Otoe

Otoe ~ he was born in 1960, a dark chestnut sired by Sugar Bars out of a Leo mare. Although he traced fairly close to the feathered fetlocks of Joe Hancock, his style was pure Three Bars.

Otoe only lived 11 years but sired progeny that earned 2,755 halter points and 3,140 performance points. Otoe ran a 95 speed index and recorded two wins, two seconds and three thirds as a two year old.

He was purchased by Dr. Jack Donald of Sulfur, OK in 1961 from breeder Bud Warren for a hefty price at the time of $20,000. He was shown exclusively by Jerry Wells and won Grand Champion at the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show and many other large shows.

After he had completed his competition and was breeding a train load of mares Dr. Donald had me come to Sulfur and do a photo shoot of Otoe. I was a fan of this beautiful stallion since I first saw him. He was not in the tight shape that won him the big shows and was a long ways from racing condition. I wish I could have worked with him at his best. He was easy to shoot from every direction -- just a masterpiece of correctness and style. The King Ranch sent a load of mares to breed to Otoe which would add some needed Three Bars type to their line bred Old Sorrel genetics.

When I was at Sulphur I was having some health issues that were increasing. Dr. Donald noted I was working all day and driving all night, ranch to ranch, day after day. He said I needed more sleep. He was right. Don't know why I didn't think of that.

I am not aware that Dr. Donald every used any of my photos. I did not retouch any of the Otoe photos and Dr. Donald never advertised him without retouched photos. He was a great horse and did not need touch-up corrections -- if the photos were taken right.