In a formal ceremony at the Westin DFW Hotel on February 23, as part of the American Paint Horse Association’s annual Convention, two show ring legends were inducted into the APHA 2013 Hall of Fame.
First as show horses and later as sires, two stallions changed the game on both fronts, leaving a legacy in their wakes.
Born in 1969, the bay tobiano stallion Dixie’s War Drum certainly moved to his own beat. A versatile show horse, “Drum” collected points in halter, hunter under saddle, hunter hack, roping, trail, Western pleasure and Western riding.
Making a mark for himself as a sire of Youth and Amateur mounts, Drum’s foals were stars in the show ring. His final home was with NBC sportscaster George Michael at Painted Acres ranch in Maryland.
Few horses reach celebrity status by which they’re best known by a nickname, but Colonels Smokingun—simply “Gunner” to many—was certainly one of those stars. A loud splashed white coat pattern and unparalleled performance made Gunner unforgettable.
He claimed top APHA, NRHA and USET reining honors, was cast as a Breyer model horse and inducted in the NRHA Hall of Fame. A top reining sire, Gunner’s offspring have a host of APHA world championship titles, World Equestrian Games honors and more than 6 million dollars in NRHA earnings.
Each inductee received a beautiful bronze statue created by sculptor Clay Gant of Cowboy Bronze in Cross Timbers, Missouri.
2013 Hall of Fame inductee video
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.