Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Tradition Goes On




Clydesdale Creek Szumutku Farms is the name of my cousin's Farm and breading grounds. His father Joe passed away several years ago leaving the option to his family to continue farming as well as what then was merely a hobby of raising Clydesdale Horses.
The entire family farmed and raised these horses as a hobby. Devin’s father Joe started it all some 35 years ago. Joe and Delvin travelled throughout Canada showing their horses in parades and summer fairs. It started off as merely a hobby and then over the last 15 years by way of one famous breeder what was merely a hobby turned into a very lucrative business. Yet they still run the farm and tend to their horses as if they were part of the family. At this time the internet as we know it didn’t exist. word got around about a Hungarian which breaded Clydesdale Horses in this very small town in western Canada.
From then on Delvin has farmed as well as continued the family tradition. Some three years ago two of his Clydesdales were awarded as being the top two horses within the world. Forgive me as I can't recall the name of the organization. Five years ago two of their Clydesdales were declared within the top ten within the world. They were sold to another owner of Clydesdales in Minnesota. Aside of farming within this small town of Stockholm, Saskatchewan is a small town that is on the outskirts of Yorkton, Saskatchewan with predominantly people of the heritage of Hungarian as well as Swedish.
In speaking to Delvin I found out that his wife is in South Africa for family reasons and upon her return – shortly thereafter they will be leaving for Wisconsin as there is another show in which they shall be attending. While at the same time five of his horses make up the top tier of the famous Budweiser Clydesdale team of horses. Delvin does take all of the family horses seriously yet he never had an intention other than competing which he still does but he is one of the top breeders of Clydesdales within the world and to know Delvin or Louise - they have always had a humble way.
Delvin has always been seen as a part of the family as well as much like a brother in many ways and he is my first cousin from my mother’s side. He indicated to me without bragging as he is a very down to earth person. That probably goes along with the territory of being raised and having an easy going outlook with his wife as well as his aspirations. He is not one to brag, yet over the last ten years he has seen more of the world while still keeping a down to earth manner.
That's rather good for a very humble cousin who still to this day has not altered his philosophy of how he chooses to enjoy his horses as they are much like family for him and his wife. Delvin never intended to do anything more that what he and his father had done. Yet when he came to have so many offers then he and his wife Louise decided to take a tradition to the next level. I have never been back to his farm since I was a kid, yet they have been up here from time to time. Yet the merit of the tradition in which he decided to carry on – he has been very successful with these large and magnificent horses with historical roots that began in Clydesdale, Scotland. Yet even with the success he still maintains the very same manner and has changed to keep up with the modern age on his farm but you would never know in meeting or seeing him that success has changed him – as it hasn’t. I think that is what apart of his success story as well as his wife Louise.

47 comments:

  1. Hmmm. I am not so sure he would welcome me. lol

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  2. I am VERY impressed with these photos. I was raised around horses (mustangs) and saw my father help a mare deliver one. I used to ride all the time bareback as a kid.

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  3. His father started it and then he took it to the next level and
    still to this day regardless of his success he has remained
    very humble. Things began to start for him before the internet.

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  4. His intention was never anything but to just raise Clyesdales he is one of the top ten breeders literally within the
    world. When I arrived home here we talked and I thought he would send these tomorrow but his wife is down in
    South Africa and when she arrives home - next week there off to Wisconsin. So it is a business but he
    still has not changed. It's been a thirty year endeavor from which his father passed onto him.

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  5. How wonderful for him that he can do what he loves and be financially successful also.

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  6. It didnt come with ease but he married when he was 50. It has not been a perfect ride within his life.
    But what I find is that he has always kept a positive outlook and never takes things too serious. He
    has expanded in a minimal manner and there is something to be said for living within a rural setting
    as I believe the key to his success is merely a byproduct of what he loves. Mind you with the floodings
    which happened this year - while we talked on the telephone he wont be seeding this year but he plans
    and seemingly that has service Delvin well enough.

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  7. I love his eyes, he looks so sweet. And hey, he knew how to posed. Cool.

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  8. A tender touch only a good breeder could give.

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  9. Yeah when I arrived home I had these within my email and I thought why not. Thank you Maritess.

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  10. Horses are liked humans, that tender touch. Am just wondering how a breeder says his good-bye's to his horses ... when they're finally being sold out.

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  11. I myself have never been raised like most which were from my mother's side and that were all farmers and
    had crops but he took what his father started and even though he has done well and could call it quits
    at any time. It's his passion as well as his wife Louise.

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  12. this looks cool the only difference is that, it was cut

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  13. hahah amazing ... beautiful! and lovely.

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  14. Up above I wrote on him and yes he is. He now in late 50s, and his mother was my aunt. He lives four hours to the West from here.

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  15. You've done very well on capturing their beauty and sharing the tradition. They are awesome creatures, so beautiful! Makes a wonderful slideshow.

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  16. Beautiful horses. A farmer west of town has a few of them...

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  17. Vicki, most Clyesdale breeders from what I learned live all along the east coast of United States.
    There are horses and then there are Clyesdales and when you are right next to them it's
    truly an experience!

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  18. Hope this works - Vicki, from what I gather on this side of the pond the eastern usa is where most breeders reside.

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  19. They are here within the city that I live there is one large Arabian breeder whom
    I placed in contact with my cousin as right now my cousins website is under construction.
    When I was a kid we would drive for three days and then for one night do a stop over and
    I will never forget this cousin's brother whom is my age running over at the age of 5 with
    this monster of a horse.

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  20. Rashmi last night when I arrived in as soon as we finished talking he said he was going out to
    feed. So I didnt think I would get anything till today but ironically he a large some and I have
    never been back to this place since I was 17. Yet I would not dare doing anything with
    this puppy hanging around. :)

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  21. I have never seen them close up for the longest but it's
    obvious within the pictures he sent of how much he
    cares with them and doesnt look at them as investments.
    Where there are many that do.

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  22. These pictures are great...these horses are beautiful.

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  23. Awwh...look at the three little ones playing !

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  24. After this weekend my cousin is off to Wisconsin.

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  25. That's true.Some breeders are in it for the money...but he is " imprinting " here with the foal and what a beauty.You can tell that he loves his baby and it's not the money.

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  26. what a cute picture...are they playing a game? sure looks like follow the leader...or simon says..lol

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  27. awwwww that is so tender. Looks like love at first kiss.

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  28. beautiful horses, thank you for sharing them with us and the story of your family

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  29. My cousin emailed me these and I could not say. :)

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