larry jerome e

PEOPLE
Presenting The Personalities
Presenting The Personalities
L
ARRY JEROME
LARRY JEROME
by M��� K������
by M��� K������
Larry Jerome is busy—there is no other word for it.
Has been all his life. When he was a kid, he kept calves,
Larry
Jerome
is busy—there
is no other
formany
it.
pigs and
a wide
variety of chickens,
and word
showed
Has
been
all
his
life.
When
he
was
a
kid,
he
kept
calves,
of them. Now he has horses (Arabians and Belgians),
pigs
and(Holsteins
a wide variety
of chickens,
showed
cattle
and Brown
Swissand
in the
dairy many
operation,
ofregistered
them. Now
he
has
horses
(Arabians
and
Belgians),
Beef Shorthorns and Maine/Angus
in the beef
cattle
(Holsteins
and Brown
Swiss dogs,
in theall
dairy
operation,
division),
and German
Shepherd
world
class.
registered
Beef
Shorthorns
and
Maine/Angus
in
the beef
He also has a wife, seven children, 22 grandchildren
and
division),
German
Shepherd
dogs,take
all world
class. of
a singingand
career,
and as
if that didn’t
up enough
He
also haslife,
a wife,
seven
children,
22 grandchildren
and
anyone’s
he also
cooks
breakfast
for his employees
a every
singing
career,
and
as
if
that
didn’t
take
up
enough
workday that he is at home. “Home” is Jerlandof
anyone’s
he also
cooks
employees
Farm, inlife,
Barron,
Wis.
Hebreakfast
is knownfor
in his
Arabian
circles
every
workday
that
he
is
at
home.
“Home”
is
primarily for Jerland’s top stallions Khadraj Jerland
NA and
Farm,
Barron, Wis.
He is known
inisArabian
circles
MPAinGiovanni,
but Jerome
himself
far more
than that.
primarily
for
Jerland’s
top
stallions
Khadraj
NA
and
The sky has always been his limit.
MPA Giovanni, but Jerome himself is far more than that.
The sky has always been his limit.
It’s In The Blood
Larry
was born
in 1949, in Minneapolis,
It’s
InJerome
The
Blood
Minn. But that, he is quick to point out, is only because
Larry
Jerome iswas
bornhis
in mother’s
1949, in doctor
Minneapolis,
Minneapolis
where
was; he has
Minn.
But
that,
he
is
quick
to
point
out,comes
is onlybybecause
been a lifelong resident of Barron. He
his
Minneapolis
is where
his mother’s
he has
extraordinary
drive naturally.
His doctor
father, was;
Wallace
Jerome,
been
a lifelong
resident
Barron.
He comes
by his Store
founded
Jerome
Foods,ofwhich
became
The Turkey
extraordinary
drive naturally.
His Foods,
father, Wallace
Jerome,
and later, purchased
by Hormel
The Jennie-O®
founded
Jerome
Foods,
which
became
The
Turkey
Turkey Store. That, however, was in a career that Store
began
and
later,
by Hormel
The“My
Jennie-O®
when
thepurchased
elder Jerome
was 13 Foods,
years old.
dad was
Turkey
That, of
however,
wassays
in aLarry,
careeradding
that began
alwaysStore.
way ahead
his time,”
that
when
the
elder
Jerome
was
13
years
old.
“My
dad was
one of his father’s concepts was preparing oven-ready
always
way“He
ahead
his time,”
saysdoing
Larry,things
addingthe
that
turkeys.
wasofthinking
about
way
one
of
his
father’s
concepts
was
preparing
oven-ready
they’re done 20 years later.”
turkeys. “He was thinking about doing things the way
they’re
yearsthat
later.”
Thatdone
didn’t20mean
the Jeromes were wealthy or that
life was a breeze. When he was young, Larry recalls, his
That
didn’t
meansurvived
that thedifficulties.
Jeromes were
wealthy
or that
father’s
business
It was
his mother,
life
was
a
breeze.
When
he
was
young,
Larry
recalls,
Marion, who was everyone’s anchor. A high school his
father’s
business
difficulties.
It was
his mother,
graduate
at the survived
age of 16,
she finished
college
in two years
Marion,
who
was
everyone’s
anchor.
A
high
school
and went on to teach until she married Larry’s
father.
graduate
at exceptional
the age of 16,
she finishedskills
college
twotoyears
Then her
organization
wereinput
the
and
on to teach
until sheand
married
Larry’s father.
testwent
of keeping
her husband
five children
in order.
Then
herofexceptional
organization
skillshis
were
put to the
One
Larry’s favorite
stories from
childhood
is
test
of
keeping
her
husband
and
five
children
in
order. to
of his first calf, ironically called—a portent of things
One of Larry’s favorite stories from his childhood is
of his first calf, ironically called—a portent of things to
come?—Giovanni. The deal was that he would sell the
Holstein female the following year, but of course he didn’t.
come?—Giovanni.
TheWillis
deal was
he would
thehis
He talked his Uncle
intothat
letting
her livesell
with
Holstein
female
the
following
year,
but
of
course
he
didn’t.
