06/03/2026
✨125 Miles in Less Than 30 Hours✨
How a 40 Year Breeding Program Built a Horse to Go the Distance!
For generations, Smokey Valley Farms has been committed to breeding and finishing some of the finest traveling horses to be found anywhere. Developed from the highest standards of the Tennessee Walking Horse gene pool, Smokey Valley Horses combine the natural gait, athleticism, and disposition that have made the breed famous with the endurance and versatility required for today’s demanding riders. Most Smokey Valley Horses are double registered as both Smokey Valley Horses and Tennessee Walking Horses and are bred and proven to be smooth, fast, and relentless. These qualities, combined with sound, willing minds, exceptional athleticism, and sure-footedness, have enabled us, and many fortunate owners of these horses, to enjoy a high level of equestrian sport that we call Performance Trail Riding.
Performance Trail Riding involves covering a wide variety of terrain, including rough, rocky, winding, and twisting trails while traveling at the speed the trail allows. It requires a special kind of equine athlete and rider. While not for everyone, this style of riding can become highly appealing (and even addictive!) for those willing to pursue it.
✨A Smokey Valley Success Story✨
Approximately 18 months ago, we placed a horse named Smokey Valley War Paint with Tracy Fink of Mesa, Arizona. Tracy is an accomplished endurance rider who was searching for a horse that could be both smooth and competitive following back surgery.
War Paint, a four year old gelding at the time, checked every Smokey Valley box, smooth, fast, and relentless.
The results of this partnership have been nothing short of remarkable. Tracy and War Paint spent much of their first year together dominating 25-mile endurance events throughout the Southwest AERC region. More recently, they have successfully stepped up to 50-mile competitions and consecutive day 50-mile events. Based on their continued success, it appears that a seriously competitive 100-mile team is on the horizon.
✨Tracy Fink & War Paint’s Recent Accomplishments✨
Over the weekend of May 30th and 31st, 2026, Smokey Valley War Paint continued his dominance in endurance competition by capturing victories in highly contested endurance events.
Competing against some of the top endurance horses and riders in the country, War Paint completed a 25-mile event and followed it with two 50-mile events over the course of the weekend.
Few horses have that rare combination of athleticism, durability, and determination required to successfully complete 125 miles in 30 hours while still meeting the rigorous veterinary standards demanded by endurance competition.
As impressive as War Paint's accomplishments have already been, it's important to remember that he is just now coming 6 years old in June, reaching the age when many endurance horses begin entering their prime. To have already completed 125 miles in 30 hours and proven himself on some of the sport's toughest terrain at such a young age speaks volumes about his talent and breeding. As he reaches the prime years for endurance racing and continues to mature both physically and mentally, there is no telling how far he may go in the sport. His journey is only just beginning, and we are excited to watch what the future holds for this exceptional Smokey Valley horse!
✨More Than Just Luck✨
While we are incredibly proud of War Paint’s accomplishments, perhaps the most exciting realization is that his success was not simply the result of luck.
War Paint is the product of a 40-year breeding and selection program focused on producing horses that are smooth, athletic, willing, and capable of excelling in demanding trail and endurance environments. His achievements are not the result of chance, but rather generations of careful breeding, selection, and development.
✨Smokey Valley Endurance Prospects✨
At Smokey Valley Farms, we continue to see these same qualities appearing throughout our young horses and developing prospects. Smooth gaits, exceptional athleticism, willing minds, soundness, and the determination to keep going when the miles add up are traits we have worked for decades to cultivate. Today, we are excited about a number of young horses in our program that possess these qualities and show tremendous potential as future endurance competitors. As our involvement in the endurance world continues to grow, we are increasingly confident that several of our current horses have the ability to follow in War Paint’s path
As Smokey Valley’s presence in the endurance community continues to grow, we are excited to see more of our horses proving themselves on some of the toughest trails and endurance courses in the country.
We are becoming increasingly confident that War Paint represents what our breeding program is capable of producing, not a one time success story, but an example of the kind of horse Smokey Valley Farms strives to raise.
If you are searching for a competitive endurance prospect that won’t batter your body, or a trail horse capable of going farther, faster, and more comfortably than the average horse, we invite you to come see what Smokey Valley Horses has to offer.
‼️Come Try Them Out‼️
☎️ We encourage all prospective buyers to contact Dr. Bob Coleman at 859-559-3188 to schedule a visit at a time that is convenient for you. We take great pride in our horses and firmly believe that the best way to appreciate the qualities of a Smokey Valley horse is to sit in the saddle and experience the difference for yourself.
Purchasing a horse is an important decision, and we want every buyer to feel confident in the horse they are taking home. For that reason, we encourage you to spend time with our horses, ride them, and determine which one is the best fit for your goals and riding style.
We are proud of the horses we produce and confident in the breeding program behind them. Whether your aspirations involve competitive endurance riding, performance trail riding, or simply owning an exceptional horse, we look forward to helping you find the right partner and are excited to see what you and your new Smokey Valley horse can accomplish together.
📍Smokey Valley Farms in Olive Hill Kentucky
Pictured below : Rider Tracy Fink and Smokey Valley War Paint competing at the 2026 Desert Gem II Endurance Ride in Arizona
