Parker County Today December 2015 | Page 76

had,” Shelly Burmeister said. “The way she threw her stamp on our industry is that blue roan color. But what really makes the great horse so great is that strong will that she’s passed on to her offspring.” If nothing else, she will be remembered for the records she has set. “There are so many things to remember about the mare,” Elaine said. “She outdid every other mare who ever lived. What I remember, besides that she was the highest producing brood mare in the history of the NCHA. She produced $2,600,000. One of them, Red, White and Boon produced $922,000.” What makes a champion cutting horse? Is it genetics, environment or a combination of both? Fort Worth cutter and NCHA major events concierge, James Bankson said, “The losers are just as good as the winners, but you’ll never find a winner that doesn’t have the genetics. Then, it’s that trainer’s God-given talent and that horse’s God-given talent that {allows them to} work together and get through a run,” he said. “It’s not definable; you just know it when you see it. Some horses react to what the cow does and others control what the cow does. “Good trainers teach a horse how to be an athlete,” he continued. “Then they turn them lose and let their genetics shine.” Royal Blue Doon carried the genetics. She passed it on time and time again. Famed cutting horsemen Dan Lufkin once commented about Royal Blue Boon. He called her “a freak of nature. One that only comes along once in a lifetime.” When asked to sum Royal Blue Boon up in a single word, Larry Reeder said, “Greatness.” _________________________ Update: Last fall Elaine Hall made a surprising decision after she had successfully navigated through some serious health issues. Happily, none of them were life-threatening, but they were serious enough to make her think about the future of the history-making mare, Royal Blue Boon Too. 

“I realized that Royal Blue Boon Too wasn’t meeting her full potential,” Ms. Hall said. “She wasn’t being useful.”  

That’s when she looked to her close friends, Rick and Shelly Mowery.  

 “Elaine approached us about buying the mare,” Shelly Mowery said. “She already knew that there would be a lot of people who would want to buy that mare in a heartbeat, but she didn’t want to go there, so she sold her to us.” 

Ms. Hall couldn’t be more pleased with the new home she’d found for Royal Blue Boon Too. 

“I absolutely adore Rick and Shelly Mowery,” Elaine Hall said. “They truly love horses and they love Royal Blue Boon Too. I can’t think of a better home for her than with Rick and Shelly Mowery.”  
How are things at the Hall homestead? 
“Very quiet,” Ms. Hall said. For a moment a sadness seemed to settle in her clear blue eyes, but in another it was gone. She smiled. “It’s very quiet but good. Things are good.” DECEMBER 2015 PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY Glow Party 74 Buy One Mini Golf and Get One Free! Spin Zone With this ad. Bring it in or just show a picture of it on your phone! • Blacklight Miniature Golf • Spin Zone Bumper Cars • 3 Batting Cages • 2 Practice Tunnels • State-of-the-Art Arcade Room • Full Snack Bar • 4 Party Rooms – ALL INDOORS! 1819 S. Main St., Weatherford, TX (next to Tractor Supply) • www.holeinfunentertainment.com • 817-599-6520 Golf Course Like Us on Facebook for up-to-date info and specials