Guernsey herd. It wasn’t long, however, before Giovanni
He
talked
his
Uncle
Willis
into
letting
her
live
with
produced calves and Larry’s enterprise expanded, sohis
the
Guernsey
It wasn’t recruited
long, however,
before Giovanni
ambitiousherd.
14-year-old
his grandfather,
his first
produced
calves
andcompanion,
Larry’s enterprise
so the
mentor and
close
to help expanded,
him remodel
an old
ambitious
14-year-old
recruited
his
grandfather,
his
pig barn. There he quartered his cattle on one end first
and his
mentor
close
companion,
helppoultry
him remodel
old
horsesand
on the
other,
with pigstoand
housed an
nearby.
pig
barn.
There
he
quartered
his
cattle
on
one
end
and
his
It was hectic, going to school and working his fledgling
horses
on
the
other,
with
pigs
and
poultry
housed
nearby.
business (his Holstein herd numbered 11, and “poultry”
Itencompassed
was hectic, going
to school
andofworking
fledgling
not only
an array
chickenhis
breeds,
but
business
(his
Holstein
herd
numbered
11,
and
“poultry”
ducks and turkeys too), but it was successful—sort of.
encompassed not only an array of chicken breeds, but
ducks and turkeys too), but it was successful—sort of.
Reprinted from A  H T, November 2012
206 | TUTTO ARABI - www.tuttoarabi.com
PEOPLE
The young horseman: Larry, at age 8 or 9, with his first Larry at age 8, with his first calf, prophetically
colt, Duke. In the background, the renovated pig barn
named Giovanni.
The
young horseman:
Larry,
at age
8 or 9, with
first Larry at age 8, with his first calf, prophetically
(building
with the row
of five
windows)
thathis
housed
colt,
background,
named Giovanni.
hisDuke.
cattle In
andthehorse
operation.the renovated pig barn
(building with the row of five windows) that housed
his cattle and horse operation.
Larry at 10, with his prized Brown Leghorn rooster.
Larry at 10, with his prized Brown Leghorn rooster.
www.tuttoarabi.com - TUTTO ARABI | 207
car accidents—I probably totaled out four or five vehicles.
Before we were married, my wife and I totaled out two
vehicles
in five days.”
car accidents—I
probably totaled out four or five vehicles.
Before we were married, my wife and I totaled out two
And that
in a world that he describes as sheltered.
vehicles
inwas
five all
days.”
“Saturday night was bath night,” he says. “Sunday morning
youAnd
gotthat
up, did
putthat
on he
your
white shirt,
your
wasyour
all inchores,
a world
describes
as sheltered.
tie,
and
you
were
in
Sunday
School
and
then
church.
“Saturday night was bath night,” he says. “Sunday morning
You
sit-down
dinner,
after
that,shirt,
thereyour
you had
got aup,
did yourfamily
chores,
put onand
your
white
was
music.
My
grandpa
would
play,
my
aunt
is
a
concert
tie, and you were in Sunday School and then church.
violinist,
that’s the
way we
wereand
raised.
night
You hadand
a sit-down
family
dinner,
afterSunday
that, there
was
tomato
soup
and
‘Lassie.’”
was music. My grandpa would play, my aunt is a concert
violinist, and that’s the way we were raised. Sunday night
was tomato soup and ‘Lassie.’”
Early On: Arabians
While Larry grew up around more Quarter Horses and
Early than
On:
Arabians
Appaloosas
anything,
he moved into the Arabian
An early ride with Daria in back and Moriah in front.
“When I didn’t have to pay for the feed or electricity in the
An early ride with Daria in back and Moriah in front.
barn, I was making pretty good money,” he notes dryly. He
also
bredIwaltzing
mice
theforbasement,
raised
canaries,
“When
didn’t have
toin
pay
the feed or
electricity
in and
the
collected
frog
eggs
in
the
pond
to
raise
polliwogs.
He
was
barn, I was making pretty good money,” he notes dryly. He
“wired,”
hewaltzing
says, interested
everything.
also bred
mice ininthe
basement, raised canaries, and
collected frog eggs in the pond to raise polliwogs. He was
Like many
kids of
his generation
and many since, Larry
“wired,”
he says,
interested
in everything.
read all of Walter Farley’s Black Stallion books, as well as
Marguerite
Henry’s
of Misty
Chincoteague.
Like many
kids ofaccounts
his generation
andofmany
since, Larry
By
the
time
he
was
8
or
9,
he
knew
he
wanted
horse.
read all of Walter Farley’s Black Stallion books,a as
wellHis
as
father,
while
not
enthusiastic,
nevertheless
took
him
to an
Marguerite Henry’s accounts of Misty of Chincoteague.
auction,
wherehehewas
encouraged
sonhe
towanted
buy a Palomino
By the time
8 or 9, hehis
knew
a horse. His
Quarter
Horse.
Larry,
however,
had
his
eye
on a him
Morgan
father, while not enthusiastic, nevertheless took
to an
mare
with
a
half-Quarter
Horse
foal
at
her
side.
