Timberlane Denmark, a.k.a., "Marka" was foaled in April 1963. He was my first horse and a registered American Saddlebred. When I brought him home in the fall of 1964 he was unbroke, thin, and in need of much loving care. He was sired by Americus Denmark. I spent the winter working with a veterinarian to regain his health and doing basic ground work in the hope that in the spring he could be broke to drive. He was an easy and intelligent gelding to train. Although he was only ground driven, that experience made the saddle and trust in a rider an easy transition. By his fourth year he was a well-trained, athletic saddlehorse with experience in trail riding as well as an emerging style for the show ring. He won his first show pleasure horse class at the Iowa State Fair in 1968. This was the beginning of a long career in American Saddlebred Show Pleasure classes and later in his life as a five gaited pleasure horse. I trained him to slow gait and rack when he was 12 years old.
As the years went by he earned more than 67 first places in American Saddlebred Pleasure Horse classes, was Iowa'a high point American Saddlebred Pleasure Horse several times, and also taught several children how to ride.
Marka was also a very versatile horse...not only showy and graceful under a flat saddle but very willing to relax and work as a western pleasure horse.
He won a versatility championship at the Illinois State Fair Grounds at an American Saddlebred Pleasure Horse Association show late in his career.
Marka quietly crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 1993 in his 30th year...he is waiting for me there at the other side...
photos by Jane Swanson
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