Name: Todd Ball
In Town: Todd is one of three owners of Cedar Creek Inc., a wholesaler of wood products, siding, flooring, trusses, trim and more, for home and commercial construction. Todd is the sales manager, he develops all the marketing, manages inventory and right now, his favorite task, is completing the company’s 14,000 sq. ft. show cabin at their Springfield, Mo., location.
In the Country: Todd runs 28 horses at his family farm. He has 60 acres including a small polo field and a riding arena. Todd enjoys playing polo with the Springfield Polo Club and his son and daughter are active equestrians as well. “I’m interested in getting into cattle. Right now we just have a llama named Pepsi, who’s six months old.” As for polo playing equine stock, Todd said, “I’m looking for a typey Thoroughbred with the right conformation. Not too long, 15.1 or 15.2 hands. Good temperaments, handy. Sometimes an ugly horse plays the best.”
How do you balance time at your ranch and at work?
“My parents do a lot of work and we hire help. It is a family effort. My parents grew up on farms and they had cattle. My mom’s grandfather worked for Judge Yost on the original Cedar Croft ranch and that’s what we call our ranch now. Judge Yost was one judge up there and the other was Harry Truman.”
What is one goal for the future?
“Develop quality horses and get more land.”
What is the best horse advice you can give?
“Buy the best horses you can because they all eat the same.”
