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Jewel's Leo Bars | |
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Breed | Quarter Horse |
Discipline | Quarter-Horse Racing, Cutting (sport) |
Sire | Sugar Bars |
Grandsire | Three Bars (TB) |
Dam | Leo Pan |
Maternal grandsire | Leo |
Sex | Stallion |
Foaled | 1962 |
Died | 1978 (aged 15–16) |
Country | United States |
Color | Sorrel |
Breeder | A.L Smith |
Other awards | |
Sire of three champion/co-champions in the 1976 NCHA Futurity Champion | |
Honors | |
Sire of two stallions inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame |
Jewel's Leo Bars (1962–1978), commonly known as "Freckles", was a sorrel American Quarter Horse stallion sired by Sugar Bars, out of Leo Pan by Leo. He is considered to be one of the early cutting horse foundation sires, most notable for his influence on the performance horse industry. [1] : 100 He was owned by Marion Flynt and stood at stud at Flynt's Square Top 3 Ranch in Midland, Texas, the home of "many legendary horses". [2] In addition to being a notable foundation cutting horse sire, Freckles also competed in three different disciplines—racing, halter, and cutting—earning an AQHA Register of Merit in Cutting, Halter Stallion points, and a National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Certificate of Ability.
The breeder of Jewel's Leo Bars was A.L. Smith of Perry, OK. [1] : 101 As a late weanling, he was sold to Ira S. Lethco of Fort Stockton, TX, and was later purchased as a yearling by Ford Harris and his son-in-law Kirk Coffman, also from Texas. They reportedly paid $5500.00, which at that time was an unusually high price for a Quarter Horse yearling. The stallion's pedigree was that of a horse bred to run, and as a yearling prospect, his conformation had the desirable traits of form to function, including a long hip, deep chest and depth of girth. Coffman was impressed by the colt's good looks, so he was shown at halter and won his class at two different AQHA approved horse shows, earning his first AQHA halter points in a class of 7. [1] : 103
Billy Bush was manager of the racing operation for Harris, and was also the first to nickname the young stallion "Freckles" because of all the sorrel spots on his blaze and stockings. Bush started Freckles under saddle as a 2-year-old before sending him to racehorse trainer, Bubba Cascio, who had trained the legendary Dash For Cash. As it turned out, Freckles simply did not have the speed necessary to make the cut for the All American Futurity or other races of that quality; his best AQHA SI was only 55. Cascio suggested gelding the horse, but Harris decided to consign him to a horse sale produced by Charles "Muscles" Foster in Coppell, TX, where he was acquired by Marion Flynt in exchange for a debt owed him by Foster. [1] : 104 Flynt was in the oil and gas business, and owned a large ranch in Midland, TX. He was also president of the NCHA, which was struggling during that time. Flynt stayed with the NCHA, and became the longest serving NCHA President in its history, having served a total of 12 years (1956-58 and 1963-1971). [2] In 1977, he was inducted into the NCHA Members Hall of Fame.
With his ties to the cutting horse industry, Flynt focused on seeing if Freckles could be a cutting horse. He contacted Buster Welch, a legendary horse trainer in the discipline. Shorty Freeman, who rode Doc O'Lena to win the 1970 NCHA World Championship Futurity, Open Division, was also recruited along with Welch to train and show Freckles. [1] : 107
“He was green broke when we got him. He was a pretty sucker, though, and just a real smooth working horse.”