“So, anyway,
auction, where he encouraged his son to buy a Palomino
my
dad wanted
to try
out hishad
horse,”
he recounts.
“I didn’t
Quarter
Horse.me
Larry,
however,
his eye
on a Morgan
ride
very
well
at
that
age,
and
the
sales
barn
was
right
a
mare with a half-Quarter Horse foal at her side. “So, on
anyway,
highway.
I
got
to
the
end
of
the
driveway,
right?
And
this
my dad wanted me to try out his horse,” he recounts. “I didn’t
horse
bolted
and
off running
the middle
of on
thea
ride very
well
at took
that age,
and the down
sales barn
was right
road
with
cars
coming
both
ways,
horns
blowing.”
From
his
highway. I got to the end of the driveway, right? And this
point
of
view,
it
worked
out
well:
with
the
Quarter
Horse
horse bolted and took off running down the middle of theout
ofroad
contention,
fatherboth
purchased
the Morgan
mare
andhis
her
with carshis
coming
ways, horns
blowing.”
From
foal,
named
Princess
and
Duke.
point of view, it worked out well: with the Quarter Horse out
of contention, his father purchased the Morgan mare and her
It was
Duke
who confirmed
foal,
named
Princess
and Duke. young Larry’s reputation
as being accident-prone. Grown up and trained, he
was
was powerful.
Larry
came
off
It beautiful,
was Dukebut
whoheconfirmed
young
Larry’s
reputation
him
several
times,
the
worst
instance
leaving
him
with
as being accident-prone. Grown up and trained, he
awas
jawbeautiful,
broken inbut
three
places
and
a
broken
arm.
“They
he was powerful. Larry came off
didn’t
think Itimes,
was going
to live,”
he reports.
“I him
was with
him several
the worst
instance
leaving
unconscious
for
quite
a
while.”
a jaw broken in three places and a broken arm. “They
didn’t think I was going to live,” he reports. “I was
He ticks through
a recap
of his exploits. “I backed our
unconscious
for quite
a while.”
car out of the driveway when I was 2 or 3 and tried to
runHe
into
thethrough
neighbor’s
house;
I just
about cut
off myour
ticks
a recap
of his
exploits.
“I backed
thumb
when
I
was
about
5;
I
had
horse
accidents,
I had
car out of the driveway when I was 2 or 3 and tried
to
run into the neighbor’s house; I just about cut off my
thumb when I was about 5; I had horse accidents, I had
208 | TUTTO ARABI - www.tuttoarabi.com
breed
at an
earlygrew
age.up
From
his Black
on,and
While
Larry
around
more Stallion
Quarter days
Horses
he
followed
the
breed,
learning
everything
he
could.
One
Appaloosas than anything, he moved into the Arabian
ofbreed
his favorite
activities
was
visiting
the
Burton
Arabian
at an early age. From his Black Stallion days on,
Farm,
in Ricethe
Lake,
Wis.,
where everything
Gazon washe
at could.
stud. “IOne
he followed
breed,
learning
got
to
see
Vadraff
and
Raffon
and
Gavad,”
he
recalls,
“all
of his favorite activities was visiting the Burton Arabian
those
great
horses
that
have
become
a
very
integral
part
Farm, in Rice Lake, Wis., where Gazon was at stud. “I
ofgot
thetobreed.”
see Vadraff and Raffon and Gavad,” he recalls, “all
those great horses that have become a very integral part
Hethe
was
not able to own an Arabian until he bred one,
of
breed.”
and to be technically correct, his first was a Half-Arabian.
It He
all started
Shetland
named
Creek
was notwith
ablea to
own an pony
Arabian
untilHorse
he bred
one,
Rose
Leaf,
purchased
from
friends
in
Minnesota
about
the
and to be technically correct, his first was a Half-Arabian.
time
Duke
and
Princess
were
acquired.
(Rosie
would
live
It all started with a Shetland pony named Horse Creek
toRose
be 33
andpurchased
teach his two
daughters
to ride.)
Leaf,
fromoldest
friends
in Minnesota
about the
time Duke and Princess were acquired. (Rosie would live
“I be
had33heard
of a guy
had crossed
a Shetland
to
and teach
his who
two oldest
daughters
to ride.)
pony with an Arabian horse,” he says, “so I went up
to “I
Birchwood
At that atime
he had
had heardand
of amet
guyGib
whoRoss.
had crossed
Shetland
Habu,
and
Synbad
was
there
from
Cedardell
Farm,
pony with an Arabian horse,” he says, “so I went upand a
young
horse by and
the met
nameGib
of Ambassador.
bredhe
Rose
to Birchwood
Ross. At thatItime
hadto
Ambassador
and
got
my
first
Half-Arabian.”
At
the
Habu, and Synbad was there from Cedardell Farm, age
and of
a
15
or
16,
he
bought
a
purebred
from
Ross
named
Marna.
young horse by the name of Ambassador. I bred Rose to
Ambassador and got my first Half-Arabian.” At the age of
“I was
always
going behind
my folks’
pulling
15
or 16,
he bought
a purebred
fromback
Rossand
named
Marna.
things,” he recalls of his plans for Marna. “I booked her to a
horse
by the
name
of *Bask.”
hadand
notpulling
factored in
“I was
always
going
behindTypically,
my folks’he
back
the
stud
fee
or
transportation
to
Arizona
for
the
mare.
