Welcome to a very special web page that can simply be summed up as "Tributes".

Be it good fortune or fate, some very special people and horses have touched our lives.

Marilyn Orlando: Marilyn will have you wondering about the validity of reincarnation; everyone that's ever seen her ride competitively will tell you she holds dear, an amazing kinship to the Pony Express riders of old. Read more here...

Suzanne & Hennig Koch: The story of Suzanne and Henning Koch is woven throughout the history of Cal-Western's birth and growth over the past 38 years. This original foundation is not what just made a horse club, but part of what made a horse club great. Read more here...

Danny Lopez; Comes A Reinsman: If you've been anywhere near a cowhorse arena in the past 56 years you've been bound to meet or at least see Danny Lopez make a run or two down the fence. Read more here...

Lets Fly: It is said that from humble beginnings great champions have left their mark on man's heart and history. No better example to prove this case was the colorful Appaloosa mare, Let's Fly who lived her life in the show arena and in the public eye her entire life. Read more here...

Please enjoy more Inside Tributes; Doris Sundin Sharp, Wing It; A Racing Legend Comes Home... Read more here

Cal-Western Appaloosa Show Horse Association
2006 Hall of Fame
Nominee
Marilyn Orlando

It's been rumored through friends, and the past three generations of the Orlando and Polomis families, that grandmother Marilyn 'Toots' Orlando, showed up for her original birthday with her boots on, and her saddle in tow. According to Marilyn's version, and she swears the part that's true is her mom's account of her first words which were of course, "where's my horse?"

Marilyn will have you wondering about the validity of reincarnation; everyone that's ever seen her ride competitively will tell you she holds dear, an amazing kinship to the Pony Express riders of old.

She grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and as a small child spent many days with her dad as he plowed fields with his team of Percherons. Tiny Marilyn would insist on riding the plow horses and would remain aboard all morning long until her dad would break for lunch and take her back to the house.

For her fifth birthday, Marilyn's grandfather had taken pity on this child, whose legs stuck straight out from atop the draft horses and bought her, what would be the first of several ponies over the coming years. The morning that first pony arrived they unloaded her and saddled her up. Marilyn was hoisted aboard Black Beauty (really), and she proceeded to make the property rounds for the first time aboard her own horse.

Marilyn never had a formal lesson, but was taught powerful lessons by her ponies. All you have to remember about ponies is that if you let them put their heads down to eat or to frisk, it's likely you weren't going to go anywhere good. Case in point was a distinctive bay pony she called 'Red Boy', who taught her the true meaning of the word go! He would regularly rear up and run off at top speed with her. She tried hitching him to a cart and he still ran off. She marvels that she survived 'Red Boy's lessons but despite all the falls and scary looking wrecks she survived childhood relatively intact.

By the time Marilyn was old enough to attend the 4'H shows she was riding her first Arab-Pinto in gymkhana classes. She won every class they entered; it was here she laid eyes on the first Appaloosa she had ever seen. His name was Thunder, a beautiful spotted blue roan. Marilyn was awe struck as she watched him perform in his classes and marveled at his good looks, athletic abilities, and his kind attitude. He won all of his arena classes consistently, no one could best him. She made a special point to meet and talk to his owner, and would hold his reins, talk to and pet him during the breaks in his class schedule. It was then and there that Marilyn swore her next horse would be an Appaloosa.

In 1976, Marilyn now married and with her own family, moved to California. It had been almost 14 years since she'd vowed to have her own Appaloosa. Having never lost the urge to 'GO' Marilyn started looking and found Deuce's Tippecanoe, a black, snow flake spotted roan mare that she campaigned at regional gymkhana events. As the years rolled by Marilyn replaced 'Tippi' with a new speedster, June Moon, who was an Appaloosa/Arabian cross who closely matched 'Tippi' in color, right down to her spots.

Marilyn had hoped that when she found June Moon, that she had at last, found a horse she would be able to compete on in distance riding, but the mare had other ideas and insisted that she was a speed event horse. The duo burned up the California Gymkhana Association circuit and ended up wining the High Point of the Year award at the regional level. The duo had also qualified and went on to the state finals where they ended up the Champions of 3 out of their 6 events! Once Marilyn retired June Moon to broodmare status, she started another hunt and this time it would be for an Appaloosa she could fulfill her long awaited dream of competitive trail and distance riding.

