Tom Peterson of Antler Ridge Farm and Carriages
by Carol Mowdy Bond
Photos courtesy of Tom Peterson
You’ve likely spotted him in parades statewide or been lucky enough to snag a carriage ride with him holding the reins. What you might not know is his name: Tom Peterson. He’s a familiar figure within the Sooner State’s equine culture, and he’s all over the place with horses, wagons and carriages, serving up all kinds of great experiences.
Originally from Connecticut, Peterson graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with a double major in economics and finance. Then he earned his MBA from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
As Peterson’s professional career advanced, he held executive positions in at least seven states. But his connection to horses began early and has never faded.
Starting Early
“I became involved with horses at an early age,” says Peterson. “My father, grandfather and uncle worked for a feed company plant that sold animal feed up and down the East Coast. I would go with my dad to the farms, and it was here that I became involved with ponies, horses and draft horses. I used to go help these folks at county fairs by driving and grooming horses. I started with a small pulling team of horses — Duke and Tom — attending fairs and pulling contests.”
After they married, Peterson and his wife, Catherine, bought their first farm in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. In 1970, they began with a team of draft horses that competed throughout the Midwest.
“You cannot have just one, and our herd grew to 15 or more large draft horses where we specialized in breeding Belgian horses,” Peterson says. “We also enjoyed showing, and at home, driving our horses, especially in winter with sleigh rides.”
Peterson’s love of horses continued. While living in Wisconsin, along with some good friends, “including Amish friends, we started what has turned out to be one of the best draft horse and driving horse auctions in the country, held at the Dane County fairgrounds every spring,” he says. “I managed the auction for five years, and it continued to grow.”
When Peterson’s corporate career took the family to New Orleans, Louisiana, the couple began raising and showing Morgan horses. Both Peterson’s wife and daughter were avid riders, and the family’s gelding won the world championship twice. With a career move to Michigan, they continued breeding, raising and showing Morgan horses.
After he garnered accolades for hospital patient satisfaction due to hospital programs he designed and implemented, Peterson’s career led him to a large Tulsa hospital. Then he retired in Oklahoma.
Antler Ridge Farm and Carriages
These days, he and his wife own Antler Ridge Farm and Carriages in the Edmond and Deer Creek areas. “I bought three beautiful mares again and started a breeding and carriage business,” he says. “This started as a fun thing to do, and now I am booked a year in advance, four to five days a week, from Thanksgiving to Christmas.”
In addition to holiday functions, Peterson’s horses and wagons work at Oklahoma City’s Harn Homestead and other historic venues across the state. The family also books their antique carriages and wagons for weddings, birthday parties, engagements, anniversaries, parades and private functions.
Horse Groups and Posses
For over five years, Peterson has been the Draft Horse Show Superintendent for the Tulsa State Fair. He has also been president of the Oklahoma Draft Horse and Mule Association for five years. This year, the association is planning events at Okarche’s Center of Family Love and at Norman Veterans Center.
Additionally, he has been president of the U.S. Marshal’s Posse for the Western District of Oklahoma for four years. “The U.S. Marshal’s Posse is both an educational group and riders depicting the marshals of the past,” says Peterson. “Today, we take part in many parades throughout Oklahoma and surrounding states. We also took part in the All Western Parade of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and Cheyenne Frontier Days and others.”
In parades, Peterson’s team pulls the posse’s antique jail on wheels. The group also visits schools and private groups throughout Oklahoma, giving lectures on the history of marshals and how they are the nation’s first law enforcement organization, formed by George Washington. They also offer rides for special needs individuals and institutions.
Whether he’s wearing his Antler Ridge Farm cap or representing another organization,
Peterson’s schedule is already filling up this year. It includes:
- May — Kolache Festival Parade, Prague
- June — Blackberry Festival, McCloud
- July — LibertyFest Parade, Edmond
- September — Cherokee Strip Parade, Enid and Western Days Parade, Mustang
- October — Oklahoma Czech Festival Parade, Yukon and Oklahoma State University Homecoming Parade, Stillwater
- December — Stockyards City Cowboy Christmas Parade, Oklahoma City and Guthrie Territorial Christmas Celebration
Find Peterson and Antler Ridge Farm at antlerridgefarmandcarriages.com or on Facebook.
