A Look Behind "WP Batender Gal"
Rose
Two Id Bartender
His performance records include: World Champion, Top Ten World Show, Superior Performance, AQHA Champion, and ROM Performance. Offspring accomplishments include: Top Ten World Show Offspring, Superior Performance Offspring, ROM Halter Offspring, ROM Performance Offspring, NRHA Money-earners, and NRCHA Money-earners.
Two Eyed Jack
His performance records includes accomplishments such as: Superior Halter, AQHA Champion Halter Point Earner, Performance Point Earner, and ROM Performance. His offspring records include: Supreme Champion Offspring, World Champion Offspring, Reserve World Champion Offspring, Top Ten World Show Offspring, Superior Halter Offspring, Superior Performance Offspring, AQHA High Point Performance Offspring, and AQHA Champion Offspring. He was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1996.
Mr San Peppy
Peppy San Badger
Poco Bueno
He was 100% foundation bred.Poco Bueno a brown quarter horse stallion foaled April 10, 1944. He was sired by the great Quarter horse stallion King P-234 and out of the mare Miss Taylor who was by Old Poco Bueno. Poco Bueno was named for his maternal grandsire, and the name means pretty good in Spanish. He was a plain brown horse with no white markings at all. When mature, he stood about 15 hands high and weighed about 1200 pounds. Poco Bueno earned his American Quarter Horse Association, or AQHA, Championship and dominated the quarter horse breed for decades. He was purchased by E. Paul Waggoner, of the Waggoner Ranch near Vernon, Texas in 1945 for $5,700. His show career started when he was named champion yearling stallion at the Texas Cowboy
Reunion Quarter Horse Show in Stamford, Texas. He was grand champion stallion in the 1940s at Denver's National Western Stock Show, the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show in Fort Worth, State Fair of Texas in Dallas and the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City. As a 4-year-old, in 1948, Poco Bueno started his performance career as a cutting horse. He was the first quarter horse to be insured for $100,000.00. Poco Bueno sired 405 registered AQHA foals, 222 were performers. His most successful crosses were on the daughters of Blackburn. Among his famous get were Poco Stampede, Poco Tivio, Poco Lena, Poco Mona, Poco Bob, Poco Dell, and Poco Pine. Poco Bueno died November 28, 1969. Mr. Waggoner left specific instructions in his will that Poco Bueno was to be buried in a standing position in a grave across from the ranch entrance on Texas Highway 283. The plot of ground was landscaped with trees and grass. A granite marker, weighing four tons, was engraved with his name, picture and the following: Champion and Sire of Champions. In 1990, Poco Bueno was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame.
Reunion Quarter Horse Show in Stamford, Texas. He was grand champion stallion in the 1940s at Denver's National Western Stock Show, the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show in Fort Worth, State Fair of Texas in Dallas and the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City. As a 4-year-old, in 1948, Poco Bueno started his performance career as a cutting horse. He was the first quarter horse to be insured for $100,000.00. Poco Bueno sired 405 registered AQHA foals, 222 were performers. His most successful crosses were on the daughters of Blackburn. Among his famous get were Poco Stampede, Poco Tivio, Poco Lena, Poco Mona, Poco Bob, Poco Dell, and Poco Pine. Poco Bueno died November 28, 1969. Mr. Waggoner left specific instructions in his will that Poco Bueno was to be buried in a standing position in a grave across from the ranch entrance on Texas Highway 283. The plot of ground was landscaped with trees and grass. A granite marker, weighing four tons, was engraved with his name, picture and the following: Champion and Sire of Champions. In 1990, Poco Bueno was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame.
Poco Pine
Poco Pine was shown about five times as a weanling, winning all the halter classes he was shown in. Curtner, however, felt that he was slow to develop and therefore didn't show him as a yearling or as a two-year-old. By 1957 Curtner felt that Poco Pine was once again ready to perform, and took him to a show in Fort Worth, Texas. Although Poco Pine won his class, Curtner was sure the horse wouldn't win either Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion, and ended up betting B. F. Phillips and Billy Bush that Poco Pine would not win the championship or reserve. Poco Pine won the Championship, which meant that
Curtner lost money on his horse winning. Curtner's goal with Poco Pine's halter career was to have the stallion win 50 Grand Championships, a goal the stallion accomplished on October 27, 1960, when he was six years old. Curtner then retired the horse from halter showing. While Poco Pine was showing at halter, he was also showing in cutting competitions and standing at stud to a large book of mares. In 1958, for example, he bred 80 mares at a stud fee of $800 (approximately $6,100 in 2012) as well as showing both halter and cutting. In August 1960, Poco Pine earned enough performance points to qualify for an AQHA Championship and was retired from performance showing. In total, Poco Pine earned 135 AQHA Halter points and 17 AQHA Performance points. Curtner had two opportunities to sell Poco Pine during his showing career—the first time for $40,000 (approximately $303,800 in 2012), the second for $100,000 (approximately $759,600 in 2012) —but both times he turned the offers down. His show record includesHall of Fame Superior Halter, AQHA Champion, NCHA money-earner, and ROM Performance. His offsprings accomplishments include, Reserve World Champion Offspring, Superior Halter Offspring, Superior Performance Offspring, AQHA
Champion Offspring, ROM Performance Offspring, and NCHA Money-earners.
