When the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) officially launched in 1940, several ranch breeders were the initial registrants and members. Those ranches, like King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas—the owner of the first registered horse, Wimpy—were drivers in the industry.

In 2022, King Ranch and Waggoner Ranch, located in Vernon, Texas, were recognized by AQHA as 100-year breeders. Those ranches not only kick-started the breed, but today continue to influence the horses competing.

All Quarter Horses must be able to run a quarter of a mile in 23 seconds or show that they are capable of Quarter Horse performance under ranch conditions, was recorded in the AQHA Executive Committee meeting minutes from April 22, 1940.

The breed has evolved to include horses that show in hunter under saddle, western pleasure, dressage, and are driven under lines. Yet, the basis of the breed remains their foundation characteristics of cow savvy, athleticism, and trainability.

A Cow Horse First

The list of stallions that have impacted the Quarter Horse breed is long, and among them is Doc Bar. Bred for speed, the chestnut stallion was born in 1956, sired by Lighting Bar and out of the mare Dandy Doll, a daughter of Texas Dandy.

In the halter arena, Doc Bar was a champion, but it would be his offspring that truly influenced the future horses bound to compete in the National Cutting Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), and the versatility ranch horse arena.

“They were great horses,” says NRCHA Hall of Famer Bobby Ingersoll of Doc Bar foals. “They were great then and would be great today. They were athletic, quick-footed, had a lot of cow instinct and were quick to train. I showed the first Doc Bar foal at the NCHA Futurity, I’m pretty proud of that. [Cow horses] had a lot of old foundation breeding, [but] when Doc Bar came [along] we had a little different type of horse, and they were pretty horses, too. Who doesn’t want to ride a pretty one?”

Looking at the performance horse industry, you can still trace Doc Bar bloodlines to the winners in nearly every discipline. The 2023 NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman Champion Phillip Ralls rode Call Me Mitch to the title, and the roan stallion is by Metallic Cat and out of the Docs Hickory (by Doc Bar) daughter Miss Hickory Hill.

“Doc Bar brought the look,” recalls Bill Enk, NRCHA Hall of Fame member, trainer and NRCHA director of judges. “The eye appeal box [on a score card] was for Doc Bars. They looked at a cow, they got around on one and looked pretty doing it. The Doc Bar line is still on a lot of pedigrees. He has influenced an industry.”

Ranch to Arena

Today, ranch riding is one of the most entered events in the AQHA. With the addition of the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championship Show and the inclusion of the stand-alone ranch riding class at the AQHA World Championship Show, horses bred, raised and used on the ranch have a place to compete. The ranch horses “shine up” to hit the show pen.

Jessica Rumbaugh and her gelding, Boonfull Of Caesar, who has Doc Bar on both sides of his pedigree, won the 2018 AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Amateur World Champion title. The gray gelding may look sharp showing, but he’s also been known to push Rumbaugh’s grass-fed beef cattle around on their former El Campo, Texas, ranch.

“I bought him as a cutting horse, but his athleticism made adding the other classes for versatility—ranch riding, ranch reining, working cow horse and ranch conformation—easy to do,” says Rumbaugh. “He is just a great horse.”

Aboard Lil Trash Talk, another Doc Bar descendent, Texas trainer Bud Lyon captured the 2020 AQHA Junior Ranch Riding World Champion title and the 2021 AQHA Senior Ranch Riding World Champion title. The sorrel horse was bred by Brooke Wharton, who grew up on the Waggoner Ranch. It’s that connection between today’s show horse and the base members of the breed that continues to drive the Quarter Horse’s evolution on the ranch and in the show pen.

Where the Quarter Horse excels is showcasing the versatility of the breed, especially in the western performance horse classes. With the growth in today’s cow horse, cutting, reining and ranch horse events, the breed may be moving farther away from the original stallions (like Doc Bar) on paper, but the characteristics of the horses remain true to the breed’s standard.

This article about the Quarter Horse’s ranch roots appeared in the July 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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When it comes to sheer numbers, no breed can match the popularity of the American Quarter Horse. With a total of more than 2.5 million individual horses in the U.S., the Quarter Horse can easily be called the king of breeds.

The Quarter Horse’s backstory is closely linked to the history of America. English horses used for racing by the Colonists and speedy Spanish Barbs kept by the Chickasaw Indians were bred together to produce a horse that could run a quarter-mile faster than any other.

The Foundation Sires of the American Quarter Horse

Although many horses went into creating the American Quarter Horse we know today, three foundation sires made a huge imprint around the turn of the 20th century: Peter McCue, Traveler and Old Fred all made their mark on the breed and can be seen in many modern Quarter Horse pedigrees.

Peter McCue

Foaled in 1895 in Illinois, Peter McCue was born into a bit of controversy. He was registered as a Thoroughbred, with his papers showing he was out of a Thoroughbred mare named Nora M and by a Thoroughbred stallion named Duke of the Highlands.

Peter McCue’s breeder later insisted otherwise, saying the bay stallion was sired by a Quarter Horse named Dan Tucker. To this day, people still argue about who sired Peter McCue. Regardless of his parentage, Peter McCue was an impressive racehorse and a prolific sire. Two of his sons, Old Red Buck and Chief, were among the first 20 horses listed in the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Stud Book.

