Apollo was an impressive racehorse that captured the attention of horseman Frank Vessels III. He went on to sire stakes winners of four breeds. His daughters are still producing top-notch racehorses and barrel horses, which has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest broodmare sires of all-time. Apollo was foaled in California in 1988.… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History – Apollo
Anchor Watch was a successful racehorse and enduring sire. His royal bloodlines were essential in establishing an enduring empire of barrel horses. His descendants still dominate futurities and open barrel races today. Anchor Watch was foaled on J. W. Dial’s ranch in Texas in 1953. He was by Degage, a stakes-winning son of Calumet Farm’s… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History – Anchor Watch
Afton Creek was a blue-blooded Thoroughbred stallion that was unremarkable in his short racing career but became an influential sire of Quarter Horse racing, reining and cutting horses. Bull Dog, the grandsire of Afton Creek Afton Creek was foaled in 1950. He was by Coldstream, a multiple stakes winning son of North American leading sire… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History – Afton Creek
In 2020, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo returned to Texas for the first time in nearly 60 years. Globe Life Field in Arlington hosted the historic rodeo, which was the first non-baseball event at the park. While there were significant changes, the 2020 WNFR still showcased the season’s top-fifteen money earners in bareback riding, steer… Continue reading 2020 WNFR Pedigree Analysis
The Emerald Isle is known for its rolling hills, Celtic ballads and dark beer, but not necessarily for its barrel horses. Yet surprisingly, one of the greatest families of barrel horses began in Ireland. Many futurity, derby and open horses can trace their direct sire line back to a dark bay Thoroughbred stallion from the… Continue reading OTTBwestern History – Leinster House
Aforethought was out of the legendary mare Aspidistra. His pedigree made him an exceptional sire of speed. He is one of eleven Thoroughbreds to sire winners of the All American Futurity and the only Thoroughbred to sire multiple winners of that race at the modern 440-yard distance. Aforethought was foaled on April 17th, 1963. He… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Aforethought
They say you cannot believe everything you hear - which might be especially true when you're talking about horses! Here are five falsehoods you may have heard about the American Quarter Horse we all know so well. https://www.facebook.com/jobberbill/photos/a.2143419515888644/2446020888961837/?type=3&theater Lie #1: The American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed in the world. It is true… Continue reading Five Lies You’ve Been Told About the American Quarter Horse
Thoroughbred horses have been instrumental in barrel racing since the invention of the sport. However, full-blooded Thoroughbreds that have won large barrel races remain relatively unknown. Their achievements have been overlooked and underplayed. And while barrel racers may be familiar with some bygone Thoroughbred stallions and mares, their influence in industry is often glossed over… Continue reading In Defense of the Thoroughbred as a Barrel Horse
Each December, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada showcases the season’s top money-earning cowboys and cowgirls and their tremendously talented horses. Whether they are backed in the box or fixing to fly down the alley, all the WNFR equine athletes have something in common – Thoroughbred bloodlines. The great Thoroughbred stallion Three… Continue reading NFR Pedigree Analysis
Last week the $1.5 million Pink Buckle Barrel Race was held at Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. This unique Open 4D and Futurity intends to increase the quantity and quality of barrel horses sired by Pink Buckle stallions. Currently, there are over forty stallions enrolled in the program. Horses by Pink Buckle stallions with… Continue reading Top Pink Buckle Stallions Are More Thoroughbred Than Quarter Horse
The Western Thoroughbred 