Curtner lost money on his horse winning. Curtner's goal with Poco Pine's halter career was to have the stallion win 50 Grand Championships, a goal the stallion accomplished on October 27, 1960, when he was six years old. Curtner then retired the horse from halter showing. While Poco Pine was showing at halter, he was also showing in cutting competitions and standing at stud to a large book of mares. In 1958, for example, he bred 80 mares at a stud fee of $800 (approximately $6,100 in 2012) as well as showing both halter and cutting. In August 1960, Poco Pine earned enough performance points to qualify for an AQHA Championship and was retired from performance showing. In total, Poco Pine earned 135 AQHA Halter points and 17 AQHA Performance points. Curtner had two opportunities to sell Poco Pine during his showing career—the first time for $40,000 (approximately $303,800 in 2012), the second for $100,000 (approximately $759,600 in 2012) —but both times he turned the offers down. His show record includesHall of Fame Superior Halter, AQHA Champion, NCHA money-earner, and ROM Performance. His offsprings accomplishments include, Reserve World Champion Offspring, Superior Halter Offspring, Superior Performance Offspring, AQHA
Champion Offspring, ROM Performance Offspring, and NCHA Money-earners.
Peponita
His accomplishments include: Hall of Fame, World Champion, NCHA Finals, Top Ten World Show, Superior Performance, NCHA money-earner, and ROM Performance. His offspring records include: World Champion Offspring, Reserve World Champion Offspring, Superior Performance Offspring, AQHA High Point Performance Offspring, ROM Performance Offspring, NRHA Money-earners, NCHA Money-earners, NRCHA Money-earners, and Halter Point Earners.
Peppy San
Grey Badger 2
Grey Badger II foaled on May 5, 1941. He was registered with number 2006 in the AQHA. His stud book listing gives his color as gray, and his breeder as Walter F. Merrick of Texola, Oklahoma. His sire was Midnight Jr #210, and his dam was listed as Grey Annie #3502 by Billy the Tough, second dam as Casey Jones mare by Casey Jones. He was owned by Chick Crisp of Sayre, Oklahoma at the time he was registered. His sire was a son of Midnight and traced to Peter McCue three times. His dam traced to Peter McCue two more times, making Grey Badger II inbred to Peter McCue, with five crosses. Grey Badger II was a noted match racer during the 1940s. His official racing record with the AQHA has him starting six times in three years, with two wins and no seconds or thirds. He achieved an AA speed rating. Grey Badger II died on the Triangle Ranch in Texas, probably around 1972. Among his famous offspring were Grey Badger III and Badger's Grey. His granddaughter Triangle Tookie is a leading producer of AQHA Champions,
including Two Eyed Jack. Grey Badger II was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 2007.
including Two Eyed Jack. Grey Badger II was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 2007.
Doc Bar
Little Joe
Little Joe of Alice, Texas, is the only horse of this name that has proved himself great enough that everyone knows he is meant when the name is spoken. His sire was Traveler, his dam Jenny, his full brother King (Possum). Traveler never would have been so famous were it not for King and his younger brother Little Joe--especially Little Joe. Dow and Will Shely bought Traveler in 1903 and brought him to their ranch between Alice and Alfred, Texas. The next year George Clegg looked over the crop of colts. George bought one. He said that the colt, named Little Joe, was so little he could put him in a chicken coop, and
his wife wondered if he had to pay money for him, he was so tiny. But the colt grew up to have the same short back and big britches carried by his sire. He was also fast, and George raced him at every opportunity for four or five years. His first race was against Carrie Nation in San Antonio, and when he beat her he was a marked horse. Some years later Ott Adams bought Little Joe but never ran him. He wanted a proven race horse to breed to his fast mares. He bred Little Joe for a number of years and then sold him, not because he wanted to, but because he was broke and needed money and O. Cardwell, of Junction, was willing to pay for him. Little Joe died on the Cardwell ranch in 1929. In a letter to Helen Michaelis, Cardwell wrote, "Little Joe crippled himself in a chute in 1929 and I had to shoot him." There is more to the story, but the above is sufficient. Some people still argue whether Rondo or Little Joe did the most for the South Texas Quarter Horse. There was no doubt in Ott Adams' mind that Little Joe did more for the Quarter Horse than any other horse since the Civil War. His get and grandget are still some of the best in the business. George Clegg, who raised Little Joe, considered him the fastest Quarter Horse he had ever run and probably as fast as any that ever ran in Texas. That's taking in considerable territory. O. W. Cardwell, who was never known to be at a loss for words, wrote, "Openly by many and secretly by more, he is considered the greatest most ideal sire of this century. Men who have his blood do not wish to change, and outsiders are hunting for it."Many great horses are sons and daughters of Little Joe. Some of his get include Ada Jones, Plain Jane, Adalina, Nita Joe, Balmy Days, Joe Moore, Zantanon, Grano de Oro, Old Poco Bueno, Pancho Villa, Dan, Rainbow, Clear Weather, the Northington Horse, Mamie Jay, Little Sister, Clementia Garcia, Jim Wells, Pat Neff, Cotton Eyed Joe, Lupete, Lady Love, Ace of Hearts and Dutch. The names of his grandget are equally famous and include Miss Panama, Skidoo, Miss South Saint Mary's, Hill Country, Stella Moore, Hobo, Red Joe, Sunny Jim, King, and Billy Van. His great-grandget include Squaw H. Hank H. Clementine, Joe Barrett, Bo El, Bolo, Big Chief, Jesse, and countless others.
