Foundation Horse Honor Role
This listing of horsemen and horsewomen is an acknowledgement of their contributions,
over the years, to the preservation and promotion of the Foundation Bred Quarter
Horse.
Many of you have actually known some or all of these people, and if you have, reading
about them here makes it even more special. Their enthusiasm and dedication to these
special horses was always contagious and the horses they bred are a continuing reminder
of their contributions to the Foundation Quarter Horse movement.
There are many others who have also been equally involved, and if any of you would
like to nominate someone, please feel free to do so!!
The Foundation Horse Registry and the Foundation Quarter Horse Breeders Association
Bonnie Bennett
Bonnie never met someone she didn't like, and came to know horses like the back
of her hand.
She had her first horse as a five year old, and that roan pony started her love
affair with horses, that would last a lifetime.
Her love of Foundation bred horses started in the early seventies when she acquired
a few Skipper W horses. One of the first was Skip Classic by Skippa Supreme. Another
early stallion was Scooter Bright, by Skips Son, who was by Skips Reward. She also
had several mares going back to King P234 and Three Bars.
Bonnie always felt that the proof of any horses worth was the satisfaction it gave
its owner, and was never big on fancy show horses.
In later years she devoted much of her breeding to Blackburn horses, and always
felt that Three Bars added class and speed to her stock.
Bonnie loved her ranch in Kennebec, South Dakota, and was always happiest when she
was home, and loved talking on the phone.
In the early nineties Bonnie became a driving force behind the Foundation Quarter
Horse Registry, and served as a director and as the manager of their sales for many
years. Few people are aware of the time, effort and money that this fine lady put
into her favorite association that promoted her favorite horses.
Thank you Bonnie, you were someone very special!!
The following is a list she kept of what a person should look for when buying a
horse.
If your horse won't !
- Place in a halter class.
- Cut a cow.
- Catch a calf.
- Follow a steer.
- Weave through poles or chase a can.
- Cross the 1/4 mile line ahead of the rest.
- Spin on a dime.
- Baby sit your children.
- Have the heart to do it all again!
You don't ride a Foundation Quarter Horse!!
Emily Sue Underdown (Averill)
Hollis Fuchs
Hollis was city raised but came west following a stint in the marine corps during
WWII. He rode his first horse when he was nineteen, and working as a ranch hand
in Colorado. He was called back to the service of his country during the Korean
War, where he lost his right leg, and upon his discharge continued his interest
in horses and ranching. Following his graduation from Colorado State University,
he leased a small ranch in Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado.
In 1958 Hollis purchased a grand daughter of Redman, by Joe Hancock, after noticing
that many of the steer ropers in Wyoming were riding Hancock bred horses. His next
Hancock purchase was Quarter Hancock, who sired many terrific roping horses, including
Quarters Sissy and Quarters Topsy as well as two NIRA champion breakaway mares,
Quarters Comet and Quarters Patch. Sonny Davis' Quarters Remus, is in remembered
with a picture in the Cowboys Hall of Fame, in Colorado Springs.
Constantly trying to find the perfect nick, Hollis crossed his Hancock bloodlines
with those of Joak, Driftwood, King and other Foundation Horses. The goal of these
crossings was to promote disposition, speed and the ability bto work cattle. As
he and his wife Joanne purchased ranches in Berthoud, Colorado, Thedford, Nebraska,
and finally Santa Rosa, New Mexico, the Fuchs' horses were amply tested for all
of these traits.
Cleve by Joak, Quarters Gung Ho, and Two Square Hancock by Rainbow Sage, were all
Fuchs ranch stallions. The last stallion Hollis "picked", was Two Box Drifty, by
Quarters Gung Ho. Drifty is currently standing at the Fuchs Ranch in Santa Rosa,
NM, which has been maintained by his wife Joanne.
The four Fuchs children Gretchen, Becky, Jean and Ethan, were all involved with
showing and competing on Fuchs Ranch horses. Currently, the grandchildren are just
starting to compete, carrying on the tradition of the Fuchs familys' commitment
to Foundation Bred Horses.
Thanks Hollis, from everyone who knew you, for what you did and what has resulted
from your programs, dedication and ideas!!
Fred Graham Gist
In November, of 2009, the Foundation Horse World lost another of its pillars, in
Fred Gist.
Fred was a native Texan, and a gentleman, who loved horses. He was instrumental
in making the horse world aware of many of the original Foundation Quarter Horses,
and raised and bred the best of them.
Three Bars, King P-234, Joe Hancock, Blue Valentine, Leo, Red Man, Two Eyed Jack,
Mr. San Peppy and Bert, were some of the blood lines he worked with and maintained.
Fred stood the 1977 son of Blue Valentine, Rowdy Blue Man, for many years, and today,
where ever you find Hancock horses being raised, there is a good chance that some
of them go back to this stallion.
The Wagon Wheel Ranch, walking stick brand, on the left thigh, can be seen on horses
throughout the US, and in some cases overseas as well.
Many of us will remember going to auctions across the country, and seeing Fred preparing
some of his horses for sale, and hoping he wasn’t going to bid against us, for some
line bred Hancock horse, that we both admired.
Fred had an uncanny eye for matching pedigree, conformation and temperament in the
horses he raised, and if a horse wasn’t just right, he would never breed it, just
pass it on to someone who needed a ride.
Horse lovers were always welcome at the Gist ranches, and Fred would spend hours,
talking breeding, and extolling the virtues of the Foundation Quarter Horse.
We will miss him, and realize over the years, what a great contribution he made,
to the Foundation Horse world.
Thank you for everything Fred!!!
You are already missed, but your horses and knowledge live on!!!
|