After much searching Marilyn found Chickasaw, an Appaloosa / race-bred Quarter Horse cross. The pair started training and once fit, Marilyn made the decision to enter her first NATRC race. They placed third overall at their first ride. Destiny bound, it turned out to be an epiphany of sorts for Marilyn; she knew that she had at last, found her niche in life with her beloved Appaloosas.

From Chickasaw, Marilyn moved on to Irish Coffee 76 and then Mtn. Mist Mirage. If those names sound familiar, they should, Marilyn trained and rode both these great geldings into the Cal-Western Appaloosa Show Horse Association Hall of Fame, and earned numerous awards and titles in sanctioned programs offered by the Appaloosa Horse Club, American Endurance Riders Conference, and the International Arabian Horse Association, to name but a few.

She has spent 20 years and covered more than 5,000 miles in her sanctioned endurance / competitive trail career. Her accomplishments have appeared in major all-breed, and breed equine publications, local and state newspapers, California lifestyle magazines, and online news pages. As for posterity, she and Irish Coffee 76 have been immortalized in 2 original paintings by artists who were taken away by the 'soul & spirit' of Marilyn and her equine partner.

She has earned great respect in the breed and open, all breed world, for demonstrating the Appaloosa's ability at events that prove their hardiness, speed, endurance and 'can do' dispositions. Just as the Nez Perce horse of the American frontier earned his place in history, so has Marilyn and her 'flying spots' in the distance community. All have come to know and respect Marilyn and her Appaloosas over the past twenty years of intense competition.

Marilyn is quick to point out that without her pit crew, which has always consisted of one very able bodied, enthusiastic fan; husband Frank. None of her rides would have been possible without him. He acted as the cool down expert at the checkpoints, the cheering section, the food and water man, tissues for the tears and a pocket full of band aids for the mishaps, and always Marilyn could count on that warm, prideful smile when she stormed over the finish line at trails end.

It is also important to note another outstanding feature of the Orlando's distance and competitive trail program. They have always taken the greatest of care of their horse family members, and to this day, both of her Hall of Fame Champions, Irish Coffee 76 and Mtn Mist Mirage, nicker greetings to visitors who happen by the barn. Both are sound and content and regularly go on leisurely trail rides with Frank and Marilyn through the golden hills of their California home. Trail rides these days are moving at a much more leisurely pace, and heaven knows, they've 'all' earned it.

Story by Patti Ansuini © 2004

Cal-Western Appaloosa Show Horse Association / ApHC
2002 Hall of Fame Nominee's

Henning & Suzanne Koch
&
The History of 'Both' Cal-Western's

Story by: Patti Ansuini

Over time, history fades from memory and new generations come along never realizing the story behind the sacrifice, dedication, and steadfast determination it took to build the organization of Appaloosa admirers that became the Cal-Western Racing & Cal-Western Appaloosa Show Horse Associations.

The story of Suzanne and Henning Koch is woven throughout the history of Cal-Western's birth and growth over the past 38 years. This original foundation is not what just made a horse club, but part of what made a horse club great. Once you've read their story, you come to realize their history is pure Cal-Western history, both are quite literally intertwined in one another.

Life Before C-WA

During 1962 & 1963, Suzanne (Mell) Koch, was an active member of the Superior Cal Appaloosa Horse Club based in northern California. Although Suzanne lived in Salinas, CA, she still faithfully made the two and a half-hour, one-way trek to all the monthly meetings held in the Sacramento area, notably in or around Carmichael, CA.

During that time, there were very few Appaloosa clubs in California, and the southern club; Calizona, was much too far away to attend meetings. Suzanne gives plenty of credit to the Superior Cal club members who were a very enthusiastic group of Appaloosa admirers. This group was made up of many members with a wide variety of interests. One of the especially hot topics of the club at this time was racing. There were members who wanted to bring Appaloosa racing to California and especially wanted Superior Cal to be the driving force behind this endeavor.

After much discussion over a period of three to four months, the matter was finally brought to a vote and the racing enthusiasts lost. The majority of the Superior Cal members weren't interested in, nor did they want anything to do with racing; however, they would be willing to contribute a portion of their club funds to a California Appaloosa Racing Association, 'IF' one were ever formed. Another survey was taken of the members regarding who might have horses that could make up the racing card. It was at this fateful juncture that Suzanne raised her hand and mentioned she had a filly that loved to run and would put her in. Then Van Walker said he had a couple and so did Ron Kavanaugh. As it turned out, this was to become a very historic evening.

