and vast verandas . Peace and tranquility surround you as your pool and spa offer star gazing at its finest . Just imagine working horses in the brisk morning air along the river bank . 400 Carter Ranch Trail Ranch is complete with a 2-bed guest house , private stables , 10-stall show barn , 200 ’ x125 ’ covered arena , 150 ’ round pen and more – truly a cutting horse enthusiast ’ s dream !
History in The Hub
It was 1919 when the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show in Ft . Worth , TX included cutting , for the first time , as an arena spectator event . The very next year it became a competitive event . The sport grew in popularity quickly . With so many cutting horse contests being held with varying rules and conditions , a group of 13 cutting horse owners met at the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show , in 1946 , to form an association . Ray Smyth , one of the founders , said after the meeting , “… we had formed what we thought would be more or less a local cutting horse association . Someone remarked that with luck , we might even get as many as 50 members by another year .” It was later that year , in nearby Mineral Wells , minutes outside of Parker County , that the association was incorporated , and the name changed to “ National Cutting Horse Association ”.
Smyth purchased one of cutting ’ s first champions , Old Paint , for just $ 40 at the Weatherford Trade Days . That market was much like our current “ First Monday Trade Days ” now held monthly at Heritage Park . Like most other cutting horses back then , Old Paint was a ranch gelding with unknown parentage . Fast-forward to today ’ s champions , and royalty in lineage is rewarded with both prestige and price . Much like the ranch geldings found at Weatherford Trade Days in Old Paint ’ s era , Parker County to this day is birthplace , or at least breeding place , to some of cutting ’ s finest .
A Breed Above We are blessed to live in horse country , not only for the amenities but for the infrastructure that supports the equestrian community . “ Parker County is home to regional leaders in equine breeding . ESMS On the Brazos , DLR Stallion Station , Oswood Stallion Station and Weatherford Equine Breeding Center are all conveniently located in Parker County ,” Stark reminds us . “ We are a “ helping hand community ”; you will find every imaginable resource ready to serve , as you establish your legacy . For your family ’ s animals , our vet clinics , such as Weatherford Equine Medical Center and Reata Equine Hospital , offer state-of-the-art medical care with unparalleled service .” With such support for their horse and trainer , it ’ s no wonder owners who may live out-of-state , purchase an equine facility property in Parker County . We are home to many champions .
A Piece of Heaven – for Human and Horse Location really is everything . Parker County sits right off Interstate 20 , making it the hub of horse country . Stephenville , the “ Cowboy Capital of the World ” is minutes down the road , making travel to rodeos and competitions easy . The world-famous Ft . Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is also just minutes away . Also , the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Ft . Worth is home to several equine championship shows coming up soon : August 24 – September 1
AMHA World Championship Show
September 17 – 30 October 7 – 20 October 26 – November 3 November 14 – December 9
APHA World Championship Show NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity APHC World Championship Show NCHA World Championship Futurity
Proximity to stock shows , rodeos and competitions make Parker and surrounding counties the perfect equine communities . Combine that with world-class equestrian breeding facilities , veterinarians , hometown charm , and communities that come together for “ Friday night lights ” and holiday festivals , we truly are the perfect place for horse and human .
AUGUST 2018 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
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