his wife wondered if he had to pay money for him, he was so tiny. But the colt grew up to have the same short back and big britches carried by his sire. He was also fast, and George raced him at every opportunity for four or five years. His first race was against Carrie Nation in San Antonio, and when he beat her he was a marked horse. Some years later Ott Adams bought Little Joe but never ran him. He wanted a proven race horse to breed to his fast mares. He bred Little Joe for a number of years and then sold him, not because he wanted to, but because he was broke and needed money and O. Cardwell, of Junction, was willing to pay for him. Little Joe died on the Cardwell ranch in 1929. In a letter to Helen Michaelis, Cardwell wrote, "Little Joe crippled himself in a chute in 1929 and I had to shoot him." There is more to the story, but the above is sufficient. Some people still argue whether Rondo or Little Joe did the most for the South Texas Quarter Horse. There was no doubt in Ott Adams' mind that Little Joe did more for the Quarter Horse than any other horse since the Civil War. His get and grandget are still some of the best in the business. George Clegg, who raised Little Joe, considered him the fastest Quarter Horse he had ever run and probably as fast as any that ever ran in Texas. That's taking in considerable territory. O. W. Cardwell, who was never known to be at a loss for words, wrote, "Openly by many and secretly by more, he is considered the greatest most ideal sire of this century. Men who have his blood do not wish to change, and outsiders are hunting for it."Many great horses are sons and daughters of Little Joe. Some of his get include Ada Jones, Plain Jane, Adalina, Nita Joe, Balmy Days, Joe Moore, Zantanon, Grano de Oro, Old Poco Bueno, Pancho Villa, Dan, Rainbow, Clear Weather, the Northington Horse, Mamie Jay, Little Sister, Clementia Garcia, Jim Wells, Pat Neff, Cotton Eyed Joe, Lupete, Lady Love, Ace of Hearts and Dutch. The names of his grandget are equally famous and include Miss Panama, Skidoo, Miss South Saint Mary's, Hill Country, Stella Moore, Hobo, Red Joe, Sunny Jim, King, and Billy Van. His great-grandget include Squaw H. Hank H. Clementine, Joe Barrett, Bo El, Bolo, Big Chief, Jesse, and countless others.
Leo
Leo was foaled in 1940. He was a double grandson of Joe Reed, as both his sire and dam were by Joe Reed. He was registered with the AQHA as number 1335, a sorrel stallion bred by J. W. House of Cameron, Texas and owned by E. M. Salinas of Eagle Pass, Texas. Leo raced in the early years of the American Quarter Racing Association, being rated with an A speed rating and earning a Race Register of Merit in 1944. However, his exact racing record isn't available. He raced mainly at Pawhuska, Oklahoma in the ownership of John W. Tillman. Leo set a track record at Pawhuska, running 300 yards in 16.0 seconds. He is claimed to have won 20 out of 22 match races. Tillman told Nelson Nye that "He always had a wonderful disposition, is easily handled, was a perfect gate horse, and had the heart and ability to come from behind and outrun good horses." Tillman sold Leo to Gene Moore of Fairfax, Oklahoma, who stood him at stud for a number of years. In 1946 Leo had a trailer accident that nearly cut off both hind legs, he recovered enough to race, but never as well as before. In 1947, Leo ended up in the hands of Bud Warren, who retired him to full time stud duties. He died in 1967. Leo was the sire of many outstanding horses, including Miss Meyers, Palleo Pete, Robin Reed, Hygro Leo, Holey Sox, Leo Tag, Leolita, Okie Leo, and Tiger Leo. He sired twenty-four horses that earned an AQHA Championship, and 211 Race Register of Merits. One of his foals, Leo Maudie, earned the highest showing and racing honor the AQHA has when he earned an AQHA Supreme Championship in 1971. He was an outstanding sire of broodmares, many of his daughters going to on produce racehorses as well as show horses. Leo's daughter Leota W was the 1947 Co-Champion Quarter Running Two-Year-Old Filly. Leola, another daughter, was the first Quarter horse to win three futurities, winning the Oklahoma, Colorado and Wyoming Futurities. His son, Palleo Pete, was the 1954 Champion Quarter Running Stallion. Leo was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in1989. His offspring include,Supreme Champion Offspring, World Champion Offspring, Superior Halter Offspring, Superior Performance Offspring, AQHA Champion Offspring, ROM Performance Offspring, Race ROM Offspring, and Race Money-earners.