From these humble beginnings, this trio joined forces and then went out and found others who shared their enthusiasm for racing, and formed the Cal-Western Racing Association. This new association was a necessity because in order to run horses on pari-mutuel tracks in the state of California there must be a Cal-Bred Association to see that California Bred horses are properly registered. And so that became the basis behind the need for a formation of Cal-Western at that time.

As the number of people interested in racing increased, small race meets were beginning to be held. These race enthusiasts realized that they had to show the California State Racing Board that they were serious about racing Appaloosas, so they started holding meets on the Sunday's after the
regular weekly races were run on the fair circuit. At that time, the Quarter and Thoroughbred horses were not running on Sundays. What this meant was that they had to pay rent for the use of all of the track equipment, including the use of the track itself and the regular track employees for this added day of racing. All in all it turned out to be one very expensive proposition.

Not only did they have to worry about the track expenses they also had to raise their own purse money. In 1964 they held some eight card meets on pari-mutuel tracks; sounded good but it had a real drawback, there could be no betting on the Appaloosas, as they were not as yet, an approved breed. So this presented the club with a new hurdle, prove that they could support race cards at the fair meets.

The race club meetings were held, at times up to twice a month but always at least once. At these meetings, the focus was mainly on passing the hat in the hopes of collecting enough cash to pay the expenses they were incurring. Fortunately for Appaloosa racing, this was a group of 'never say die' supporters, and most of them donated till it hurt. According to Suzanne, some of them had donated up to a $1,000 per month each and every month without fail. Just to get cash perspective on this amazing fact, this was happening in an era when you could buy a four-bedroom, two-bath home for $16,000. Thanks to their amazing generosity, this small start up racing club somehow always managed to keep the bills paid.

In 1965 Suzanne testified before the California Horse Racing Board in Sacramento, to the feasibility of adding appaloosas to the "emerging breed" status on the race cards at the pari-mutuel tracks that ran during the fairs. Not lost on these tenacious racing fans was the fact that another amazing opportunity was about to be presented to them, in the form of the National Appaloosa Show which was going to be held in Sacramento.

It was decided that in honor of this momentous occasion the Cal-Western Racing Association would hold an eight card meet on the last day of the national show that would include a two-year- old Futurity and a three-year-old Derby.

Times were very exciting for Suzanne back then. In addition to Suzanne's work on the racing schedule and readying her horses for these first races she had also decided to enter a young Appaloosa gelding she owned in the National Horse Show. This gelding was the first foal of Suzanne's prized Appaloosa mare, Chan's Royal Cricket.

She had decided to enter her gelding, Chan's Sparkette, in the matched pairs, Working Stockhorse, Nez Perce Stake Race, Camas Prairie Stump Race, Trail, pleasure and anything else that Suzanne felt a working horse could be entered in. It was only her horse's second show ever and they shocked more than a few folks by the end of the day as Suzanne held aloft the championship trophy for the Nez Perce Stake Race. The pair also placed well in all of their other classes earning seconds, thirds and fourths. In fact she placed so well, that by shows end Suzanne was in possession of the beautiful mink stole that was given for the overall high point owner/rider. In the race meet, her horse, Chan's Clabberette, a brother to the just-named National Champion, Chan's Sparkette, finished second in the Futurity. Suzanne's mare, (remember the one that loved to run), finished third in the Derby and ended up the day by winning the 220-yard open race which was the eighth race of the day.

For Suzanne though, the most exciting thing to have happened during this National was that the Governor of California, Pat Brown Sr., signed the racing bill that said, "Appaloosa horses may run on the pari-mutuel tracks during the fair meets in California."

In order to get this through the California Board, Suzanne and her fellow race members had to promise not to run the quarter horse distance and not to overlap into the thoroughbred distance; hence, 880 yards to 5 furlongs was designated the Appaloosa distance. With this distance approved for the Appaloosas, they were able to get the needed votes from the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred people to add Appaloosas to the regular racing card at the fair meets.

