in memoriam
`132`Colonel
Robert Branch
Circle B Miniature Horses
Over thirty-five years ago we attended our first Miniature horse show in Denton , Texas . As we walked into the barn we saw stalls with bright orange curtains and a very nice looking older couple sitting in front of them . The lanky gentleman stood up and introduced himself and his wife . That was the beginning of a wonderful relationship with Bob and Betty Branch .
Bob and Betty Branch By Tony Greaves , Little America Miniature Horses
On November 16 , 2016 , we lost Bob just six weeks after his 97th birthday . His family memorial service was held at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery with full military honors . His daughter , Peggy Sue Branch-Clark , closed the service saying , “ Mother , Daddy asked me to remind you that you were his first love and his only love for over 76 + years of wedded bliss .”
For many years , that love and devotion was put on display as they showed in the President ’ s Touch of Class at the World Show . To many of us it was as if we were watching our own brand of royalty as Betty always looked like a Princess and Bob , her special Prince . The announcer always reminded us of their amazing number of years together . They continued showing with their last time in the ring in 2014 .
Bob and Betty were instrumental in the early days of AMHA beginning with their sponsoring of “ The Biggest Little Horse Show in Texas ” at Billy Bob ’ s Texas in 1980 . Their show continued at the John Justin arena in Fort Worth for twenty-five years , ending in 2005 . Their daughter , Vicki , whose master ’ s vocal recital we attended , often opened the shows singing the National Anthem and sometimes “ God Bless America .” If memory serves , we showed at every one of those Southwestern Miniature Horse Club shows and some of our most wonderful memories and biggest trophies occurred there , including a shower for Carol when she was pregnant with Lauren in 1988 . Bob and Betty were instrumental in the celebration and presented us with a carved wooden rocking horse . Years later at a high point banquet for the club they presented a now grown up Lauren , with a stuffed rocking horse marking her receiving her graduate degree from Texas A & M and reminding her of the original rocking horse , which resides in our trophy room and is enjoyed by our grandchildren and hopefully someday , her children .
When we first started the Southwest Club , I remember Bob joining several others on our patio in Denton when we wrote the by-laws . We always encouraged Bob to run for office for AMHA and other clubs , but he chose to use his considerable influence behind the scenes .
A few years ago , after we had moved to central Texas , the Branches invited us to stay with them when we came up for the Southwest Club ’ s high point awards meeting which was held right after Christmas . What a treat that was ! It was like walking into a Christmas wonderland . Their entire house was
8 Miniature Horse World SPRING 2017