Some of the most influential horses in Quarter Horse history didn’t begin as obvious standouts – and Poco Pine is one of them. Foaled in 1954 and sired by Poco Bueno, his story is shaped by instinct, timing, and a moment that would quietly change the course of the breed.
As part of our Heritage Horse Series, we’ve chosen to spotlight Poco Pine – a stallion whose enduring influence continues to shape the American Quarter Horse and the industry surrounding it. His rise didn’t follow a predictable path, which is precisely what makes his story so compelling.
A Horse Bought by Accident
Every third Monday in Chico, Texas, was “Trading Day,” and young Paul Curtner loved swapping horses – even when he often came home with more trouble than triumph. As he joked, he’d pick up an old, wild horse, and his father would rescue him by buying it, only for him to be “afoot again” soon after.
By the early 1950s, Curtner had oil money behind him and was ready to step fully into the horse business. In 1954, he traveled to E. Paul Waggoner’s Triple D Stock Farm dispersal sale – variously recorded as being in Vernon or Arlington – to buy a Blackburn mare with a Poco Bueno filly. Other top buyers, including Marion Flynt and B.F. Phillips, were pursuing the same pair. But fate had other plans.
When the first pair entered the ring – a pretty buckskin mare, not the Blackburn, with a shaggy, dish-faced Poco Bueno colt – the bidding stalled at $1,500. Without checking his catalog, Curtner let his instinct take over and purchased the pair on impulse.
As Curtner walked back to inspect his new purchase, Pine Johnson, the respected Triple D trainer, approached him and said: “That Pretty Rosalie colt is the best son of Poco Bueno I’ve ever seen.”
Although Curtner may not have fully grasped it at the time, he took Johnson’s praise to heart and named the colt Poco Pine in Johnson’s honor – a small gesture foreshadowing a legendary career. This seemingly accidental purchase would mark the beginning of a career that transformed the Quarter Horse breed.
Poco Pine’s Pedigree: Bloodlines of Excellence
Poco Pine’s pedigree is also a textbook example of quality Quarter Horse breeding, blending some of the most influential bloodlines in halter, performance, and reining.
| Ancestor | Relationship | Notable Achievements / Influence |
|---|---|---|
| Poco Bueno | Sire | One of the most influential sires in Quarter Horse history; known for exceptional conformation and performance; foundation stallion for halter, pleasure, reining, and cutting lines. |
| Pretty Rosalie | Dam | A daughter of Pretty Boy, providing strong maternal genetics; her colt became the legendary Poco Pine. |
| Pretty Boy | Maternal Grandsire | Known for producing offspring with elegance, strong movement, and excellent temperament; influential in halter and performance lines. |
The strength of this pedigree not only shaped Poco Pine’s own achievements but also established bloodlines that continue to dominate modern Quarter Horse competition, particularly in halter, performance, and reining. Understanding his pedigree makes it clear that Poco Pine was more than a champion – he was a foundation for generations of Quarter Horses.
A Prodigy in the Making
From the moment he entered the show ring as a weanling, Poco Pine began to prove that Johnson’s praise was no exaggeration. Winning all his early classes, the colt showed early signs of both talent and composure. By age two, Curtner knew he had something extraordinary. “Man, I’ve got to go to the show ring with him,” he said. “I might be higher on him than anyone else.”
At the Horseshoe Club in Fort Worth, Poco Pine faced a lineup of elite King Ranch horses hauled in by Loyd Jinkens. The young stallion stood quietly at the end of the line, and when judge George Tyler reached him, he simply said: “Paul, just take your horse up to the front.”
Poco Pine won the class. That same day, B.F. Phillips and Stanley Bush each bet Curtner one dollar that the colt would be grand champion. He won that title, too – and Curtner happily paid off both bets, a clear early sign of the stallion’s remarkable potential. His success in the ring set the stage for a breeding career that would solidify his influence.
A Stallion Who Blossomed Early
What set Poco Pine apart was not only how quickly he succeeded in the ring, but how early he matured into an exceptional stallion. His show career continued through age 12, and Curtner hoped to retire him with 50 Grand Championships. Although Curtner believed they reached that number, the official AQHA record credits Poco Pine with:
- 46 Grand Championships
- 7 Reserve Grands
- 135 Halter Points
- 15 Cutting Points
- 2 Western Pleasure Points
- AQHA Superior in Halter (1959)
- AQHA Champion (1960)
- $776 NCHA earnings
These accomplishments reflected a horse with unusual presence, versatility, and staying power – qualities that would later define his influence on the breed.
