Back in 2004, Spin To Win Rodeo caught up with the cowboys who won BIG aboard the past Horses of the Year since the first award in 1989 to find out what set each one apart from the pack. You can still check that story out. After 13 years, it’s time for a catch up to see what makes horses in the modern team roping era legendary. What sets the great ones apart? The cowboys who know them best break down their bloodlines, conformation, personality and “X Factor”.
2005
Thumper—Head Horse
Black gelding
Owned by: Pauline Robertson
Ridden by: Clay Tryan
Registered name: Docalickin
Sire: Woodland Doc
Dam: Old Lady Cash
Further back: Dash For Cash, Rocket Bar, Doc Bar
Born: 1992
Height: 15.2 hands
Weight: 1,225 pounds
Conformation
His ears were frostbitten off, so he only had half ears. He had no heels. He was stout and the toughest horse I ever rode. He was sore a lot because of his feet, but you never could not ride him. I never had to miss anything of any value because he was sore.
Personality
The best personality out of any horse I ever had. He was almost human. My brother-in-law Matt won a truck on him when the horse was 3. He never tied up, never acted sick. He spoiled me because he was just so on the money no matter what.
X Factor
He was the most unique, special horse. My wife could ride him.
A kid could get on him. I won Salinas on him, and I was 3.5 on him at the NFR. He’d still be good at any setup. That’s rare. Nowadays it doesn’t work like that.
After That
His deep flexor tendons got where he couldn’t go. I made a run on him in Round 10 at the NFR in 2009. He’s in Lipan. The kids could probably ride him, but we stay off of him so he can just enjoy his retirement.
Chili Dog—Heel Horse
Sorrel gelding
Owned and ridden by: Rich Skelton
Registered name: Pets Ten
Sire: Ten O Sea
Dam: One O Three Chick
Further back: Doc Bar, Doc O’Lena
Born: 1995
Height: 15 hands
Weight: 1,150 pounds
Conformation
He was just a little longer but pretty heavy-made.
Personality
He was good. He’d been used so much, nothing bothered him. I won $17,000 the first weekend I had him at the Tour Finale. He took to it right off because he took everything in stride.
X Factor
He was just used and a nice horse. The thing about him was that he didn’t have any bad problems. He scored good, he could run, he could stop, he didn’t shoulder in. Everything you wanted, he did. There was nothing wrong with him. He did everything right. He just kept his distance and did everything you wanted.
After that
I sold him to Dean Tuftin, and he rode him at the Finals the year he made it. He’s still alive with Dean.
2006
Nickolas—Head Horse
Sorrel gelding
Owned and ridden by: Matt Sherwood
Registered name: Nicks Rockets Rojo
Sire: Shamrocks Nick
Dam: Rockets Breezy Lady
Further back: Rocket Bar
Born: 1994
Height: 15.2 hands
Weight: 1,220 pounds
Conformation
He’s medium built. He was a late bloomer, I just heeled on him when he was young. He just kept getting taller and turned into a pretty big horse. He drags his toes every step he takes, so his toes are squared off. He wears the front of his shoes off, and he leaves a trail.
Personality
He’s the most aggravating pet. He will rub his halter off and get loose. He’s been loose 50 times at the rodeos. I was heeling for a guy in Los Angeles, and he rubbed his halter off and got loose in town, and the police were called. He’s a pet, gentle and the most annoying animal. He can open gates. I was at Al Bach’s one time and he flipped the chain and got out and then walked along and flipped the chain on every stall and let everything out.
X Factor
The way he scored. He would stand in the box perfectly. He was so flat and easy to rope on. He was the easiest horse ever to come across the line and rope on.
After That
The last steer I ran on him was the 2015 NFR. He’s still completely sound. People ride him all the time, and my kids ride him. Part of me wants to take him to Canada this year, but my wife is afraid he’ll die there and then we’d have to leave him there.
Diesel—Heel Horse
Sorrel gelding
Owned and ridden by: Randon Adams
Registered name: Baileys Copper Doc
Sire: Docs Goldpiece
Dam: Triangle F Copper
Born: 1998
Further back: Doc Bar and Sugar Bars
Height: 15 hands
Weight: 1,100 pounds
Conformation
His tail is set down, and his withers are even with his hips. Head up, butt down. He’s built like a big bull dog.
