When we started the search for the perfect horse for this act we knew there would be a couple requirements. The horse would have to have the right temperament and he would have to have the right look.
Bryne had a picture in his mind of how this show would look… A Beautiful, Palomino decked out in Red White and Blue standing calmly with Bryne on top playing the Sax. That was our Goal.
We made many trips and spent many weeks looking for that Perfect horse. We were starting to get discouraged.. Everything we saw was either out of our price range or didn’t meet Bryne’s standards.
One evening we realized.. He would have to be seasoned but.. not necessarily a top performer. We felt there was a good chance that someone had a horse they loved that could no longer perform but they didn’t want to put it down or send it to the auction.
We put the word out we were looking for a Seasoned horse that for whatever reason (whether it be age or injury) was at the end of his career and needed a good home.
One day we received a call from Bob Muir, a Texas rancher. He had a Nice 10 yr old Palomino that he had owned since the horse was 6 months. “Zippo” as Bob called him had injured his hind leg in a fence as a 2 yr old.
Zippo was a favorite and had been used on the ranch for many years but had been turned out to pasture for the last couple years due to the family moving to a new ranch. When the Muirs started back with Zippo his leg would not take the stress of the hard work. Between the added weight from free choice pasture and the increase in his age.. the mind was willing but the body was weak.
Bob heard about our search through and email and knew that Zippo had the temperament and great mind that it would take to be that performer.
After many conversations with the Muirs; Bryne and I felt we could trust the their judgment so we purchased the horse with out even seeing him (other than pictures). He was on his way to Arizona.
From the minute he stepped out of the transport trailer Bryne Loved him. His was temperament was calm and refined. Zippo’s registered name is Winston’s Chick so we quickly renamed him “Sir Winston”.
Bryne has almost weekly conversations with the Muirs to discuss Sir Winston. They are very glad that he has found a new career and a new home. We will continue to keep them current on Sir Winston’s accomplishments and achievements.
