Belgian draft horses make big impression at Sarasota Polo Club

James Miller, the owner of the Sarasota Polo Club with his wife, Misdee, has more pull than ever around Lakewood Ranch.

No, not that kind of pull.

Miller purchased two Belgian draft horses for this polo season to pull the wagon full of kids at halftime. 

Bud, who weighs 2,200 pounds, and Charlie, who weighs 2,000 pounds, made their debut Dec. 31 after arriving from Defiance, Ohio. Miller asked trainer Alan Freitag to find him two "well-tempered" draft horses to pull the wagon.

The horse-drawn wagon, previously with two Clydesdales doing the work, was a fan favorite at the polo club until the past two seasons when a tractor has pulled the wagon. George Alexander, who owned the Clydesdales and drove the wagon, retired, so Miller had to switch to the wagon instead.

Photo by Jay Heater

Having two Belgian draft horses pull the wagon, as Miller puts it, is a "sight to see."

Bud and Charlie, both 8-year-old geldings, are actually heavier than most Clydesdales and just as tall. Miller noted that the white on both Bud and Charlie indicated the two horses have some Clydesdales breeding in their background.

Freitag, an expert trainer in draft horses, found Bud and Charlie in Defiance, Ohio.

Miller said Freitag is a one-of-a-kind trainer when it comes to draft or driving horses.

"I feel blessed we have Alan working for us," Miller said. "I knew he would bring his skill set to the barn, and we wanted to bring (horses pulling the cart at halftime) back. We wanted to be able to share this with the community."

Photo by Jay Heater

Miller said Freitag worked with them every day as opening day approached to make sure their temperament was just right.

"You have to look out for kids running up in front of them and beside them," said Freitag, who drives the wagon. "They are gentle giants, … that is true. And they are more than happy to please you. But any horse that is surprised will react, and this is a rookie pair."

This was a long-tern investment for Miller.

"There is no reason these horses can't work for 10 years," Freitag said.