In a meeting shortly after the historic signing of the Appaloosa Racing Bill, it was discussed that Cal-Western Racing would need to interest more people in the Association. Suzanne suggested to the race members that she and Henning would go to the regional Appaloosa clubs in California, and present a show program to them. Suzanne was also given the task of drawing up the classes and a format for these shows. At the next meeting it was put to a vote and decided that the plan to interest the Appaloosa owners in California, in Cal-Western programs was of vital concern. According to Suzanne, "It really wasn't long before we had clubs putting on regional shows."

No Mountain For A Climber

Cal-Western Racing eventually reached a stumbling block when they attempted to put on more races. The original bill signed by the Governor was written that the fairs "may" put on Appaloosa races, not "shall." After some lengthy lobbying on the part of a special lobbyist who had been hired by Cal Western, a revised bill was finally signed and the fairs in Northern California all began offering a few appaloosa races at every meet.

In 1967 Suzanne, took another proposition to the Cal-Western Racing Association. It was at this time that she pointed out to membership that there were no youth classes being held at the Appaloosa shows and the regional clubs did not seem the least bit interested in adding them either.

The Koch children were all competing at AQHA shows simply because they offered the youth classes. Again Cal Western gave Suzanne & Henning the task of presenting a class list and format for this proposed youth division. It was then that the Cal-Western board authorized them to visit the regional clubs proposing the addition of these classes.

Suzanne and Henning spent many hours attending meetings and traveling up and down the highways of California in order to attend various regional meetings. They had hopes of enlisting the regional clubs in embracing this new youth program. Initially, they met with a fair share of resistance as the clubs cited costs that would make it prohibitive. Their concerns also focused on the fact that, as far as they could see, no youths rode Appaloosas, and if youth classes were added, the show would take far too long. The list covering a multitude of minor concerns went on from there. For each of these points of resistance, Suzanne & Henning seemingly had the answers that were needed to assuage their fears, and soon the regional clubs began signing up for the newly devised youth program that was now being offered by Cal-Western.

Between Henning and Suzanne, they have acquired experience in the Horse show world totaling 118 years! Throughout their years, beginning with that first Appaloosa regional meeting back in 1963, Suzanne & Henning have been a very active part of the Appaloosa world in California.

In addition to exhibiting at our breed shows and representing California at the World & National shows, they have consistently competed on their Appaloosas in rodeos, endurance & competitive trail rides. Events that took on the world's top open competitors such as the Grand National at the Cow Palace, the CRCHA (now National Reined Cow Horse Association) and the National Cutting Horse Association. Other well-known events sanctioned by the Women's Professional Rodeo Association; rodeos where Suzanne rode their C-WA Hall of Fame stallion, Double or Nothin, to numerous wins in barrel racing.

The Kochs were also noted for their achievements earning major wins at the race track with the great Sisterie who won the Star of Stars Futurity and her son, Royal Vikingson who set a track record at Bay Meadows. The Koch's count three medallions in racing among their many ApHC World & National Show wins. They also have three bronze and one silver production plaques to their credit.

Transforming their winning racehorses, they have made exceptional performance horses that have gone on to win acclaim in the show horse arena. Double or Nothin, after racing as a 2 year old and winning a stakes race then went on to become a tough competitor in the cattle and timed events. Classique South who recorded a 98 Speed Index, seven months later won the Jr. Saddle Seat Championship at the National Show in Springfield, IL. The versitility of the HK, Ranch bred horses became widely known. Sons & daughters of Double or Nothin are still making their mark today in the arena with the Koch family and many others who have recognized the talent and versatility of the Koch breeding program.

All tolled, Suzanne has claimed Open All Breed, C-WA State Championships and ApHC High Point, National & World Show titles for the past 58 years. And Henning? Count him in for the past 60 years!

Suzanne Koch, aboard Lil Sugar Bit, during a run at the 1997, Sharon Camarillo Classic in Reno, Nevada.	So many events, so little time. Henning Koch, began his barrel racing career at the amazing age of 73. Always competitive, this photo proves the point as Henning, shows off his great form aboard Private Reality, during an NBHA sanctioned event in October of 2000.

At the 2000 ApHC National Show, Henning, Suzanne and daughter,
Sheri Mell, earned an incredible 12 World Titles, all aboard Koch,
bred and owned horses.

A phenomenal legacy is attributable to Henning & Suzanne Koch. They truly are worthy of our admiration and your votes for their well-deserved induction to the Cal-Western Hall of Fame.

Thank you for your consideration.

