RayGold Miniature Horses Jim Ramaker JJ's and Dant's Stories

Beginner's luck?

Competition driving was new to Jim Ramaker and, in fact, he had no intention of driving his own horse, a three year old miniature stallion, in a show ... let alone the Nationals!

His interest was initially fostered by his brother, Jerry, who lives in Rochester with his wife Sylvia and about 50 minis. With his wife Jackie, Jim would go to Rochester a couple times a month to visit his mother who is in a care center there. Every visit with Mom allowed them the opportunity to visit and tour Jerry's Miniature Horse facility.

So a few years ago, he accompanied Jerry on a shopping trip to Sheep Meadow Farm in Canada where Jim purchased two weanling fillies and a sorrel mare called Sheep Meadow Willow. Willow is the dam of Jerry's bay roan stallion - Sheep Meadow Whiz, twice a Top Ten winner at the national show. Willow was carrying JJ at the time of purchase and he is a full brother to Whiz.

Since Jackie and Jim live in town (Wells), he needed to find a place to keep the "girls." First the minis were located with his son Tim and Sara's Friesian horses. Pasture and space became a problem and he was very fortunate to find a great friend and mentor, LaVon Grau. LaVon was formerly an Arabian horse owner and had vast experience and knowledge in raising, training, and driving horses. Although horses were in her past, LaVon was excited about having horses around again, and rose to the challenge of helping Jim with his miniature horse venture.

LaVon warms up JJ before the 2 judges in the Albert Lea show give him 2 Grands.

When Willow foaled in 1998, everyone admired the stretchy young colt called JJ that paraded by her side. JJ grew to be a pretty little chestnut stallion, and it was in the summer of 2001 they came to realize that his sassy little trot, when confined in the limitations of a show harness, turned him into a competitive little driving horse.

JJ spent the summer under the supervision of Darren Rudeen at the Cannon River Prep Center in Cannon Falls. Although JJ was doing well in halter classes, it was then decided to put him in the "Country Pleasure" driving classes where his beauty in harness would be best portrayed.

Because of Darren's commitment to varsity football, he could not accompany JJ to the National Show. However, his parents were able to bring JJ along with them. Jim was a little nervous and anxious how this showing and driving would all unfold. Darren's parents said they would be happy to drive JJ in his classes, but under the premise and mission of the Prep Center - the Rudeens encouraged Jim to present JJ himself.

Jim had driving experience on the road and lane for JJ's exercising, but never in competition. Having never driven in any arena before, the National Show arena looked pretty big! Maybe he would give it a try, so during the noon break Jim practiced driving in the big arena. Following the instruction and support of many friends, JJ placed top ten in two driving classes before the Championship Sweepstake Class. As a final instruction for the stake class, Carrie Rudeen said to disregard her earlier comments about being careful and conservative and ask JJ for 110 percent. It was very exciting and Jim could hardly believe it when JJ came in second at the National Show and was awarded the Reserve National Grand Champion silver tray and ribbon for Country Pleasure Driving in the 32 inches and under class.

The Ramakers live in Wells, Minnesota and are both retired teachers with a combination of 77 years of teaching. Jackie taught lower elementary grades and Jim was a music teacher. They are the parents of three sons and grandparents of 12 and one great-grandchild. However, Jim still sells real estate part time when he is not working with the horses. Both Jim and Jerry grew up in Preston, Minnesota.

Kommandant is the second RayGold Grand Champion. "Dant" and JJ have the same dam, Willow. Dant's sire is Hartin's Toys Commanader, an AMHR National Champion, owned by Oneka Miniatures. Dant spent the summer of 2003 with the Barths at Showtime Training Center. He received numerous grands (59 points). He is 6th in the AMHR National All Star yearling stallions for 2003. And his winning didn't stop there. His 2004 wins: 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 Thanks to the Seversons, Tibbs and Manns for Dant's 2004 and 2005 success! Dant is now competing in harness classes.

"Dant"

Dant's 2004 AMHR Nationals and AMHA World Pictures