Personality
He’s cocky. He knows he’s good. He’s good to be around. My 3-year-old and 6-year-old ride him. Anybody can ride him. He’s very low maintenance.
X Factor
He never took anything away from you. He never put you in a bad position.
After That
My brother has him right now. Junior (Nogueira), Dakota (Kirchenschlager), Cesar (de la Cruz) and Buck Campbell have all ridden him at the Finals. Dakota takes him in the summer sometimes. He’s still sound and as good as ever.
2007
Walt—Head Horse
Bay gelding
Owned and ridden by: Travis Tryan
Registered name: Precious Speck
Sire: Skid Frost
Dam: Precious Rhythm
Born: 1990
Further back: Doc Bar, Three Bars, Driftwood Ike
Died: 2010
Height: 15.1 hands
Weight: 1,150 pounds
Conformation
He had the perfect head horse build. He wasn’t too thick—he was just right. He wasn’t narrow, right there, medium-sized everything. He had a big backyard, but nothing you’d stand back and think he was extra muscular or anything like that. You’d get on him or stand next to him and you never thought he was overly big.
Personality
He was as close to human as you could be. He loved doing what he was doing. He knew he was good. He carried himself confidently everywhere. He wouldn’t slow down for a kid or any shorter header. He would go full-speed regardless.
X Factor
On top of his athletic ability and his stride—he always stayed framed up when he ran, and when he left the hole he always had his feet underneath him. Some horses run and their knees come way up. He stayed on top of the ground. On top of that, you couldn’t just chase a steer out when you were scoring or lope to a steer. He would run as hard as he could and once he got there he stayed where he needed to be. I’ve had other athletic horses but they didn’t have the want-to to do it.
After That
Walt died of an aortic aneurysm while we were warming up at the Clovis (Calif.) Rodeo in 2010. Exactly five years later, I got the call that Walt would be the first team roping horse ever inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
Amigo—Heel Horse; Tied with Diesel
Sorrel gelding
Owned and ridden by: Patrick Smith
Registered name: Sunday Night Bingo
Sire: Bingo Hickory
Dam: Patricia Bar King
Further back: Gay Bar King, Docs Hickory, Doc Quixote
Born: 1999
Height: 15 hands
Weight: 1,100 pounds
Conformation
He’s a little longer build, with a longer neck and longer stride than I’d ever thought I’d have wanted. He can stride out down the arena and shorten his stride when he wants to around the corner.
Personality
There’s no flaw in him other than victory laps. He runs smooth off in a victory lap. You’ve got to two-hand hold onto him. My kids ride him and have always ridden him. He’s just super gentle outside of being in the box, and when he gets in there he’s all business.
X Factor
I think he is just really good at his job. His timing is so sharp and he can physically do some things. I’ve never ridden anything close to him. He was never in my way—he finds a way to help me win and never hinders me.
After that: He’s rodeoing part-time with age. He’s had some surgeries, and I plan to use him on and off in certain situations.
2008 & 2009
Walt and Diesel Repeat
2010
Vegas—Head Horse
Grey gelding
Owned and ridden by: Turtle Powell
Registered name: Ra Sonoita Silver
Sire: JD Playin Gin
Dam: Double D MS Sadie
Further back: Playgun, Jackie Bee, Doc Quixote, Sugar Bars
Born: 2002
Died: 2014
Height: 15.2 hands
Weight: 1,275 pounds
Conformation
He didn’t look too big until you got up to him because he was so well balanced. He was deeper bodied, and had a shorter neck. He was really wide across his shoulders and rear end.
Personality
He wasn’t the type to want to be loved on or petted on. He’d stand back in his stall, and he didn’t really want to be petted on the head. He remembered it for a long time if you ever got after him.
X Factor
He was such a good athlete. He never had to give 100 percent because 80 percent was fast enough. He worked so well and scored so well because he never had to get too hyped up to get the job done. The ones who get nervous are giving you 110 percent. At 80 percent, he was better than the rest of them. And he wasn’t the type of horse who just had a lot of impressive stuff about him as far as his moves or his face. He did the same thing every time and never got in my way. He scored so well, and he could run, so everything else was just easy. You could ride him anywhere, at the NFR or Cheyenne.
After That
Vegas battled laminitis for years, and died in 2014.
