DOCUMENTATION OF INFLUENTIAL STALLIONS IN THE APPALOOSA INDUSTRY SINCE 1960 A Thesis by BRANDY NICOLE KINES Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE December 2010 Major Subject: Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications Documentation of Influential Stallions in the Appaloosa Industry Since 1960 Copyright © 2010 by Brandy Nicole Kines DOCUMENTATION OF INFLUENTIAL STALLIONS IN THE APPALOOSA INDUSTRY SINCE 1960 A Thesis by BRANDY NICOLE KINES Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Approved by: Co-Chairs of Committee, Tracy Rutherford Douglas Starr Committee Members, Pete Gibbs Head of Department, Jack Elliot December 2010 Major Subject: Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications iii ABSTRACT Documentation of Influential Stallions in the Appaloosa Industry Since 1960. (December 2010) Brandy Nicole Kines, B.S., Texas A&M University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Tracy Rutherford Dr. Douglas Starr There is a lack of information on influential Appaloosa stallions from the 1960s to present day. Appaloosa Horse Club members participated in a survey to identify which Appaloosa stallions are influential overall, by discipline (English, Western, Cattle, and Racing) and by association (Trainer, Breeder, Promoter, and Exhibitor). An email survey was sent to the available emails of the ApHC membership. The survey responses were analyzed resulting in three stallions being designated overall influential. Those stallions were Dreamfinder, Prince Plaudit, and Goer. Interviews were conducted with ApHC members that had first-hand experience with the stallions to collect oral histories. The interviews were compared to archived information, statistics, and the survey data to give a complete oral history of each stallion. The theory of social construction is a concept that contributes to the creation of a group. Social construction works through the use of oral histories, which acts to record perspectives of the past. Oral histories are important for letting individuals know the past and where they come from. iv This document shows the influence of specific Appaloosa stallions on the industry since 1960. It informs members of the ApHC why these stallions are considered influential. The oral histories intensify the written facts already documented on these stallions. Oral histories add validity to what is already considered fact. This allows future Appaloosa enthusiasts to understand the history of their beloved breed. v DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my parents who always encouraged me to do my best, work hard towards my goals and were there for me through all of the rough times. It is also dedicated to the members of the Texas Appaloosa Horse club who encouraged me when this idea was only a thought. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my committee co-chairs, Dr. Tracy Rutherford, and Dr. Douglas Starr, and committee member Dr. Pete Gibbs, for their guidance and support throughout the course of this research. Thanks also go to my friends and colleagues and the department faculty and staff for making my time at Texas A&M University a great experience. I also want to extend my gratitude to the Appaloosa Horse Club, which provided the audience for my survey, and access to the Appaloosa archives. I would also like to show my appreciation to those who lent their time for oral interviews of the influential stallions. Without their help, the oral histories would not have come to life. Finally, thanks to my mother and father for their encouragement and love and to my boyfriend for his patience through my endeavor. vii NOMENCLATURE AI Artificial Insemination ApHC Appaloosa Horse Club By Sire of a Horse Out of Dam of a Horse Sire Father of a Horse Dam Mother of a Horse Hand Height Horses are Measured in (4 inches = Hand) ROM Register of Merit viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. iii DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................... vi NOMENCLATURE .................................................................................................. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... x LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW ............................ 1 Theoretical Framework .................................................................. 5 Statement of the Problem ............................................................... 8 Purpose and Research Objectives .................................................. 8 Methodology .................................................................................. 9 Analysis of Data ............................................................................. 10 Problems and Limitations ............................................................... 11 II STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ................................................................ 12 Methods .......................................................................................... 15 Results ............................................................................................ 16 Discussion ...................................................................................... 28 III ORAL HISTORIES .............................................................................. 30 Methods .......................................................................................... 31 Analysis of Data ............................................................................. 32 ix CHAPTER Page Dreamfinder ................................................................................... 33 Prince Plaudit ................................................................................. 36 Goer ................................................................................................ 40 Ima Doc O’Lena ............................................................................. 43 The Hunter ...................................................................................... 46 Roman’s Straw Man ....................................................................... 49 Impressive Andrew ........................................................................ 52 Hot Chocolate Chip ........................................................................ 55 All Hands On Zip ........................................................................... 58 Hayes’ Roman Cloud ..................................................................... 60 The Executive ................................................................................. 63 High Sign ........................................................................................ 67 Bright Chip ..................................................................................... 69 Sir Wrangler ................................................................................... 72 Maid’s Dream ................................................................................. 75 Mr. Spotted Bull ............................................................................. 78 Apache Double ............................................................................... 82 Skip’s Reward ................................................................................ 85 Always Dignified ........................................................................... 88 Scooter Bug G ................................................................................ 90 Easy We Go .................................................................................... 93 Dandy Zippo ................................................................................... 95 DZ Weedo ...................................................................................... 97 The Miracle Chip............................................................................ 100 Discussion ...................................................................................... 103 IV CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................. 105 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................... 109 APPENDIX ............................................................................................................... 113 VITA ......................................................................................................................... 122 x LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1 Dreamfinder .............................................................................................. 33 Figure 2 Dreamfinder Pedigree ............................................................................... 34 Figure 3 Prince Plaudit ............................................................................................ 36 Figure 4 Prince Plaudit Pedigree ............................................................................