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KeSa Quarter Horse Ranch invited to CSU Legends of Ranching Sale

Tony Bruguiere Ft. Collins, Colo.
Tony BruguiereKeSa Quarter Horse owners Sam Shoultz (L) and Ken Matzner with their outstanding Blue Roan stallion, Blue Fox Hancock, and some of the trophies that he won on his way to qualifying for the AQHA World Show with over 400 points.

Given the current state of the economy, the Colorado State University Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale was a huge success with a sale average of $4,734 and a high seller of $20,000 for HB Good Witch, a grand champion halter mare which was finished in heading and heeling and consigned by Mike Wilson.

The CSU Legends of Ranching Sale is unique in that it is “invitation only” and is put on entirely by CSU Equine Science students. Each ranch that participates sends a young horse from their breeding program to be trained and offered for sale by students. The list of invited ranches includes some of the largest historic ranches in the country and also AQHA Best Remuda Award winners like the S Ranch, the 6666, Haythorne Land and Cattle, Bogle LTD, the Waggoner Ranch, and the 2009 award winner, the Haythorne Ranch from Maxwell, Neb. In all, there were 20 ranches or breeding programs invited to participate.

The Legends of Ranching Sale is in its fifth year and for the last four years a relatively small breeding program has been included among all of the big ranches with more recognizable names. KeSa Quarter Horses, which is located just east of Fort Collins, Colo., is owned by Sam Shoultz and Ken Matzner. KeSa Quarter Horses may not be well-known to the general public, but within the industry they are well-known for producing excellent working horses with foundation bloodlines of Blue Valentine, Hancock and Driftwood.



Owner Sam Shoultz says, “Most people will find our bloodlines in the sixth, seventh or eighth generations of their pedigree. We have some of the old foundation stallions on our papers in the third generation, which makes us pretty unique.”

This year KeSa sent a 2007 Red Dun mare to be student trained. Rojos Fox is by Rojo Valentine and out of Sierras Fox and was trained by CSU student Randi Wood from Greeley, Colo. Wood said, “I’ve never started a horse before but Rojos Fox has been amazing to work with. She has been very responsive. She’s really smart and learns things quickly.”



KeSa’s horses are working horses, not specialty show horses. Sam Shoultz said, “The bulk of our horses go to other people’s breeding programs. They go to ranches – we breed them to be used. Our horses are not the horses that are simply traded back and forth for the show ring.”

To show to the horse industry the quality of their bloodlines, breeders will show their animals in American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) events. The goal is to earn enough AQHA points to qualify for the World Finals. Not many horses do qualify, but any points won are highly touted in respect to marketing and breeding programs.

Going up and down the road on the show circuit is very time consuming and a common practice is to give a horse to a trainer who will finish the horse in a discipline and the trainer will also have the skill set to ride the horse in AQHA competitions. KeSa Quarter Horses has used Luke Jones of Allerton, Iowa, as their trainer for some time. He trained Mr Junewood, who is currently standing at KeSa, and took him to the World Show.

“People send horses to me to train, show, and try and put a record on them.” Jones said, “Basically, it just makes them worth more money. All of the titles that we have won on KeSa horses make them more marketable.”

Luke Jones just finished an outstanding year with KeSa’s Blue Fox Hancock, a 2001 Blue Roan stallion by Leo Hancock Hayes and out of Fox Coup. Competing against some of the best quarter horses in the country, Blue Fox accumulated an unbelievable 400 AQHA points and qualified for the World Show. Blue Fox Hancock was the 2009 reserve all-around high point champion in all events, senior and open division. For this he won a $20,000 trailer from AQHA.

With his 400 total performance points in 2009 Blue Fox was a multiple qualifier for the AQHA World Show. He qualified as open performance champion, and open superior in heeling and heading. This remarkable stallion also had open performance points in halter, working cow horse, calf roping, and, just for good measure, in barrel racing.

“I personally feel that it is quite an honor that KeSa has continued to be invited to participate in the Legends of Ranching Sale.” Sam Shoultz said, “We have a unique bloodline that has competed with the best in the working divisions. Mr Junewood proved that when he qualified for the AQHA World Show and Blue Fox proved it again with all of his accomplishments – this line of horses will stand up and compete with any horse that is being bred today.”

