My first one was just down off pads when I bought him as a 7yr old gelding; had spent his life in a ring. Brought him to MD and made a field trial horse of him. Even with toe weighted shoes up front & barefoot in the back, he retained all the show gait. I was a bit of a showboat with him; raised many an eyebrow with him scouting dogs in a show canter. Lost him 18 months later when he got crossways of a Chevette in southern IL. Had a mare & gelding after that, half brother & sister, out of a Carbon Copy grandson; best two I ever owned. Along the way, I had a yellow mare that gave me two foals, and a couple Spotted Walkers. Never showed any of them; strictly pleasure/field trial horses. Sold my last one after I had two killed by lightening...took all the wind out of my sails.
