ROMANTIC HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE PART 3
Quarter mile racing was extremely popular in the West, and the Quarter Horse was outstanding at a quarter mile. But it was equally suited to the development of cattle ranges, Texas being the dominant state.
Steel Dust arrived in Texas in 1844, and Shiloh in 1849. Shiloh’s son Billy, out of a daughter of Steel Dust, can be called the foundation sire of the Texas Quarter Horse. Quarter Horses became the favourite mounts of cowboys gathering cattle in the open Texas brush, and driving them to the Kansas railroad, up the Chisholm Trail. Racing down the city streets of cow towns, such as Dodge City and Abilene, added amusement to cowboy life.
Steeldust’s racing triumphs were well known throughout the country, and his descendents, the Steeldusts, were the cowboys’ favorite mounts.
At the time ranching was established across the Great Plains, and the early ranchers realized the value of the Quarter Horse, keeping them pure even before the days of a breed registry or formal stud book.
Men like Coke Blake spent a lifetime improving the Cold Deck strain of Steel Dust and Billy horses. His greatest horse was the Cold Deck grandson, Tubal Cain. Blake horses became famous all over cattle country.
Dan Casement of Kansas and Calorado, whose foundation horse was a descendent of the Billy line going back to Steel Dust and Shiloh, named Concho Colonel, promoted the “Bulldog” type of Quarter Horse, and through his eloquence and steadfast commitment, was instrumental in the establishment of the American Quarter Horse Association.
Down in Texas Ott Adams and George Clegg, who both promoted speed in the Quarter Horse, made a considerable contribution to the development of the Quarter Horse. Clegg bred Old Sorrel, the foundation sire of King Ranch Quarter Horses.
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