Three Bars
Three Bars was the sire of 29 AQHA Champions, 4 AQHA Supreme Champions, 317 Racing Register of Merit earners, and his foals earned more than $3 million on the racetrack. Among his famous offspring were Mr. Bar None, Gay Bar King, Sugar Bars, Lightning Bar, Tonto Bars Gill, St. Bar, Steel Bars, and Bar Money. Others include Triple Chick, Alamitos Bar, Bar Depth, Royal Bar, Josie's Bar, and Galobar. His grandson Doc Bar became one of the most influential sires of cutting horses ever known. Another grandson, Tonto Bars Hank, sired all around horses. Jewel's Leo Bars (Freckles), an outstanding cutting horse and sire of cutting horses, was another grandson of Three Bars
(TB). He was inducted into the AQHA hall of fame in 1989.
(TB). He was inducted into the AQHA hall of fame in 1989.
Lightning Bar
Blondys Dude
Blondy's Dude was a 1957 sorrel stallion sired by Small Town Dude and out of Blondy Queen. His sire was a son of King P-234 and his dam was a descendant of Plaudit. He was an American Quarter Horse Association (or AQHA) Champion and a Performance Register of Merit earner. Morgan Freeman bought him in 1961, after seeing him at a reining competition as well as at an informal cutting. The horse earned 45 Halter points as well as four cutting and eight reining points with the AQHA. Morgan's son Jerald said that Blondy's Dude was very much a people horse, that he liked to follow people around. Among his famous offspring were Mighty Blonde, Small Town Babe, Dude's Ann, Okie Star Dude, Hy Fashion Blond, and Dude's Baby Doll. Among his famous grandget was Diamonds parkle. His offspring earned twenty-five AQHA Championships, along with Superior Performance horse awards and many Performance Register of Merits. Three of his foals earned year end High Point Awards with the AQHA, and one was a multiple times
World Champion at the Youth World Show. His offspring excelled in many different disciplines, having earned Superior Performance awards in Western Pleasure,
Reining, Barrel Racing, Hunter Under Saddle, Trail, Roping, and Pole Bending. He was inducted into theAQHA Hall of Fame in 2001. He died in 1981 and was buried in Morgan Freeman's front yard in the town of Skiatook, Oklahoma with a marker stating "God gives his best to those that leave the choice to him. Owned and Loved by Morgan Freeman."
World Champion at the Youth World Show. His offspring excelled in many different disciplines, having earned Superior Performance awards in Western Pleasure,
Reining, Barrel Racing, Hunter Under Saddle, Trail, Roping, and Pole Bending. He was inducted into theAQHA Hall of Fame in 2001. He died in 1981 and was buried in Morgan Freeman's front yard in the town of Skiatook, Oklahoma with a marker stating "God gives his best to those that leave the choice to him. Owned and Loved by Morgan Freeman."
Old Sorrel
Old Sorrel was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame 1990. Old Sorrel was purchased by the King Ranch and he developed into the greatest cow horse to ever set foot on this famous ranch. When Old Sorrel had proven his ability as a cow horse, he was given the opportunity to breed a band of the best mares on the ranch. His foals proved to be good using horses and Old Sorrel became the foundation sire of one of the most successful breeding programs in the world.
Joe Reed
Joe Reed P-3 was registered with number 3 in the AQHA. He was foaled in 1921, the offspring of two famous short track racehorses. He was a chestnut stallion, bred by Henry Lindsey of Granger, Texas. When he was registered with the AQHA he was owned by J. J. Slankard, of Elk City, Oklahoma. He died on May 19, 1947. His sire was a thoroughbred that mainly raced on the short tracks who once famously lost to Pan Zareta. Joe Reed's dam was a Louisiana bred quarter mare whose breeding has always been somewhat
controversial. The actual decision to breed Della Moore to Joe Blair has always been
attributed to the desire of the racetrack grooms to quiet the two horses during a backside
craps game. According to this story, Della Moore was in heat and both she and Joe Blair were making such a racket that it was disturbing the gambling, so the horses were bred to shut them up, without any knowledge of Della Moore's owner Henry Lindsey. Several months later, it became obvious that Della Moore was pregnant and Lindsey tracked down what exactly had happened. Joe Reed later turned into a decent match racer himself, although all of his racing took place before the organization of the AQHA. Joe Reed was the sire of several outstanding horses, including Joe Reed II, Red Joe of Arizona, Joe Sunday, Joe's Last, and Catechu. He was the double grandsire of Leo. Joe Reed sired six horses that earned a Race Register of Merit. Many of his daughters became the dams of Race Register of Merit earners. His son Joe Reed II was the Champion Quarter Running Stallion for 1942–1943. His grandson Jose Uno was inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association (or NCHA) Hall of Fame. More distant descendants include Zippo Pat Bars, Colonel Freckles, Goetta, Peppy San, Rugged Lark, Sonny Dee Bar, The Invester, and Zippo Pine Bar – all members of the AQHA Hall of Fame. Joe Reed was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1992. His offspring have been World Champion Offspring, Superior Performance Offspring, ROM Performance Offspring, NCHA Money-earners, and Halter Point Earners.
