Firing
UP THE FUTURE WITH VS THE FIREMAN
Like the classic George Strait hit, VS The Fireman has been making his rounds across the country earning numerous wins and circuit championships in western pleasure, trail, and western riding. The talented fiveyear-old stallion by Machine Made and out of VS Lady in Red is a three-time AQHA World Champion, All-American Quarter Horse Congress Champion, and multiple NSBA World Champion.
Bob and Ingrid Miller purchased VS The Fireman, aka Gronk, in August 2023 at the historic VS Dispersal Sale. The horses that sold that night carried the bloodlines of industry icon Vital Signs Are Good, including the legendary stallions VS Code Red and VS Flatline. The first lot to sell was the promising young stallion, VS The Fireman. Stunning video of the stallion loping bridleless and changing leads went viral prior to the sale, creating quite a buzz across the industry.
Trainer Anthony Montes says, “I think some people may have been surprised when he was the high seller. But I had a feeling that might happen. I have always loved the horse and loved his athleticism. Aaron Moses (who
had the stallion in training at the time of the sale) and I are good friends, and he always had so many positive things to say about him.”
Prior to the sale Montes talked with the Millers about what horses would be available that night, and what they might want to purchase. “I had my eye on a few horses,” Montes shares, “but we went in knowing he was the one we wanted to purchase. It was hard not knowing what the price would be, but ultimately, he was the one.”
What drew Montes and the Millers to the horse was the natural talent he exhibited, which they knew would eventually carry into the all-around events. “There is nothing manufactured about him, He’s so natural and always carries himself that way. I have always loved his look and the way he moves. He’s incredibly special,” Montes says.
Legacy is a word that immediately comes to mind when thinking about the VS line and the impact that the great matriarch Vital Signs Are Good has had on the industry. Montes is no stranger to the incredible ability and mind of the VS line, particularly on the dam side, having shown Gronk’s
dam, VS Lady In Red for owner and breeder Kristen Galyean. “I showed his mom in western riding, and I can feel some of her best traits in him in his willingness, movement, and topline carriage,” says Montes.
Machine Made has a legacy all his own, making VS The Fireman’s lineage even more impressive. “He possesses all of the positive traits from both of his parents,” says Montes. “I can see the body of Machine Made in him.”
As a sire, Montes believes VS The Fireman has begun passing on his parents’ positive traits to his foals, also known as Lil Firefighters. “I can see that he’s really good at stamping them with his movement. He’s been passing on the positive traits of both Machine Made and the VS line,” he says. Currently, there are two foal crops on the ground and his offspring are already out winning. “I think his babies will speak for themselves,” says Montes. Though it’s still early in his career as a stallion, Gronk’s babies have shown many of their sire’s positive attributes. According to Montes, “I can already see his willingness, his movement, and his selfcarriage being passed on to his foals.” VS The Fireman stands at Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses in Aubrey, Texas.
Flurtin With Fire, a 2023 filly out of the mare Shes Immortal was NSBA Reserve World Champion in Open Western Longe Line at this year’s show
with Anthony Leier for owner John Sparks. The filly was also reserve in the same class at the 2024 Back To Berrien Futurity.
VS The Fireman is the first stallion the Millers have owned, and they are taking the process in stride. “They love every bit of it,” says Montes. “I have known Ingrid since I was a kid. I know that she and Bob love seeing me able to grow as a trainer and be successful with him as we add events.” Montes and the stallion hit it off early in their time together. “We have a special bond. I truly love that horse and understand him. I know what it takes to prepare and show him.”
This year VS The Fireman has added the all-around to his resume and has proven his versatility, athleticism and great mind. At the 2024 NSBA World Show, Gronk was crowned the All-Around Open Horse, earning world championships in Junior Western Riding, Maturity Limited Open Western Pleasure, NSBA BCF 4-6-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure, and reserve world champion titles in Open Performance Halter Stallions and Green Junior Trail.
The proof of their bond is evident in the success they’ve earned in the show ring just this year. Their 2024 accomplishments include:
• Fun in the Sun NSBA Champion First Year Open Green Trail
• Fun In The Sun NSBA Champion Open Novice Horse Trail
• Fun In The Sun NSBA Reserve Champion Open All-Age Green Trail
• 2024 Florida Gulf Coast Circuit Champion Level 1 Junior Western Riding
• 2024 Fun In The Sun Circuit Champion Level 3 Junior Western Riding
• 2024 Orange Blossom Classic All-Around Open Level 1 Champion
• 2024 Orange Blossom Champion Maturity Limited Open Western Pleasure
• 2024 Orange Blossom Circuit Champion Level 1 Junior Western Riding
• 2024 Sudden Impulse All-Around Champion Open Level 1 Green
• 2024 Sudden Impulse Reserve All-Around Champion Open Junior
• 2024 Sudden Impulse Circuit Champion Performance Stallions
At The Premier in 2024, VS The Fireman was the All-Around Junior Horse. Montes is most proud of the consistency with which Gronk has added the all-around events and been able to excel every time out. “He’s been able to win some major shows his first year in the trail. It’s been great
that he’s had the consistency in the trail in just his first year doing it,” Montes shares.
The stallion has proven that not only can he take on new events, but he can easily transition between them. Earlier this year at the NSBA World Show, he went directly from winning a world title in Junior Western Riding to unanimously winning a world title in the Limited Maturity Western Pleasure. “That moment was a highlight, I was so excited,” says Montes.
This fall, Gronk will head to the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, and the AQHA World Show where he will show in Junior Western Pleasure and the limited maturities along with Junior Western Riding and Green, Junior, and 4-& 5-year-old Trail classes with Montes.
To prepare, Montes shares that he tries to mix things up and keep them interesting. “We always start out with a little bit of
pleasure and then do some trail and change leads. I try to keep it low key,” he says. Low key fits well with the stallion’s laid-back approach to life. “He’s very willing and laid back. I just try to keep everything consistent and make sure he feels confident in his events,” says Montes.
He also shares that Gronk is a horse who knows his job and enjoys doing it. “He’s really fun to show. He definitely turns it on a little bit more in the show pen. You can tell he loves everything about it and just enjoys being at the shows. He’s a little bit of a showoff. I can tell when he’s proud of himself,” Montes says.
Montes’ hopes for the upcoming major shows are to have good rides in every event. “We want to be at the top of our game and do the best we can,” he shares.
Long term, the Millers and Montes plan to keep showing Gronk as a senior horse and allow him to keep doing what he loves to do. “The Millers trust him, and they trust me,” says Montes. “There’s no pressure to have things be a certain way. We’re really all in this for the love of the sport and the love of a great horse.”
More information about VS The Fireman is available on his website at VSTheFireman.com
Article Written by: Elizabeth Arnold
