Scribbles was foaled on April 3, 1981 in Morgan Hill, California; progeny of the world renowned Appaloosa breeding program of Doris Sundin-Sharp. It was widely held that Doris had an instinct that proved it's merit over many years as she owned and bred some of the finest Appaloosa horses to have ever set foot in a show arena. She and her husband owned and promoted Scribbles sire, the great Appaloosa Hall of Fame inductee, Bright Chip, who was himself, by an own Appaloosa Hall of Fame sire, Bright Eyes Brother. Doris was a great believer in the TB lines interspersed throughout Bright Chips pedigree. Many folks don't realize that Bright Chip's maternal great grand sire, was Zev, winner of the 1923 Kentucky Derby! (for additional information on Doris Sundin-Sharp please see her story on our Tributes page)

Scribbles dam, Cutter's Kitty, was the product of some pretty high powered performance, and working cow horse lines that included greats like AQHA hall of famer, Cutter Bill, AQHA Halter Champion, Buddy Dexter, AAA Running Champion, Hard Twist, Race Sire, Apache II, N.R.C.H.A. Bridle Champion, Apache Kitty, and that's to name but a few.

Doris was sure that Scribbles strong running, and cow horse lines, would produce a great cow horse prospect. At three years of age Scribbles was sent to Roger Ott in Bakersfield to start her training. Try as they might Scribbles didn't have the speed or desire to chase a cow. Roger let Doris know that Scribbles was a "daisy clipper, and couldn't outrun a fat man!" Dismayed, but certainly not deterred Doris, decided that like people, not all horses are born with the desire to do what 'you' wanted, or had hoped that they would excel at. Perhaps Scribbles had it in her to make a mighty fine saddle horse, might even become a western pleasure show horse champion. Doris had no doubt that Scribbles was going to be great at something. And it's just about here that I turned up.

I purchased Scribbles from Doris in the spring of 1987. Outside of throwing my leg over two or three rental horses in my life, I knew less than zero about riding.

Scribbles had been "peddled" real hard when she'd been asked to chase cows down the fence, so the mare was a might timid, and prone to serious bouts of 'worry.' Being a twelfth degree, greener than grass wannabe; I tended to be a might timid myself. Made for some real exciting sprints when Scribbles would start to 'worry' and I'd answer her with a whimper. Took some dead serious want to, but with a little help from our trainer Roger Ott, we were on track in literally no time at all.

After two weeks with Roger, Scribbles and I attended our first horse show. Roger sat atop another client's horse just outside the arena and coached us as we moved along the rail. Scribbles and I were entered in two classes at the 1987 Bakersfield, Golden Empire Appaloosa show. I was so nervous I could've spit my toes up. That day, I spent most of my time cruising that arena and praying that Scribbles wouldn't run off with me. We were entered in the non pro western pleasure class along with 17 other riders. When the class ended we were called to the center of the arena to await the class placings. At the time I remember hoping that they wouldn't call my name because I didn't know what to expect, where to go, or what to do. When they called my name as first place winner I was dumbstruck! Roger was whistling & cheering wildly from the sidelines as was his wife, Tony, who was positioned on the upstairs porch of the show office. Me, I just wanted to get the heck out of the arena, and I started for the gate with Roger yelling "wait, wait, there's one more judge"! Under the second judge we took the reserve. In our second class, First Year Green, Western Pleasure (Roger included, riding his other clients horse), Scribbles and I captured both firsts!!! Roger, with a very wide catbird grin, simply asked for my autograph.

Scribbles and I became known as a real threat 'IF,' I didn't pick up a wrong lead or we didn't booger'n run off. As time passed we became 'suited' to each other, and went on to win many ApHC and California state western pleasure championships and titles. In our heyday we even managed to get written up a time or two in several national horse publications.

I retired Scribbles to broodmare status in 1991. It turned out to be a short retirement for Scribbles as she was pressed back into service for our twelve year old granddaughter Tara, who was in dire need of a little direction in her life. We convinced Tara's parents that she should spend the summer with us at the ranch. I put her to work with the horses, and she got the chance to build confidence and in the process, learn there is so much more to the world than she had ever imagined.

