Cover Story By CATHERINE COLE FERANDELLI
Remembering
Shamrock Farm’s Official Gate Keeper Earlier this Spring, Shamrock Farms sadly suffered the loss of legendary Quarter Horse stallion Poco Van Star Two. Affectionally nicknamed “Willy” to all who knew and loved him, the big-hearted buckskin passed suddenly on Good Friday, healthy and happy until the end. Willy needs no introduction to the world of Half-Arabian Western Pleasure. He is a key contributor, producing a record-setting number of the very best in the business. Willy began his breeding career at age three. To date, he has produced 49 foals of which 37 (old enough to show) have earned an unprecedented 67 National and Reserve National Championships! This computes to nearly two championships per aged “Willy” foal, a statistic that proves the wonderful, winning attributes of this strong, gentle giant. The official patriarch of Texas-based Shamrock Farms, Willy happily lived his days as the favored center of attention, hanging his head outside his stall located next to the groom area, all the while observing the comings and goings, his kind expression conveying his approval.
Joe Reser (Willy’s best friend), is poignant, “I was blessed to know Willy nearly all his life, which coincidently covered nearly all my professional life thus far. Our meeting was one of those random events which ultimately drew you in and completely took hold.” Willy’s sire (Poco Van Star) lived at a cutting horse farm near the Resers’ Indiana farm. Joe met his son, Willy, when he was two and they immediately clicked. “We were looking to breed some nice Half-Arabian western pleasure horses,” Joe continues, “and felt Willy had the conformation and temperament to complement our purebred mares. At the time, we never imagined we were creating a Half-Arabian western pleasure legacy!” Willy’s Half-Arabian get debuted in the show pen in 2008—a banner year. Rocky’s Mighty Honey earned Canadian National Champion in Half-Arabian Western Pleasure ATR and AOTR 18-39 and 2008 U.S. National Champion Half-Arabian Western Pleasure AAOTR 18-39. Pocos Secret Weapon took the roses winning U.S. National Champion Half-Arabian Western Pleasure AAOTR 40 and Over. Jo Money won US Reserve National Champion title for Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Futurity horse, going on to win seven national championships in Open, Amateur and Youth competition, including Walk/Trot 10 and Under. Willy’s distinct, unique traits were clearly passing on to his get. More than ten years later, Willy’s sons and daughters continue to dominate the Half-Arabian western pleasure show pen. Buckskin gelding We Will Rock U, debuted his show career at the 2018 U.S. Nationals, winning the Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Futurity. We Will Rock U and 2019 U.S. Reserve National Champion AWPA Half-Arabian Western Pleasure horse half-sibling, CEA Comfortably Numb, did his sire proud too, thus far a three-time U.S. National Half-Arabian Western Pleasure champion, winning the 2018 AWPA Equine Athlete Futurity, 2018 Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Maturity, and 2019 Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Junior Horse. Poco Van Star Two’s get make him the top earning Half-Arabian western pleasure sire, with more than $33,000 in prize money won in just the past four years. What makes an iconic Half-Arabian western pleasure sire? Joe is quick to characterize, “Strength, determination, kindness, a great work ethic and charisma. Willy’s babies are strong, both physically and mentally. Their work ethic is second to none. Their willingness to learn serves them well through intense Futurities and Open competitions, and their kindness and patience makes them an Amateur and Youth partner who will give their all.” Joe smiles, “Willy changed my career and professional life forever. He was proud and opinionated (he hated the heat), yet kind and strong. He was a horse you couldn’t help to love, always ever present. It was a true honor to have Willy in my life and now I’m blessed to be surrounded by his babies who possess his special attributes. “Goodbye, dear friend, you changed our lives forever.”
Proudly owned by Angela Daugherty Blacklick, Ohio Poco Van Star Two x Im Bringin Sexy Back
Proudly owned by Represent Equine LLC Lewis Center, OH Poco Van Star Two x Rocky Roze
“My transition into the Western world was partly due to my admiration for the Poco Van Star Two offspring. In my mind, they exemplify what a true Half-Arabian western horse should be. I am honored to get to be a part of his legacy with this new filly.” ~ Lesley
2019 U.S. National Reserve Champion H/A AWPA $50,000 Equine Athlete Western Pleasure Futurity with Joe Reser 2018 U.S. National Champion H/A Western Pleasure Futurity
Proudly owned by Angela Daugherty Blacklick, Ohio Poco Van Star Two x Im Bringin Sexy Back
“When it comes to breeding Half-Arabians, I have always known who I was breeding to. Poco Van Star Two always put such amazing babies on the ground. Willie made an impact on so many lives and was loved by all. I think of him when I look at my foals and can never thank him enough for his contributions. He will always be in my heart.” ~ Angela
Osteen/Schatzberg
Poco Van Star Two x Weczendela
8x National Champion (5 Championships & 3 Reserves) Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Open, JOTR, Jr. Horse, Ladies Side Saddle 2020 Scottsdale Champion Half-Arabian Western Pleasure AAOTR 19-35 with Tabitha Bell Proudly owned by Bel Heir Arabians LLC Blue Jay, CA
Poco Van Star Two x Kickin N Screamin U.S. National Champion and 2x Canadian Reserve National Champion H/A Western Pleasure AAOTR with Brian Wheeler 3x U.S. Reserve National Champion with Stanley White III, Joe Reser, and Brian Wheeler 3x Canadian National Champion H/A Western Pleasure Open with Joe Reser
“One measure of the greatness of Poco Van Star Two is the number of national champion western pleasure horses he produced. We wish to thank Joe Reser, breeders Susan Al-Abbas & Setting Sun Stables, and Abe Cotton, for allowing us to share in the exciting journey with the success achieved by our two Poco Van Star Two horses!� ~ Susan and Brian Wheeler Proudly owned by Susan & Brian Wheeler Plymouth, MI
U.S. National Champion H/A Western Pleasure Futurity with Joe Reser Canadian Reserve National Champion H/A Western Plesaure Jr. Horse with Joe Reser 3x National Top Ten (3rd) H/A Western Pleasure AWPA Futurity and Jr. Horse with Abe Cotton Poco Van Star Two x Mint Jullya V
Winner of the Inaugural AWPA Open Award
DLC
Poco Van Star Two x DLC Perfect Ember
U.S. National Champion Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Futurity Proudly owned by Dennis & Linda Clark Argyle, TX
8x National Champion (7 Championships / 1 Reserve) Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Open, Futurity, AOTR & JOTR
Poco Van Star Two x Kickin N Screamin Proudly owned by Dennis & Linda Clark Argyle, TX
WB Poco Van Star Two x Marilyn V
2019 U.S. National Top Ten H/A (3rd) AWPA $50,000 Equine Athlete Western Pleasure Futurity with Liz Bentley 2018 U.S. National Top Ten H/A Western Pleasure Futurity with Liz Bentley Proudly owned by Trent Trahan & Family Champlain, NY
CEA
2018 U.S. National Champion H/A AWPA $50,000 Equine Athlete Western Pleasure Futurity 2018 U.S. National Champion H/A Western Pleasure AAOTR Maturity 2019 U.S. National Champion H/A Western Pleasure Jr. Horse Poco Van Star Two x SL Capaccinos Charmm
Proudly owned by Shamrock Farms LLC Mansfield, TX