Patti Ansuini

If you've been anywhere near a cowhorse arena in the past 56 years you've been bound to meet or at least see Danny Lopez make a run or two down the fence. Being the fierce competitor Danny is, you would still be hard pressed to find an individual who didn't have anything but kind words about Danny.

Over five decades, he has hauled and shown his horses at most every major cowhorse event from San Diego to the Calgary Stampede. There is even talk at Ventura City Hall of a plan to induct Danny Lopez into the Ventura County Native Sons, Hall of Fame.

Danny Lopez with Write For Cash, an ApHC own son of the great Nu Cash and
out of T V Writer, a legendary Appaloosa cowhorse mare that Danny trained &
piloted to numerous ApHC World, National and Open cowhorse championships.

'Comes A Reinsman'
The Danny Lopez Story

By: Patti Ansuini

In today's terms, riders who are exceptionally versatile with a horse in one or many events are often referred to as 'real hands.' In years gone by that phrase usually illustrated, the reinsmen. Generally these folks worked a job riding a horse each day that they had trained especially for the many diverse chores they performed during the day's shift. Whether it was working cattle or just a pleasure horse lope to the mailbox, the team was expected to be able to handle most any situation that popped up.

Being a reinsman isn't something Danny Lopez decided to do one day ... he was born to it. His dad was a reinsman as was his granddad and on back as far as the family remembers. "As a matter of fact," recalls Danny, "My family were reinsmen when California still belonged to Mexico. I remember my great granddad had said that we had to change our name after one incident in Texas. Our family name at that time was Santianna and the incident was the Alamo. We were on the wrong side. After circling the Alamo for three days we decided that Lopez would probably be a wise name choice".

In The Beginning

A Lopez family portrait. Six year old Danny (in foreground), aboard his pony, 'Pal'.

In the late 40's the Lopez family lived on a feedlot in Newhall, California, where Danny's dad worked as a wrangler and horse trainer for the owners. He also built a reputation for riding and training horses for many of the ranchers in the area.

"Before 1940 most the area ranchers owned Palominos. My dad, with me in tow, would haul these ranch-trained horses to the shows at the Horse Palace in Burbank, California. I remember getting to see some of the greatest reinsmen in the world at these shows ... legends of the time, guys like Clyde Kennedy and M. R. Valdez, who rode a great black horse and won so many championships. As an eight-year-old, I was always anxious to see the half-time shows featuring Roy Rogers and Trigger. They would run around the arena and thrill the crowds. I loved the way the crowd got into it.

"I have always loved the thrill of the crowds. I can remember so clearly when, as a 6-year-old, my dad decided to enter me in my first horse show. He put me on one his horses and entered me in a western pleasure class. I was very fast and just lapped everyone. When that class ended I was so shocked that I didn't get a thing from the judge! When I walked out of that arena, I told my dad I thought I should have won it because I was the fastest. As a kid I always thought fast equated with wildly cheering spectators and the win was always the bonus," smiled Danny.

Knowing Danny's history makes it is easy to understand where he came up with his win logic.

If you look at these early shows the actual California Reinsman classes would definitely be considered the "granddaddy" of today's working cowhorse classes. The event was broken down into three sections, just as it is today. During the first phase of the work, you were required to run a dry stock pattern (today's reining). In the second phase, you would have to work around a sack of sand that had been roped. The object was to prove to the judge that your horse could actually work around a rope. The third and final phase was to tie off the sack of sand to the saddle horn, and then back your horse away from the sack. Once you had backed a reasonable distance you would be required to get off your horse and walk to the sack. The horse was expected to hold the rope taut. You would then be required to remount your horse and exit the arena.

"Back then they didn't use neck ropes like the calf roping horses now. You really had to have quite a bit of confidence in your horse. Sometimes a horse would spook or run off with that sack trailing behind him and it would turn into a pretty good show. It got pretty wild at times, but most of those guys were good cowboys and could handle the situation very well. Sometimes it took a second horse to catch the first one and bring him back. It really was a lot of fun," recounted Danny.

"When I got a little older I started riding my dads horses in the reinsman classes. I was the youngest person showing at the time, so I rode against the adults. My dad always put me on a pretty good horse so I would place right up there with the rest of them. It was very exciting. Now when I look back I wish I had paid more attention to those guys who went on to become famous showing those great reiners and cowhorses.

