Faces in Agriculture: Faces in Agriculture: Daryl Hopson—Renown Horse Trainer

Daryl Hopson is a nationally recognized Morgan horse competitor, carriage horse train er, and equine expert. He generously agreed to share some time with Agri-Times and tell us a few stories leading to his recognition in the world of horses . The Morgan horse breed is one of the earliest breeds developed in the U.S. In the 19th century the horses were used for coach horses, harness racing as well as for riding. Breed standards began as compact and refined in build. The Morgan has evolved into less compact but still characterized by strong legs, a prominent head, with a straight or slightly convex profile, large eyes, well-defined withers, back and shoulders, and an upright, well arched neck. The first Morgan breed registry began in 1909. When Daryl was 10 years old he saw a pony for sale for $100. “I want a pony, I want a pony” he said repeatedly to his parents. To keep peace in the family, they purchased the pony and pastured it on their 1 acre lot in Walla Walla, He began his 4-H career with an older horse, (cost $500) showing at the Walla Walla Fair and received largely white ribbons for his efforts. The next horse was purchased from a neighbor with Arabian-Appaloosa breeding that he showed in 4-H classes. He competed in 4-H horse club through high school and credits all the encouragement and understanding he received at that time for his desire to continue working with horses. His experience training Morgan horses began his senior year in high school when employed by Judy Czyhold at Maxon Stables, Walla Walla. Daryl was changing irrigation pipe in the field when a client wanted to use the stables to train their Morgan horses. He assisted in the training and was able to attend the Grand National World Championship Morgan horse show in Oklahoma City as their horses competed. He then attended Walla Walla Community College for two years before attending and graduating from Gonzaga College to become an accountant. Still infatuated with Morgan horses at 24 years of age he purchased a Morgan horse. He trained the horse and was awarded the Reserve World Champion Morgan in Hunter Pleasure class, selling the horse afterwards for $15,000. He was hooked! We toured the beautiful horse barn viewing horses in the stalls. An automatic mister keeps f lies to a minimum in the barn. The horses in the stalls all have their tails gathered and wrapped which promotes growth and the tail ends do not break. The Morgan horses glamorously display long tails in the show ring. An indoor arena is attached to the barn which allows ground work and under-saddle training with the horses year around. Four full time employees keep the barn and horses in tip top shape. “I enjoy the challenge of working with strong, sensitive horses” said Hopson. He usually rides stallions in competition. “Bold horses are often scored higher in competition. The horses need to display an attitude when they enter the show ring” said Hopson. A lifetime Morgan horse owner, Beverley Olson, asked Hopson to train her Morgan mare, Tracemark Touch of Gold. At the first competitive event showing the mare met with little success. However, Olson had strong faith in her horse. Humbly, Hopson began attentively listening to the mare and began to recognize that each horse communicates differently. The mare was difficult but ultimately capable of winning when treated with a mutual respect. The mare subsequently won the 2011 World National Champion Western Pleasure at the national Morgan contest in Oklahoma City. They later entered the mare in the carriage event, Hopson at the reins and Olson at his side, receiving a Reserve World Carriage title. More often stallions are crowned champions. Hopson became involved with draft horses in 2013. The Walla Walla Fair remodeled their stage coach and he began working with draft horses to pull the coach. He guides the Stage Coach during the fair and parade events. Hopson has 8 draft horses including two young Amish raised horses in training. Hopson's national reputation working with draft horses was expanding as he was contacted by Michele MacFarlane, owner of Scripts Mirmar Ranch, a presti gious equestrian facility in San Diego. She purchased two draft horses from him. The pair were “wheelers” (which means they pull from the position closest to the wheels of the vehicle) and they should be strong and reliable. This year she requested his assistance in leading her wagon entry, Scripts Mirmar Ranch, in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA. Hopson showed us his wagon and carriage collections stored in the barn. He had a horse drawn Omnibus built in Poland and shipped to Walla Walla. It is a beautiful double decker horse-drawn touring wagon with a spiral staircase to the upper deck. Another interesting wagon was a chuck wagon with pup trailer that was purchased at auction that has the 6666 brand (Four Sixes Ranch, Guthrie TX) on the tailgate. Under the pup trailer a cowhide was suspended so cowboys could collect buffalo chips along the way, for the evening campfire while out on the range. Daryl Hopson has been a life long supporter of the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days. He served as President of the fair board and later acting interim Fair manager for 18 months, resigning Oct 2016. Hopson has a long list of accomplishments in the Morgan horse breed. He has won the World National Champion Western Pleasure title 4 times on three different horses. He was awarded the Golden Reins Award in 2024 by American Morgan Horse Assn. honoring his 30 years of service to the breed. He is also an approved show judge for Morgans, recently judging a carriage class in Massachusetts. Daryl Hopson has made a difference in peoples lives, from supporting the Walla Walla Fair to his involvement in the Morgan Horse Association. Organizations have been better for his passion and involvement as a horseman, a leader, a mentor, and a friend.