
They cared for them.
They learned how to feed them.
Brush them.
Harness them.
Drive them.
And every summer?
It sold out.
Through high school, college and into my career in marketing, that concept stayed with me.
Not as something to copy, but as something to reimagine someday, somewhere else.
The Evolution: From Kids Camp to Experience
Fast forward many years and the timing finally felt right.
But the idea had evolved.
This wouldn’t be a kids’ camp.
And it wouldn’t be a lesson or a class.
It would be an experience—the same way a ballgame, concert, or movie is an experience … except this one would be active, hands-on, and exclusive.
Picture this:
A quaint ranch setting
A small, intimate group
Some of the biggest, calmest, coolest Clydesdales you’ll ever meet
And stories that connect you to the horses, the history, and the people behind them
In other words: a behind-the-scenes pass into the life of a Clydesdale, JFP Equine style.
Something You Didn’t Even Know Existed
Here was the challenge: when we launched the Ultimate Clydesdale Experience, most people weren’t searching for it because they didn’t know it was even possible.
Sure, you might be able to see Clydesdales at a show, a parade or a stable.
Maybe even learn about them.
But our goal was much different. We wanted guests to:
Feel the size of a Clydesdale, up close and personal
Understand their unique personalities (yes, they absolutely have them)
Get hands on with them through grooming, feeding and basic maintenance
And walk away with stories you don’t get from a brochure
All of it wrapped into the one thing that makes JFP Equine special: authenticity.
Three Years In … and Still Growing
Three years later, we’re still educating people that this experience exists.
And every year, it grows.
What started as a local St. Louis-area idea has become something even bigger. We’ve welcomed guests who’ve traveled from multiple states away just to spend a couple of hours with these special horses.
That never gets old.
And honestly?
Neither do the reactions:
The quiet moments when someone locks eyes with a Clydesdale for the first time
The laughter when they realize how sweet these giants can be
In some cases, the tears ... showcasing the raw emotional connection
And the pause at the end … not quite ready to leave this special moment
Where We’re Headed
The Ultimate Clydesdale Experience has been one of the most rewarding things we’ve ever created.
And we’re just getting started.
As we look ahead, our mission stays the same:
To bring the magic of Clydesdales to life in a way that’s real, personal, and unforgettable.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to truly connect with these iconic horses—
We’d love to show you.
(Just be warned: once a Clydesdale leans in for a scratch, there’s no going back.) 🐴