~Buster Welch [3]
As a 4-year-old, with limited showing under trainers Welch, Freeman, and John Carter, Freckles won the cutting competition at the 1966 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and later that year, the Dallas State Fair, each with over 40 entries in the class. [1] : 108 Delight Lee also showed him in a few AQHA cuttings, and then in 1970 John Carter showed him in the NCHA Open Division. [1] : 107 Freckles also won the 1970 Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show Open Cutting in Fort Worth, Texas, was 4th in the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Open Cutting, won the Spring Cutting Circuit in Phoenix, Arizona and finished the 1970 year in 10th place in the NCHA Top Ten World Championships, Open Division, ridden by John Carter. [4]
Ultimately Freckles earned his AQHA Register of Merit with 25 points in Cutting. He also earned 3 Halter Stallion points. In NCHA competition, he was awarded the Certificate of Ability with recorded lifetime NCHA earnings of $6,037.24. [1] : 108
The number of mares Freckles bred was limited in the beginning, and his stud book was closed to outside mares. Nonetheless, Jay Freckles, a 1970 stallion sired by Freckles, won the 1973 NCHA Futurity Champion Stallion, finishing 4th overall. [1] : 111 That year, Flynt's ranch manager, Terry Riddle, started cutting horse training for three 2-year-olds sired by Freckles: Freckles Playboy, Colonel Freckles, and Mia Freckles. Riddle's goal was to show them in the December 1976 NCHA Futurity, the premier cutting horse competition for 3-year-olds. [5]
In 1973, there were only 9 foals total sired by Freckles, and 376 entries in the 1976 NCHA Futurity. The three entries sired by Freckles comprised one-third of his 1973 crop, and had garnered substantial attention in the go-rounds and Futurity finals. That year, Colonel Freckles was the NCHA Futurity Open Champion, ridden by Olan Hightower and owned by Bob McCloud; Freckles Playboy, ridden by Terry Riddle, and Doc's Becky, ridden by Bill Freeman, were Co-Reserve Open Champions. The Non-Pro Futurity Champion was Mia Freckles, ridden by Kay Floyd. Terry Riddle had trained all four winners. [1] : 111 The Fort Worth Star Telegram commented, "the $215,000 NCHA Futurity held Dec. 12 in Fort Worth might just as well have been held in Midland – that way Marion Flynt wouldn't have had to haul his awards so far home."
"As soon as I started breaking Freckles Playboy, he showed me he was special," Riddle said. "He was quick and a big stopper. In fact, when I first started driving him, he stopped hard and moved low, and it was all natural."
~Terry Riddle [1] : 111
Freckles sired a number of champion progeny, who in turn provided him champion grand-get. A leading example was his son Freckles Playboy, listed as one of the Top Fifteen Leading NCHA Super Stakes Sires in 2021 with combined earnings of $2,324,488.00 across all divisions. [6]
Building a bloodline group of genetically superior horses that breed true requires breeders to research pedigrees back for many generations to foundation sires and dams. This helps create consistency by obtaining progeny information and individual performance records, but it also requires the breeder to skillfully match complimentary crosses based on their research. [7] [8]
“But it wasn't long before Flynt, and the entire cutting industry, realized that Freckles' worth was as a cutting horse sire and the "magic cross" was Freckles crossed on daughters of Rey Jay.”
~Glory Ann Kurtz, Western Horseman, Legends–Volume 6 [1] : 108
Jewel's Leo Bars success at stud was an example of these principles at work. [1] : 108 The Quarter Horse Journal had described Doc Bar as "a highlight" of the excellence found in crosses between Three Bars and Joe Reed bloodlines, and added that another "industry-shaping version" was the cross between Sugar Bars (a son of Three Bars with a line to Joe Reed) and Leo daughters. That cross "gave the industry Jewels [sic] Leo Bars (sire of Colonel Freckles and Freckles Playboy), Zippo Pat Bars (sire of Zippo Pine Bar), Otoe and Flit Bar..." [9] The Jewel's Leo Bars x Rey Jay cross produced two AQHA Hall of Fame stallions, Freckles Playboy (inducted 2013) and Colonel Freckles (inducted 2004), both of whom were outstanding cutting horses as well as notable sires. [10]
The principles of this type of selective breeding for success in specific disciplines were noted in a 2013 genomic study that found the Quarter Horse breed is "subdivided into different lines according to skills resulting from distinct selection objectives" and noted "a close relationship between physical characteristics and the function for which the animal is used." For cutting horses, those skills include, but are not limited to, athletic ability and trainability. [11] [12]
AQHA registration #0206037, 1962 sorrel stallion, breeder A.L. Smith of Perry, Oklahoma.