controversial. The actual decision to breed Della Moore to Joe Blair has always been
attributed to the desire of the racetrack grooms to quiet the two horses during a backside
craps game. According to this story, Della Moore was in heat and both she and Joe Blair were making such a racket that it was disturbing the gambling, so the horses were bred to shut them up, without any knowledge of Della Moore's owner Henry Lindsey. Several months later, it became obvious that Della Moore was pregnant and Lindsey tracked down what exactly had happened. Joe Reed later turned into a decent match racer himself, although all of his racing took place before the organization of the AQHA. Joe Reed was the sire of several outstanding horses, including Joe Reed II, Red Joe of Arizona, Joe Sunday, Joe's Last, and Catechu. He was the double grandsire of Leo. Joe Reed sired six horses that earned a Race Register of Merit. Many of his daughters became the dams of Race Register of Merit earners. His son Joe Reed II was the Champion Quarter Running Stallion for 1942–1943. His grandson Jose Uno was inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association (or NCHA) Hall of Fame. More distant descendants include Zippo Pat Bars, Colonel Freckles, Goetta, Peppy San, Rugged Lark, Sonny Dee Bar, The Invester, and Zippo Pine Bar – all members of the AQHA Hall of Fame. Joe Reed was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1992. His offspring have been World Champion Offspring, Superior Performance Offspring, ROM Performance Offspring, NCHA Money-earners, and Halter Point Earners.
Joe Reed 2
Joe Reed II was registered number 985 in the AQHA's stud book. He was registered as a chestnut stallion that foaled in 1936. His breeder was recorded as J. W. House of Cameron, Texas, and his owner when he was registered was Bert H. Wood of Tucson, Arizona. He was the son of Joe Reed and Nellene, a daughter of Fleeting Time (TB). He was over half Thoroughbred by breeding, as both his sire and his dam were by Thoroughbreds. On his dam's side he traced twice to Traveler. His paternal granddam, Della Moore, was a Louisiana bred mare. In 1942 Joe Reed beat the famous Clabber to be proclaimed Champion Quarter Running Stallion. He raced three times that meet, and won all three races. He had a foot injury and the last race he bled from the foot the whole race, but managed to win the race anyway. After his racing career was cut short by that injury, Joe went on to sire such outstanding horses as Leo, Little Sister W, Joak, Joe Queen, and Tonta Lad. Joe Reed II died in 1964 at Fort Bridger, Wyoming. Joe Reed was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1994.
Traveler
It is most unusual, although not without precedence, for an unknown sire to beget a strain of horses. One such was Justin Morgan; another, Old Fred. Traveler, could be listed as the third, for he is a sire who came out of nowhere to establish a strain of Texas Quarter Horses. From the ignominious position of pulling a scraper on the Texas and Pacific Railway, he rose to become the great Quarter Horse sire of his generation. Traveler's history has been traced back to Eastland County, Texas, where he was working on the railway. He was just a sorrel work horse in a large remuda owned by the contractor. It has
never been adequately explained just how it happened that a stallion was allowed with the horses, but there is no disagreement on this part of the story. Traveler was not a young horse when he left the railroad -- his age has been estimated at between eight and ten. He had to be broken to the saddle, even though trace-chain marks showed on his side and collar marks on his shoulders. He had been worked plenty but not ridden. According to one old-timer, he pitched terrifically but showed great intelligence and soon quieted down. There are several stories about how he happened to leave the railroad. One has a man named Self trading a mule for him and driving him home hitched to the wagon with the remaining mule. Soon he was racing. One of his first races was against a mare named Mayflower. Will Crutchfield rode Mayflower. Bob Berry tells in a single
sentence how the race came out: "Crutchfield could not have thrown a rock off Mayflower and touched Traveler's Dust." Still another story has John Cooper and Brown Seay, who owned a saloon in Granbury, Texas, buying Traveler. One day Cooper drove to San Angelo in a buggy with a mule team. He noticed Traveler working the railway fill pulling a fresno and admired him. He stopped on the spot and traded one of his mules for Traveler. When he got back to Granbury, he called his partner out to see Traveler, and they went for a ride. When Seay tapped the mule with the buggy whip the horse stepped out. Then Seay remarked, "He sure is some traveler." According to this account, that is how he was named. In all of the stories, Brown Seay owned Traveler for a time, and while Seay owned him he ran one of his best races
against Bob Wilson, the top Quarter Horse in Central Texas. When he beat Wilson, his fame was made. Everyone who saw him commented on his powerful rear end. In a letter to me, George Clegg said that Traveler had "the shortest back and biggest butt" he had ever seen on a saddle horse. He added that he was a speckled sorrel and bred colts with gray hairs in their tails. He also bred quite a few colts with glass eyes. He bred his last colt in 1911. Curiously, if it had not been for two mares, Fanny Pace and Jenny, Traveler might not have been considered the great sire he was. With Fanny as a dam, he sired Judge Thomas, Judge Welch, and Buster Brown, who was also known as Jack Tolliver. Bred to Jenny, he produced Little Joe, King or Possum, and Black Bess. None of his other colts ever came near to equaling any of these six. Little Joe sired Zantanon, Joe Moore, Cotton Eyed Joe, and many others. Zantanon sired Hankin's King, Chico, San Simeon, Sonny Kimball, and many more. Possum sired Guinea Pig, who sired Tony, and Red Cloud, who in turn sired Mark. Other of Traveler's well-known get were El Rey, Booger Red, Old Crawford, Texas Chief, John Gardner, and Chulo Mundo. Traveler passed through several hands after he left Brown Seay, who was interested in him primarily as a running horse. For a while, he was used as a ranch stallion and bred mares on Chris Seale's ranch near Baird, Texas. Traveler left the San Angelo country about 1903, staying briefly at Comanche, Big Lake, and Sweetwater. From Sweetwater, he was taken to South Texas by Will and Dow Shely of Alfred. Truly, Traveler was an exceptional horse.
