By Mitzi Oxford
The Bible teaches that faith in God, and the stewardship of one's family come long before worldly wealth or work. Many entrepreneurs credit keeping faith and family before business leads to success. Herbert and Jill Derickson would agree. Their training and breeding facility, 4 The Glory Farms, has produced champion Tennessee Walking Horses by following that Golden Rule. It comes naturally to both of them and their family.
From the beginning
Herbert grew up in Stanton, Kentucky. He played basketball in high school and has continued to love playing and watching basketball all his life. He even played for a couple of years in the local Senior Olympics basketball league. You might be surprised to know that he is also quite the musician and played drums and sang with multiple groups for weddings and other events, every genre from country to jazz and rock.
“I had three dreams back then, to be an NBA basketball player, a professional musician and to train Tennessee Walking Horses,” Herbert explained.
He may shoot a hoop now and then, but music and horses are still a major part of his life. He has served as the music leader at Midland Heights Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee, since 2007. He has sung the National Anthem at least 50 times at horse shows, including for the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.
Lessons from my father
Herbert’s father, Herbert “H.T.” Derickson III, passed away last year, but left a lifetime of memories for his family. He was a successful horse trainer with many world champions to his credit.
If you knew H.T., he never missed an opportunity to tell you about his Lord and Savior, his love for his family and his horse training ability, in that order. He had numerous accomplishments in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, including President and Hall of Fame inductee of the KWHA, original and a founding member of the WHTA licensing program, winner of numerous world championships and trainer of notable horses such as Rock A Bye Lady, Handshaker's Candy, Lady Of Masterpiece, A Walking Dream, Ace's Fargo and A Promise Of Pride.
“He put me on a pony at the age of three. He felt the horse community was a safe place for his five children, but the greatest gift he gave me was showing me how to live my life as a Christian,” explained Herbert.
His dad also gave him the foundation for training a walking horse and what to work for, including a long stride, a big head shake, the different cadence and rhythms, because it is what makes the breed unique.
“I also miss a good canter. When I was growing up, there was no such thing as no canter. It’s a classic gait, graceful and beautiful. I miss the emphasis on the rocking chair canter,” said Herbert.
Jill + Herbert = Love and success
While Herbert grew up in a large family in Kentucky, Jill Brundige was surrounded by three older brothers and grew up on a farm in a western suburb of Chicago, Sugar Grove, Illinois.
Her father, John, was bestowed the title of Kentucky Colonel, honoring his strength of character, leadership and dedication to the welfare of others. Her mother, Marie, rode Saddlebreds in college but unfortunately suffered an accident that broke her back.
“Around the late 1960’s my mom started researching and ended up buying a couple of Tennessee Walking horses through Buddy Kirby and Wallace Brandon. One of them was HH Midnight Star, and we still have one of her offspring that our granddaughters show!” explained Jill.
Herbert and Jill met on the Kentucky show circuit, both showing horses and both families very involved in the Walking Horse industry. After they married, they decided to make the move to Tennessee.
After they established a training barn in Shelbyville and it started to grow, Herbert told Jill, “I’m going to have to hire someone to keep track of the books. Jill was already working for The Walking Horse Report in that capacity. Her response was, “Why not me?” It was another match made in heaven.
The way they describe each other could be a script for a book or movie.
“Herbert is the greatest guy in the world. He is patient. He is a Godly man. He is the greatest horseman ever, and I love to hear him sing. I am his biggest fan,” said Jill.
Herbert echoes those sentiments about his wife.
“Jill is the best support system ever. She is the most selfless person I’ve ever known. She makes life about everyone else,” said Herbert.
The Derickson’s have four children, Maria, Erica, Thomas and William. They are all involved in showing horses, as are their five grandchildren or at least the three that are old enough to ride.
Herbert and Jill consider that accomplishment one of their greatest achievements, which completes their family, at least for now.
Coming up next
As the TWHNC runs from August 26 through September 5, look for Derickson entries. They will be there loud and proud.
Look for Herbert and Wartrace Grand Champion Charles Lindbergh 4G. Watch for Herbert and son Thomas Derickson on other contenders such as Three-Year-Old Wartrace Champion, Chill Bill 4G; 15.2 & Under Champion, Oh My Black Betty and World Grand Champion and two-time World Champion Capri, recent unanimous winner of the Money Tree Three-Year-Old Mares class.
Herbert has won World Championships and World Grand Championships with two-, three- and four-year-old contenders, but never the big one. His son Thomas has been fortunate enough to win World Championships and World Grand Championships with the younger horses as well. Between the breeding programs, raising colts, training and showing, some great horses have come out of 4 the Glory Farms.
“People get upset about losing, but I don’t think of it that way. God has blessed me immeasurably, and I remind myself of that at the end of the day and the end of the show. I’ve started and finished several great horses. I am complete, regardless,” says Herbert.