“My
things,” he recalls of his plans for Marna. “I booked her
to a
father
found
out
about
it
and
that
was
the
end
of
the
deal.”
horse by the name of *Bask.” Typically, he had not factored in
the stud fee or transportation to Arizona for the mare. “My
As hefound
looks out
back,
he observes
that
horse
father
about
it and that
washis
theArabian
end of the
deal.”
involvement helped mold his approach to life. Not only
were
parents
consistently
supportive
his ventures,
As his
he looks
back,
he observes
that hisof
Arabian
horse but
also,
he
gained
valuable
confidence
from
his
relationships
involvement helped mold his approach to life. Not only
with
of the people
he met.
“Evelyn of
Burton
always but
weresome
his parents
consistently
supportive
his ventures,
treated
me
like
I
was
very
important,”
he
says.
“I
learned
also, he gained valuable confidence from his relationships
from
that
who’s
goingBurton
to growalways
with her
some
of you
the never
peopleknow
he met.
“Evelyn
up
to
become
what,
so
being
respectful
of
a
child
treated me like I was very important,” he says.
“I and
learned
encouraging
a
child
is
a
good
thing.”
from her that you never know who’s going to grow
up to become what, so being respectful of a child and
encouraging a child is a good thing.”
Life In The Real World
The horizons of Larry’s life changed with
Life InHe The
Real
Worldof
adulthood.
chose to attend
the University
PEOPLE
Wisconsin
Barron
so that
he could
The horizons
of County
Larry’s life
changed
withlive at
home
and
care
for
his
animals,
and
when
he was
adulthood. He chose to attend the University
of 21,
he
married
his
sweetheart,
Shelley
Miller.
Wisconsin Barron County so that he could live at
home and care for his animals, and when he was 21,
“My
fatherhis
wassweetheart,
basically a Shelley
tough German,”
he
married
Miller.
he relates, “and after we married, it was
‘Congratulations,
on ayour
own.’
We really
“My father was you’re
basically
tough
German,”
struggled!
I
liked
to
spend
money—but
he relates, “and after we married, it was if you spend
money,
you have toyou’re
makeon
money,
and that’s
how I
‘Congratulations,
your own.’
We really
got
into
a
lot
of
the
other
things
that
I
do.”
struggled! I liked to spend money—but if you spend
money, you have to make money, and that’s how I
If Larry’s
lifeof
was
before
marriage,
it qualified Christmas card photo from 1984: front, l.to r., Moriah, Shelley, Indira, Sacia, Daria,
got
into a lot
thebusy
other
things
that I do.”
as nearly insane after, especially when he and Shelley Alicia; back, Jeremy, Larry, Lyndon.
started
a family,
which
happened
in pretty itquick
order. Christmas card photo from 1984: front, l.to r., Moriah, Shelley, Indira, Sacia, Daria,
If Larry’s
life was
busy
before marriage,
qualified
Over
the
next
13
years,
the
Jerome
family
would
plant,
they
both
milked cows after work (the kids did too,
Jeremy,
Larry,
Lyndon.
as nearly insane after, especially when he and Shelley Alicia; back,
welcome
Lyndon, Jeremy,
when they got big enough), and in the mid-1970s, Larry
started aDaria,
family,Moriah,
which happened
in prettyAlicia,
quickSacia
order.
and
Indira—all
of years,
whomthe
would
follow
in their
father’s
added
a professional
musician.
Over
the next 13
Jerome
family
would
plant, gigs
theyasboth
milked cows
after work (the kids did too,
footsteps
of
caring
for
animals,
showing
successfully,
and
welcome Daria, Moriah, Lyndon, Jeremy, Alicia, Sacia
when they got big enough), and in the mid-1970s, Larry
playing
music, among
otherwould
activities.
For Jerome,
for money—as
more than just a
and Indira—all
of whom
follow in their father’s
added
gigs asmusic
a professional
musician.
family amusement—happened serendipitously. One
footsteps of caring for animals, showing successfully, and
To support
themselves,
Larry
and Shelley maintained
evening,
he andmusic
Shelley
having more
dinnerthan
withjust
hera
playing
music,
among other
activities.
For Jerome,
for were
money—as
a marathon schedule. Larry farmed and was employed
parents
at a place called Dean’s Supper
Club, which
family amusement—happened
serendipitously.
One
as To
a cattle
inseminator,
Shelley
job in amaintained
bank and
featured
live
combo,
and
Mr.having
Miller dinner
informed
itsher
leader
support
themselves,
Larryhad
andaShelley
evening,ahe
and
Shelley
were
with
worked
part-time
at
the
turkey
that
theyatneeded
let his
son-in-law
and play.
a marathon schedule. Larry farmed and was employed
parents
a placetocalled
Dean’s
Suppercome
Club,upwhich
The
guy did,
band and
likedMr.