Caveman—Heel Horse
Bay gelding
Owned and ridden by: Jade Corkill
Registered name: Fine Snip of Doc
Sire: Snip of Colonel
Dam: Fine Crystal Doc
Further back: Colonel Freckles, Doc O’Lena, Doc O Dynamite
Born: 2001
Height: 15 hands
Weight: 1,100 pounds
Conformation
He’s taller than some heel horses. He kind of looks more like a head horse than a heel horse. But he’s got good feet and big bones. His back isn’t too long for as big as he is. He’s put together pretty well. He looks like he should run.
Personality
He’s probably the smartest horse I’ve ever had. He’s pretty independent, and he doesn’t really like to be petted. But if my 2-year-old boy were in the middle of the Puyallup (Wash.) Fair, I’d put him on him. He’s not a baby. He’s tough.
X Factor
It doesn’t matter what the situation or setup is, he can make it feel good and easy. In situations where it is hard to feel good, he can make it feel like you should just go catch. He knows exactly what position to put me in. He wants to do well. He doesn’t ever try to get out of something. He’s always looking for the best way to do the right thing. His speed is extremely easy for him, and he never feels like he’s having to try.
After That
Caveman will be on the road with me all summer. He’s still my first-string horse.
2011
Classic—Head Horse
Chestnut gelding
Owned by: Zac Small
Ridden by: Keven Daniel
Registered name: Sycamore Gold Finger
Sire: Pies Silverfinger
Dam: Pobres Zero Four
Further back: Impressive, Two Eyed Jack, Dash For Cash, Gay Bar King
Born: 1995
Height: 15.1 hands
Weight: 1,250 pounds
Conformation
He was under himself in the back end and he was really athletic.
Personality
He was pleasant. You could call him in the pasture. He was always the one who followed everything else around.
X Factor
You could ride him at all kinds of different places. I thought he was really, really good. He was a winner. It seemed like he drew good. You could reach on him if you drew a runner, but if you needed to score good he could just catch up and let you catch.
After That
Casey Mahoney bought that horse in 2012. He still owns him. He won third on him at the George Strait the first time he took him. He’s semi-retired. He gets turned out every day and pulled back into the barn at night. He still acts like a 2-year-old and is living the good life.
Heel horse: Dugout
Sorrel gelding
Owned and ridden by Brady Minor
Registered name: CDS Quixote
Sire: CD Olena
Dam: Dox Maiden Quixote
Further back: Doc O’Lena, Peppy San Badger, Doc Quixote
Born: 1997
Height: 14 hands (barely)
Weight: 1,050 pounds
Conformation
He’s got really little feet. He was a cutter, but he’s got good bone and he’s real stout. His feet are terrible so it’s surprising that he lasted as long as he did. He’s short backed and round backed.
Personality
He’s a grumpy horse. He pins his ears all the time.
X Factor
He was just a really cowy horse. He never ran by the corner. His head was always out of your way because he was low headed. He was never bad in the box. That horse came together really fast at a young age. I got him when he was 5 and he got seasoned really quick. They claim Michael Jones and Kinney Harrell had ridden him at some amateur rodeos when he was coming 4.
After That
I still have him. The other horses I have I can get down the arena better. Riley rode him at a local jackpot and won the roping on him the other day. We still use him a little bit, but he’s out of shape.
2012
Sic Em—Head Horse
Brown gelding
Owned and ridden by: Trevor Brazile
Registered name: Lite My Dynamite
Sire: Lectric Playboy
Dam: Miss Dynamite Doc
Born: 1999
Further back: Freckles Playboy, Doc O Dynamite
Height: 15.1 hands
Weight: 1,275 pounds
Conformation
He was nothing to really describe. He was so level. He wasn’t bred to run really, but I always felt the horns coming to me so fast.
Personality
He is a real sweet horse to be around. The kids would fight over riding him. For a horse to have that much talent and still let kids ride him is pretty impressive.
X Factor
I started rodeoing on him when he was 5. That was six moths after I started him. All young horses have an episode in the box where they have to go through, and he never did. He scored every time all the time. He ran hard, made a soft corner faced unbelievable. There was nothing. He didn’t crib, nothing funky. That’s hard to come by. I’m the first to say all the good ones have something you have to overlook, but that horse didn’t.
