In June of 2006, Gambler's Golden
Flame WF entered the world KNOWING he was
special. "Flame" was such a small foal
that he could easily walk under his 16h dam's belly
without ducking. He never realized that he was small
though! He carried himself with pride and presence,
absolutely sure of himself. Flame was purchased
before he was born by his dam's former owner, Deborah
Gillespie of Madison County, Virginia. Debbie had
shown and trail ridden his dam, Kate's Red Flame
(affectionately known as "Bella" to us
and sometimes not so affectionately referred to
as "tank" by others.) Flame was her first
foal.
When Flame was ready to go under
saddle, Debbie took him to respected trainer Joe
London of Culpeper. Joe is one of the best natural
gaited trainers on the east coast. Through his guidance,
Debbie and Flame began their partnership. It soon
became appearant to Joe that Flame had the talent
to do well in the show ring. Joe and Debbie began
showing Flame and the results were tremendous. He
was just raking in the blues!
In
an industry that typically prefers red and black colored
horses, Flame stood out as an anomoly. There is a prejudice
in the walking horse show industry against odd colored horses.
Most people thought that golden horses were bred just for
color and didn't have what it took to win in the show ring.
Flame blew that theory right out of the water.
That saying "you can't have your cake
and eat it, too" never made sense to me. Why have cake
if you can't eat it? I've always believed that you CAN get
everything you want in a horse if you go about it the right
way. I don't believe in sacraficing gait for color...or
gait for mind. I believe in producing horses that are smooth
gaited, intelligent family and working horses who happen
to be gold in color.
Flame is arguably one of the most famous "yellow"
horses on the National Walking Horse show circuit at the
moment. When all eyes are on you, you better make sure that
you're performing at your best, because every mistake you
make will be seen. Despite the industry color standard,
Flame has continued to excel in the show ring.
Flame
has earned 9 Championship titles and 3 National Grand Champion
titles:
2 Gait Plantation Champion at the Keystone
Classic Horse Show in Quentin, PA on 5-7-2011
Trail Pleasure Specialty Champion at
the American Classic in Quentin, PA on 06/23/12
Country Pleasure Specialty Champion
at the American Classic in Quentin, PA on 06/22/13
Trail Pleasure Youth Specialty Champion
at the North American Classic Horse Show in Dillsburg,
PA on 08/31/13
Trail Pleasure Western Amateur Specialty
Champation at the North American Classic Horse Show
in Dillsburg, PA on 08/31/13
All Day Pleasure Open Specialty Champion
at The 2013 National in Shelbyville, TN on 09/23/13
National
Grand Champion - All Day Pleasure English
Amateur Specialty at The 2013 National in Shelbyville,
TN on 09/23/13
All Day Pleasure Western Open Specialty
Champion at The 2013 National in Shelbyville, TN on
09/23/13
All Day Pleasure Western Amateur Specialty
Champion at The 2013 National in Shelbyville, TN on
09/23/13
National
Grand Champion - All Day Pleasure Western
Open Specialty at The 2013 National in Shelbyville,
TN on 09/23/13
All Day Pleasure Open Specialty Champion
at the American Classic in Quentin, PA on 06/21/14
In the Walking Horse Owners' Association's
2013 High Point list, Flame ranked
Horse of the Year
in the All Day Pleasure category.
Debbie loved her "Flame Man,"
but her passion was trail riding rather than showing. In
August of 2012, Debbie sold Flame to Susan Smith and her
daughter, Rebecca. Rebecca and Flame are a match made in
heaven. Not only do they win in the show ring under Joe's
watchful eye and guiding hand, they absolutely adore each
other.
In 2014, Rebecca and Flame participated
in the Walk on Washington. On June 18, 2014, in honor of
sound, easy gaited horses across America, the Walk On Washington
took place in Union Square, Washington, DC. The event featured
Tennessee Walking/Spotted Saddle/Racking Horses in exhibition,
showcasing the natural ability, versatility and sound temperament
of these exceptional horses. They brought public attention
to the PAST Act. The PAST Act is an amendment to the original
Horse Protection Act of 1970. Upon passage, penalties for
soring will increase, enforcement will once again reside
with the USDA and devices implicated in the abuse of soring
will be banned. currently enjoys the co-sponsorship
of 288 members of the House of Representatives (HR1518)
and 55 Senators (S1406). Endorsements have been received
by such prestigious organizations as the AVMA, the AAEP,
the USEF and the AHC. Additionally, the HSUS, the ASPCA
and dozens of horse related organizations support passage
of the bills. See
Culpeper Horses Walk on Washington to End Soring.
When Flame was ready to go under
saddle, Debbie took him to respected trainer Joe
London of Culpeper. Joe is one of the best natural
gaited trainers on the east coast. Through his guidance,
Debbie and Flame began their partnership. It soon
became appearant to Joe that Flame had the talent
to do well in the show ring. Joe and Debbie began
showing Flame and the results were tremendous. He
was just raking in the blues! 
That saying "you can't have your cake
and eat it, too" never made sense to me. Why have cake
if you can't eat it? I've always believed that you CAN get
everything you want in a horse if you go about it the right
way. I don't believe in sacraficing gait for color...or
gait for mind. I believe in producing horses that are smooth
gaited, intelligent family and working horses who happen
to be gold in color.
In the Walking Horse Owners' Association's
2013 High Point list, Flame ranked