Those first 20 horses are considered the founders of the breed and called the “Grand 20.” Five of Peter McCue’s descendants are also part of the Grand 20: Wimpy, Tomate Laureles, Little Richard, Whiskaway and Colonel.

AQHA Hall of Famer Peter McCue can be seen in the pedigree of thousands of American Quarter Horses. He is known for producing horses that can race as well as show.

Traveler

Foundation sire Traveler, born in 1885, has a rags-to-riches story. Of unknown breeding, the roan stallion was “discovered” at around 8 years old while being used as workhorse on the Texas and Pacific Railway. Two Texas horsemen named John Cooper and Brown Seay recognized the stallion as a “Steeldust type,” meaning he looked like he could have been descended from the well-known racing stallion Steeldust, who appears in just about every American Quarter Horse pedigree today.

The men traded a mule for the stallion and brought him home where he was trained to race. He became a successful sprinter and a great sire, producing three famous Quarter Horses out of a mare named Jenny: Little Joe, King and Black Bess.

Many champions are descended from Traveler, and five of his descendants are part of the Grand 20 foundation horses of the Quarter Horse breed.

Old Fred

Another stallion that went from being a workhorse to a prestigious foundation sire was Old Fred. Foaled in 1894 in Missouri, Old Fred, a palomino, was brought to Colorado as a 2-year-old. He was descended from three of the original foundation lines of Steeldust, Printer and Shiloh.

When legendary Quarter Horse breeder Coke Roberds saw Old Fred on a freighter’s hitch one day, he bought him. In Roberds’ hands, Old Fred became famous for producing great running Quarter Horses. His son, Bob H, became a record-holding sprinter, and even today, many racing Quarter Horses carry his name in their pedigree. Old Fred was also known for producing hardworking cow horses that could stand up to the rigors of ranch work.

Old Fred produced great broodmares, too. When his daughters were bred to Peter McCue, some great racehorses resulted. One mare named Squaw won 49 out of 50 races and went on to be successful as a broodmare.

Many palomino Quarter Horses can trace their pedigrees back to Old Fred, who was also one of the Grand 20.

More Articles on the American Quarter Horse

◆ A Winning Combination: Appendix Quarter Horse
◆ America’s Horse Has Talent

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That’s a wrap on the largest American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Show in history! During the 2020 Farnam AQHA World Championship Show; AQHA Select World Championship Show, presented by Adequan; AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals; and the Adequan Level 2 and Nutrena Level 1 Championships, more than 7,500 entries, 2,100 exhibitors and 2,700 horses competed for nearly 150 Farnam AQHA and Adequan Select world championships, and nearly 150 Adequan Level 2, Nutrena Level 1 and AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals championships. The event, which was November 2-21 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, was held in accordance with local, state and federal coronavirus mandates and was closed to the general public.

Those who misssed the event can check out the results and winning runs at www.aqha.com/worldshow. You can also find the daily Gold Globe Reports, including the top moments of the show on AQHA’s Facebook page.

The most anticipated awards of the event were presented to the Farnam AQHA Superhorse, AQHA All-Around Amateur, AQHA Select All-Around Amateur, OKC Leading Owner, The American Quarter Horse Journal Reserve Leading Owner and the top AQHA Ranching Heritage-bred horses at the show.

This year’s show featured a variety of exciting events, including the:
◆ $151,000-added Halter Bonanza, courtesy of 10-year cumulative breeders Steve and Kathy Headley, 30-year cumulative breeder Linda Gordon and 30-year cumulative breeders Terry and Tammy Bradshaw
◆ $50,000 Pleasure Versatility Challenge, brought to you by Terry Bradshaw Quarter Horses
◆ $25,000 open and amateur working western rail classes, sponsored by Headley Quarter Horses
◆ $15,000 Western Pleasure Challenge
◆ $5,000 Zimeta 3-year-old western pleasure stakes

The AQHA also added four additional stakes classes to the show–working hunter under saddle, ranch trail, western dressage and dressage.

AQHA Professional Horsemen volunteered their time to give 15 free Ride the Pattern clinics, presented by Nutrena. These clinics gave exhibitors and spectators the perfect opportunity to learn how AQHA Professional Horsemen would approach a specific class or pattern at the show. You can watch the previously recorded clinics on AQHA’s Facebook page. Thanks in part to Nutrena’s generosity to match the amount donated at the Ride the Pattern clinics, the Professional Horsemen’s Crisis Fund raised more than $12,000. The AQHA Professional Horsemen also hosted an online auction, which raised more than $31,000 for the Professional Horsemen Crisis Fund. Donations can be made to the Professional Horsemen’s Crisis Fund online.

