Thomas Maidl and his partner Michael Looft, operating as Country Classic Clydesdales in Winthrop, Minnesota, have turned a high school interest in horses into a dedicated breeding and showing program focused on Black Clydesdales. Starting with a quarter horse and transitioning to Clydesdales for their distinctive appearance, Maidl gained experience by volunteering and working with other farms and the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales before launching their own business in 2015. Their stud, Country Classic Mr. Stupendous, has earned top honors at state and national shows, and they plan to showcase a six-horse hitch at the 2025 World Clydesdale Show. Their foundation mares come from Tina Miller’s breeding program, and they anticipate three new foals next year despite the breed’s challenges with breeding and foal vigor.

Though Clydesdales are a hobby for Maidl, who also directs music ministries and helps with family farming, and Looft, the city administrator, their commitment is intensive, involving rigorous feeding, grooming, and exercise routines. The breed, listed as “threatened” due to low population numbers, is undergoing efforts to increase vigor through controlled crossbreeding with related draft breeds. Country Classic Clydesdales participates in multiple shows to promote their horses and aims to expand their breeding program by shipping semen from their champion stallion. Despite the hard work, their passion for the horses is clear, with Maidl humorously noting, “Some people have lake homes; we have horses.”