SUN DUST’S OZARK GOLD

2006 World Grand Champion Open Ranch Horse

The bright sun shone down from a brilliant sky, lighting the fresh spring grasses in the low pastures at the heart of an Idaho valley.  On horseback, we came to gather the cows and calves for branding.  The golden stallion, Sun Dust’s Ozark Gold, “Oz” was in the lead.  The grass smelled sweet in the faint breeze and the coolness of the early morning showed as a mist rose with every breath.  The swish of leather chinks, the jingle of the spurs, and the slap of the rope chimed along with the rhythm of the fox trot as the horses lined out toward the herd.

Spring gather in Salmon, Idaho on the Broken Pick Ranch is a family affair.  In fact, it is a community affair with neighbors from all along the Carmen Creek bottom gathering to help each other with the spring chores of gathering, sorting, vaccinating, and branding cattle.  In this frontier community, the work is still done the old fashioned way with tools of the trade…horses, ropes, and fire brands.  Cattle are sorted in the pen, calves are pushed into the holding pen where they are roped and dragged to the fire.  Kids and adults wrangle the calves and the smoking brand planted by hot iron.  They are vaccinated and doctored, then turned back into their mothers.

            The yellow stud does his work with a quiet and assertive manner.  Ears pinned, head low, he faces the cows with authority, daring them to cross the line.  The calves to be sorted are pushed to the far end of a small pen.  Cows strain forward as their calves bawl discontent.  There is no way that a cow will move too close to the push gate, as the young horse is quick and definitive in his work, holding his ground.

This is the work he was bred to do.  A son of Sun Dust E and Golden Mae, a Red Rawhide daughter, this young horse holds the genetic code for confirmation, intelligence, and physical ability to perform as an exceptionally versatile equine.

               He is a Missouri Fox Trotter, and that fact, causes curiosity among the ranchers who watch him.  It is hard to tell the difference between him and the other ranch horses through their work, except that he has a “way of going” that the cowboys are unfamiliar with.  It is gait that separates this horse.  I can brag that it keeps me comfortable all day and helps me be first at the dinner table in the evening.  The only drawback is that I have to open all the gates…

               Sun Dust’s Ozark Gold won the 2006 World Grand Champion Open Ranch Horse title in Ava, Missouri this fall.  It is just this kind of horse that should carry that title.  His breeding is steeped in championship heritage and tradition, and the legacy is once again confirmed.  The prestigious title belies the ability of this well rounded horse to compete in six classes that determine gait, confirmation, trail, and cow sense, as well as athletic ability. 

            In addition, this young stallion is the 2006 Reserve World Grand Champion Open Versatility Horse.   He was entered in over seventeen classes at the 2006 Celebration and brought home six World Championships and three Reserve World Championships.  In the majority the classes he placed in the top five and was never out of the ribbons.  He also won numerous 2006 National High Point Championships, including Model Stallion, Three Gait Performance, and various high point Versatility Championships.

For the second year in a row, he is the Intermountain Versatility Circuit Open Ranch Horse Champion and the Intermountain Versatility Circuit All-Around Champion, bringing home yet another saddle.   

 What is outstanding is that this horse has won a total of eight World Championships, several Reserve World Championships, multiple National and Regional Championships as a three and four year old!  He has been a favorite in the eyes of many who have watched him mature over the last two years.  As an individual he has shown the metal he is made of, and he is golden.  Not only does he have talent, but heart as well.

               Oz is without a doubt one of the finest horses I have ever had the opportunity to work with.  Most of his schooling has taken place on the ranch or in the mountains.  That is where we train most of our horses giving them the practical experience and a good handle early on.

 All of our horses have a well-rounded training so that they can be used in any venue.  The Flying N takes special pride in the fact that we continue to produce a herd of young new horses every year that have the same kind of excellence and versatile talent.  We don’t hang our hat on old reliable campaigner horses.  We make them.

Oz has made a name for himself and now the torch falls to his offspring.  His first foal crop turns two this year and near ready to start.  His foals show the same good looks, steady disposition, ability, and promise.  They are the type of horses you would want in your barn.  These young horses exemplify the quality of horses raised, owned, and trained at Flying N Stables.

…At the end of the day, Oz trails a crippled calf slowly up the mountain.  He gently nudges the weary calf forward with his muzzle, unusual for a stallion.  The calf’s mother took exception,  turned and charged the stud colt.  Without hesitation, the young horse jumps to intercede and pushes the cow back into the herd.  He then settles again behind the calf.  He knows his job. 

There is nothing sweeter or more satisfying than a good days work on a great horse.  Sun Dust Ozark’s Gold is that horse.  We invite you to come up and see him.