2020 AQHA World Farnam Superhorse

The 2020 Farnam Superhorse is Dancin N The Dirt, owned by Sandy Vargo of Plain City, Ohio. The 2011 bay gelding, by Hot N Blazing and out of Caught You Dancin, was bred by AQHA Professional Horsewoman Leslie Vagneur Lange of Greeley, Colo. Dancin N The Dirt earned 33 points and was shown by AQHA Professional Horseman Chuck Briggs of Azle, Texas. Dancin N The Dirt won the world champion title in senior working hunter, reserve world champion titles in senior hunter hack and senior pleasure driving, and placed 10th in performance halter geldings. Dancin N The Dirt and his connections received a trailer, courtesy of Sundowner Trailers, an original Lisa Perry bronze, and a rose bouquet. Read more about the top five 2020 Farnam Superhorses.

Farnam All-Around Amateur

Lauren Stanley of Visalia, Cali., earned the title of 2020 Farnam All-Around Amateur. Stanley showed the American Quarter Horse Extremely Good Stuff, owned by Jeff and Garrett Crivelli of Visalia. The 2013 red roan gelding, by Extremely Hot Chips and out of Shes Got The Goodstuf, was bred by Brad and Corrine Borton of Bridgeton, N.J. Stanley and Extremely Good Stuff earned 54 points. They won the world champion title in horsemanship, reserve world champion title in showmanship, placed sixth in amateur trail and seventh in amateur aged geldings. Stanley received a one-year use of a Sundowner trailer, an original Lisa Perry bronze, and a rose bouquet. Read more about the top five Farnam All-Around Amateur exhibitors.

AQHA Select All-Around Amateur and Gene Graves Super-Select Special Recognition

The 2020 Select All-Around Amateur is Scott Allen Reinartz of Crossroads, Texas. Reinartz showed his American Quarter Horse Investin A Goodbar. The 2009 sorrel gelding, by Ima Zippo Good Bar and out of Foxy Asset, was bred by AQHA Professional Horseman Jim Dudley of Columbia, Mo. Reinartz and Investin A Goodbar earned 44.5 points. They won the world champion title in Select amateur trail, reserve world champion title in Select amateur showmanship and placed third in Select amateur pleasure driving. The pair were also finalists in Select amateur performance halter geldings. Reinartz received a prize package that included a one-year lease of a three-horse Sundowner trailer, Lisa Perry bronze, and a rose bouquet. Read more about the top five AQHA Select All-Around Amateur exhibitors and Gene Graves Super-Select Special Recognition Award recipient.

Oklahoma City Leading Owner

The Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau Leading Owner is awarded to the owner who has the highest number of points accumulated for their horses entered at the 2020 Farnam AQHA World in both Level 3 and Adequan Level 2 classes across the amateur and open divisions. The owner must have three horses entered at the show to be eligible. This year’s Oklahoma City Leading Owner was Dan Fox of Chino, Cali. Fox earned 135 points with 10 American Quarter Horses during the show. The American Quarter Horse Journal Reserve Leading Owner was Warren English Jr. of Sturgis, Mich., who earned 96 points with his five American Quarter Horses.

Top Ranching Heritage Bred Horses

AQHA recognizes the top Ranching Heritage-Bred horses at the Farnam and Adequan AQHA World. The owners and breeders of the top-placing AQHA Ranching Heritage-bred horses each received $250. The owners also received a specially designed trophy. Learn more about the four American Quarter Horses that earned the top Ranching Heritage-Bred awards at this year’s show.

About the 2020 AQHA World Show

The Farnam AQHA World is the premier event in the equine industry. The Farnam AQHA World hosted the 2020 AQHA Select World Championship Show, presented by Adequan; AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals; and the Adequan Level 2 and Nutrena Level 1 championships, which were held in accordance with local, state and federal coronavirus mandates. The show featured three weeks of exciting competition, educational opportunities and a bountiful trade show. For more information, visit www.aqha.com/worldshow.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow AQHA on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.

Further Reading

• Breed Profile: American Quarter Horse

The post Record Number of Exhibitors Compete at the 2020 Farnam and Adequan American Quarter Horse Association World Show appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The American Quarter Horse traces its roots to early America, where settlers crossed English horses to those of Spanish ancestry, producing a compact and muscular horse. These horses could run a short distance over a straightaway faster than any other horse, and also served as multi-use work horses and family mounts.

In the 1600s, English colonists began calling these horses “Celebrated American Quarter Running Horses.” Later, Thoroughbred blood was also introduced. The American Quarter Horses moved west with the settlers and grew in popularity among ranchers, showing an inherent sense for working cattle. In 1940, the American Quarter Horse Association was founded, and the breed received its official name.

Today, the American Quarter Horse is the most popular American breed and can be seen in virtually every riding discipline. In addition, American Quarter Horses still race a quarter mile at tracks throughout the United States. They are also gaining popularity in Europe and around the world.

American Quarter Horse Characteristics

There are 16 recognized colors of the American Quarter Horse. The most prominent color is sorrel (brownish red). Other colors include bay, black, brown, buckskin, chestnut, dun, red dun, gray, grullo, palomino, red roan, blue roan, bay roan, perlino and cremello. American Quarter Horses range in size from 14 to over 16 hands high.

For More Information

American Quarter Horse Association, www.aqha.com

Further Reading
American Quarter Horse All-Stars
The American Quarter Horse is Named the Official Horse of Texas

This breed profile was originally posted on December 15, 2006.

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