Congratulations Tim and Gunner

 

Both Gunner and Tim McQuay were honored for their accomplishments in Opening Ceremonies of the NRHA Futurity. When Gunner was announced as an NRHA Million Dollar Sire, spectators were surprised and thrilled to see Tim leading in the superstar, himself!

 

Yes, Gunner was there in the flesh as his award was announced and a special video of his life was played on the arena big screens. The announcer noted,  “Colonels Smokin Gun, or Gunner as he is known throughout the world, was destined from greatness from the beginning. By Colonelfourfreckle, and out of Katie gun, his unique physical ability was recognized early and his trainer suggested that he needed someone who could give him an opportunity to shine. He was sent to Clint Haverty and together Clint and Gunner did develop to that lofty potential. By the time he made his second run at the 1996 Futurity, everyone was watching for the little bald-faced floppy eared horse and when it came time for the finals, the cheering started from the time the crowd caught sight of him in the alley.”

 

“He just had that magic. Maybe it was the combination of the unconcerned look paired with the lightning maneuvers and never-ending stops. It could have been the distinctive white leg and white tail. Eventually, it had to be the fact that he was like the ever-ready bunny, with wins in the arena that spanned six incredible years - and made him, at the time, the highest money earner in the National Reining Horse Association. Retired now, he owns earnings of over $173,000 and titles from the Futurity Reserve Championship with Clint to the USET Championship with rider Bryant Pace.”

 

“He’s been commemorated as a Breyer horse model and he’s an NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee. Gunner was purchased at the completion of the 1996 NRHA Futurity by Debra and Kim Sloan, and the Sloans owned him until 2005 when Tim and Colleen McQuay purchased him shortly after the passing of Hollywood Dun It.”

 

Tim and Colleen McQuay were joined in the arena by Dr. Kim and Debra Sloan, Clint Haverty and Bryant Pace as the announcers went on to recognize some of Gunner’s notable achievers, including Sorcerers Apprentice, the new AQHA Senior Reining Champion and also mentioned that later that night the crowd would see a couple of Gunners in the finals.

 

That might have been prophetic – as later that night   Gunners Special Night, ridden by Marcy Ver Meer and owned by Double C Ranch – a horse that they had purchased from Tim McQuay, scored a scalding 230 points to become Intermediate Open Champion and Open Reserve Champion of the event, earning over $118,000 and putting Gunner well on his way to the two million dollar milestone!

 

And as if Gunner’s accomplishments were not enough, Tim McQuay was honored on the previous night, along with Lance Griffin, as one of only two NRHA Million Dollar Owners in the association’s history.

 

Congratulations Tim and Gunner!