Respect the Speed
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By Merrie Elliott
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The most far-sighted of Australian horsemen could not
have imagined the changes heralded by the arrival of
the first four Quarter Horses to these shores in 1954.
Although seven years were to elapse before the second
shipment, the trickle of Quarter Horses into this country
soon became a flood and the Australian horse industry
was reshaped forever. Initially regarded with scepticism
by many, but immediately taken to the hearts of others,
these equine immigrants steadily gained acceptance in
their new country through their athletic ability and unique
disposition.
Now, in the opening decades of the 21st century wherever
horses gather for competition in this country there is every
chance that a casual observer will find a pair of steadfast
Quarter Horse eyes peering at him from a broad face topped
by two small and busy ears. An astonishing number of
Australians have developed their very lifestyle around
this remarkable horse and newcomers are making his
acquaintance at an increasing rate. Given these facts, as well
as recognising the changing face of the Quarter Horse industry,
it is timely to reflect on the historical development of this
breed.
When enquiries are made about the origins of the Quarter
Horse, flawed answers are frequently given, creating confusion
and misconception. It is vaguely realised that he was around
during pioneer times in USA, that he pulled ploughs, took
families to church, raced, was somehow involved with
Thoroughbreds and was a cowpony. There is, however, a
general lack of understanding about the various influences
that came together to create the greatest all round ‘using’
horse that the world has ever seen.
Melville H. Haskell was a racehorse man and breeder from
Arizona. He was a key player in the formation of the American
Quarter Horse Association in 1940, and was there when it was
all happening. His concise and comprehensive explanation of
the development of the Quarter Horse from 1607 when the
English settled in Jamestown, Virginia until the formation of
the AQHA in 1940 can hardly be improved upon. The following
extract is taken from an article he wrote which appeared in
the QUARTER HORSE BREEDER (edited and published by
M.H. Lindeman 1959).
First settlers found a land of dense forests along the eastern
seaboard – impassable except on narrow footpaths. The
horses they brought with them were used to help farm the
clearings laboriously chopped out of the woods. Travel and
transportation was on horseback and by pack horse. However,
many of the plantation owners – particularly in Rhode Island,
Maryland, Virginia and the Carolinas – brought with them the
love of horse racing acquired in England. Since they had no
place to run long races, they ‘matched’ their saddle ponies on
the only tracks available – usually down the village streets at
distances of a quarter mile or less. The first horses used for
racing were the saddle ponies of the farmers and plantation
owners, but as interest grew and competition became keen,
the fastest mares were bred to the local champions (even as is
done today), and the “Quarter of a mile Running Horse” began
Lloyd Jinkens riding riding Hired Hand. A son of the Old Sorral, the to take shape.
foundation sire of King Ranch Quarter Horses(Texas), Hired Hand
was the the sire of Vaquero and Jackaroo, (pic below) the first
Quarter Horses to come to our shores.
Photo courtesy of “The King Ranch Quarter Horses” written by
Robert Denhardt.
The “Quarter Horse” – to use the abbreviation which has
come to designate the heavily muscled sprinter – did not start
out as a breed. He is the result of breeding speed to speed
for many generations, and his conformation and ability are
due to selection and mating designed to produce winners.
His ancestors were horses that got the job done, no matter
what their pedigree, so that we see combined the blood of the
“Spanish” horses from the early settlements of the southeast,
the “Galloway” from England and many other strains. Later
on when English racers of “Thoroughbred” blood were brought
over, they were used to increase the size and speed of the
stocky native ponies. Most notable of the English horses of
this period was Janus – not registered in the English Book,
but said to be a grandson of the Godolphin Arabian, who did
July• August 2015 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine Page 27