“She was such an easy ride, so I thought I’d specialize in Missouri Fox Trotter horses.” This is what Ervin Hill said about the first Missouri Fox Trotter that he bought and rode. Ervin, who had primarily rode traditional trotting horses, was impressed with the smoothness in the stride of the gaited horse. “It’s different than a trot of a Quarter Horse, the Fox Trotter always has at least one hoof on the ground,” explained Ervin, “they are very sure footed, and have an incredible sense of foot placement.” Ervin also went on to explain that Missouri Fox Trotter horses were bred and developed to handle the terrain of the Ozarks. The Fox Trotter is primarily a cross of the Tennessee Walking Horse, Morgan and American Saddlebred.
Ervin and his wife, Wilma, live just south of Diamond, Mo. Ervin is an Ozark’s native and was born in the community of Christopher Corners that was located just west of Boulder City. When Ervin was young, his family moved to Butler, Mo., where he was raised. Ervin stated, “I grew up on a farm and was always around horses.” Ervin and Wilma met while in college at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn. Wilma was raised in Portland, Tenn., on a farm. “We met at college, got married at 18 and moved to Missouri,” Wilma shared.
Ervin had a career with the Prudential Insurance Company, and in 1994 decided to buy a horse. “I had purchased a Quarter Horse mare. She was a nice mare, and I was wanting a horse that the grandchildren could ride.” After that, he purchased the Fox Trotter mare, “I began riding her, and I kept riding her, and then I sold the Quarter Horse.” Next, Ervin bought a 19-month-old horse that was later gelded. “He was a great horse. He took care of anyone who rode him,” Ervin said of the horse’s disposition.
Their horses are registered with the Missouri Fox Trotter Association. After the purchase of the young stallion, the Hill’s looked for more breeding stock. “I bought a real nice mare from a fellow east of Purdy, Mo. We called her “Roxy,” and her registered name was Tom’s Showbiz. I bred her to the colt and still have her mare.” That is their primary broodmare, “Fancy” (registered name, Victors Fancy Traveler) which they take to get bred every year. Wilma said, “She is now 17 years old and a really good momma.” Currently, they are taking her to the 2006 World Grand Champion stallion in Ava for breeding. “His name is Southern Playboy and he is a beautiful palomino,” said Ervin. Though the Hill’s do not show horses, they do sell the foals to people who do show them. “Fancy has raised the 3-year old World Grand Champion in performance class.”
Ervin has seen changes in the horse market through the years, particularly in recent years with the changes in economy. Another factor that Ervin sees is socially, “When I was growing up, kids dreamed of horses, there is a different attitude now,” explaining that kids are not necessarily interested in horse riding. When Ervin sees an opportunity to encourage youth in riding, he does what he can to motivate them.
“I have been able to market my horses, and have horses all over the United States. Last year I sold, on two different occasions, to Israel.” The opportunity to work with a horse broker in Israel has been interesting for Ervin, “It’s kind of a unique situation.” Ervin explained, “I took some horses to a Fox Trotter show in Ava, which is the first full weekend in September every year. They give the attendees the opportunity to take broke horses into the arena to parade around, and interested buyers can take a look at them and ask questions.” That is where he met and negotiated sales with the Israeli. He has developed a relationship with her and is currently working on future horse deals with her. Shipping oversees is complicated and involves specific crating, vaccinating and quarantining, which is costly and has to be well coordinated.
Besides the breeding and selling of his Fox Trotters, Ervin enjoys riding his horses, and takes them on riding vacations with family and friends. “I just got back from a trip on a Montana ranch where we helped round up cattle. We’ve been going there for three years now.”
Ervin and Wilma enjoy time spent with their church family at Hillcrest Church of Christ in Neosho, Mo. Ervin also enjoys working part time at the Neosho MFA. They have five children scattered throughout the states, 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, “and they are all so special to us,” shared Wilma, as she spoke of all of their children.
