In 1976, Gail and Patrick Hendricks purchased the branded Hank Wiescamp quarter horse mare Spanish Lisa from Bart Stevenson, while at the Appaloosa Nationals in Oklahoma. They hadn't even laid eyes on her. It was a three in one package, with Spanish Lisa in foal to The Executive and with a Norgrens Bright Bar filly at her side. However, when she arrived from the breeding farm in Elko, Nevada, she wasn't in foal. She returned to The Executive breeding farm early that spring for a rebreed, and the result was the phenomenal red dun blanketed colt, Mr Chairman — sire of Mighty Storm Song, and grandsire of Mighty Luminous.
Mr Chairman was out of the Hendricks' third foal crop at their farm Woodpecker Point Quality Appaloosas Show Horses in Snoqualmie, Washington, where they raised 30 foals from 1976 through the mid 80s.
He was the most beautiful horse they could ever imagined having bred. News of the breeding had travelled all the way to the east coast, and they had turned down an offer of $7,500 before this foal was even born. Mr Chairman was sold as a yearling for $22,000 — if you look closely at the picture of the four people standing together with Mr. Chairman, you'll even see the check.
Apparently, within six months, the new owners were turning down six figure offers. Mr Chairman had a number of owners throughout his life, and was eventually exported to Germany.
The photos here are from Gail Hendricks (now McCullough)'s personal albums — the framed photo still hangs proudly on the wall. They, and this little slice of history, are published here with permission. Thanks, Gail!
Photo by Gary Willis
With Spanish Lisa
With George Minic
Before leaving for George Minic's barn in Fresno, CA
Patrick and Gail Hendricks, one of the new owners, agent George Minic and Mr Chairman
With George Minic
Appaloosa News advertisement