And the winning and the bloodline will continue at KeSa Quarter Horses. Blue Fox is coming back to Fort Collins, but his full brother Red Fox Hancock is taking his place with Luke Jones competing on the AQHA show circuit.

Given the current state of the economy, the Colorado State University Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale was a huge success with a sale average of $4,734 and a high seller of $20,000 for HB Good Witch, a grand champion halter mare which was finished in heading and heeling and consigned by Mike Wilson.

The CSU Legends of Ranching Sale is unique in that it is “invitation only” and is put on entirely by CSU Equine Science students. Each ranch that participates sends a young horse from their breeding program to be trained and offered for sale by students. The list of invited ranches includes some of the largest historic ranches in the country and also AQHA Best Remuda Award winners like the S Ranch, the 6666, Haythorne Land and Cattle, Bogle LTD, the Waggoner Ranch, and the 2009 award winner, the Haythorne Ranch from Maxwell, Neb. In all, there were 20 ranches or breeding programs invited to participate.

The Legends of Ranching Sale is in its fifth year and for the last four years a relatively small breeding program has been included among all of the big ranches with more recognizable names. KeSa Quarter Horses, which is located just east of Fort Collins, Colo., is owned by Sam Shoultz and Ken Matzner. KeSa Quarter Horses may not be well-known to the general public, but within the industry they are well-known for producing excellent working horses with foundation bloodlines of Blue Valentine, Hancock and Driftwood.

Owner Sam Shoultz says, “Most people will find our bloodlines in the sixth, seventh or eighth generations of their pedigree. We have some of the old foundation stallions on our papers in the third generation, which makes us pretty unique.”

This year KeSa sent a 2007 Red Dun mare to be student trained. Rojos Fox is by Rojo Valentine and out of Sierras Fox and was trained by CSU student Randi Wood from Greeley, Colo. Wood said, “I’ve never started a horse before but Rojos Fox has been amazing to work with. She has been very responsive. She’s really smart and learns things quickly.”

KeSa’s horses are working horses, not specialty show horses. Sam Shoultz said, “The bulk of our horses go to other people’s breeding programs. They go to ranches – we breed them to be used. Our horses are not the horses that are simply traded back and forth for the show ring.”

To show to the horse industry the quality of their bloodlines, breeders will show their animals in American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) events. The goal is to earn enough AQHA points to qualify for the World Finals. Not many horses do qualify, but any points won are highly touted in respect to marketing and breeding programs.

Going up and down the road on the show circuit is very time consuming and a common practice is to give a horse to a trainer who will finish the horse in a discipline and the trainer will also have the skill set to ride the horse in AQHA competitions. KeSa Quarter Horses has used Luke Jones of Allerton, Iowa, as their trainer for some time. He trained Mr Junewood, who is currently standing at KeSa, and took him to the World Show.

“People send horses to me to train, show, and try and put a record on them.” Jones said, “Basically, it just makes them worth more money. All of the titles that we have won on KeSa horses make them more marketable.”

Luke Jones just finished an outstanding year with KeSa’s Blue Fox Hancock, a 2001 Blue Roan stallion by Leo Hancock Hayes and out of Fox Coup. Competing against some of the best quarter horses in the country, Blue Fox accumulated an unbelievable 400 AQHA points and qualified for the World Show. Blue Fox Hancock was the 2009 reserve all-around high point champion in all events, senior and open division. For this he won a $20,000 trailer from AQHA.

With his 400 total performance points in 2009 Blue Fox was a multiple qualifier for the AQHA World Show. He qualified as open performance champion, and open superior in heeling and heading. This remarkable stallion also had open performance points in halter, working cow horse, calf roping, and, just for good measure, in barrel racing.

“I personally feel that it is quite an honor that KeSa has continued to be invited to participate in the Legends of Ranching Sale.” Sam Shoultz said, “We have a unique bloodline that has competed with the best in the working divisions. Mr Junewood proved that when he qualified for the AQHA World Show and Blue Fox proved it again with all of his accomplishments – this line of horses will stand up and compete with any horse that is being bred today.”

