World Champions
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5X APHA WORLD and RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION RECORD BREAKING CANADIAN BRED WORLD CHAMPION PAINT HORSE 2009 - Youth Barrel Racing - 14 - 18 - Shelby Surls 2008 - Youth Barrel Racing 14- 18 - Shelby Surls 2007 - Youth Barrel Racing 13 & Under - Shelby Surls 2004 - Novice Pole Bending - Diane Henry 2003 Novice Pole Beding Reserve World Champion - Diane Henry
CONGRATULATIONS SHELBY, DIANE & SMOKEY |
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At Painted River Ranch we take pride in producing the type of horse that will be fun, competitive, versatile and safe for the whole family to enjoy - regardless of what your interests may be - recreation riding, showing, or speed events. Smokey (a.k.a. Ima Dancin Fantasy) is a fine example of what we mean when we speak of versatility, perseverance and most of all - HEART!
Please read about his story in more detail in the American Paint Horse Journal - March 2005 Edition.
Smokey's Story
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Here is "Smokeys" real story: Smokey was bred with the intention of being a western pleasure/halter horse and was shown as a weanling in a halter futurity and placed real well. We were making plans to slowly prepare him for basic ground work training when he was diagnosed with contracted tendons. He was a very fast growing, big colt & despite veterinary attention and restricted diets - he required surgery. We sought several medical opinions on his condition. One surgeon suggested we put him down. We gave it alot of thought & much soul searching and finely came to the conclusion - if we can try surgery on the right front leg (which was the worst of the two) and it helps - great: if not, at least we can say we did the best we could. Smokey underwent surgery as an early two year old. The surgery went well and there were no complications. He was confined to a tie stall for six months and hand walked every day for ten minutes - allowing the operated tendons & ligaments to heal. After what seemed like years & poor Smokey just basically eating & pooping & hand walking for ten minutes a day - his surgery site healed and he was relatively sound again. |
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The Surgeon still gave him a very "guarded" prognosis and was unable to tell us what his performance future may look like. He recommended we just use him for light riding or possibly a "companion" horse. We found a neighbor who was interested in him as a light riding horse and sold him for a song. He would however, change hands two more times before his luck took a dramatic turn for the better!
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Diane & Kevin Henry had been at local horse sale in Texas when they spotted a big, beautiful bay paint gelding. He was one of the few in the sale that had registration papers with him. They knew nothing of his pedigree or background and decided to give the young gelding a try! Needless to say - when Diane got home & started to do some research on his pedigree - only then did she realize they had hit the jackpot! The geldings dam and sire had extensive show records in all kinds of events - she had tried to get a hold of me in Canada - but all attempts failed. They wondered for a long time what had happened to his right front leg - they just assumed he had been caught up in wire or had some injury that healed over time. |
In the meantime, back in Canada we knew Smokey had moved on - to where or what had happened to him was anyone's
guess - we just assumed the worst - his leg had broken down and had been shipped or put down. You can imagine my surprise when after almost ten years - I see a familiar photo of a World Champion in the Paint Horse Journal! My hair stood on end - I recognized the name "Ima Dancin Fantasy" - it was part of him dam's - Mea Whiskey Fantasy & his sire's name - Dancing Go Man by Sudden Impact. I was still in denial & frantically looked up some foal photos to compare images. It was him alright! He was doing well - real well in fact!! He was the first registered paint we had raised, as I had been breeding QH's for years. He was the only horse I'd raised that had ever been close to "a near death experience" so to speak & now he was a World Champion!? How lucky does a horse get!! I quickly dialed directory assistance and asked for the number of this Diane Henry in Kaufman, Texas. Lucky for me - she was the only "Henry" listed. We spoke quite emotionally for quite some time. These people were the best thing that happened to that horse! How do you thank someone for potentially saving him from a "can" to making him into a World Champion! We are extremely grateful Diane & Kevin found him, realized his talent, ability and heart and cultured him into a two time World Champion. These two did all his training and conditioning themselves and relied on little outside or professional help for Smokey's Championship titles.
If you read Diane & Kevins comments in our guestbook Kevin describes Smokey as having a heart the size of Texas and pulls like a freight train. Diane says "he's the easiest horse we've ever owned"!
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Diane knew a young talent not far away that was in the market for a competitive barrel horse. She saw that her talent combined with Smokeys might just be "World Class". |
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5 World & Reserve world titles in 2 different events, 2 different riders
Needless to say, we are extremely grateful that Diane & Kevin shared his talents and abilities with Shelby. We finally got to meet "Smokey" his friends and family this summer in Texas. He is one admired and appreciated fellow! He doesn't look at all like your "typical" halter - pleasure horse - but looks like a lean, mean barrel racing machine who loves his job and his life!!
Thank you Diane, Kevin, Shelby, Kim & Philip Surls for all you have done for Smokey. Perhaps to him - two World titles is peanuts when you consider the future and life you have given him in return. No wonder the boy has heart!
Sincerely, Bruce & Laura
New Update!
July 1, 2008 - Hey Laura, Yes we are so proud of Smokey & Shelby. He has so much heart! We were at Texas High School State finals and on their second run Smokey slipped pretty bad (the ground was horrible that morning) and we lost our chance to make it to nationals so he was pretty sore when we got to the World Paint show. You know he just always gives us his best. I just don't know if there could ever be another like him. I'm sure all his experiences have made him the horse he is today. He is very special!
Shelby is learning a lot of new things about Smokey and we are trying to go to the next level. He still has more to give. Her 15th birthday is Sunday the 6th and it is so hard to believe we have had Smokey for three years. He has brought so much joy to our family (even on the days we don't have such a great run) We are very fortunate.
Thanks bunches! Take care.
Kim (Shelby's mom)
3 World titles in 2 different events, 2 different riders