Midway | |||||||||||||||||||
Percentage | |||||||||||||||||||
Gossip Avenue | |||||||||||||||||||
Three Bars | |||||||||||||||||||
Luke McLuke | |||||||||||||||||||
Myrtle Dee | |||||||||||||||||||
Civil Maid | |||||||||||||||||||
Sugar Bars | |||||||||||||||||||
Captains Courageous | |||||||||||||||||||
Rey | |||||||||||||||||||
Goldie | |||||||||||||||||||
Frontera Sugar | |||||||||||||||||||
Ben Hur | |||||||||||||||||||
Mare by Ben Hur | |||||||||||||||||||
Joe Reed | |||||||||||||||||||
Jewel's Leo Bars | |||||||||||||||||||
Nellene | |||||||||||||||||||
Joe Reed II | |||||||||||||||||||
Joe Reed | |||||||||||||||||||
Leo | |||||||||||||||||||
Fanny Ashwell | |||||||||||||||||||
Little Fanny | |||||||||||||||||||
Call Shot | |||||||||||||||||||
Leo Pan | |||||||||||||||||||
Handy Cup | |||||||||||||||||||
Handy Shot | |||||||||||||||||||
Little Joe | |||||||||||||||||||
Panchita | |||||||||||||||||||
Mare by Little Joe | |||||||||||||||||||
A famous sire of Quarter Horses, Three Bars (1940–1968) was a registered Thoroughbred racehorse before going on to become a member of the American Quarter Horse Association's American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1989.
Sugar Bars (1951–1982) was a Quarter Horse racehorse and stallion who sired many Quarter horse race and show horses.
Poco Lena (1949–1968) was an outstanding cutting mare, and dam of two famous Quarter horse cutting horses and stallions: Doc O'Lena and Dry Doc.
Quo Vadis was an outstanding Quarter Horse show mare as well as being an outstanding broodmare in the early days of the American Quarter Horse Association.
Doc O'Lena (1967–1993) was a Quarter Horse stallion, a champion cutting horse and a sire of champion cutting horses. He was inducted into both the AQHA and NCHA Halls of Fame, as was his dam Poco Lena. He was the 1970 NCHA Futurity Open Champion, followed by his full brother, Dry Doc, who won the title in 1971. As a sire, Doc O'Lena earned recognition as the first futurity champion to sire a futurity champion when Lenaette won the title in 1975. He also sired Smart Little Lena, the first horse to win the NCHA Triple Crown.
Peppy San (1959–1989), a Quarter Horse stallion, has the distinction of the being the first National Cutting Horse Association World Champion to sire an NCHA World Champion.
Cutter Bill (1955–1982) was a Quarter Horse stallion and the 1962 National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Open World Champion cutting horse with record earnings for the year. He also won the 1962 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Honor Roll cutting horse award which made him the first horse to have won both the NCHA and AQHA awards in the same year. Cutter Bill was owned by the flamboyant Texas millionaire Rex Cauble who in 1962 decided to campaign Cutter Bill with Sonny Perry in the saddle showing him. In order for Cutter Bill to compete in as many shows as possible that year, Cauble flew Cutter Bill and three other horses on his private jet to various shows.
Peppy San Badger (1974–2005) was an American Quarter Horse stallion who won the National Cutting Horse Association Futurity in 1977 and the NCHA Derby in 1978. He was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Association's Hall of Fame in 2008.
Lightning Bar (1951–1960) was an American Quarter Horse who raced and subsequently became a breeding stallion. He was bred by his lifelong owner Art Pollard of Sonoita, Arizona, and was the offspring of Three Bars, a Thoroughbred, and Della P, a Quarter Horse mare from Louisiana, then noted for the breeding of sprint horses. Lightning Bar raced ten times, achieving four victories and four other top-three finishes. His racing career was cut short by illness after only one year, following which he spent two years as a show horse. As a breeding stallion he sired seven crops, or years, of foals, among whom Doc Bar was the best known. In 1960 Lightning Bar died of an intestinal infection at the age of nine. He was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Association's (AQHA) Hall of Fame in 2008.
Mr San Peppy (1968–1998) was an American Quarter Horse stallion and a famous cutting horse. He was the National Cutting Horse Association, or NCHA, World Champion in 1973 and 1976. He was also the American Quarter Horse Association, or AQHA, World Champion in Senior Cutting in 1976, as well as being named the High Point Cutting Horse by the AQHA in 1975 and 1976. He went on to become a notable breeding stallion and was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2011. His full brother, Peppy San, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Smart Little Lena was an AQHA registered Quarter Horse, an NCHA Triple Crown Champion cutting horse, and sire of champion cutting horses. He was inducted into both the AQHA Hall of Fame and NCHA Horse Hall of Fame. He was sired by NCHA Futurity Champion Doc O'Lena and out of the mare Smart Peppy by Peppy San, who was the first NCHA World Champion to sire an NCHA World Champion.
