Welcome to Whiskey Run Sport Horses!
Jamie and Whiskey
A little bit about Whiskey Run and head trainer Jamie Heflin:
I'll never have a fixed notion of what level horses must get to or what discipline they must excel in. That takes all of the fun out of it! Instead, I bring out the horse's best attributes to find what they love and are great at. Every horse has potential and it's my job to let it shine!
My training program is fun, enjoyable and rewarding for horses! I train incrementally and horses blossom from every session. It's amazing how quickly an unhandled skittish horse turns into a trusted mount. When training is positive with correct timing, horses instantly absorb it! You end up with a quiet, confident horse that you can do anything with!
I am always bringing babies along. Most of the young horses I've trained are successfully shown by kids and amateurs. My horses, at just 4 and 5 years old, are quieter and more level-headed than most horses twice and even three times their senior. My initial training focuses on the mind, exposure and getting the horse to think his way to the right answer. Outside miles always come before the arena work.
About the trainer, Jamie Heflin:
Training horses has always been a passion of mine. Whiskey Run is named after the love of my life: Whiskey (pictured above). Whiskey started out as a backyard western horse, afraid of sticks and poles on the ground, but turned out to be an amazing eventer that loves to jump! He can do several tricks and always comes when I call him; which is very convenient when I need the entire herd to come in! I can hop on him bareback, bridleless and go anywhere. He is and will always be my closest friend and partner.
Horses have been my greatest teachers. Whiskey, always offering a surprise around every corner, taught me many life-saving reactions as well as how to communicate and work with difficult horses. Over the last 20 years, I've had the opportunity to ride and bring along amazing Grand Prix level horses as well as start and finish over a hundred horses, many of which were never handled before. These opportunities have sculpted me into the rider and trainer I am today.
I'm a bit different from other trainers, or so I like to think :). My experience with horses helped me have a successful career running operations for a national law firm. I excel at efficiency, strategy, proactiveness and improvement; bringing out the best in everything I work with. Just as I would analyze a new group for its strengths, weaknesses and potential for growth, each horse I work with goes through the same process. A natural leader, I enjoy creative solutions and am able to make each step for the horse a successful one. My training is smart, strategic and the path is different for every horse I bring along. Understanding how they handle different situations, the way they think and react gives me every advantage to know how to train them to ensure they reach their highest potential.
I absolutely love starting horses! Yes, there are many steps involved and it does take time but it's always worth it! A proper foundation is essential as the horse always goes back to it since it's the first thing he learned. Just like a rider needs to have strong basics, a horse needs to have a great foundation and that's what I love to build!
Jamie on Toga at Aspen Farm, WA
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Jamie on Toga at Aspen Farm, WA
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Jamie on Whiskey at Loch Moy
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Jamie on Whiskey ponying Toga on a 4 day packing trip in WA
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