"In 1950 my dad got sick and was bedridden. It meant quitting school for a while and I took over my dad's job at the feedlot to help out. My parents, my sister and I were still living in the house the feedlot had supplied. My dad also had a couple of horses in training for the Chase Brothers Dairy at the time, which I also took responsibility for.

"I was 14 at the time my dad passed away in 1952. I ended up going to school part-time and also kept up training the horses for Chase Brothers in the afternoons after school. I had my mom and sister to think about now."

Eventually Danny and his family moved to an uncle's home down the mountain in Ventura but still managed to keep a few of the Chase Brothers horses in training. Danny's sister went off to college where she met and married a member of the Lawrence Welk Band. Danny's mother lived in his home all of her life. She passed away several years ago at the age of 92.

Traveling the Road to Glory

Danny aboard Oak Trees Gold 'circling the cow' at the end of a working cowhorse event.

"After serving a tour of duty with the U. S. Army in Berlin in the fifties, I came home to a family I had to support and ended up taking a full time job at the Las Palmas Chili Factory in Ventura. I also managed to pick up a few horses to train on the side.
"I had been hauling the horses on the weekends and beating most of the trainers at the shows in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. All of my friends constantly kept after to me quit my job and train horses full time. Well, they finally had me convinced! So I went ahead and quit my job believing those people who had promised me that they would bring horses. I ended up with one horse, and it wasn't even from any of my friends!

"By 1965 I finally had three or four Quarter Horses and one Appaloosa stallion that went by the name of Ditto Sid. I was really lucky as Sid had plenty of natural ability. He had a long sliding stop before most of the guys knew what that was all about. That stop would end up counting for so much!

"In 1967 the owner of Ditto Sid, Charlie Marshall, and I hauled him to Sweetwater, Texas, where I won the Appaloosa World Reining title Sid's first year out. First time I had ever gone to the ApHC World Show.

"I remember when Charlie and I made that fateful trip to Sweetwater, we were having trouble with the trailer lights. I noticed that across the river from where we had been riding Sid, there was a trailer dealer. I suggested to Charlie that maybe he should see if we could get a new part to get that trailer working right. Next thing I know here comes Charlie with a brand new two-horse trailer!

"I told Charlie, 'That's the last time I'm sending you out for parts!' Back then a new two-horse was a big thing. Not only did Charlie come up with the new two-horse, but also managed to find a painter who added the image of the World trophy to the side of that trailer. Every so often, all the way home from that show Charlie would comment, 'Wow! We got us a World Champion back there in that trailer,' and he'd open another beer to celebrate. He sure was proud. I did all the driving and Charlie did all the celebrating!

"The very next year at the World Show in Las Vegas, Sid almost captured the World title in the trail class. The exhibitors had to jump into a box then dismount and jump out with the horse in hand. I made the jump but Sid hit one of the poles with a hind leg. We were completely clean on the go except for that last rail. We surely did come close.

Proof positive that cows really can fly. Danny and the great Mare TV Writer, 'turn the cow' during an exciting down the fence run.

"After that show in Las Vegas, I hauled Sid to a lot of Open cowhorse competitions. The late Greg Ward used to give me a hard time about Sid and his besting those Quarter Horses all the time. Sid could really work a cow, he was one tough little horse that worked a cow good! Those cowhorse shows would have some pretty fancy looking Quarter Horses and Sid ... well, he wasn't real pretty. I used to tease the guys about what they were going to tell the owners of those fancy Quarter Horses when that little Appaloosa beat em'? They would all laugh until Sid's go. Years later, any time I saw Greg he always spoke of Sid. The good ones are never forgotten.

"I went on for many years with Sid. He ended up being sold to a new owner who kept him with me and we showed him until he retired. When Sid's last owner passed away his family decided to give Sid a permanent home with me. Even the World Championship trophy came back. After all those years that's how I ended up with Sid in the north forty and the World Championship Trophy in the living room.

"About '68 or '69 I looked down my barn aisle one day and realized I only had one Quarter Horse left in the entire barn! There were Appaloosas in every stall and I've been with them ever since. They sure have been good to me.

"If I were to say which title or what horse I enjoyed the most It would be hard to pick one, but I do admit to the thrill I had at an Open Freestyle Reining class at a big Quarter Horse Show in Los Angeles.

