Page 110 - December 2017

“We were very fortunate, as Dad was a very good horseman.”
RALPH HAGLUND
by John Moorehouse
Ralph Haglund caught his first up-close-and- personal glimpse of the world of horse racing by watching them run at county fairs on dirt tracks that also were used to race stock cars. He purchased his first yearling in 1968, and began a career in the busi-
ness that has spanned almost 5 decades. Along the way, Haglund—who recently retired—became a fixture in both the owner & trainer standings for Quarter Horses each year at Canterbury Park in his home state of Minnesota. One of Haglund’s proudest achievements, however, has nothing to do with the winner’s circle. He has been volunteering as the chair of the Minnesota Quarter Horse Racing Association’s online stallion service auction. Under his guidance, the 2017 auction saw signifi- cant increases in both stallions breedngs sold and donated.
“With this it allows those who purchase to pur- chase at reduced rates making the stallions’ progeny eligible for a restricted stakes race which also pays out stallion and breeder’s awards,” said Haglund, who is featured in our latest Lighter Side.
Q: Where were you born?
A: Alexandria, Minnesota.
Q: What hobbies do you have outside of the horse business?
A: Not really sure if you would call this a hobby, but with 6 grandchildren (3 boys & 3 girls) and all being very active in dance, cheerleading stunt competition, gymnastics, foot- ball, wrestling & dirt bike racing, that occupies any time I have left over. This leaves no time to snow ski, hunt or fish.
Q: What is your favorite movie and why?
A: “Eight Seconds.” I have been around a few bull riders and appreciate what they go through chasing from rodeo to rodeo to get that chance to ride a very powerful, ath- letic bull. These riders have both courage and are athletic.
Q: Any interesting facts about your family?
A: I grew up on a small dairy farm with five broth-
ers. Dad started buying us horses when, every time he checked on us, we were riding his dairy heifers. We were very fortunate, as Dad was a very good horseman.
Q: What is the strangest personality quirk you have seen in a horse?
A: I have a Teller Cartel mare that while waiting for her grain and while eating her grain, she will curl her left front leg and hold it curled until she is about half done eating. She has had two foals, an Ocean Runaway and a Jess Jones, both do the same thing.
Q: If you were not in the horse racing industry, what job would you like to have? A: Most likely working with rodeos—staying in my comfort zone.
Q: What is your favorite thing about living where you live?
A: All of the people that live around us. We live 8 miles from three different small towns, the largest is about 700 people; the smallest, 100. So, no matter what type of community function you attend, people know who you are there.
Q: If you could vacation anywhere on
the planet, where would you go and what would you do there?
A: Now that I have recently retired, I may do some vaca- tions. I will choose attending livestock shows and rodeos.
Q: If you could sit and visit with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why? A: Dr. Glenn Blodgett. I have only had one short phone conversation with him. After the conversation, I felt he was a man with a wealth of knowledge.
Q: What drink would your friends describe you as, and why?
A: Most likely a beer. Once you open the can, you know what is inside.
Q: Who’s your favorite athlete of all time, and why?
A: Kirby Puckett. Hitting the home run in game 6 of the World Series to send the series into game 7, which the Minnesota Twins went on to win the series in 1991.
Q: If you were making a movie about yourself, who would you cast to play you, and why?
A: Tim McGraw. He is just a down-to-earth person.
Q: What’s one thing you don’t like about Quarter Horse racing?
A: Uneven track surfaces that affect the outcome of the finish.
Q: What’s one thing you like about Quarter Horse racing?
A: It certainly would be the quickness they have away from the gates along with how some will draw away from others with speed, or even that very tight finish.
John Moorehouse
108 SPEEDHORSE, December 2017
THE LIGHTER SIDE