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Appaloosa History:
High Thunderbird F-1822 / CRHA 683-R

My thanks to Sherry Byrd, Rangerbred Researcher deluxe, for her assistance in this project on High Thunderbird.
And just a hint to anyone, more photos/information much appreciated! : ) ~AT
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High Thunderbird, from foal to aged.

Basic Info

ApHC Studbook data:
High Thunderbird
F-1822

Sire: Apple F-621
Dam: Wiggins Boots F-1820
(pedigree at bottom of page)
Foaled 1955

Bred by JD High, Houston, Texas

References:
Appaloosa News Jan-Feb60:3, Oct61:46/47, 2-65:21, 3-65:45, 4-65:77, 7-65:44,
Appaloosa World 4-82:60+(article), Legacy 45, Spotted Horse 11-78:11

Excerpt from an article in the Appaloosa News Jan/Feb 1960:2-3

Creswell Farm is the home of one of the larger bands of registered Appaloosa broodmares East of the Mississippi. It is headed by a foundation registered stallion named "High Thunderbird", Reg No 1822. These horses were originally introduced into Virginia by Max Tappero from his home state of Washington, where the Appaloodsas were the proud possessions of the Nez Perce Indians of the Northwest. Max is now showing and training these horses for Creswell Farm.

The winning show record of "High Thunderbird" has been remarkable considering he is only four years of age and the competition that has been pitted against him. Just as the "Tops are in Virginia" for Angus, the tops of working horses of other breeds have been brought into Virginia as well as other Eastern States, and are actively campaigned in Western Show Classes.

"High Thunderbird" was named Champion Pleasure Horse, all breeds competing, in the Virginia State Horse Show for 1959. He was the Champion Pleasure Horse, and Reserve Champion Stock Horse at the Lynchburg Springs Show 1959. He won seven other Stock Horse Championships and one Trail Horse Championship in Eastern areas shows in 1959.

His most sensational showing, all things considered, was in the National Show held at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania this fall. He had been in pasture for two months with his band of broodmares, then taken out, shod and put in trailer to Harrisburg. Despite his pasture condition compared with fitted show horses, "High Thunderbird" won 4th in the Western Pleasure Horse Class (57 entires) 5th in Tail Horse Class (39 entries), 7th in Stock Horse Class (43 entres). Horses from all over the US, Canada, South America and Europe competed in the show.

Article in the Appaloosa World April 1982:60-65

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Some Ads

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pedigreeinfo

Offspring

The following list may or may not be complete. : )

Some additional articles....

An12-69codey

AN10-64

AN11-66 spiderweb

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Pedigree of High Thunderbird

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Banjo or Banjo Eyes
Foaled 1926 or 1927
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The Boss Hoss F-194

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Foaled in 1942 Red Roan, Leopard
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Painted Lady
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Sire: Apple F-621 Foaled 1946
Bred by David Ruby, Akron, Colorado.applef621
Apple, when David Ruby brought him to Texas in 1950, was bay,
with a white blanket and black spots. Somewhere around 1956,
it is said that the bay turned to black.
High states that Apple sired 80% colored foals
in his 7 years at stud on High's ranch.
Interestingly, the 20% of foals not colored,
are specifically stated by High to be "out of solid colored, bay- black- sorrel and roan, cold-blooded mares.
Colorado Buster CRHA NR 16
[Sago Wolf 70-N x June]
Bred by Mike Ruby, Thurman Colorado
Buster IV CRHA 186-N
Foaled 1939, Chestnut, spotted blanket
Bred by Mike Ruby, Burlington, Colorado
Pronto CRHA 33-J
Foaled 1933 Black Leopard
Bred by Martin Rasmussen, Seibert, Colorado
[Ranger CRHA 4-P X Trixy]
Dixie CRHA 231-R
Foaled 1941, Bay
Bred by Mike Ruby, Wray, Colorado
Patches II CRHA 11-P
Foaled 1930
Bred by Mike Ruby, Thurman Colorado
Bird CRHA 81-P
Foaled 1937, Bay
Bred by Mike Ruby, Anton, Colorado
Dollie CRHA 22-L
Foaled 1932
Bred by Mike Ruby, Thurman, Colorado
 



 
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Ghafil AHC
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Dam: Wiggins Boots F-1820
Bred by John McLarty, San Antonio, Texas.
Owned by BJ Wiggins, Kerrville, Texas Foaled 1946.
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[Foal is High Thunderbird]
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This page posted April 2021. Updated December 2022.