Matlock Rose, born Berry Matlock Rose (1924–2008), was a professional horse trainer for over 60 years. He established a reputation as an all-around cowboy and trainer of champions. Rose was often described as stonefaced, a man of few words, but long held the respect of his peers. He was referred to as a trainers' trainer, and considered a legend. He trained multiple AQHA world champions, five NCHA world champions, was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2001, as well as both the NCHA Rider Hall of Fame and the NCHA Members Hall of Fame. The first famous cutting horse he trained was Jesse James and many other great horses followed but he was best known for training Peppy San and Peponita.
Joe Heim is a horse trainer and clinician residing in Thackersville, Oklahoma. He trains primarily Quarter Horses in various disciplines of western riding, including reining and cutting. He was inducted into the NCHA Rider Hall of Fame and is most notable for training and showing Docs Okie Quixote to win the 1983—1984 NCHA Triple Crown which included winning the 1983 NCHA Futurity, 1984 NCHA Derby and 1985 NCHA Super Stakes. Docs Okie Quixote was a 1980 AQHA stallion sired by Doc Quixote and out of the mare Jimmette Too by Johnny Tivio. He sired only one crop of foals before he died in 1985. His Triple Crown earnings totaled US$335,095.00, and his NCHA Lifetime Earnings totaled US$599,109.00.
Eternal Sun (1958–1985) was an American Quarter Horse foaled in 1958. He was a Quarter Horse race horse and an American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) show horse who competed in cutting and halter classes. He earned numerous AQHA awards throughout his career, including an AQHA Championship. He was also a sire of 908 foals, many of whom are themselves AQHA award earners and race horses. He was inducted into the Michigan Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame in 1989, later followed by his daughter, Eternal Linda. He died at the age of 27 in 1985 on Harold Howard's farm.
Fay Owen "Buster" Welch was an American cutting horse trainer and inductee into the NCHA Members Hall of Fame, American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, NCHA Rider Hall of Fame, and Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Buster was chosen as the recipient of the 2012 National Golden Spur Award for his "outstanding contributions to the ranching and livestock industry".
Shining Spark was an award-winning and hall of fame reining Quarter horse. Shining Spark is in the National Reining Horse Association Hall of Fame (NHRA) Hall of Fame. He is a 2013 NHRA Four Million Dollar Sire. He is also a National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRHCA) Four Million Dollar Sire. He sired 1,316 foals after his quarter horse career.
Carol Rose is a champion horsewoman. She is a world-class show woman and breeder. She became a leader during a time when men dominated the field.
Kay Floyd was an American horse breeder who was the first woman ever to win two NCHA Futurity championships, albeit in the Non-Pro division. She also earned the title of 1988 NCHA Non-Pro World Champion, and in 1991 was inducted into the NCHA Rider Hall of Fame - Non-Pro Division. Floyd owned the stallion, Freckles Playboy (1973-2003), sired by Jewel's Leo Bars by Sugar Bars out of Gay Jay by Rey Jay, and bred by Marion Flynt. As of 2013, Freckles Playboy ranked 3rd on NCHA's list of all-time leading sires and maternal grandsire sires of champion cutting and performance Quarter Horses with offspring that have earned $24.56 million in NCHA competition. Among his champion offspring were Playfulena, the mare Floyd rode to win the 1987 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity, and Playboys Madera, the mare she rode to earn the title of 1988 NCHA Non-Pro World Champion.
Freckles Playboy was a sorrel Quarter Horse stallion sired by Jewel’s Leo Bars by Sugar Bars out of Gay Jay by Rey Jay. He was bred by Marion Flynt, and trained and shown in cutting horse competition by Terry Riddle. Freckles Playboy was the 1976 NCHA Futurity Co-Reserve Champion, placed 3rd in the 1977 NCHA Derby, and won the title of 1977 AQHA World Champion Junior Cutting Horse. In 1979, he developed navicular syndrome ending his career as a cutting horse.
Marion Flynt was a cattle rancher and owner of the Square Top 3 Ranch in Midland, TX., home to many legendary horses including two foundation cutting horse sires, Jewel's Leo Bars (Freckles) and Rey Jay. Flynt was known in cutting horse circles as "Mr. Cutting Horse". He holds the record as the longest serving president of the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA),, having served a total of 12 years. Flynt was inducted into the NCHA Members Hall of Fame in 1977. He was the owner of Marion’s Girl, a 1948 bay Quarter Horse mare and twice NCHA World Champion Cutting Horse, trained and shown by Buster Welch.