Larry,
andinformed
not long its
after,
he
as a cattle inseminator, Shelley had a job in a bank and
featured
a livethe
combo,
Miller
leader
became
of the group.
“That
kind
of
worked part-time at the turkey
that theya substitute
needed to member
let his son-in-law
come
up and
play.
started
career,”
he says.
made and
about
an hour,
The guymy
did,
the band
liked“ILarry,
not$5long
after, he
which
pretty good
in those
days.”
As time
went
on,of
becamewas
a substitute
member
of the
group.
“That
kind
he
developed
his own
was onabout
stage$5
Wednesday
started
my career,”
he act
says.and
“I made
an hour,
through
Saturday
nights.
the went
extra on,
which was
pretty good
in(Even
those now,
days.”when
As time
money
is not an
his and
music
no stage
idle pastime;
he
he developed
hisissue,
own act
wasis on
Wednesday
and
his country
band,
Intrigue,
for
through
Saturdayrock
nights.
(Even
now,have
whenopened
the extra
such
headliners
Sawyer
money
is not anasissue,
his Brown,
music isKenny
no idleChesney,
pastime; he
John
Michael
Montgomery,
Confederate
and his
country
rock band, Intrigue,
have Railroad,
opened for
Lorrie
Morgan, as
andSawyer
others.)
such headliners
Brown, Kenny Chesney,
John Michael Montgomery, Confederate Railroad,
Lorrie
Morgan,
andleft,
others.)
Larry,
second from
with fellow members of the country
rock music group, Intrigue
Larry, second from left, with fellow members of the country
rock music group, Intrigue
PEOPLE
Another tributary in the Jeromes’ income stream was
breeding German Shepherd dogs. Before they married,
they had purchased one, and in no time, Larry’s passion for
genetics kicked in. They founded what is now a renowned
breeding program of more than 30 years’ standing. And
then there were the canaries in the basement, more than
50 pairs of them sometimes. “At that time, it was not
possible to import birds into this country,” he explains.
“The bird room would generate anywhere from $14,000 to
$16,000 a year.”
The most famous example of such intertwining was how,
through the canary operation, Larry met the man who
would become a special partner in the Arabian business. In
the late 1970s, a gentleman arrived at the farm in search
of a yellow or red canary, but unfortunately, the Jeromes
had only green ones. The man was Hermann Blaser, he
owned Arabians, and he and his wife, Lida, were destined
to become two of Larry and Shelley’s closest friends. Lida
died in 2005, but Hermann remained in the family until
his death earlier this year.
At that point, Larry and Shelley’s Arabians were more
about pleasure than anything. “We did show,” he allows,
“but it was the ‘wash your horse and maybe clip the
bridle path, put it in a trailer and show it’ kind of thing.”
One of their mares exhibited in nearly every class except
halter (“she really wasn’t too cute”). Then, in 1977, he
got a call telling him that Don and Shirley Johnson were
selling their herd, which included the stallion Gavad, a
full brother to twice-U.S. National Champion Raffon. For
$11,000, he and Shelley were in the serious business of
raising Arabian horses.
Larry loves to tell the story of how they bred and named
LH Garcia, their headline stallion of the 1980s. “One of
the things that I think is still pretty characteristic today is
that when I go to horse shows, I watch all the classes,” he
prefaces the tale. “I’m constantly analyzing what I like and
don’t like, and keeping a score pad.” At Scottsdale one year,
his eye settled on the progeny of Jay and Dorothy Stream’s
Spanish import, AN Malik, so he enticed Hermann to go
to the Greengate stalls for a look at the stallion.
The Synergy Of Success
One ingredient in Larry Jerome’s success over the years is that
his myriad of involvements often conspired in his favor. One
pursuit would lead to significant developments in another.
Hermann and LJ with Brilliant Aramus and
Garazon (mares) and their foals by Ramses
Fayek and LH Ramses.
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“I knew Hermann’s personality pretty well by then and I
knew that he liked attention,” Larry relates. “So, I went up to
them and said, ‘You know, I think we’d like to book a mare
to AN Malik.’ So, there was a crowd of people saying, ‘Oh,
Hermann Blaser’s going to book a mare to AN Malik!’” He
grins; Hermann, who could be fairly tight with a buck, never
would back away from the pricey stud fee in front of a crowd.
Grandson Jerome with German Shepherd puppy stars of the future.
German Shepherds. “I didn’t know what I was doing.” The
lesson? If you’re going to run with the big dogs, you need the
best stock and you need to know what you’re doing.
One of Jerland’s German Shepherd foundation sires, the famous “Mutz”.
That night, Larry, Shelley, Evelyn Burton, Hermann and
Lida adjourned to a Mexican restaurant named Garcia’s
to celebrate, only to be backed up in the bar, waiting for
a table and passing the time ordering margaritas. By the
time they finally sat down to eat—no worse for wear—the
group had decided that if the AN Malik foal was a colt,
his name would be Garcia and if it was a filly, she would
be Margarita. And so began the life of LH Garcia, who
would be named 1984 Canadian National Champion
Futurity Colt, 1985 Canadian National Champion Stallion
and 1986 Scottsdale Senior Champion Stallion and U.S.