After That
I still ride him, some. He had some suspensory branch issues and developed tendonitis. I rode him at the Spicer Gripp this past year. He’s still going. I put him on the walker. He doesn’t take the hauling as good as he used to.
Caveman Repeats.
2013
Jewel—Head Horse
Bay mare
Owned and ridden by: Brandon Beers
Registered name: Lucys Fast Jewel
Sire: Dox King Gilligan
Dam: Lucys Lil Hickory
Born: 2004
Further back: Doc Bar, Docs Hickory
Height: 14.3 hands
Weight: 1,250 pounds
Conformation
She’s pretty short and stocky. She’s short backed.
Personality
She’s a peach all right. She’s definitely got her quirks.
X Factor
She had more try than any horse I’d ever rode, and she was fast. She did everything great. She scored great and could just fly. She was cowy, and I could let a ton of guys use her and she tried every time.
After That
I rode her in 2014 some, and I heeled on her when I took time off from rodeoing. Nick Sartain bought her this winter and he’s riding her some.
Starbucks—Heel Horse
Sorrel gelding
Owned and ridden by: Ryan Motes
Registered name: CD Starbucks
Sire: CD Olena
Dam: Cari Me Starlight
Further Back: Doc O’Lena, Peppy San Badger, Grays Starlight
Born: 1998
Height: 15 hands
Weight: 1,200 pounds
Conformation
He’s reasonably tall and pretty stout. He’s not terribly long-legged but he’s not short legged. He’s longer-legged for a cutting-bred horse. He’s low-hocked, and he’s dang sure not built downhill like a lot of cutters. He’s not built uphill either. He’s got really round withers and a really round back. He’s very well proportioned for a heel horse.
Personality
He’s great to be around. He loves being home, loves being turned out in the pasture. He’s laid back with kids, but when you get somewhere, especially a performance, he gets real amped up real quick. He’s all business during the run. He might prance out of the arena. We laugh about some of the stupid things he spooks at, and we realize he’s never going to get over it.
X Factor
Honestly, he does everything well. What makes him good for me is that I can ride him anywhere, whether it’s Salinas or Cheyenne or the NFR. He scores amazing, you can put him anywhere you want to. He can run and stop, and his timing and his own read of what’s going on in the run and what the steers are doing is exceptional. I tell anyone who gets on him to ride him however their horse works. He’s so adaptable to everyone’s style.
After That
He’s still my No. 1 horse and will be on the road with me this year.
2014
Tevo—Head Horse
Brown gelding
Owned and ridden by: Brandon Beers
Registered name: El Tevo Cash
Sire: Whiskey Ike HK
Dam: Have Your Cash
Further back: Driftwood Ike, Dash For Cash, Azure Te
Born: 2001
Height: 15.1 hands
Weight: 1,250–1,300 pounds
Conformation
He’s really long. He’s racey looking.
Personality
He’s kind of cranky and moody. He’s easy to love on, but he’s hard to explain. You can put a kid on him if you wanted. He’s always getting into stuff. He thinks he’s a stud. He likes to be the boss wherever he is.
X Factor
That is the most honest horse I’ve ever rode. He might only give you 70 percent sometimes, but you don’t notice it because he’s so fast. He scored every time. I ran three practice steers from Reno to the end of the year that year. I think we went to Cheyenne, roped our two there, won the first round at Deadwood with a 4.7, and the next day we were high call at Cheyenne and I never thought about freeing him up. He’s as honest as can be.
After That
I still have him. He’s as sound as he’s ever been. I’ll ride him at the BFI and over the Fourth of July. He’ll die at my house.
Rey—Heel Horse
Chestnut gelding
Owned and ridden by: Brady Minor
Registered name: Reyshines On Top
Sire: Shiners Lena Rey
Dam: Kings Sly Sugar
Further back: Shining Spark, Doc O’Lena, Topsail Whiz
Born: 2004
Height: 15 hands
Weight: 1,200 pounds
Conformation
He’s got good bone and good foot on him. He’s longer-backed and higher withers. He’s more built like you’d want a rope horse. His legs come up underneath him so he really stops naturally.
Personality
He’s mean to other horses. He chews the lead rope terribly. He’s really lazy, so I can put Maverick on him and walk him around. He gets really dead at home, but when you get to the rodeo and he hears the music and the crowd, he steps it up.
