In the Winner’s Circle

The air is crisp and clear this fall afternoon, as you make your way out of Buffalo. Overhead, the sky is a spectacular canvas of blue, and the sun is shining in what may be one of the last warm days Minnesota sees for the season. 

You approach the house; a lovely homestead standing tall and proud atop a beautiful hill. All around, fences crisscross the property, as stunning horses lazily graze in the afternoon sunlight. 

This is Windward Farm, home of Mahlon Bauman and her family.

The Baumans  

Mahlon is all smiles as she welcomes you into her home, which is quiet in the early afternoon. Outside, her son and daughter-in-law are busy doing barn chores, working with the array of horses the Baumans keep at Windward. As she leads you to the kitchen, it is difficult not to notice the array of family photos not only highlighting the Bauman’s life together, but also in their ventures of showing horses. 

Bauman has lived in Buffalo for nearly 21 years, and has been involved with horses most of her life. Her mother grew up in the city, though she had always wanted horses, and was the family’s driving force into the venture. 

Mahlon’s family spent a year working with horses with a family friend when she was eleven years old, and after that, it was time for them to embrace horses of their own. That would ultimately be a decision which would change her life; she remembers it well. 

“It is one of those things that either you stick with or you don’t when you’re a kid. I was the only child of my family to stay involved with horses as an adult,” she recalls. “It has changed my life. I couldn’t imagine what it would like without my history of working with horses.” 

From there, Mahlon’s family began working with horses. She would eventually marry Jerome, her husband, who is no stranger to the country life – having grown up on a working farm, he would later go on to show horses with his family, and be a driving force for the family’s success; always supporting his wife and two sons in the endeavor.

Military families to the core, Mahlon and Jerome have two sons. Tanner, who is married to Christine; and another son, who is active in the military (name withheld). Like themselves, Mahlon and Jerome raised their sons with a strong work ethic, and in the horse business.

“Horse kids have a totally different work ethic,” she explained. “You have the mindset that horses come first; that something other than yourself is first. That selflessness was something we wanted to instill in our children, just as it was instilled in us.” 

Selflessness would follow the family throughout their career in horsemanship. The Baumans are known for showing Pintos; ponies, Arabs, and paints. Mahlon’s history with them dates back to 1982, even before having children.

A Career in Horses

Mahlon has been selling consignment tack and apparel for around 26 years, and has been an equine appraiser  for around 15; a title which has taken her all across the country and has garnered some great connections.  However, the family’s start really began with Jack, Windward Farm’s breeding stallion, who would sire around 150 different horses that have gone all over the nation, and into Canada.

Jack recently passed away from a severe case if colic, leaving a hole in the family’s heart. 

“Jack really put us on the map when it came to breeding,” Mahlon shared. “He was such a beautiful horse. We miss him terribly.” 

Jack wasn’t the only horse that has earned the Baumans an austere career in horsemanship. Ranger, a stunning 11-year-old gelding currently residing at Windward, has over 40 world titles attached to his name in a variety of different shows, has earned many buckles, and is fully “home-grown.” 

“Ranger was a gift from a big breeder friend of ours, to my son, Tanner, and myself. We are forever grateful to have Ranger has a part of our lives. He is a true performance horse, and we love him deeply.” 

Ranger’s performance record includes “Supreme Champion” titles in around 18 different open and amateur events, which include judging not only the horse’s performance, but also the rider and handler. Tanner has mostly handled Ranger’s training from a young age, who has learned from many friends along the way. 

“We’ve owned Ranger since he was six months old,” Mahlon reflects. “We ‘broke’ him locally; Tanner has had a hand in almost all of his training.” 

Training and competition have a diverse background when it comes to performance. Mahlon’s experience with pintos is wide – there are many different breeds and disciplines that challenge and stretch individuals, and has created many contacts and resources throughout her career. 

“Many of the folks I work with I see as peers and family, not competition. At any time, we can call each other for help and know we’ll be there; it is a remarkable atmosphere, unlike anything out there. The community is strong, tight-knit, and welcoming.” 

Mahlon’s experience has led her to leadership roles in Minnesota horse country, as well. She served with the Minnesota Pinto Horse Association as its president from 2008-10, and is a life-time member who assists in long-time planning for the organization, as well as working in the rulebook. 

“This [horsemanship] really influenced how I was raised, and how Jerome and I raised our kids. It becomes a part of who you are. The interest trickles down through time as you make connections, and devote your life to this kind of a career and passion.” 

Now, Mahlon is content working her farm and consignment store in Buffalo, while watching her son and his wife show horses and really live the legacy she set out to create years before. She, herself, is retired from showing, though training and the atmosphere still is a big part of her life. The horses she has at Windward Farms, whether her own or local boarders, mean the world to her. 

She and her family continue working with horses on a daily basis, and continue to feed into the horse community around Wright County, the state, and the country.