Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. of Midland, Texas was a slow talking, bright, business man. Clarence owned and ran the Scharbauer Cattle Co., which at one time encompassed nine ranches in Texas and New Mexico. Much like the other large ranches in Texas, the 6666, the Waggoner, and the King Ranch, these were all oil companies that raised cattle and horses for some purposes other than feeding the family. When more oil was developed, more land was purchased. It is said the most profitable place to raise horses or cattle is in the shade of an oil well pump.
Clarence raised the Grand Champion Stallion, High Five, at the 1955 Southwestern Livestock Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, and Marion’s Girl, a two-time world champion cutting horse. Clarence also bred winners of the All-American Derby, the Rainbow Futurity and the Los Alamitos Futurity. Clarence was inducted as a member of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame (1992) and served as a very positive 25th president of AQHA in 1975. He was a good and benevolent friend.
Clarence commissioned me to do a portrait of Double Bid when we were visiting during the 1966 AQHA convention. Clarence said he wanted it to look like Double Bid, and not like some beautiful show horse. Double Bid had his own majesty and he wanted it to look like the real horse. That was fine with me.
Double Bid was standing at White Rail Ranch, Clovis, CA. owned by Bill Verdugo and John Coffman. Each year I went to White Rail and worked all their stallions. Although Double Bid, like Tonto Bars Hank, was rough in places, any horse that athletic could somehow take a great photo. As I worked with him for a couple hours it was possible to get good side, front, and rear photos which few horses can do all the different angles. My photos were not retouched so it was a matter of pose, light and my stamina. I encouraged John to do ads with all 3 shots to create a legacy of not just a bat-out-of-Hades runner, but a striking impressive stallion.
Clarence wanted the painting a side view with Los Alamitos race track infield in the back. Clarence was happy when the painting looked like his favorite, Double Bid.
Double Bid (1954–1970s) was recognized as a champion runner and influential sire during the mid-20th century. Sired by Double Feature, he earned a Speed Index of 100 (AAAT) and was named Champion Quarter Running Stallion in 1959, with 16 wins and over $43,000 in earnings. He was a dominant sprinter in the late 1950s, winning 16 of his 46 starts and placing in many others. He sired several successful horses, including Double Thistle (1966 National High Point Halter Stallion) and First Bid, who was the dam of the well-regarded stallion Hunch Bid.
Clarence was always kind to me. His positive compliments caused me to do several other commissions for his friends.
Author: Darol Dickinson