"When I drove into the show grounds and unloaded the unmistakable Appaloosa gelding, I Can Cut It ('Ike'), everyone thought for sure I had made a wrong turn somewhere. I just smiled and told them I had come for the Open Free Style Reining.

Proof positive that cows really can fly. Danny and the great Mare TV Writer, 'turn the cow' during an exciting down the fence run.	Freestyle Bandito. Danny and 'Ike' (I Can Cut It), revving up the crowd with a winning freestyle reining run

"I ran my pattern to a Mexican tune and the costume was pure Mexican Bandito. The audience hooted and hollered, they jumped up and down and stomped their feet! ......... Later that day, as I cradled that trophy in the crook of my arm, with 'Ike' following closely beside me, we walked the long way around to the parking lot, right through the middle of those Quarter Horse show barns. I can tell you it was a thrill!"

Another real treasure in the memory department for Danny was the great Appaloosa mare, T V Writer, owned by Paul & Betty Pumpian, of the Funny Farm in Sunland, California. Paul, a noted television comedy writer, and his wife Betty had seen Danny show and declared, "That's the man we want to train our horses."

When the Pumpian's brought TV Writer to Danny he knew the mare was something special the first time he rode her. "When I hauled that mare to the World I sweated the night before her class! I just hoped I was rider enough to show this good mare because I just knew she could win it all." And win they did, along with many more ApHC World, National, and Open cowhorse titles throughout the coming years.

Danny and 'Ike' catching a National championship that
went along with this winning heel loop.

The Hollywood Connection

Danny's life has always seemed to include a 'Hollywood' connection. Over the years he has trained and shown horses for some of Tinsel Town's brightest stars; actors, actresses, writers and Academy Award producers of movie and television fame.

According to Danny, many of the celebrities come simply because they refer each other. "Paul Pumpian has taken me to some of the Friars Roasts and I've had the privilege of meeting many celebrities and a few of the International idols along the way.

"I get a kick out of the photographers now because I've been to enough of these Hollywood functions that the paparazzi think I'm somebody special. They 'pssst' and signal me to come over to the roped off areas and they ask, 'We've seen you at these functions before, ... who are you anyway?' I just tip my hat and whisper that I'm the hired help."

Outlook for the Future

"The future for the Appaloosa looks bright. The judging has improved so much that real judges look past the color now. In the old days you always had that color prejudice and that meant you had to be a little better when you rode an Appaloosa. Nowadays, when you've got a great horse you usually place where you belong.

"As for the rumors of my retiring, I'll probably just cut back a little. I have two good Appaloosa stallions I'll be showing until I ride off into the sunset for the last time. I've got so many good memories of horses and their owners, and of so many friends. My life has been a really good run. To have known all the old timers like Ronnie Richards, M. R. Valdez, Roy Rogers, Glen Randal, Clyde Kennedy, Greg Ward, Teddy Robinson, Bobby and Doug Ingersoll, Scott Weis, and so many more. These guys are all so talented and they have all enjoyed what they do." Danny believes that's one of the secrets of success ... enjoying what you do.

"You know, my son once asked me, 'How can you spend so much time out there, day after day, most of the time alone? How can you do that for a lifetime?' I always kid him and tell him that it's the rivalry, just like driving a racecar or anything else where the competition is intense. It's all for the 30 seconds of glory when they announce your name in that winner's circle and the crowd is cheering their approval."

During Danny's incredible career he ended up claiming 35 ApHC World, National and year end high point performance championships. In 1994 he was named Appaloosa Horse Club's Trainer of the year. Then in 2003 Dan became immortal in the annuals of Appaloosa history by being inducted to both the State of California, and the International breed registries Hall of Fame.

Story by Patti Ansuini ©2005

Cal-Western Appaloosa Show Horse Association
2006 Hall of Fame
Nominee
Let's Fly

It was said that Let's Fly had heart and an indomitable spirit, that she possessed great
patience and a willing attitude; here we see proof positive, as she poses among her many
lifetime awards and a few photo's of some of her grandest performances.

It is said that from humble beginnings great champions have left their mark on man's heart and history. No better example to prove this case was the colorful Appaloosa mare, Let's Fly who lived her life in the show arena and in the public eye her entire life.