Scribbles turned out to be the catalyst that turned the kid around. They went on to win some pretty prestigious honors that included winning the youth western pleasure division of Santa Cruz County Fair in Watsonville, California. They pulled this off in grand style as they bested the top AQHA youth horses in the state!

Near the end of the show year we had hauled to a prestigious breed show in Washington State. At that time, Tara was doing well in the California State, and National breed show standings. Her confidence knew no boundaries as she pleaded with me to let her show Scribbles in the Senior Western Pleasure class. At the time the leading pleasure horse in the country was entered in the class. As class time approached, no other entries had come forward to ride against this famous western pleasure champion. Tara hoped around me, pleaded and cajoled, as only twelve year olds can do. I finally buckled and agreed. She ran to the show office and entered.

You could have heard a pin drop. The stands in the building were packed as everyone came to watch the 'kid' and the old broodmare try to best the best. To watch this exhibition bordered on painful as every nerve fiber in my body was firing at once, I thought I understood nervous, and had a handle on it, but I could see now that the kid had some lessons she was going to teach me.

When they called the class to the center I knew she'd won it, but whether or not the judge would give my pair the win, well now that was another story. Once the arena speakers broadcast the placings I was thrilled. Tara and Scribbles had been awarded one, of the two firsts. I had to admire the judge's courage and sense of fair play. Heroes can, and do, pop up in the most unexpected of places.

Tara and Scribbles made their way out the gate, and I motioned for them to head over to the photographer's booth for a win photo. I was button busting proud of the kids classy demeanor; not a single brag, she simply smiled down at me as she stood in the stirrups, so as to bend over Scribbles neck, and she proceeded to give that great mare the biggest hug she could muster.

Tara and Scribbles went on to end the year with top honors in the youth division for both the State of California and at the National level. They had earned ApHC top ten honors in the youth western pleasure & equitation division. She also claimed top honors in the open all breed Western Pleasure World. But the greatest gift Scribbles bestowed upon Tara, and myself that summer was Tara's life had been turned around. Her confidence was radiant, she had turned into a happy twelve year old girl who was looking forward to all life's adventures. She went on to finish middle and high school with good grades, and is now enjoying a career that would be the envy of most.

Scribbles truly did retire after 'Tara's summer,' and went on to be as gifted a broodmare as she'd always been in the show arena.

Our beloved Scribbles is still with us today. She produced her last foal, Wholey Katz, in 2002. Shortly thereafter Scribbles starting developing cataracts. Due to her advanced age the vets advised against surgery. She has since gone completely blind. To this day she still looks wonderful and seems happy and is well adjusted to her situation. She spends her time dozing in the sun and visiting with her herd mates, mostly her own sons and daughters. From time to time you'll catch sight of her jogging across the pasture with that cloud soft cadence that turned everyone's head, and set my heart ablaze those many years ago.

Scribbles produced 9 foals in total. They have earned Championship honors in the Open All Breed World Shows, California State Champion breed shows, Appaloosa World & National top ten champions and ApHC year end high point titles, ROM's and points in the Open and Non Pro events of Western Pleasure, English Pleasure, Equitation, Trail, Hunter In Hand, Halter & Heritage.

1989 Mare ~ Doxity Sioux by Bar Doc City (AQHA)
Status unknown
1992 Stallion ~ Zippo Pine Chip by Zippo Pine Bar (AQHA)
Zippo Pine Chip page for more information
1993 Mare ~ Kitty Silverwings by Passed Performance (AQHA)
See Kitty's story on As The Hot Walker Turns and her page
1997 Mare ~ Scribble Mia Riddle by Zippo Pine Glow
Status unknown
1998 Gelding ~ Giddienglo by Zippo Pine Glow
See Giddien's story on As The Hot Walker Turns
1999 Mare ~ K D Katz by Passed Performance (AQHA)
See Sales page for info on KD
2000 Gelding ~ Katmanduit by Passed Performance (AQHA)
See As The Hot Walker Turns / Sales page
2001 Mare ~ Fraida Katz by Passed Performance (AQHA)
Currently training for the show arena
2002 Mare ~ Wholey Katz by JB'sPreciselyattired (ApHC)
See Sales page for more info on 'Holly'