Press Release
Walsh Harness & Saddlery Hires Horsewoman Nancy Johansson
Brookfield, WI---Horsewoman Nancy Johansson has been appointed to the Walsh Harness & Saddlery sales team.
Johansson, 30, of Allentown, N.J., will focus on expanding Walsh’s products to both the Standardbred and Thoroughbred audiences, and will assist in boosting the company’s international presence.
“Nancy brings a wealth of knowledge to Walsh,” Paul Trieber, Walsh President and CEO stated. “Besides her lifelong, hands-on experience with world-class horses, Nancy has business savvy and integrity that is second to none. As well, she’ll be very successful in our research and development because of her experience and passion for horses.”
Johansson is the daughter of Hall of Fame Standardbred conditioner Jimmy Takter. In addition to being the caretaker of champions Tom Ridge, Muscle Massive, Passionate Glide and Simply Business, Johansson has served as the barn manager for Takter’s multi-million dollar earning stable for the past decade.
“I fell in love with Standardbreds from the time I could walk and follow my father to the barn,” Johansson explained. “In the past two years, the four horses I’ve taken care of have earned over $4 million, and all of them have worn Walsh equipment. In the barn I’m very particular about my equipment and have always emphasized the importance of having great equipment on my horses. When you’re involved in a sport where the fifth of a second can make the difference in winning $200,000 or $10,000, having the best equipment is paramount to success.”
Walsh Harness & Saddlery was founded in 1914, and since then has supplied the global horse industry with quality products known for their craftsmanship and longevity. All of Walsh’s items are 100% American made at their Brookfield, Wisconsin facility.
“When Paul Trieber bought Walsh, I established a relationship with him that was mutually beneficial,” Johansson recalled. “I was very up front with him and would tell him what I liked or didn’t like about a product, and how I thought it could be improved. Eventually, when he wanted to launch a new product, he’d send it to me to evaluate and make suggestions.
“Properly fitting equipment is so important to the comfort of the horses,” Johansson stressed. “Paul is sincerely concerned that the Walsh product is useable and comfortable for the horses, and he stands behind everything he sells one hundred percent. Walsh may be more expensive than some equipment, but it is the best quality on the market.”
Johansson brings a global presence to Walsh, Treiber believes. “Nancy has countless contacts in both the Standardbred and Thoroughbred industries, and will help open the door into some new European markets. Since she’s hands-on with the horses, she easily relates to our customers and their needs,” Treiber confirmed.
“One of my goals is to reach a larger market, and at the same time still care for the person with a two to three horse stable,” Johansson offered. “We’re working on putting together a Standardbred-specific catalog for racehorses that will be set up in an uncomplicated fashion so that trainers can go through it and quickly order items they need.”
Fluent in Swedish as well as English, the multi-talented Johansson says she is confident she can expand Walsh’s sales to the Scandinavian and European markets.
“Through my international contacts, I hope to increase Walsh’s overseas market,” she revealed. “Walsh is extremely respected in Europe, but it’s not always easy to find our products there. I hope to make a difference in that arena.
“I believe I can get the Walsh voice heard in the Thoroughbred industry,” Johansson added. “My understanding of horseracing and of the equine athlete in general has given me a great appreciation for the Thoroughbred racehorse.”
Johansson is married to catch-driver Marcus Johansson and is mother to Ella, 7, and Marcus, Jr., 4.
Walsh is active in the horseracing and equine industry through their sponsorships with the Harness Horse Youth Foundation and U.S. Hunter Jumper Association.
Press Release
Champion Road Pony Beaulah Jean Wins with Walsh!
Lexington, KY--On Sunday, August 22, at the Kentucky State Fair World’s Champion Horse Show, Golden Creek Farm’s Beaulah Jean became a three-time consecutive World Grand Champion Road Pony. Beaulah Jean is a 9-year-old Hackney-bred, conditioned brilliantly by veteran trainer Tom Lowry, who works closely with Walsh Harness and Saddlery to find the right fit for his classy mare.
“We worked on this together,” said Lowry about his relationship with Paul Treiber, President and CEO of Walsh Harness & Saddlery. “The harness Beaulah Jean wears is the same she’s been wearing since she was four. Paul was able to put together a harness that you can go anywhere to show in and be proud of. We put it on Beaulah Jean the first time just to try it on her and she’s worn it every trip since.”
“Paul wanted to make a harness that looked first rate and would be a nice harness, but not have to charge the high prices that many others cost.”
Lowry has been training horses for Mary Gaylord McClean’s Golden Creek Farm for more than 20 years and he uses a plethora of Walsh products in addition to the harness.
“We use fleeces, fuzzies, racing boots, shin guards, all kinds of stuff. You see Walsh products being used by everybody in our industry now, where before you only saw a few people use them.”
“Paul tries to cater to the needs of anyone who wants a new product. He’ll sit down with them and he’ll make that product for them. I know quite a few people who had an idea who went to Paul and he and his team got it done.”
Tom Lowry, the champion trainer always says: “If it’s good enough for Beaulah Jean, it’s good enough for you.”
User Testimonial
"I don't know about you, but over the years I have tried many different halter brands. I have tried leather and nylon halters. Just about everything and every time I come back to a leather halter from Walsh. They look very nice and are so durable. I have one horse that is just so hard on halters. I have tried nylon break away halters with her and they only last a month. I tried the cheaper leather halters with her as well thinking since she is retired and is just turned out why spend a little extra for the Walsh leather halter. Again I think the inexpensive leather halter only lasted 3 months. So I went back to a Walsh leather halter with her and she has now been wearing it for a year and it still looks great and is in one piece. Well worth the money!"
Chris Lee, www.theharnessshoponline.com
Trade Shows a Success
Thank you to all our dealers who visited us at The Denver Market and the AETA International Trade Fair. We enjoyed meeting with you and look forward to when we can meet up again.