And the winning and the bloodline will continue at KeSa Quarter Horses. Blue Fox is coming back to Fort Collins, but his full brother Red Fox Hancock is taking his place with Luke Jones competing on the AQHA show circuit.

Given the current state of the economy, the Colorado State University Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale was a huge success with a sale average of $4,734 and a high seller of $20,000 for HB Good Witch, a grand champion halter mare which was finished in heading and heeling and consigned by Mike Wilson.

The CSU Legends of Ranching Sale is unique in that it is “invitation only” and is put on entirely by CSU Equine Science students. Each ranch that participates sends a young horse from their breeding program to be trained and offered for sale by students. The list of invited ranches includes some of the largest historic ranches in the country and also AQHA Best Remuda Award winners like the S Ranch, the 6666, Haythorne Land and Cattle, Bogle LTD, the Waggoner Ranch, and the 2009 award winner, the Haythorne Ranch from Maxwell, Neb. In all, there were 20 ranches or breeding programs invited to participate.

The Legends of Ranching Sale is in its fifth year and for the last four years a relatively small breeding program has been included among all of the big ranches with more recognizable names. KeSa Quarter Horses, which is located just east of Fort Collins, Colo., is owned by Sam Shoultz and Ken Matzner. KeSa Quarter Horses may not be well-known to the general public, but within the industry they are well-known for producing excellent working horses with foundation bloodlines of Blue Valentine, Hancock and Driftwood.

Owner Sam Shoultz says, “Most people will find our bloodlines in the sixth, seventh or eighth generations of their pedigree. We have some of the old foundation stallions on our papers in the third generation, which makes us pretty unique.”

This year KeSa sent a 2007 Red Dun mare to be student trained. Rojos Fox is by Rojo Valentine and out of Sierras Fox and was trained by CSU student Randi Wood from Greeley, Colo. Wood said, “I’ve never started a horse before but Rojos Fox has been amazing to work with. She has been very responsive. She’s really smart and learns things quickly.”

KeSa’s horses are working horses, not specialty show horses. Sam Shoultz said, “The bulk of our horses go to other people’s breeding programs. They go to ranches – we breed them to be used. Our horses are not the horses that are simply traded back and forth for the show ring.”

To show to the horse industry the quality of their bloodlines, breeders will show their animals in American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) events. The goal is to earn enough AQHA points to qualify for the World Finals. Not many horses do qualify, but any points won are highly touted in respect to marketing and breeding programs.

Going up and down the road on the show circuit is very time consuming and a common practice is to give a horse to a trainer who will finish the horse in a discipline and the trainer will also have the skill set to ride the horse in AQHA competitions. KeSa Quarter Horses has used Luke Jones of Allerton, Iowa, as their trainer for some time. He trained Mr Junewood, who is currently standing at KeSa, and took him to the World Show.

“People send horses to me to train, show, and try and put a record on them.” Jones said, “Basically, it just makes them worth more money. All of the titles that we have won on KeSa horses make them more marketable.”

Luke Jones just finished an outstanding year with KeSa’s Blue Fox Hancock, a 2001 Blue Roan stallion by Leo Hancock Hayes and out of Fox Coup. Competing against some of the best quarter horses in the country, Blue Fox accumulated an unbelievable 400 AQHA points and qualified for the World Show. Blue Fox Hancock was the 2009 reserve all-around high point champion in all events, senior and open division. For this he won a $20,000 trailer from AQHA.

With his 400 total performance points in 2009 Blue Fox was a multiple qualifier for the AQHA World Show. He qualified as open performance champion, and open superior in heeling and heading. This remarkable stallion also had open performance points in halter, working cow horse, calf roping, and, just for good measure, in barrel racing.

“I personally feel that it is quite an honor that KeSa has continued to be invited to participate in the Legends of Ranching Sale.” Sam Shoultz said, “We have a unique bloodline that has competed with the best in the working divisions. Mr Junewood proved that when he qualified for the AQHA World Show and Blue Fox proved it again with all of his accomplishments – this line of horses will stand up and compete with any horse that is being bred today.”

