WGC Gen On The Run - Walking With Hart

WGC Gen On The Run -

Walking With Hart

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The 2005 Two-Year-Old World Grand Champion, Gen. On The Run, was bred and raised by the George Wright family of Old Hickory, Tennessee. By 1994 World Grand Champion Gen’s Armed And Dangerous and out of a Pride’s Gold Coin mare, Gen. On The Run was bred for greatness. He was placed in the Sand Creek yearling group in the spring of 2005 and then taken to Joe Fleming Stables in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Joe’s son-in-law, talented up and coming trainer Justin Harris, began the task of breaking Gen. On The Run. From the beginning, both Joe and Justin were confident that the beautiful sorrel colt was “The Great One.”

As word spread of this outstanding colt, he came to the attention of Michael and Ty Hart and they decided to visit Fleming Stables just to take a look him. It was love at first sight for Ty. “This is the most beautiful horse I’ve ever seen,” Ty said, as she marveled at Gen’s stature, color, proud but gentle spirit, and long stride. Just one day later, after topping Sand Creek’s Spring Sale, Gen. On The Run belonged to Ty and Michael Hart.

The Harts knew that Joe and Justin would use all of their training skills to bring Gen along slowly and properly, so they decided to leave Gen under the capable guidance of Fleming Stables. They were not disappointed as Gen made an impressive blue ribbon debut in June at Arab, Alabama. One month later, Gen and Justin were reserve at the prestigious Red Carpet Show Of The South in Pulaski, Tennessee.

The last Saturday night before Labor Day arrived quickly. A strong showing in the two-year-old stallions class at the National Futurity had Gen and his young trainer, Justin, primed as they were among the 17 top two-year-olds contending for the title of the best of the best. Although Justin knew that he had made a flawless ride, he was not prepared for what awaited. When the lights dimmed and the spotlight flashed over the backs of the riders, number 811, Gen. On The Run, with Justin Harris up, was named the 2005 Two-Year-Old World Grand Champion. When Celebration emcee Chip Walters made the announcement, Justin nearly fell off the horse as the roar of applause from the crowd could be heard throughout the streets of Shelbyville. Yelling the loudest and crying tears of sheer happiness, Ty Hart had never experienced such an exhilarating moment. “That’s my horse! That’s my horse!” exclaimed Ty as she jumped for joy for Justin and Gen. Michael, too, shed tear of joy to see his wife so thrilled.

“Justin, sit back and take that ride you’ve been waiting for!” Chip bellowed. Justin quit shaking long enough to make his victory pass. The crowd rose to its feet and cheered for this Cinderella team. It was a dream come true for a young trainer making his first world grand championship ride, a legendary veteran trainer who had high hopes for the both of them, and owners who knew in their hearts that they could do it.
Gen not only won the roses in the two-year-old stake class, he also received several prestigious awards after the Celebration. Voted the Two-Year-Old Horse of the Year by the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association, the Walking Horse Report Readers’ Choice Two-Year-Old Stallion of the Year, and the People’s Voice™ Two-Year-Old Stallion and Overall Two-Year-Old Horse of the Year, Gen. On The Run won all there was to win. Without exception, Gen has proven that he can will it all.

Showing outstanding performance horses such as Gen. On The Run, Star Of RPM, Tenn. Gen, Magenta, and Coin’s Ltd. is not the only area of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry in which the Harts are actively involved. With farms in both Beech Grove, Tennessee and Corbin, Kentucky, they are also very involved in breeding top quality Tennessee Walking Horses. Their 40-acre farm in Beech Grove houses a large and productive broodmare facility. Their Hartland Farms is known as one of the finest broodmare farms in the industry.

With the help of many of the leading and most experienced people in the horse industry, the Harts have assembled an exceptional group of world champion and world grand champion producing broodmares. Owning show mares from such illustrious sires as Prides Generator, Coin’s Hard Cash, The Pusher C.G., Pride’s Gold Coin, and others, the Harts presently have yearlings by Pride’s Jubilee Encore, Jose Jose, Lined With Cash, and Seve. In addition, they have weanlings by Out On Parole and Jose Jose. With breedings to such renowned champions as Ted Williams, Gen’s Armed And Dangerous, Masquerading, Skywatch, Jose Jose, and Pusher’s High Voltage, Hartland Farms will continue to offer quality weanlings and yearlings for years to come. Any walking horse enthusiasts looking for coming world grand champions would have to agree that Hartland Farms has an array of quality horses for consideration.

Even with the success of their horses in the show ring, Michael and Ty enjoy most the thrills that come from the delivery of a healthy colt or filly. They assert, “We’re very hands on. We love to feed, pet, and observe our mares and babies.”

The Harts feel that they have been blessed with good advice and recommendations from many successful owners and breeders in the walking horse industry. According to the Harts, not only is good breeding necessary for a successful breeding farm, but the best feed, the best veterinary care, and a love for horses all contribute to outstanding results. “Our goal at Hartland Farms is to raise the finest colts and fillies in the Walking Horse industry,” the Harts said, “We want our name to be synonymous with quality.”

–Michael and Ty Hart