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In the Past: Marion Flynt

MarionsGirl BusterWelch web21956 NCHA World Champion Marion’s Girl

Marion Flynt, known as “Mr. Cutting Horse,” holds the record as the most enduring National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) president. He served the association for 12 terms (1956-58 and 1963-1971) and passed away in 1987 at age 83.

Flynt’s Square Top 3 Ranch, in Midland, Texas, was home to many legendary horses including stallions Jewel’s Leo Bars (Sugar Bars x Leo Pan x Leo) and Rey Jay (Rey Del Rancho x Calandria K x Unknown). Flynt used those foundation studs, crossing Jewel’s Leo Bars on a Rey Jay mare named Christy Jay, to produce the great Colonel Freckles. The year that Colonel Freckles won the NCHA Futurity (1976), Flynt owned Reserve Champion Freckles Playboy, a homebred stallion, and third-place finisher Doc’s Becky.

One of Flynt’s namesake homebreds, Marion’s Girl, was a two-time NCHA World Champion (in 1954 and 1956). She is pictured with trainer Buster Welch (mounted) and Flynt (second from right) receiving the saddle they won after receiving the 1956 NCHA World Championship. Buster described Marion’s Girl as a horse so finely balanced that at more than 15 hands and 1,350 pounds, people still referred to her as “that little mare.” She suited him to a tee. Read more about Buster Welch.

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