American Quarter Horse Association Legendary Stallion Information
There are many breed registries in the United States, but none as large or diverse as the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) registry. As a matter of fact, the population of American Quarter Horses is so large that the AQHA recently registered its five millionth horse. Throughout the years quarter horses have been bred to compete in a number of different events, including cattle events, rodeo, racing and general ranch work. Each type of event favors a slightly different type of horse in terms of conformation and disposition, and through years of selective breeding stallions have been created to pass on those desirable characteristics to their offspring. Some of the most legendary stallions in AQHA history helped to found the breed and give these horses the unique look we know today.
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Royal King
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The famous stallion Royal King was purchased for the princely sum of $250 all the way back in 1944, and although his owners were offered an amazing $15,000 for the colt, they were never tempted to sell. Instead they took the time to train the horse for cutting events, and Royal King would go on to excel at this popular sport.
Royal King went on to have a long and distinguished career as a cutting horse, and later as a sire of performance champions. In fact, Royal King was so good at passing his cow-horse talents on to his offspring that 12 out of the first 13 foals he sired went on to earn the distinguished Register of Merit with the AQHA organization through approved competitions.
Poco Bueno
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Poco Bueno is one of the most famous and most influential sires in AQHA history, and hundreds of thousands of quarter horses trace their lineage back to this legendary sire. Poco Bueno was best known as a cutting horse, but he distinguished himself in a number of other equine events as well. Poco Bueno was renowned for his rock-solid appearance and beautiful proportions, and he passed those characteristics on to the offspring he sired. This famous stallion was perhaps the biggest influence on the quarter horse breed throughout the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and he continues to influence the breed today.
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Rugged Lark
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Rugged Lark is arguably the most influential quarter horse stallion of the modern era. He may be best known from his appearance at various horse expos and demonstrations, including an appearance in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, but before that the stallion had a long track record of success in the show ring as well.
Rugged Lark was well known for his versatility, and he was able to switch from Western to English events with ease. During his show career Rugged Lark competed in classes as diverse as Reining and Working Hunter, and he has passed that talent and versatility on to his offspring, both other quarter horses and registered paint horses as well.
Poco Pine
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Poco Pine was one of the most distinguished descendants of the legendary Poco Bueno, and he made a big splash in halter competitions in the AQHA. This powerfully built horse was also able to pass his superior conformation and winning gaits on to his offspring, making him an excellent sire as well as a fantastic show horse. The AQHA feels so strongly about Poco Pine's contributions to the breed that the organization inducted the stallion into its hall of fame in 2010.
Rocket Wrangler
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Racing is a big part of the quarter horse tradition, and Rocket Wrangler is an excellent representation of the burst of power that is needed for short distance racing. Unlike thoroughbred racing, with its emphasis on distance, endurance and timing, quarter horse racing is all about speed. Over the quarter mile, top race horses can reach speeds in excess of 40 miles per hour, and race horse trainers are always looking for ways to improve the speed and versatility of their stock.
Rocket Wrangler is one of the most widely respected sires in the world of racing, and his contribution to the improvement of the breed helped make him one of the 2010 inductees into the AQHA Hall of Fame.
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References
- Photo Credit horse image by Penny Williams from Fotolia.com