And the winning and the bloodline will continue at KeSa Quarter Horses. Blue Fox is coming back to Fort Collins, but his full brother Red Fox Hancock is taking his place with Luke Jones competing on the AQHA show circuit.

Given the current state of the economy, the Colorado State University Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale was a huge success with a sale average of $4,734 and a high seller of $20,000 for HB Good Witch, a grand champion halter mare which was finished in heading and heeling and consigned by Mike Wilson.

The CSU Legends of Ranching Sale is unique in that it is “invitation only” and is put on entirely by CSU Equine Science students. Each ranch that participates sends a young horse from their breeding program to be trained and offered for sale by students. The list of invited ranches includes some of the largest historic ranches in the country and also AQHA Best Remuda Award winners like the S Ranch, the 6666, Haythorne Land and Cattle, Bogle LTD, the Waggoner Ranch, and the 2009 award winner, the Haythorne Ranch from Maxwell, Neb. In all, there were 20 ranches or breeding programs invited to participate.

The Legends of Ranching Sale is in its fifth year and for the last four years a relatively small breeding program has been included among all of the big ranches with more recognizable names. KeSa Quarter Horses, which is located just east of Fort Collins, Colo., is owned by Sam Shoultz and Ken Matzner. KeSa Quarter Horses may not be well-known to the general public, but within the industry they are well-known for producing excellent working horses with foundation bloodlines of Blue Valentine, Hancock and Driftwood.

Owner Sam Shoultz says, “Most people will find our bloodlines in the sixth, seventh or eighth generations of their pedigree. We have some of the old foundation stallions on our papers in the third generation, which makes us pretty unique.”

This year KeSa sent a 2007 Red Dun mare to be student trained. Rojos Fox is by Rojo Valentine and out of Sierras Fox and was trained by CSU student Randi Wood from Greeley, Colo. Wood said, “I’ve never started a horse before but Rojos Fox has been amazing to work with. She has been very responsive. She’s really smart and learns things quickly.”

KeSa’s horses are working horses, not specialty show horses. Sam Shoultz said, “The bulk of our horses go to other people’s breeding programs. They go to ranches – we breed them to be used. Our horses are not the horses that are simply traded back and forth for the show ring.”

To show to the horse industry the quality of their bloodlines, breeders will show their animals in American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) events. The goal is to earn enough AQHA points to qualify for the World Finals. Not many horses do qualify, but any points won are highly touted in respect to marketing and breeding programs.

Going up and down the road on the show circuit is very time consuming and a common practice is to give a horse to a trainer who will finish the horse in a discipline and the trainer will also have the skill set to ride the horse in AQHA competitions. KeSa Quarter Horses has used Luke Jones of Allerton, Iowa, as their trainer for some time. He trained Mr Junewood, who is currently standing at KeSa, and took him to the World Show.

“People send horses to me to train, show, and try and put a record on them.” Jones said, “Basically, it just makes them worth more money. All of the titles that we have won on KeSa horses make them more marketable.”

Luke Jones just finished an outstanding year with KeSa’s Blue Fox Hancock, a 2001 Blue Roan stallion by Leo Hancock Hayes and out of Fox Coup. Competing against some of the best quarter horses in the country, Blue Fox accumulated an unbelievable 400 AQHA points and qualified for the World Show. Blue Fox Hancock was the 2009 reserve all-around high point champion in all events, senior and open division. For this he won a $20,000 trailer from AQHA.

With his 400 total performance points in 2009 Blue Fox was a multiple qualifier for the AQHA World Show. He qualified as open performance champion, and open superior in heeling and heading. This remarkable stallion also had open performance points in halter, working cow horse, calf roping, and, just for good measure, in barrel racing.

“I personally feel that it is quite an honor that KeSa has continued to be invited to participate in the Legends of Ranching Sale.” Sam Shoultz said, “We have a unique bloodline that has competed with the best in the working divisions. Mr Junewood proved that when he qualified for the AQHA World Show and Blue Fox proved it again with all of his accomplishments – this line of horses will stand up and compete with any horse that is being bred today.”

