Robert C. “Bob” Norris of the T-Cross Ranches near Pueblo, Colo., has been breeding quality Quarter Horses for a long time, and in 2011 Bob Norris was awarded the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Legacy Breeders Award. The Legacy Breeders Award recognizes those breeders that have raised Quarter Horses for 50 consecutive years.

Bob Norris has also served on the Board of Directors of AQHA and was elected President of the AQHA in 1983. In 1996 the AQHA inducted Bob Norris into their Hall of Fame. In 2012 the T-Cross Ranch was recognized as an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder. The AQHA describes Ranching Heritage Breeders as “those that breed and raise the ranch-type horse, which remains at the core of the American Quarter Horse Association and epitomizes the breed’s versatility.”

One thing for certain, when Bob Norris decides to have a production sale, you can have confidence in your purchase from T-Cross Ranches. Bob Norris and his son Steve Norris, stand behind the T-Cross horses. “Keep the horse for 30 days. If he’s not fitting you, or you don’t like him, bring him back and you’ll get your money back.” said Bob Norris, “That’s one way I can express myself in the faith I have in these ponies.”

Don Treadway, Executive Vice President of the AQHA was on hand to kick off the sale. “What you have here is the chance to buy riding horses — horses that are ready to go out and do something,” these are “a great set of horses and I couldn’t be more pleased to be here at the T-Cross Production sale.”

When T-Cross Ranches announced that it was having a production sale, you can bet there was plenty of interest. The last T-Cross sale was four years ago and because of the acquisition of new stud Cowtowns Cat, T-Cross Ranches included Mr Gallo Del Cielo and Tari Pines For You, two of their proven studs, in the 2012 sale.

“We just got a new horse. He’s a High Brow Cat horse named Cowtowns Cat,” said T-Cross manager, Steve Norris, “He’s a new stud addition and that is why we are selling two of our studs this year. We have seven studs now and that’s just too many for us.” Cowtowns Cat is by High Brow Cat, National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) all-time leading sire with offspring earnings over $42,400,000. His Dam is Cute Little Magic that has NCHA earnings of over $25,000.

Assistant Trainer, Tyler Avent, is looking forward to working with the Cowtowns Cat babies that are on the ground now. “We’re really excited about the Cowtowns Cat colts that are coming up. Just the way the colts are built and the way they move — they’re really well-balanced colts with a lot of leg under them, and if they are anything like their daddy, they are going to have a lot of cow in them, and will be just phenomenal athletes.”

Lavert Avent is the Head Trainer for the T-Cross Horse Ranch and, besides his training duties, he has been on the show circuit showing off the quality T-Cross horses. His latest project is T Tari Freckles, a 2007 Bay Gelding by Tari Pines For You and out of Joses Freckle Girl. T Tari Freckles has earned $6,195 and has thirteen AQHA points. He has qualified for the NRCHA World Show in Limited Open Hackamore and will be shown in AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse this summer.

T Tari Freckles was the star of the sale and, after heated bidding, came out the top seller at $25,000. He sold to Dr. Fred Spires of Colorado Springs, Colo., and will stay at T-Cross for some further training and showing by Lavert Avent.

Starlight N Stylish, a 2002 Sorrel Gelding by Docs Stylish Oak and out of Commander Starlight brought $15,500. As a cutter Starlight N Stylish has earned $51,825. “Blaze” is a good, solid 10-year-old gelding. Gentle enough for anyone to ride, and still eligible to be shown in NCHA $15,000 Novice Non-Pro.

The 1998 Gray Stallion Mr Gallo Del Cielo, barn name “Blue Duck,” is a proven performer by Gallo Del Cielo and out of Hot Blue Deline. Mr Gallo Del Cielo has AQHA points in heading, heeling and tie-down. He sold to 2011 World Champion Tie-Down Roper, Tuf Cooper, for $15,000.

Mr Gallos Peppy Tari is a 2007 Gray Gelding by Mr Gallo Del Cielo and out of Tic Tari Bows that sold for $9,000. Rounding out the top five sellers was Smart T Plan, a 2008 Sorrel Gelding by Tari Pines For You and out of Smart Charm Cross that sold for $8,200. The top five horses averaged $15,200; the riding geldings averaged $5760; and the sale average for the sixty-three horses sold was $4243.

T-Cross horses are best described by the people that work with them every day. Mark Schott, from Oregon, spent three months starting the T-Cross two year olds. “As far as the Quarter Horse breed goes, these are what Quarter Horses should be. They’re athletic and have big hips, and they can run and stop hard. They are quick burst, energy horses. These T-Cross horses have really good minds. When we start them, they are “just want to get along” kind of horses,” said Mark.

“Their disposition is great. Mr. Norris is really high on good disposition. We don’t keep a broodmare if their disposition is not right. Most of what we’re selling today are ranch horses. We use everything on the ranch,” said Lavert Avent.

“These T-Cross horses are so versatile. They can go down any avenue. They are wonderful tempered horses. We’ve got a lot of 2-year-olds that could be ropers, cutters, reining cow horses, ranch versatility horses, or just ranch horses,” said Tyler Avent.

Steve Norris said, “Disposition is the main thing we strive for, then some cow sense, and we like to get some good confirmation on them — nice long hip on them, good set of withers, and a nice shoulder on them.” ❖