The Rise of a Foundational Sire
Poco Pine began breeding regularly in 1957, and by 1964, he had earned the title of leading sire of halter horses, a distinction he held for four consecutive years (1964–1968). In 1967, he also became the leading sire of performance horses, demonstrating his versatility and far-reaching influence. Across his breeding career, his offspring amassed:
- 10,945.5 AQHA points
- $14,794 in NCHA earnings
- $3,428 at the AQHA World Championship Show
- 37 AQHA Champions
His achievements in both show and breeding reinforced his place as a cornerstone of Quarter Horse history. But his true impact would be measured not just in his own accomplishments – but in the generations that followed.
A Sire of Sires – and Dams
Poco Pine’s descendants left an indelible mark on the breed, carrying his influence forward for generations.
Remarkably, at just two years old, Poco Pine bred 11 mares. From that very first crop came Poco Lottie, who went on to win the Denver Stock Show against 79 entries – an early indication that his talent extended well beyond his own performance in the show ring and into the next generation.
Additional notable sons include:
- Poco Pecho → a son of Poco Pine, later an important sire and best known as the sire of Pecho Dexter, an all-time leading point earner and AQHA Hall of Fame member
- Poco Bright Star → a son of Poco Pine and sire of Great Pine, a foundational reining sire whose descendants earned over $700,000 in NRHA competition
- Pine Chock → a son of Poco Pine, an Illinois Quarter Horse Association Hall of Famer, and sire of 188 AQHA foals, including 63 performers earning 11 Superiors, 37 ROMs, 1 AQHA Champion, and 2,354 AQHA points
- Pine Wampy → a son of Poco Pine, AQHA Champion, and proven sire whose descendants included AQHA Champions, Superior earners, and top halter and performance horses
Poco Pine’s daughters were equally important to his legacy. As a broodmare sire, Poco Pine influenced future generations through mares such as:
- Dollie Pine → a daughter of Poco Pine who produced four AQHA Champions, including western pleasure legend Zippo Pine Bar, also a Hall of Fame inductee.
Through both sons and daughters, Poco Pine’s bloodline continues to shape modern Quarter Horse competitions.
Too Valuable to Sell
At one point, Curtner was asked to price Poco Pine. He blurted out $100,000, then quickly added, “if I decide to sell him.” A crowd quickly formed, offering advice from every angle. It was Matlock Rose whose counsel he trusted – and he kept the stallion.
This decision proved prescient. By 1961, Poco Pine’s success allowed Curtner to sell his well-servicing oil business rather than divert funds to the horses. “Besides,” he said, “I always liked the horses better anyway.” This shift marked the start of Curtner’s full immersion into the horse business, with Poco Pine at the center.
With Curtner focused solely on horses, Poco Pine’s breeding influence was only beginning to expand.
A Legacy That Endures
Poco Pine passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 1, 1974, at the age of 20, leaving behind more than just a record of wins, points, and awards – he left a legacy of inspiration, passion, and unwavering influence in the world of Quarter Horses. Decades later, in 2010, his life and accomplishments were honored with induction into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, a tribute befitting a horse whose name has become synonymous with excellence, versatility, and enduring impact.
From a shaggy, dish-faced colt bought almost by accident, Poco Pine grew into a stallion whose talent, temperament, and heart touched everyone who knew him. He was more than a champion; he was a teacher of bloodlines, a cornerstone for generations of horses, and a silent partner in the dreams of breeders, trainers, and owners. His sons, daughters, and grand-offspring carry forward his spirit, whether in halter, performance, reining, or western pleasure, reflecting the same intelligence, composure, and elegance that made him unforgettable.
As a sire of sires and broodmare sire, Poco Pine’s influence is woven into the very fabric of the breed. He produced multiple AQHA Champions, Superior award winners, and record-setting performers, leaving a genetic legacy that continues to shape the show ring and breeding barns alike. But beyond points, awards, and pedigrees, it is the story of his life – the chance encounter at a dispersal sale, the early recognition of his potential, the unwavering guidance of Paul Curtner – that makes his journey so remarkable and so inspiring.
Even today, Poco Pine’s memory evokes admiration and affection. Breeders still study his bloodlines, trainers still celebrate the accomplishments of his descendants, and horse enthusiasts recount tales of his gentle yet commanding presence. His story reminds us that greatness is often unexpected, born from a combination of instinct, opportunity, and devotion.
Poco Pine’s life was a testament to the deep, enduring bond between horse and human. He showed that with heart, talent, and a little serendipity, one horse can leave a mark that lasts far beyond his years. His legacy is not just in the champions he sired, but in the inspiration, wonder, and love he continues to spark in all who cherish the American Quarter Horse.