And the winning and the bloodline will continue at KeSa Quarter Horses. Blue Fox is coming back to Fort Collins, but his full brother Red Fox Hancock is taking his place with Luke Jones competing on the AQHA show circuit.

Given the current state of the economy, the Colorado State University Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale was a huge success with a sale average of $4,734 and a high seller of $20,000 for HB Good Witch, a grand champion halter mare which was finished in heading and heeling and consigned by Mike Wilson.

The CSU Legends of Ranching Sale is unique in that it is “invitation only” and is put on entirely by CSU Equine Science students. Each ranch that participates sends a young horse from their breeding program to be trained and offered for sale by students. The list of invited ranches includes some of the largest historic ranches in the country and also AQHA Best Remuda Award winners like the S Ranch, the 6666, Haythorne Land and Cattle, Bogle LTD, the Waggoner Ranch, and the 2009 award winner, the Haythorne Ranch from Maxwell, Neb. In all, there were 20 ranches or breeding programs invited to participate.

The Legends of Ranching Sale is in its fifth year and for the last four years a relatively small breeding program has been included among all of the big ranches with more recognizable names. KeSa Quarter Horses, which is located just east of Fort Collins, Colo., is owned by Sam Shoultz and Ken Matzner. KeSa Quarter Horses may not be well-known to the general public, but within the industry they are well-known for producing excellent working horses with foundation bloodlines of Blue Valentine, Hancock and Driftwood.

Owner Sam Shoultz says, “Most people will find our bloodlines in the sixth, seventh or eighth generations of their pedigree. We have some of the old foundation stallions on our papers in the third generation, which makes us pretty unique.”

This year KeSa sent a 2007 Red Dun mare to be student trained. Rojos Fox is by Rojo Valentine and out of Sierras Fox and was trained by CSU student Randi Wood from Greeley, Colo. Wood said, “I’ve never started a horse before but Rojos Fox has been amazing to work with. She has been very responsive. She’s really smart and learns things quickly.”

KeSa’s horses are working horses, not specialty show horses. Sam Shoultz said, “The bulk of our horses go to other people’s breeding programs. They go to ranches – we breed them to be used. Our horses are not the horses that are simply traded back and forth for the show ring.”

To show to the horse industry the quality of their bloodlines, breeders will show their animals in American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) events. The goal is to earn enough AQHA points to qualify for the World Finals. Not many horses do qualify, but any points won are highly touted in respect to marketing and breeding programs.

Going up and down the road on the show circuit is very time consuming and a common practice is to give a horse to a trainer who will finish the horse in a discipline and the trainer will also have the skill set to ride the horse in AQHA competitions. KeSa Quarter Horses has used Luke Jones of Allerton, Iowa, as their trainer for some time. He trained Mr Junewood, who is currently standing at KeSa, and took him to the World Show.

“People send horses to me to train, show, and try and put a record on them.” Jones said, “Basically, it just makes them worth more money. All of the titles that we have won on KeSa horses make them more marketable.”

Luke Jones just finished an outstanding year with KeSa’s Blue Fox Hancock, a 2001 Blue Roan stallion by Leo Hancock Hayes and out of Fox Coup. Competing against some of the best quarter horses in the country, Blue Fox accumulated an unbelievable 400 AQHA points and qualified for the World Show. Blue Fox Hancock was the 2009 reserve all-around high point champion in all events, senior and open division. For this he won a $20,000 trailer from AQHA.

With his 400 total performance points in 2009 Blue Fox was a multiple qualifier for the AQHA World Show. He qualified as open performance champion, and open superior in heeling and heading. This remarkable stallion also had open performance points in halter, working cow horse, calf roping, and, just for good measure, in barrel racing.

“I personally feel that it is quite an honor that KeSa has continued to be invited to participate in the Legends of Ranching Sale.” Sam Shoultz said, “We have a unique bloodline that has competed with the best in the working divisions. Mr Junewood proved that when he qualified for the AQHA World Show and Blue Fox proved it again with all of his accomplishments – this line of horses will stand up and compete with any horse that is being bred today.”