never been adequately explained just how it happened that a stallion was allowed with the horses, but there is no disagreement on this part of the story. Traveler was not a young horse when he left the railroad -- his age has been estimated at between eight and ten. He had to be broken to the saddle, even though trace-chain marks showed on his side and collar marks on his shoulders. He had been worked plenty but not ridden. According to one old-timer, he pitched terrifically but showed great intelligence and soon quieted down. There are several stories about how he happened to leave the railroad. One has a man named Self trading a mule for him and driving him home hitched to the wagon with the remaining mule. Soon he was racing. One of his first races was against a mare named Mayflower. Will Crutchfield rode Mayflower. Bob Berry tells in a single
sentence how the race came out: "Crutchfield could not have thrown a rock off Mayflower and touched Traveler's Dust." Still another story has John Cooper and Brown Seay, who owned a saloon in Granbury, Texas, buying Traveler. One day Cooper drove to San Angelo in a buggy with a mule team. He noticed Traveler working the railway fill pulling a fresno and admired him. He stopped on the spot and traded one of his mules for Traveler. When he got back to Granbury, he called his partner out to see Traveler, and they went for a ride. When Seay tapped the mule with the buggy whip the horse stepped out. Then Seay remarked, "He sure is some traveler." According to this account, that is how he was named. In all of the stories, Brown Seay owned Traveler for a time, and while Seay owned him he ran one of his best races
against Bob Wilson, the top Quarter Horse in Central Texas. When he beat Wilson, his fame was made. Everyone who saw him commented on his powerful rear end. In a letter to me, George Clegg said that Traveler had "the shortest back and biggest butt" he had ever seen on a saddle horse. He added that he was a speckled sorrel and bred colts with gray hairs in their tails. He also bred quite a few colts with glass eyes. He bred his last colt in 1911. Curiously, if it had not been for two mares, Fanny Pace and Jenny, Traveler might not have been considered the great sire he was. With Fanny as a dam, he sired Judge Thomas, Judge Welch, and Buster Brown, who was also known as Jack Tolliver. Bred to Jenny, he produced Little Joe, King or Possum, and Black Bess. None of his other colts ever came near to equaling any of these six. Little Joe sired Zantanon, Joe Moore, Cotton Eyed Joe, and many others. Zantanon sired Hankin's King, Chico, San Simeon, Sonny Kimball, and many more. Possum sired Guinea Pig, who sired Tony, and Red Cloud, who in turn sired Mark. Other of Traveler's well-known get were El Rey, Booger Red, Old Crawford, Texas Chief, John Gardner, and Chulo Mundo. Traveler passed through several hands after he left Brown Seay, who was interested in him primarily as a running horse. For a while, he was used as a ranch stallion and bred mares on Chris Seale's ranch near Baird, Texas. Traveler left the San Angelo country about 1903, staying briefly at Comanche, Big Lake, and Sweetwater. From Sweetwater, he was taken to South Texas by Will and Dow Shely of Alfred. Truly, Traveler was an exceptional horse.
