Empty Stalls: WR This Cats Smart

from Reined Cow Horse News, Volume 27, No 6, November/December 2022

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EMPTY STALLS

WR This Cats Smart laid to rest at age 23.

On October 8, Wagonhound Land and Livestock LLC announced that senior sire WR This Cats Smart died due to colic complications. The stallion, sired by High Brow Cat and out of The Smart Look, was 23 years old. “This horse has been a blessing to our family,” said Wagonhound Land and Livestock LLC Owners Arthur and Catherine Nicholas. “It is a real compliment that breeders shared our faith in his ability as a sire and bred some of the best mares in the industry [to him]. I am sure the impact he has made in the industry will be felt for years to come.”

An earner of $236,514, WR This Cats Smart was a finalist in 24 major National Cutting Horse Association aged events as a 4-, 5- and 6-year-old. His accolades include winning the 2005 NCHA Open Finals Championship under Tim Smith, who described the stallion as “A star all the way—so very smart and stylish.”

His first foals arrived in 2005 and his brilliance passed down to his offspring, which have earned more than $16 million and dozens of NCHA, National Reined Cow Horse Association and American Quarter Horse Association World Championships. Since 2010, he proved to be a true all-around sire as his offspring have been competitive in multiple disciplines, including cutting, reined cow horse, reining, breakaway roping, heading, heeling, barrel racing, ranch, sorting and team penning.

NRCHA $4 Million Dollar Sire WR This Cats Smart

WR This Cats Smart’s NRCHA offspring helped the stallion rise to No. 3 on the association’s All-Time Leading Sire list with more than $4.4 million in earnings, as of October 8. Of his reined cow horse money earners, nine have more than $100,000 and Shine Smarter, a 2012 mare out of Shiney Tari, has earned more than $214,571.

“Not only was WR This Cats Smart a talented performer and remarkable sire of performance horses, but he provided our cowboys with some of our best ranch horses. The impact he has had on the Wagonhound is significant and will be realized for generations to come through his influence on our breeding program,” added Wagonhound General Manager Dustin Ewing.

In 2020, Wagonhound Land and Livestock LLC joined the NRCHA as a Breeder Sponsor. Since 2010, WR This Cats Smart stood to the public at NRCHA Corporate Sponsor Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie, Texas. The NRCHA offers its condolences to all of the stallion’s connections.

“WR This Cats Smart undoubtedly made his mark on the industry and our team is proud to have had the opportunity to be a part of his success. He will be greatly missed by us all,” Four Sixes Ranch Horse Division Manager Dr. Glenn Blodgett commented.