And the winning and the bloodline will continue at KeSa Quarter Horses. Blue Fox is coming back to Fort Collins, but his full brother Red Fox Hancock is taking his place with Luke Jones competing on the AQHA show circuit.

Given the current state of the economy, the Colorado State University Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale was a huge success with a sale average of $4,734 and a high seller of $20,000 for HB Good Witch, a grand champion halter mare which was finished in heading and heeling and consigned by Mike Wilson.

The CSU Legends of Ranching Sale is unique in that it is “invitation only” and is put on entirely by CSU Equine Science students. Each ranch that participates sends a young horse from their breeding program to be trained and offered for sale by students. The list of invited ranches includes some of the largest historic ranches in the country and also AQHA Best Remuda Award winners like the S Ranch, the 6666, Haythorne Land and Cattle, Bogle LTD, the Waggoner Ranch, and the 2009 award winner, the Haythorne Ranch from Maxwell, Neb. In all, there were 20 ranches or breeding programs invited to participate.

The Legends of Ranching Sale is in its fifth year and for the last four years a relatively small breeding program has been included among all of the big ranches with more recognizable names. KeSa Quarter Horses, which is located just east of Fort Collins, Colo., is owned by Sam Shoultz and Ken Matzner. KeSa Quarter Horses may not be well-known to the general public, but within the industry they are well-known for producing excellent working horses with foundation bloodlines of Blue Valentine, Hancock and Driftwood.

Owner Sam Shoultz says, “Most people will find our bloodlines in the sixth, seventh or eighth generations of their pedigree. We have some of the old foundation stallions on our papers in the third generation, which makes us pretty unique.”

This year KeSa sent a 2007 Red Dun mare to be student trained. Rojos Fox is by Rojo Valentine and out of Sierras Fox and was trained by CSU student Randi Wood from Greeley, Colo. Wood said, “I’ve never started a horse before but Rojos Fox has been amazing to work with. She has been very responsive. She’s really smart and learns things quickly.”

KeSa’s horses are working horses, not specialty show horses. Sam Shoultz said, “The bulk of our horses go to other people’s breeding programs. They go to ranches – we breed them to be used. Our horses are not the horses that are simply traded back and forth for the show ring.”

To show to the horse industry the quality of their bloodlines, breeders will show their animals in American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) events. The goal is to earn enough AQHA points to qualify for the World Finals. Not many horses do qualify, but any points won are highly touted in respect to marketing and breeding programs.

Going up and down the road on the show circuit is very time consuming and a common practice is to give a horse to a trainer who will finish the horse in a discipline and the trainer will also have the skill set to ride the horse in AQHA competitions. KeSa Quarter Horses has used Luke Jones of Allerton, Iowa, as their trainer for some time. He trained Mr Junewood, who is currently standing at KeSa, and took him to the World Show.

“People send horses to me to train, show, and try and put a record on them.” Jones said, “Basically, it just makes them worth more money. All of the titles that we have won on KeSa horses make them more marketable.”

Luke Jones just finished an outstanding year with KeSa’s Blue Fox Hancock, a 2001 Blue Roan stallion by Leo Hancock Hayes and out of Fox Coup. Competing against some of the best quarter horses in the country, Blue Fox accumulated an unbelievable 400 AQHA points and qualified for the World Show. Blue Fox Hancock was the 2009 reserve all-around high point champion in all events, senior and open division. For this he won a $20,000 trailer from AQHA.

With his 400 total performance points in 2009 Blue Fox was a multiple qualifier for the AQHA World Show. He qualified as open performance champion, and open superior in heeling and heading. This remarkable stallion also had open performance points in halter, working cow horse, calf roping, and, just for good measure, in barrel racing.

“I personally feel that it is quite an honor that KeSa has continued to be invited to participate in the Legends of Ranching Sale.” Sam Shoultz said, “We have a unique bloodline that has competed with the best in the working divisions. Mr Junewood proved that when he qualified for the AQHA World Show and Blue Fox proved it again with all of his accomplishments – this line of horses will stand up and compete with any horse that is being bred today.”

And the winning and the bloodline will continue at KeSa Quarter Horses. Blue Fox is coming back to Fort Collins, but his full brother Red Fox Hancock is taking his place with Luke Jones competing on the AQHA show circuit.

