Richard Vicker inducted into the Iowa Draft Pony
Hitch Association Hall of Fame.
By July 4th,
1975 Richard had acquired 4 ponies and a small 4 wheel cart.
With the
help of sons Ron, Rod and Roger and 3 grandchildren they entered their
first
parade. So, began Vicker Pony Farm and a family affair with draft
ponies.
A year later Richard had found a matched 4 up
hitch. Then he
began going to shows, especially the Boone Draft Pony show and the Iowa
State
Fair.
When Richard ordered his first hitch wagon from
Neal Sesker,
Richard stated it was only for giving the grandchildren rides. Neil
replied
“That’s what they all say.”
Early on all of the family was gathered at
Richard’s house
for Christmas. One grandchild had a cold and couldn’t go out to the
ponies so
Richard brought a pony named Charlie into the kitchen. This started a
tradition
that lasted till the grandchildren were grown. When the grandchildren
were
small they didn’t ask for gifts. It was always “What pony do we get to
bring in
this year.” For the record there was no quote accidents unquote.
Ray Kammin really enjoyed making a beautiful set
of harness
for the ponies. Richard was always very proud of Ray’s harness.
At one Iowa State Fair show everyone was lined up
when the
fireworks started at the grandstand. Roger’s Doc pony went straight up
in the
air and came down on the other side of his mate. Richard says he can
still see
pony friends jumping the railing and coming to help get things back to
normal.
Richard loved taking his ponies to parades and
nursing home
as well as shows.
Other people’s enjoyment of his ponies was
Richard’s big
joy.
At the Iowa State Fair it was Richard’s custom to
tie all 14
ponies with their heads facing the aisle so visitors could pet them.
One
evening a blind girl in a wheelchair covered with balloons was wheeled
up to a
pony named Doc. Ordinarily Doc would back up from strangers but this
night he
stood like a statue while the girl ran her hands all over his face many
times.
The grandchildren rode with grandpa in many shows.
When he
placed the kids got the credit because they smiled at the judge.
For Richard one of the highlights of his showing
career came
in 1983 – Ponies from his farm took 1st 2nd and 3rd
in the Iowa State Fair 4 up hitch class.
In 1979 Richard began raising registered Welsh
ponies which
he is still doing but due to health reasons he is no longer able to
show them.
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