National Top Ten Stallion before being sold to Brazil.
From the dog world came other connections and
experiences. “I showed my dogs and pretty much got my hind
end handed to me on a plate,” Larry says of his early days in
When he acquired a mentor in German Shepherds,
he found a friend in Arabians as well. Anne Mesdag, a
highly-respected dog breeder in the Pacific Northwest,
also introduced him to such horsemen as Joey Canda and
Ron Palelek. A World War II prisoner-of-war, Mesdag
had enormous strength of character, and Larry calls her
not only his mentor, but also a second mother. Under her
influence, he came to favor a European style of Shepherd.
“I wanted a dog that didn’t just look pretty,” he explains.
“It had to be functional.” He and Mesdag traveled Europe
together looking for dogs—and when they weren’t looking
at dogs, they were looking at horses.
His experience in the dog world taught him more than
just breeding dogs. There, he saw firsthand the rancor and
poor sportsmanship that can exist among top competitors.
He was just getting started when he asked a dog show
judge about Mesdag. “She said, ‘Well, she’s an outspoken
old battle ax and I can guarantee you she’ll never talk to
anybody the likes of you!’” he recalls. He was shocked. “In
our house, if you said anything negative about anybody,
you might pick yourself up off the floor. If you can’t say
anything good, you keep your mouth shut.”
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The Jerland Arabians crew: Hermann Blaser, Jeff Schall, MPA Giovanni, Mike Van Handel, Indira Jerome Van Handel, Larry and Shelley Jerome.
Later, he would hear such spite about his own program,
and he discussed it with Mesdag. “When they stop talking
about you,” she shrugged, “that’s when you start to worry.”
By the time he owned world-class Arabians, he observes,
the ups and downs of the show world were nothing new.
So fond did he and Mesdag become of each other that
when she died in April 2008, he sang at her funeral. Her
loss was already devastating; the day became a nightmare
when, in the middle of everything, he received a call
informing him that MPA Giovanni had broken his leg in
a freak accident. The horse would recover. The memory of
the day remains difficult.
There were countless other experiences. In Brazil, his
musical talent made up for his lack of Portuguese, easing
his entry into friendship with horsemen there. And trips
to Europe became kaleidoscopes of ventures: some days
were for cattle, some for dogs and some for horses. The
212 | TUTTO ARABI - www.tuttoarabi.com
tapestry of his life was closely woven, and it worked to
his advantage.
Jerland Arabians Today
Over the years, Larry Jerome was never without
horses and he attended shows regularly, but Jerland
did not show routinely at the national level. It was not
until 2003 that he returned to Arabians with an eye
toward the kind of success he and Hermann Blaser had
enjoyed with LH Garcia.
It began when he went to Arizona to be with his father,
who was in poor health. Several days into the visit, as a
break, he dropped in at Petroglyph Arabians, where Leo
Hansen introduced him to a parade of horses. One mare,
HJ Porcelain Bey, caught his imagination and wouldn’t let
go—but it was her granddaughter, an 18-hour-old foal out
of Makena PGA, that stopped him cold. Not long after, he
PEOPLE
bought the filly, Khenya PGA, for his youngest daughter,
Indira. He was equally impressed with the youngster’s sire,
Khadraj NA (actually, “thrilled” is the word he used). Off
and on in the ensuing four years, he told Brad Gallún,
who was assisting Petroglyph’s Devon Benbrook, that if
the stallion ever came on the market, he’d be interested in
buying him.
Khenya PGA, who would show to a Canadian National
Top Ten in Futurity Fillies, became a catalyst for Jerome:
she precipitated the purchase of the young stallion MPA
Giovanni. “I felt that he was very genetically compatible
with this filly,” he says. “I loved how he looked physically,
and I also loved how he looked genetically.” It is the same
in Arabian horses as it is in German Shepherds and cattle,
he notes; an animal must be beautiful, but it also must be
structurally and conformationally able to perform a job.
And there was another reason he bought MPA Giovanni,
he admits. Lida Blaser had passed away and he felt
Hermann needed an interest. “Gio,” as the stallion is
called, reignited Larry’s partnership with his old friend.
A few years later, Larry was in Europe on one of his
multi-purpose visits, working his way through a list of
top Arabian breeders. He was spending the night in a
castle in Belgium, a guest of Josy and Kristel EverarsVan den Broek, when his phone rang in the wee hours
of the morning. It was Brad Gallún; Khadraj NA was,
at last, available. Unable to sleep, Larry debated the notinconsiderable sum mentioned. “And then I looked at my
clock, and I looked at the date,” he recalls. “And I said,
‘Well, it’s my birthday. I’ll buy myself a birthday present.’”
That was the summer of 2007. Larry Jerome’s world was
about as busy as any one person could handle in a 24-hour
day. His Holstein herd, 10 generations deep, was producing
milk at double the national average per cow. His German
Shepherds were internationally respected. His music
group was opening for headline acts. MPA Giovanni had
been named U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt, and
Khadraj NA’s get were establishing his reputation for
siring performance horses.