Peter McCue
Dan Tucker sired many great horses, but without doubt the greatest was Peter McCue. Peter McCue's blood had greater influence on the development of the Quarter Horse between 1900 and 1940 than that of any other single individual. His sons were in demand and scattered among all of the principal Quarter Horse areas. For example, Hickory Bill in South Texas, Harmon Baker in Central Texas, and John Wilkins in North Texas. The same was true in other states like
Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, where sons of his were found out-running, out-performing, and out-producing all rivals. Peter McCue's breeding explains his phenomenal success and tremendous ability. He was by Dan Tucker. Dan Tucker was a Shiloh and Steel Dust cross. Peter stood 16 hands high and weighed 1,430 pounds. He and Joe Hancock, his grandson, and Old Fred are the largest Quarter Horses to influence the breed significantly. The first fame came to Peter McCue on the race track. He was principally a sprinter, running most of his races in Texas, Oklahoma, and Illinois.While in Texas he spent much of his time in the vicinity of San Antonio. Those who knew him best claim that despite his size he
was the fastest horse ever to run a short race. He ran what could be one of the fastest quarter miles ever run by a horse and recorded by more than one witness with a watch in hand. Three independent railbirds clocked him in twenty-one seconds flat. Since it was five o'clock in the morning and just a workout, it was not, of course, official. One other time he was supposed to have been clocked by several watches in the same time. Both of these could have been scored starts, although the modern records are getting closer to this time each season. Peter McCue's speed was phenomenal, but he was a freak horse, as an examination of his pictures will show. Bob Wade ran a quarter in twenty-one and one-fourth seconds at Butte, Montana, and Rainbow by Senator, the horse of her day in Colorado, ran several races in around twenty-two seconds. Races run under twenty-two seconds are fairly common when some sort of a score or running start is used. Shue Fly ran an unofficial quarter at Albuquerque in twenty-one and two-tenths with a scored start. The present world's record is twenty-one and eight-tenths for a standing start quarter set in 1957. When the American Quarter Horse Association, known as the AQHA, first listed official track records in 1945, Shue Fly held the quarter-mile record with a time of twenty-two and six-tenths. Peter McCue, when in San Antonio, was owned by John Wilkins, who later sold him to Milo Burlingame, who took him to Oklahoma. Some years later he was purchased by Coke Roberds. Roberds then kept him and cared for him until Peter McCue died in 1923 at the age of twenty-eight. Among the famous race horses sired by Peter McCue are Carrie Nation, who at one time held the world's record for the five-eighth of a mile, and Buck Thomas, who ran forty-nine races and won thirty-eight. Many of Peter McCue's sons were kept as sires. He represents one of the most important modern
strains, and his bloodline has been carried on through his many sons and daughters. Some of them were Harmon Baker, Sheik, John Wilkins, Buck Thomas, Harry D. Hickory Bill, Duck Hunter, Carrie Nation, Chief, Jack McCue, and Badger. Harmon Baker sired Sancho, Harmon Baker, Jr., Seal Skin, Dodger, Big Nigger, and Little Joe (New Mexico), John Wilkins sired Joe Hancock. Hickory Bill sired Paul El, Little Hickory Bill, Sam Watkins, and the Old Sorrel. Carrie Nation was the dam of Billy Sunday. Sheik sired Nick. Buck Thomas sired Bill Thomas, Jack McCue sired Barney Owens, Miss Santa Fe, Nancy M, Warrior, and others. Badger sired Old Midnight. It has been the privilege of few modern Quarter Horse sires to exert the influence that Peter McCue did upon he modern "short-horse.
Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, where sons of his were found out-running, out-performing, and out-producing all rivals. Peter McCue's breeding explains his phenomenal success and tremendous ability. He was by Dan Tucker. Dan Tucker was a Shiloh and Steel Dust cross. Peter stood 16 hands high and weighed 1,430 pounds. He and Joe Hancock, his grandson, and Old Fred are the largest Quarter Horses to influence the breed significantly. The first fame came to Peter McCue on the race track. He was principally a sprinter, running most of his races in Texas, Oklahoma, and Illinois.While in Texas he spent much of his time in the vicinity of San Antonio. Those who knew him best claim that despite his size he
was the fastest horse ever to run a short race. He ran what could be one of the fastest quarter miles ever run by a horse and recorded by more than one witness with a watch in hand. Three independent railbirds clocked him in twenty-one seconds flat. Since it was five o'clock in the morning and just a workout, it was not, of course, official. One other time he was supposed to have been clocked by several watches in the same time. Both of these could have been scored starts, although the modern records are getting closer to this time each season. Peter McCue's speed was phenomenal, but he was a freak horse, as an examination of his pictures will show. Bob Wade ran a quarter in twenty-one and one-fourth seconds at Butte, Montana, and Rainbow by Senator, the horse of her day in Colorado, ran several races in around twenty-two seconds. Races run under twenty-two seconds are fairly common when some sort of a score or running start is used. Shue Fly ran an unofficial quarter at Albuquerque in twenty-one and two-tenths with a scored start. The present world's record is twenty-one and eight-tenths for a standing start quarter set in 1957. When the American Quarter Horse Association, known as the AQHA, first listed official track records in 1945, Shue Fly held the quarter-mile record with a time of twenty-two and six-tenths. Peter McCue, when in San Antonio, was owned by John Wilkins, who later sold him to Milo Burlingame, who took him to Oklahoma. Some years later he was purchased by Coke Roberds. Roberds then kept him and cared for him until Peter McCue died in 1923 at the age of twenty-eight. Among the famous race horses sired by Peter McCue are Carrie Nation, who at one time held the world's record for the five-eighth of a mile, and Buck Thomas, who ran forty-nine races and won thirty-eight. Many of Peter McCue's sons were kept as sires. He represents one of the most important modern
strains, and his bloodline has been carried on through his many sons and daughters. Some of them were Harmon Baker, Sheik, John Wilkins, Buck Thomas, Harry D. Hickory Bill, Duck Hunter, Carrie Nation, Chief, Jack McCue, and Badger. Harmon Baker sired Sancho, Harmon Baker, Jr., Seal Skin, Dodger, Big Nigger, and Little Joe (New Mexico), John Wilkins sired Joe Hancock. Hickory Bill sired Paul El, Little Hickory Bill, Sam Watkins, and the Old Sorrel. Carrie Nation was the dam of Billy Sunday. Sheik sired Nick. Buck Thomas sired Bill Thomas, Jack McCue sired Barney Owens, Miss Santa Fe, Nancy M, Warrior, and others. Badger sired Old Midnight. It has been the privilege of few modern Quarter Horse sires to exert the influence that Peter McCue did upon he modern "short-horse.