Given the current state of the economy, the Colorado State University Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale was a huge success with a sale average of $4,734 and a high seller of $20,000 for HB Good Witch, a grand champion halter mare which was finished in heading and heeling and consigned by Mike Wilson.

The CSU Legends of Ranching Sale is unique in that it is “invitation only” and is put on entirely by CSU Equine Science students. Each ranch that participates sends a young horse from their breeding program to be trained and offered for sale by students. The list of invited ranches includes some of the largest historic ranches in the country and also AQHA Best Remuda Award winners like the S Ranch, the 6666, Haythorne Land and Cattle, Bogle LTD, the Waggoner Ranch, and the 2009 award winner, the Haythorne Ranch from Maxwell, Neb. In all, there were 20 ranches or breeding programs invited to participate.

The Legends of Ranching Sale is in its fifth year and for the last four years a relatively small breeding program has been included among all of the big ranches with more recognizable names. KeSa Quarter Horses, which is located just east of Fort Collins, Colo., is owned by Sam Shoultz and Ken Matzner. KeSa Quarter Horses may not be well-known to the general public, but within the industry they are well-known for producing excellent working horses with foundation bloodlines of Blue Valentine, Hancock and Driftwood.

Owner Sam Shoultz says, “Most people will find our bloodlines in the sixth, seventh or eighth generations of their pedigree. We have some of the old foundation stallions on our papers in the third generation, which makes us pretty unique.”

This year KeSa sent a 2007 Red Dun mare to be student trained. Rojos Fox is by Rojo Valentine and out of Sierras Fox and was trained by CSU student Randi Wood from Greeley, Colo. Wood said, “I’ve never started a horse before but Rojos Fox has been amazing to work with. She has been very responsive. She’s really smart and learns things quickly.”

KeSa’s horses are working horses, not specialty show horses. Sam Shoultz said, “The bulk of our horses go to other people’s breeding programs. They go to ranches – we breed them to be used. Our horses are not the horses that are simply traded back and forth for the show ring.”

To show to the horse industry the quality of their bloodlines, breeders will show their animals in American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) events. The goal is to earn enough AQHA points to qualify for the World Finals. Not many horses do qualify, but any points won are highly touted in respect to marketing and breeding programs.

Going up and down the road on the show circuit is very time consuming and a common practice is to give a horse to a trainer who will finish the horse in a discipline and the trainer will also have the skill set to ride the horse in AQHA competitions. KeSa Quarter Horses has used Luke Jones of Allerton, Iowa, as their trainer for some time. He trained Mr Junewood, who is currently standing at KeSa, and took him to the World Show.

“People send horses to me to train, show, and try and put a record on them.” Jones said, “Basically, it just makes them worth more money. All of the titles that we have won on KeSa horses make them more marketable.”

Luke Jones just finished an outstanding year with KeSa’s Blue Fox Hancock, a 2001 Blue Roan stallion by Leo Hancock Hayes and out of Fox Coup. Competing against some of the best quarter horses in the country, Blue Fox accumulated an unbelievable 400 AQHA points and qualified for the World Show. Blue Fox Hancock was the 2009 reserve all-around high point champion in all events, senior and open division. For this he won a $20,000 trailer from AQHA.

With his 400 total performance points in 2009 Blue Fox was a multiple qualifier for the AQHA World Show. He qualified as open performance champion, and open superior in heeling and heading. This remarkable stallion also had open performance points in halter, working cow horse, calf roping, and, just for good measure, in barrel racing.

“I personally feel that it is quite an honor that KeSa has continued to be invited to participate in the Legends of Ranching Sale.” Sam Shoultz said, “We have a unique bloodline that has competed with the best in the working divisions. Mr Junewood proved that when he qualified for the AQHA World Show and Blue Fox proved it again with all of his accomplishments – this line of horses will stand up and compete with any horse that is being bred today.”

And the winning and the bloodline will continue at KeSa Quarter Horses. Blue Fox is coming back to Fort Collins, but his full brother Red Fox Hancock is taking his place with Luke Jones competing on the AQHA show circuit.


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