Interview with
Brereton Chandler Jones
Image of BC Jones courtesy of Airdrie Stud.
All rights reserved.
This exclusive interview with Governor Brereton Chandler Jones, former US Governor from the State of Kentucky and Thoroughbred horse breeder of Airdrie Stud was conducted by Nicola Linza and Cristoffer Neljesjö in Midway, Kentucky during March 2013
Why did you start Airdrie?
From the time I was old enough to walk I have loved horses, cattle, and all farm animals. I can remember when I was no more than five or six years old when people would ask me what I was going to do when I grew up and I always said, “I am going to raise horses in Kentucky.” Then they would look at each other and wonder where did that boy get such a crazy idea? However, it always seemed very logical to me and I am so thankful and blessed that I was given the opportunity to fulfill my dream.
What is it about breeding that you find most appealing?
I think it’s the challenge of trying to create a superior animal that can compete at the highest level. I remember some of the conversations I had as a young man, long before I was old enough to finish school, that when I was asked what races I wanted to win there was never any doubt as I would boldly state, “the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks.” We haven’t bred the Derby winner yet but we have been blessed to breed the Oaks winner in two of the last five years. Of course, that really whets the appetite to get that Derby victory.
Can you briefly describe the Kentucky Equine Education Project?
If Kentucky is to remain the Horse Capitol of the World, which many of us
believe it is, then we have to work hard to maintain the opportunities that
will attract breeders to the Bluegrass. It only seemed logical to me that we
should setup an organization that has a knowledgeable equine local organization
in each of our 120 counties. By having this kind of unity it allows the equine
voice to be heard in our state capitol and, of course, this helps to make sure
that the industry has equal opportunities with every other state in the nation.
How do you work to maintain the quality of the breeding for the next
generation?
I think that the success of our industry depends upon
the focus that we put on the honest quality of our breeding program by sending
the proper message to all who participate that dishonesty will not be tolerated
and those who violate the rules will be permanently barred from participation.
Describe the feeling of riding your own
Thoroughbred on your own land on a beautiful sunny morning.
All horses, regardless of their breeding, are capable of giving their owner
phenomenal satisfaction particularly as they ride or drive in open spaces on a
clearly beautiful day. While the foundation of Airdrie Stud is with registered
thoroughbreds, I can assure you that every breed has an innate ability to
thrill and satisfy anyone who gives it the proper care.
What do you enjoy doing at your leisure?
What leisure? It’s much more fun to stay busy if you’re doing something that
you really love. Let the record show that no one loves the horse industry more
than I.
The above interview with Governor Brereton Chandler Jones 2013 © Manner of Man Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction is strictly prohibited without written permission from the publisher.
