RayGold Miniature Horses
Jim Ramaker


In Memory of 'Dant'

The National Champion's death was a shocker. 'Dant' was a five year old stallion, a repeat winner at both the National Miniature Horse Show in Tulsa and the World Show in Fort Worth. His death was due to a battle with another stallion which happens to be his eight year old half brother, JJ. Stress was the diagnosed cause of his death. The post mortem revealed his 'gut' was ulcerated and toxins poisoned his body.

The scenario goes like this: The box stall door must not have been completely secure. JJ got out of the box stall, went out into the yard and crashed the panels of Dant's paddock and Dant was beat up. When Jim found him, his physical injuries did not seem extremely serious. The problems seemed to be the tendons on one of his hind legs and a chewed up muzzle that would need stitches in and out. We have no idea how long the struggle lasted. Dant raimed with the vet for two days and had been recovering at home for three days. The night before he died Dant was checked at 9:00 PM and appeared to be OK. His grain intake was limited, but Jim thought that maybe it was due to the injries in his mouth. It was a shocking, unbelievable image when Dant was found the following morning streteched out and not breathing. "I was just stunned", Jim said.

There is a possibility that Dant will father six foals in 2008, two in the RayGold barn and four outside mares. Jim has a yearling Dant filly (Tess) who received a Reserve Grand Champion at the MN State Fair in 2007. Dant's other yearling filly, Ramaker Radiance by Design, won two Junior Reserve Champion and two Reserve Champion Mare overall at Sioux Falls, and at the Huron State Fair, Jr. Grand Champion Mare, Overall Grand Champion Mare, and Champion of Champions. Radiance is owned by the Bondes of Brookings who purchased her from Jim's brother, Jerry. Jerry happens to have forty quality minis for sale, 20 of which are bred mares.

Hopefully Dant's beautify body will be seen in new offspring. Jim has not given up on the showing bug. He may take JJ, who was a National Reserve Grand Champion in driving a few years back. JJ was also shown in halter at the Nationals when he was a yearling. There were 78 in his class. One judge gave him 2nd place, but the other two judges did not place him. He was rated 11th, so he missed the top ten ribbon by one.

Dant's dam was Sheep Meadow Willow. She was a Canadian import and was in foal with JJ in '98. Willow was from the Bond line. Jerry's stallion, Whiz, was a Willow foal. Dant's sire was a National AMHR Champion, Hartin's Toys Commander, sired by the 1993 AMHA National Champion, Bond A Toy For UC. Commander is owned by Carrie Rudeen.

Jackie & Jim appreciate the support and concrns from many of the mini families and friends. THANKS! Special thanks to the Seversons of Toys Miniatures who showed Dant the past couple of years.
RayGold Ramaker Kommandant
  • 2003 AMHR National Reserve Champion
  • 2004 AMHR National Futurity Champion 2 Year Old Stallion 33" & Under
  • 2004 AMHR National Top Ten Amageur Junior Stallions
  • 2004 AMHR Top Ten Stallion Owned & Bred by Exhibitor
  • 2004 AMHR (member of) Top Ten Get of Sire
  • 2004 AMHR Hall of Fame
  • 2004 AMHR National Top Ten (3rd) All Star
  • 2004 AMHA World Top Ten Amateur Junior Stallion
  • 2004 AMHA World Top Ten 2 Year Old Stallion
  • 2005 AMHR 2 National Top Tens and multiple champions
  • 2006 AMHR National Top Ten 3 times
  • 2006 National All Star Reserve Champion
  • 2006 AMHA Area VI All Star awards:
    • Senior Stallion -Champion
    • Grand Champion Stallion
    • Aged Stallion-Reserve Champion
  • 2006 AMHA Top Ten Honor Roll
Thanks to the Seversons, Tibbs and Manns for Dant's 2004, 2005 and 2006 success!

"Dant"

Dant's 2004 AMHR Nationals and AMHA World Pictures