Rocket Bar
King
Mark Twain said "If I can't smoke cigars in heaven, I'm not going." Legions of Quarter Horse "persons" have said if it doesn't have KING in the pedigree, "I ain't riding it!" Strong statements, however, King P-234 was a very special horse. He has been the most inbred, linebred, out-crossed and star-crossed sire to ever grace the Quarter Horse industry. No self respecting reiner or cutter ever knowingly rides a horse without a few crosses to King... and some feel the more, the better. All bands and military units use a cadence to time their steps. Quarter Horse Breeders have used their special cadence, "KING-2-3-4 " for over 60 years. Breeders, ranchers, trainers, amateurs, backyard horse folks, kids, and others have marched with the tremendous legacy King horses have provided. Comments like: "they're born broke; they train themselves; I can take 'em anywhere; they are so easy to be around." These are the kind of attributes that make the King horses some of the best to ever carry a rider. King was foaled in 1932, sixty-six years ago, some eight years before the formation of the Quarter Horse registry. He was purchased by Jess Hankins for $800 in 1937. Foolish, some folks thought, but by today's standards.. a downright bargain. Remember, this was the height of the Great Depression. King was a 5 year old stallion when Jess bought him, then becoming King's third owner. He had been used for roping, general ranch work, and had sired a few foals by this time. King was blood bay and he had a magnificent hair coat. When he shed out in the spring, gold flecks appeared, giving him an unusual sheen. He was quick to learn, easy to get along with, and possessed plenty of cow sense. King, at maturity stood between 14.2 to 15 hands, well muscled and weighed from 1,150 to 1,200 pounds. His excellent conformation became the standard for the Quarter Horse breed. He was greatly admired for his outstanding disposition and willingness. For years Jess Hankins advertised King as the cornerstone of the breed ... in retrospect, an apt description! Byrne James was one of King's first owners, his wife gave King his distinguished name. "You've heard the expression, 'the King of Beasts'? Well, to me he was the KING, superior to all the rest." Prior to this change he was known as 'Buttons,' not a bit fitting for the sovereign who was destined to become the greatest sire in Quarter Horse history. Quoting Jess Hankins, "He was as good a natured stud as you could find, and he could be ridden by any kid who ever handled a horse." King remained kind and gentle all his life. His outstanding disposition and athleticism are among his greatest legacies, and they passed on!! King wasn't just a horse to the Hankins family, he was family. He certainly put Rocksprings, Texas, on the map and helped make the Hankins brothers some of the most famous breeders in Quarter Horse annals. When King died in 1958, at the age of 26, the Quarter Horse Journal noted, "No other stallion now living can boast such a record as King's, and only time will tell when another will equal it." Forty some years later, no other stallion has ever come close. In the 1950's King's breeding fee was $2,500 ... phenomenal money to spend on a stud! Today, in the 90's this fee represents some of the top end prices for sires offered. Will any of them prove to have the same success that "King" horses have provided all these years? King is on the All Time Leading Broodmare Sires of AQHA Champions list. Not only is he ranked #2, with 20 Champions to his credit, he is also represented by 4 sons, Poco Bueno, Royal King, Beaver Creek, and Hank H, and 2 grandsons, Poco Pine and Poco Dell. Of note, a half brother, Ed Echols, appears on the same list. No other sire equals King's standing. Three Bars (TB) and Wimpy are the only other sires represented by more than 1 son. Of the 22 stallions listed, King has direct ties with 8. If this isn't enough to excite you, consider his producing daughters! King daughters have produced some of the most successful get in Quarter Horse history. Squaw King (a father to daughter breeding), King Bars, Leo Bob, Mora Leo, Red Bars, Bar Feathers, Gay Bar King, Joe Cody, Okie Leo, Thirsty, Coaster, Baca Leo, Puro Tivio, Aledo Bars and Enterprising King are a few of the more famous King grandget. His daughters'
(317 in all) produce records are very interesting reading. Many were inbred to is sons, grandsons, and as mentioned above, daughter back to sire. When it's all said and done, his daughters produced offspring earning 13,054 points in all divisions, 210 ROMs, 50 AQHA championships. Not bad for an $800 horse.
(317 in all) produce records are very interesting reading. Many were inbred to is sons, grandsons, and as mentioned above, daughter back to sire. When it's all said and done, his daughters produced offspring earning 13,054 points in all divisions, 210 ROMs, 50 AQHA championships. Not bad for an $800 horse.