Texas Kicker, pictured with Dick & Brenda Pieper • Photo by Harold CamptonOn Sept. 26, Dick and Brenda Pieper said goodbye to Texas Kicker. The 1987 chestnut stallion (Colonel Freckles x Angels Rosie x Mr Gold 95) was euthanized and laid to rest at Pieper Ranch in Marietta, Okla.
Texas Kicker debuted as a 3-year-old at the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity, where he finished fourth in the Open. A year later, he was named the 1991 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Junior Reining World Champion after marking a then-record 228.
The Lou and Wanda Waters-bred stallion went on to earn his Performance Register of Merit (ROM) from AQHA, and qualify for the 1992 AQHA World Show in Senior Reining. In his limited show career, “Tex” earned a total of $4,594 and 13.5 AQHA points – all with Dick in the saddle.
Once Texas Kicker proved his worth in the show pen, he moved his talents to the breeding shed, siring 46 money- and point-earners. His progeny have garnered a total $157,458, according to Equi-Stat, in reining, cutting, reined cow horse and barrel racing. Leading his offspring record is the 1992 Paint stallion Kick Dee Bar (out of Lara Dee Bar [PT] x Mr World [PT]).
Kick Dee Bar (PT), a notable sire in his own right with 15 money-earners, amassed $28,550 in reining arenas. Shown mostly by Steve Schwartzenberger and Shevin Haverty, the horse was successful in both Open and Non-Pro compeition.
Texas Kicker’s second-highest money-earner, and his No. 1 reined cow horse performer, is Texata. The 1994 stallion is out of the Doc Bar mare Docata, and he accumulated total performance earnings of more than $20,000.
In addition to laying Texas Kicker to rest, the Piepers are mourning the loss of their son, Brad, after he was killed in a car accident on Sept. 25.