Over the next few years, there would be more to come.
His youngest daughter, Indira, would become his partner
in many of the horses and worked at the farm; MPA
Giovanni would break his leg and then recover; Khadraj
NA would be selected Arabian Horse Times Readers’
Choice Sire of the Year; and Jerland would come within
Hermann and Larry Jerome at Scottsdale with Gio.
www.tuttoarabi.com - TUTTO ARABI | 213
PEOPLE
a whisker of being named Champion Breeder at the Las
Vegas World Cup. Mike Van Handel would become the
farm’s trainer and marry Indira. The years would fly by
with ever-increasing scope.
Who Is Larry Jerome?
You can lose Larry Jerome sometimes in all that action. Finally,
you stop to wonder, who is behind all that accomplishment? And
why doesn’t he slow down?
“I hate the two words, ‘if only,’” he reflects. “My kids
were never going to be able to say ‘I wished I would have,’
because I made damn sure that they did.
he clearly doesn’t like to dwell on the dimmer moments. “I
had financial difficulty,” he admits, “and for a long time, I
waited for the sky to open up and for something to solve my
problems. Then one night I was lying in bed and I said to
myself, ‘You know you got yourself into this, Larry Jerome,
and you’d better figure a way to get out of it.’ I took the bull
by the horns and I did.”
He never forgot that hesitancy. “We all make mistakes,
and sometimes we’re more concerned about what other
people think,” he says. “We maybe don’t give mankind
the [benefit of the doubt]. It’s like having a flat tire along
the side of the road. Most people don’t go driving by and
say ‘Hee hee.’
“If I saw something that I really liked, I
probably went after it,” he offers. “Maybe
that wasn’t always the smart thing to do, but
I’m a passionate person. I’m not an analytical
person.” An analytical person, he adds, can
talk himself out of things. That’s never been
his problem.
On the surface, his life looks like one big
slide to success. Not so, he says, although
Larry and daughter Daria, showing three sisters named the Best Female Cows
at the Minnesota State Fair.
“I have a very strong Christian faith,” he continues. “I
have strong beliefs that have helped me get through a lot
of very rough emotional times and health issues.”
Most of all, he is grateful for the people in his life.
His parents, he notes, set a great example of a loving
relationship. “They were a team,” he says. “And I’m
married to the Patron Saint. There are very few women
in the world who could tolerate my eccentricities. We
grew together.”
Larry Jerome with Dr. Edwin Brade, General Manager of Sächsischer
Rinderzuchtverband (SRV), in the former East Germany with Debica, the
world’s first eight-generation cow producing 40,000-lbs. of milk. Cattle
breeder David Younger bred the first four generations, while Jerome bred the
second four.
214 | TUTTO ARABI - www.tuttoarabi.com
He took his own responsibility as a parent seriously.
“We have an opportunity to influence our kids’ lives,” he
says, adding his father always set very high standards and
expectations. “My father wasn’t my best friend; he was
my father. So sometimes he directed me differently than
I thought I should be, and I did the same thing with my
own kids. Our kids have all been very hands-on in the
PEOPLE
farm.
I’ve
always
said
that
every
person
inin
lifelife
should
know
farm.
I’ve
always
said
that
every
person
should
know
how
toto
clean
a chicken,
how
toto
clean
their
own
toilet
how
clean
a chicken,
how
clean
their
own
toilet
bowl,
and
how
toto
pick
out
a fine
wine.
It’sIt’s
okay
toto
getget
your
bowl,
and
how
pick
out
a fine
wine.
okay
your
hands
dirty,
you
know.
And
it’sit’s
okay
toto
enjoy
thethe
finer
hands
dirty,
you
know.
And
okay
enjoy
finer
things
inin
life,
but
don’t
expect
other
people
toto
dodo
things
things
life,
but
don’t
expect
other
people
things
forfor
you
that
you
would
not
dodo
forfor
yourself.”
you
that
you
would
not
yourself.”
Now
hehe
follows
thethe
show
careers
of of
hishis
grandchildren.
There
Now
follows
show
careers
grandchildren.
There
is ais satisfaction,
hehe
says,
in in
seeing
thethe
continuity
of of
generations.
a satisfaction,
says,
seeing
continuity
generations.
His
biggest
lesson
soso
far?
ToTo
bebe
thankful
forfor
every
day
His
biggest
lesson
far?
thankful
every
day
and
every
friend,
hehe
replies.
“I “I
have
anan
aunt
who
always
and
every
friend,
replies.
have
aunt
who
always
said
that
you
have
a choice
every
day
when
you
getget
upup
toto
said
that
you
have
a choice
every
day
when
you
bebe
happy
oror
toto
bebe
mad
and
ornery.
Maybe
I’m
not
happy
happy
mad
and
ornery.
Maybe
I’m
not
happy
every
day
ofof
mymy
life,
but
I try
toto
be.be.
I’m
not
shy
about
every
day
life,
but
I try
I’m
not
shy
about
meeting
people.
They
areare
allall
opportunities—friends
that
meeting
people.
They
opportunities—friends
that
you
haven’t
met.”
you
haven’t
met.”
