“He ain’t no Clabber, they don’t make ’em like that anymore.” echoed a voice from the past. There is not a horse today that could compare to the ‘iron horse.’
Foaled in 1936, Clabber was the first to claim the title of Champion Racing Quarter Horse by the American Quarter Horse Association. Had he been human, he would have dominated the Olympic decathlon event. Clabber was the epitome of the ideal horse. This was a horse that could work cattle, run blazing times in races , and carry a rider in roping competitions – often times all in the same day. It was even alleged that Clabber was permitted to cover mares in between match race heats. In 1941, Frank Vessels, Sr. purchased a half interest in the horse and he became the first stallion to ever retire to the Vessels Ranch.
Although, not exactly a “Clabber,” Vessels Stallion Farm’s runner Cowboy Culture is a distant relative and a story unto himself. As an exceptional yearling, the son of First Down Dash, ‘Cowboy‘ was retained to race under the gold and black silks at Los Alamitos Race Course. Late in his two-year-old season, the tender footed colt returned to the farm to recoup and meet his decided destiny as a gelding. Cowboy’s lack-luster approach to life was the perfect attitude for a racetrack lead pony. He was content to watch the morning activities on the San Luis Rey Downs training track.
After a while, Danny Cardoza began to use him to rope cattle. He was working double duty and was subjected to the feels of spurs on his sides, however Cowboy developed into a decent header’s horse for team roping. It seemed that his 6 seconds of grandeur had arrived when his likeness was portrayed at the hands of western artist Tim Cox on the cover of Spin to Win roping magazine. It’s a gorgeous mural entitled Heading for the Heels.
In the fall of 1999, Cardoza was sidelined from roping due to a shoulder injury. As a result, Cowboy’s work schedule had been reduced. One morning at the racetrack, Cowboy attempted to buck Cardoza out of the saddle. So he decided to get even with the frisky four-year-old. He made an appointment with the racetrack starter, had him approved from the gates, and entered Cowboy Culture in a race.
Now mature and sound, he ran fourth on his first attempt. Vessels’ pony found his way to the winner’s circle two weeks later. He repeated that win and added a second in a Grade 3. He finished a mere neck behind top-notch runner Blushin Bugs in the Pomona Championship Handicap and third in the Dash For Cash Handicap at LosAlamitos.
Cowboy was feeling like a ‘Hot Shot’; eating extra grain and vitamins, galloping only a couple of times a week and spending most days lounging in a bedded stall. No spurs, no cows – life was easy! …but only for a while.
Just one week after his final race, while under western tack and the gentle guidance of Cardoza’s 12 year-old daughter Kaelie, Cowboy Culture cocked an ear towards a calf and let out a deep sigh.
Originally published in the Vessels Stallion Farm Update – July 2000
Artwork is compliments of Tim Cox
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