Freddie Horn, 68, Harrisonville, MO, died Thursday, November 12, 2009 at his home. A memorial gathering will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the Harrisonville Youth Building, 304 East Wall Street, Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisonville Parks & Recreation Department, P.O. Box 367, Harrisonville, MO 64701.

Freddie Horn was a man who touched so many lives. Born in Harrisonville, Missouri, he grew up on the family farm with his two sisters. Horses were always a part of Freddie's life… his father used teams to work the farm and also trained horses. One of Freddie's favorite stories was to tell how he lured the work horses to come under the hay loft by sprinkling corn on the ground. Once the horses came over, he'd jump off the loft onto a horse's back until they tried to leave the barn yard!

Freddie married Mary Ellen Hunt in 1960 and they had two children, Terri and Johnny. Freddie and Mary Ellen spent their first years in Harrisonville. Freddie worked for the brick yard, Railway Express, post office and General Motors briefly. He made the decision to head to Des Moines to work with Dennis McCallister and friends at Trails End. He trained horses while he was there riding horses for Dean Landers. Trails End was Freddie's start in learning to make chaps, strap goods and saddles. While in Des Moines, Freddie also spent many weekends rodeoing, riding bulls and saddle broncs.

After a couple of years in Des Moines, Freddie and his family had the opportunity to move back to Harrisonville in late '69. His first shop was at Vince Cummings garage and he also rode colts at Vince's facility. Freddie kept horses all over the area training them for others. Freddie estimated that he and his son, John, had started well over 3000 colts in their career together. At that time Freddie made all of the tack and chaps that he sold. Many people in the area still cherish the handmade tack that Freddie made personally for them over the years.

Freddie moved to his first Harrisonville Square location in 1971. He opened a full service saddle shop. He stayed there for 19 years and then moved across the square to the current location at 110 N. Independence where he did business for the remainder of his life. Freddie's business grew to carry over 200+ western saddles, pads and tack. Freddie's other claim to fame was his chap making. Freddie made over 20,000 pair of custom chaps - many days he made 4 - 5 pair! His business continued to grow, adding many saddle dealerships to his shop - Longhorn, Circle Y, Courts, Martin, Bighorn, American, Continental and Bob's Custom Saddles. Freddie had a unique way of doing business - anyone who wanted to try a saddle could write a check, take the saddle for a week and "RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT", according to Freddie. If it worked, great - he'd cash the check. If not, bring it back and get your money back! Freddie's friendly nature, unbelievable horse knowledge and willingness to deal with tack and trade-ins made it a place you had to see and would never forget! People from all over the country have bought and traded saddles with Freddie - even Europe, Israel and Brazil.

Also during this time, Freddie made some critical discoveries that forever changed the way he rode and trained horses. Through the advice of a friend, Freddie went and watched Monte Foreman give a clinic; between Monte and a Ray Hunt clinic, Freddie became one the most sought after trainers in the area. He continued on the horsemanship tradition of Monte and Ray and gave many Monte Foreman sanctioned clinics. Many people still regard Freddie as the best horseman they'd come across. Horse and Rider Magazine thought so much of him that they featured Freddie in a 1988 issue featuring his round pen no-nonsense approach to horse training. Freddie was well known for his ability to finish pleasure, reining and roping horses. It didn't matter what horse people brought Freddie - it left his place a better horse than when it came! Freddie eventually acquired the barn on Orient Cemetery Rd. where he trained horses the remainder of his life. Freddie showed numerous local and national champions in pleasure and reining. From buckskins, Arabs and quarter horses - local shows to national level events, he had winners in all arenas. Freddie also trained for Jack Peak of Raymore. Freddie trained and showed Jack's Arab pleasure and reining prospects, taking them to many national, amateur and a Reserve Open Championship. Most recently, Freddie had given up his open status as a rider and took on a non-pro status showing Ginnin Starlight to numerous NRHA (National Reining Horse Association) wins - bronze, pewters, plaques and AQHA ROM's.

Freddie thought highly of supporting the local clubs at the grassroots affiliate level. He was a member of AQHA, NRHA, IBHA, MQHA, MRHA, KRHA, SMRHA. He donated each year to all of the clubs through sponsorship, cash donation and tack.

Freddie enjoyed the people he met… the stories all shared at his shop and the shows. There was never a dull moment in his shop… always a story… Freddie working on chaps, belts or tack! He also played for many years in a local band - played guitar and sang with his friends. His taste in music eclectic - from rock and roll, blues, jazz, old time country - you name it! He loved to go to BB's for Blues and BBQ and the Roxy… and Freddie LOVED good BBQ!

Freddie is survived by his former wife, Mary Ellen Horn of Harrisonville, MO; his friend, Rhonda Martin and her son, Zach Neuenfeldt of Harrisonville, MO; one son, Johnny Horn of Tuttle, OK; one daughter, Terri Cameron and her husband, Shane of Harrisonville, MO; two sisters, Helen Friedrich of Harrisonville, MO and Marjorie Friedrich of Pleasant Hill, MO and two grandchildren, Jesse Horn of Tuttle, OK and Cody Horn of Nevada, MO.

It's tough to say goodbye to Freddie…he's touched thousands of lives during his life through his saddles, chaps, training, clinics and stories. He leaves behind his legacy of advocacy for the horse, friendships and family. We will miss you, Freddie Horn! You've changed our lives and our horses lives forever. You'll be loved and missed by all.