Militant Mischief was foaled in 1985 and went on to a double-gaited career with 90 starts over seven years.

Bred to race on the pace, he earned $5,778 and finished first 6 times in 73 pacing starts. The son of Faraway Bay also earned $1,012 from his 17 starts on the trot. The double-gaited gelding took a pacing mark of 2:00.4f at age 6 and a trotting mark of 2:16h at age 8.

After his racing career ended in September 1994, the flashy gelding sporting a star and three white ankles drew the attention of other harness sport fans: road horses enthusiats. The bay went on to a second career in the showring, shown under the name “Homewrecker.”

He had success with roadster trainer Larry Gilpin of Minnesota, winning the Open Single Roadster to Bike class at the 1998 FASH Inc. Spring Show in Cannon Falls, Minn. Driven by Lana Gilpin and under the care of trainer Larry Gilpin, the gelding placed fifth at the 1998 and 1999 Worlds Championship Horse Show in Louisville, Ky., in the Open Ladies Roadster to Bike class. In 2002, the bay won the Roadster Under Saddle class at the Alabama Charity Show for rider Clarke Clouse and trainer Gilpin.

After his successes with Gilpin, the bay changed ownership several times, and came into the hands of his current owner Todd Shaw in 2003 when the bay was 18.

“I showed him for two years for [owner/trainer] Noel Jefferson,” Shaw said.

“My wife purchased him for me as a Christmas present two years ago.

“This horse has passed through many owners, and there are many stories about him being an outlaw,” Shaw said, explaining that one owner was unable to show him because the gelding pulled so hard the owner’s hands went numb.

Shaw plans to continue to compete with his gelding, with whom Shaw has developed a rapport.

“I love him. He has been nothing but kind and gentle for me,” Shaw said.