In honor of the American Paint Horse Association’s 50th anniversary in 2012, Horse Illustrated is featuring some famous horses from the breed’s history.
Image courtesy APHA | ||||
 Bandit’s Pinto |  Calamity Jane |  Wahoo King |  Yellow Mount |  Tuff Cat |
 Painted Joe |  RR Star |  Colonels Smokingun |  Zippos Sensation |  Color Me Smart |
RR Star, a 1998 sorrel overo stallion by Like A Diamond and out of RL Miss Kitty AQHA, was the first Paint Horse to win the National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) Derby in 2001. Ridden by Italian trainer Andrea Fappani, the pair tied for first place in the final go-round, and then won the first-ever run-off with a 219.5 score. Two years later, the stallion made reining history again by becoming the first NRHA Open Futurity Champion to win the NRHA Open Derby Crown. The then 5-year-old stallion, with Tim McQuay of Tioga, Texas, on board, set the winning score of 230, earning a guaranteed paycheck of $50,000.
Learn more about American Paint Horses in Horse Illustrated’s breed profile