HeHe
has
slowed
down
a little
inin
thethe
last
decade,
hehe
has
slowed
down
a little
last
decade,
observes.
Maybe
some
ofof
that
comes
from
those
“rough
observes.
Maybe
some
that
comes
from
those
“rough
health
issues”
(a (a
heart
condition
that
precipitated
open
health
issues”
heart
condition
that
precipitated
open
heart
surgery),
oror
maybe
it it
is is
just
thethe
natural
process
ofof
heart
surgery),
maybe
just
natural
process
aging,
but
he’s
not
as as
intense
as as
hehe
once
was.
aging,
but
he’s
not
intense
once
was.
His
best
philosophy
ofof
lifelife
comes
from
Martin
Loeber,
His
best
philosophy
comes
from
Martin
Loeber,
another
ofof
hishis
mentors
inin
thethe
Arabian
business,
a selfanother
mentors
Arabian
business,
a selfmade
man
who,
like
Hermann
Blaser
and
Anne
Mesdag,
made
man
who,
like
Hermann
Blaser
and
Anne
Mesdag,
overcame
tremendous
adversity.
“It“It
hangs
onon
mymy
wall
overcame
tremendous
adversity.
hangs
wall
today,”
hehe
says.
“It“It
says,
‘Count
your
garden
byby
thethe
flowers,
today,”
says.
says,
‘Count
your
garden
flowers,
never
buy
thethe
leaves
inin
thethe
fall.
Count
your
days
byby
golden
never
buy
leaves
fall.
Count
your
days
golden
Larry
andand
Shelley
Jerome
with
their
2222
grandchildren,
Halloween
2012.
Larry
Shelley
Jerome
with
their
grandchildren,
Halloween
2012.
hours;
never
mind
thethe
clouds
at at
all.all.
Count
your
nights
byby
hours;
never
mind
clouds
Count
your
nights
stars,
not
shadows.
Count
your
lifelife
byby
smiles,
not
tears.
stars,
not
shadows.
Count
your
smiles,
not
tears.
And
with
your
joyjoy
onon
every
birthday,
count
your
age
byby
And
with
your
every
birthday,
count
your
age
friends,
not
years.’”
friends,
not
years.’”
AsAs
hehe
speaks,
hehe
focuses
onon
a picture
ofof
Loeber
inin
hishis
speaks,
focuses
a picture
Loeber
office.
Such
things
remind
him
ofof
who
hehe
is,is,
hehe
says,
office.
Such
things
remind
him
who
says,
where
hehe
came
from
and
where
hehe
is is
going.
“This
journey
where
came
from
and
where
going.
“This
journey
is is
going
way
tootoo
fast.
One
ofof
thethe
reasons
that
I enjoy
going
way
fast.
One
reasons
that
I enjoy
traveling
soso
much
is is
I have
soso
much
toto
learn,
I have
soso
traveling
much
I have
much
learn,
I have
much
toto
seesee
before
I can’t
dodo
it it
anymore.”
much
before
I can’t
anymore.”
Finally
it it
is is
clear:
thethe
reason
Larry
Jerome
can
cram
soso
Finally
clear:
reason
Larry
Jerome
can
cram
much
into
hishis
lifelife
is is
that
hehe
incorporates
everything
hehe
much
into
that
incorporates
everything
loves—his
family,
hishis
interests,
thethe
people
hehe
meets
and
loves—his
family,
interests,
people
meets
and
likes—into
not
only
hishis
leisure
time
(such
as as
it it
is),is),
but
also
likes—into
not
only
leisure
time
(such
but
also
hishis
business.
There
is is
nono
line
ofof
demarcation
between
work
business.
There
line
demarcation
between
work
and
play.
and
play.
We
could
leave
it it
at at
that,
a rational
answer
toto
thethe
We
could
leave
that,
a rational
answer
question
ofof
who
is is
Larry
Jerome.
But
hishis
own
enthusiasm
question
who
Larry
Jerome.
But
own
enthusiasm
bubbles
over
any
such
serious
conclusion.
“Why
dodo
bubbles
over
any
such
serious
conclusion.
“Why
people
work?”
hehe
asks
rhetorically.
“People
work
toto
take
people
work?”
asks
rhetorically.
“People
work
take
care
ofof
their
families,
toto
eat,
toto
have
a roof
over
their
care
their
families,
eat,
have
a roof
over
their
house,
and
allall
ofof
those
types
ofof
things.
……
You
probably
house,
and
those
types
things.
You
probably
can’t
useuse
this
inin
print,
but
you
know
what?
There
areare
two
can’t
this
print,
but
you
know
what?
There
two
pleasures
inin
life.
One
is is
food
and
thethe
other
is is
sex,
and
thethe
pleasures
life.
One
food
and
other
sex,
and
sexsex
doesn’t
last
forever,
soso
you’d
better
enjoy
thethe
food.”
doesn’t
last
forever,
you’d
better
enjoy
food.”
And
byby
hishis
own
experience,
everything
else
good
that
And
own
experience,
everything
else
good
that
rates
your
time.
QQ
rates
your
time.