This amazing California Appaloosa story has its roots on the outskirts of Pensacola, Florida. According to Diane Morgan-Duacsek, Pensacola was a mere speck on her road map itinerary and never dreamed the horse of her life would be found in such an out of the way place. Diane had been on a quest for some time, to find the perfect hunter/jumper and had purely by accident, stumbled across Oak Meadow Farm.

Happening upon the farms roadside sign, Diane pulled off the highway and followed the driveway to the barn. She inquired about prospects and was informed of a near four-year-old unbroke mare that resided out in the north forty. Diane was quick to decline, stating that a three, soon to be four-year-old unbroke, Appaloosa mare was the last thing she would ever consider, thanked the owners and drove on.

As fate would have it, three weeks later Diane found herself once again passing through Pensacola, and decided to give 'that' filly a look. Once she laid eyes on Lets Fly, she was overcome by a powerful hunch to take a chance on the young mare and purchased her on the spot.

Foaled on February 20, 1976, the colorful mare, sired by Leo Patchy and out of Zumbrota Bay Snip, had been officially registered as Let's Fly, by her breeder Elaine Koehler of Lillian, Alabama.

Admittedly, Diane didn't feel at the time that she knew a thing about the Appaloosa circuit but thanks to her good friend Karen Thomas, upon whose insistence she and Fly entered their first Cal-Western approved show in 1984. The pair were entered in two jumping classes and exhibited against 20 plus contenders in each class. By days end Diane and Fly were in possession of the blue ribbons for their outstanding performances for both classes!

Diane Duacsek aboard Lets Fly exhibiting perfect form while performing a USDF test.

Diane never put Fly with a breed trainer, but for herself, felt comfortable showing the regional ApHC and open show circuits, and for many years didn't even consider showing Fly all around until the mare was nearly 15.

After many years of showing on both the open and ApHC breed English division circuits in the disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping, the pair began competing in the western classes. They added Suitability for Dressage (Hunter In Hand) and Saddle Seat when Fly was 15, Heritage at 16, then the speed events were added when she was 18!

In retrospect Diane says she wishes she had done it all when Fly was much younger but then smiles and admits to extreme pride in Fly; that she picked up and was willing to try everything and anything, learned it well enough to be most competitive and on a National level at that.

In October of 1998 Fly was stricken with a near lethal bout of laminitis. Diane and Fly miraculously worked through the laminitis and in June of 2000 were again showing and winning on the Open All Breed Dressage circuit.

In Fly's long and illustrious career she was widely recognized and admired in both her worlds of breed and open circuits and was known far and wide as a great Appaloosa Ambassador. At the young at heart age of 26 years, Fly was selected by the Equine Affaire's Olympic Dressage Clinicians for their demonstrations. They were so very impressed with Fly's attitude and performance abilities that they contacted Diane for a return appearance and performance the following year.

Always known for her gentle spirit especially with the youth handicap riders, Fly took many youngsters for their first rides and toted more than a few to their first blue ribbons that could and did change a child's life with new found confidence and optimistic outlook. Wherever Diane went with Fly they had the ability to draw a crowd. With Fly's flashy color as a draw and her kind disposition she could be counted on to remain absolutely still as wheel chair bound children would pull up next to Fly in order to pet and feed her treats. Fly always looked and acted as if she enjoyed this as much as the children.

Let's Fly passed away on December 4, 2003 at the age of 27 and has left a huge void in Diane's life but she considers herself to have been blessed with all the wonderful years she has spent with Fly. Just five days after Fly's passing Diane was presented with a third level Amateur dressage award.

Diane has many, many favorite memories of Fly to tell but she puts it best in her own words; "I have so many great memories of Fly; she did so many things and affected so many people's lives. All manner of things that most Appaloosa people may not even be aware of. For instance, she was a Girl Scout Badge horse for many local troops where we would work with scared girls; by the end of the lessons they would have their arms around Fly planting kisses and hugs on her roan hide. Or the time she was presented at the Just Born, Inc., annual meeting in 2000; when that story made the newspapers, Fly was featured standing next to their marketing director eating "Peeps" candies! But of all my memories, it would have to be galloping through the fields with our friends on trail rides, swimming, or the reading of stories to Fly with my niece Raquel, who had learned to ride Fly by tapping her feet when she was just 2 years old; going to ropings for a lark and chasing cows with the ropers. But most of all I will always be in awe of the way Fly loved life and especially the children". Story by Patti Ansuini © 2004