X Factor
He can really run and really stop hard. He’s a bigger horse that takes a good jerk. He’s really easy to dally on with a nice straight stop to him. He’s longer-strided so he’s easier to time the steers up. He and Dugout are opposite.
After That
I’ve had him at the swimmer’s for a month, and I’m going to get him next week and bring him back. I’m hoping to crack him out at the BFI. If I don’t, I’ll play it by ear. Otherwise I’ll leave him in the Northwest for those rodeos.
2015
Dew—Head Horse
Bay gelding
Owned and ridden by: Clay Tryan
Registered name: Dew The Cash
Sire: Mia Cash Too
Dam: Cea Carolina Dew
Further back: Dash For Cash, Easy Jet
Born: 1999
Height: 14.3 hands
Weight: 1,200 pounds
Conformation
He’s not very tall, and he’s stout. He’s never really been sore, but maybe he had ulcers when I first got him. He’s excitable. He’s just a specimen
Personality
At home, he likes people. He’s easy to catch in the pasture and real chilled out. If you take him off the place, he’s an idiot and off the charts. He’s a workout. He hasn’t changed in the eight years that I’ve had him.
X Factor
One thing I’ve found with all the great horses I’ve owned: they’re just better than the rest. They aren’t duds in life. They want to be great. Dew would bother you if he wasn’t as good as he is. You respect a horse that wants to be that good for that long.
After That
He splits time with Johnson now, but he’s still just as good as ever.
Rey Repeats.
2016
Badger—Head Horse
Black gelding
Owned and ridden by: Kolton Schmidt
Registered name: Tuffys Badger Chex
Sire: Tuf Country Chex
Dam: Chili Jody Page
Further back: Bueno Chex, Peppy San Badger
Born: 2004
Height: 15.1 hands
Weight: 1,250 pounds
Conformation
He’s huge. He’s short-bodied and compact. He’s got really good feet, and he’s really put together well.
Personality
He’s not a people horse. He likes to work but other than that he wants you to stay the heck away from him. Once he trusts you he’s gentle, but before that not at all.
X Factor
His try and his speed set him apart. I don’t know that he’s any faster than any horses out there, but his acceleration is like no other. From Point A to Point B, it’s incredible how fast he is.
Colonel—Heel Horse
Sorrel gelding
Owned and ridden by: Jake Long
Registered name: Zans Colonel Shine
Sire: Zans Diamond Shine
Dam: Foxy Angelo
Further back: Shining Spark, Colonel Freckles
Born: 2004
Height: 15 hands
Weight: 1,150 pounds
Conformation
He’s got big bones and really good feet under him.
Personality
He’s like a kid. He likes to piddle with everything. He’ll untie himself and untie other horses around him. My little girls can ride him around, but he’s gotten a little more alert the last few years. He doesn’t get too worked up about a lot.
X Factor
He just does everything well. There’s no glaring weakness in the way he works or does anything. He’s got plenty of speed and has always had a big stop and has always been strong to the horn. He does everything right.
After That
Colonel isn’t that old, so thankfully I’ve still got him and will ride him again this year. SWR
2017 Horse of the Year Contenders
“I think the best head horse I see going is Clay Smith’s grey. He’s built for today’s roping. He lets him reach if he wants to reach and run close if he wants to run close. He doesn’t mess him up ever.” –Clay Tryan
“I think it will be a lot of the same old suspects. Brady Minor’s Rey, Ryan Motes’ Starbucks.” –Jake Long
“Riley Minor’s Bob. He’s just been an amazing horse, and he’s won so much. This year he’ll be that much better. Clay Tryan and Trevor Brazile are back, and their horses are amazing.” –Kolton Schmidt
“Jake Long’s horse is still really good. I would personally throw my new horse Sug in the mix. If Jade rides Caveman all year, that’s a good horse. Blueberry, Walt Woodard’s horse, is really, really good. My cousin Jake Minor’s got a good horse, too.” —Brady MinorFrom the rope-pulled 30-foot barrier at the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days to the short score of Nampa, Idaho’s Snake River Stampede, the summer run is where horses make or break a cowboy’s season. With guys mounting-out when they can’t have their horses in two places at once, the candidates for PRCA/AQHA Horse of the Year begin to shine as the ones who get the bronze have usually carried multiple cowboys to big paydays throughout the year.
