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Fly The Red Eye’s conformation has made him a natural for AQHA’s Performance Halter class.
do that,” said Logan. “He had plenty of speed and a pretty good stop on him, so it wasn’t hard to earn the points he needed.”
In October 2012 Knox sent Little Red
to reining horse trainer Richard Pokluda in Whitesboro, Texas, where the pair earned their first half-point at their first show after less than two weeks’ training. Little Red then returned to Smallwood for AQHA World Show competition. On Nov. 12, he was named Reserve World Champion in Performance Halter Stallions.
“He’s got a nice stop on him and turns and moves really good, but also he’s so good-minded,” Pokluda said. “You can show him something and he wants to do it, and he’ll try to do it again the next day and the next. He’s got a big heart.”
THe CeNTer of aTTeNTIoN
In addition to that big heart is an even bigger personality. “He’s so fun to be around,” said his assistant race trainer Janis Ortiz of Harlingen, Texas. “He’s very loving and loyal, and very responsive. His pleasure is being loved on and paid attention to.”
And when he’s feeling attention-starved, he’s not afraid to let everyone know. “He likes to talk,” said Smallwood. “He does this little holler that says, ‘Look at me!’ but he’s so sweet-natured and for a stud, really very laid-back.”
In the months to come, Little Red is sure to get his share of attention as he finishes out his Supreme Championship goal. And Knox is sure to get her share as well, as the breeder and owner of accomplished race and performance horses.
eye appeal, and looks handy and athletic. He’s exactly the conformation and build we want in a performance halter horse. I thought he could become an AQHA Champion. Then the more I worked with him, the more he exuded this ability to do what he needed to do to go for a Supreme Championship.”
To do that, in addition to his race points, he’d need 15 halter points, eight roping points
and eight points in another event such as reining, pleasure or jumping. Knox decided on reining, and the goal was set.
After he earned his halter points in July 2012, he went to roping trainer Clay Logan
in Granbury, Texas. The challenge was to get a former racehorse, who was trained to break out of the starting gate, to submit to staying in the box. “He has a good enough mind that he could
Athletic and beautiful with a great personality, Fly The Red Eye has a home with Knox for life.
SPEEDHORSE, November 23, 2012 35
Courtesy Erin Knox
Courtesy Erin Knox