Western Horses and Partners.
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- Champion is known for Last of the Pony Riders (1953), Guns and Guitars (1936) and Pack Train (1953).
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Trigger, Roy Rogers' beautiful Golden Palomino stallion, and co-star with Roy in many of his movies and Roy's TV show, was often billed as "the smartest horse in the movies".
The two of them appeared in dozens of westerns in the 1930s and 40s, always chasing and thwarting the bad guys, and working to serve peace and justice.
Trigger even shared the movie title with Roy on two occasions: My Pal Trigger (1946) and Trigger, Jr. (1950).
Trigger started life out as Golden Cloud (1934). His sire was a thoroughbred horse that had raced at Caliente Track, and his dam was a cold-blooded palomino. Trigger was foaled on a small ranch in the San Diego area which was partly owned by Bing Crosby. The manager of that ranch was Roy Cloud, a breeder originally from Noblesville, Indiana. At around 3 years of age, Golden Cloud was sold to the Hudkins Stables, which rented horses to the movie industry. Golden Cloud's first major appearance was in the movie, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) where he was ridden by Olivia de Havilland. When Gene Autry failed to report for work at Republic Pictures, Roy Rogers found himself cast in the lead role for Under Western Stars (1938). Before filming began on Under Western Stars (1938), Hudkins Stables brought their best lead horses to the studio so Roy could select a mount. As Roy recalled it, the third horse he got on was a beautiful golden palomino who handled smoothly and reacted quickly to whatever he asked it to do.
Roy said of Golden Cloud "He could turn on a dime and give you some change".
Smiley Burnette, who played Roy's sidekick in his first two films, was watching and mentioned how quick on the trigger this horse was. Roy agreed and decided that Trigger was the perfect name for the horse. Roy purchased the horse for $2,500 and eventually outfitted it with a $5,000 gold/silver saddle.
Roy was proud of the fact that throughout his more than 80 films, the 101 episodes of his television series, and countless personal appearances, Trigger never fell.
Roy once said that "he felt that Trigger seemed to know when people were watching him and that he recognized applause and just ate it up like a ham!"
Trigger won a Patsy award for the role in Son of Paleface (1952) & the 1958 Craven award winner. He was so popular that at one time, he even had his own fan club with members from all over the world. On July 3, 1965, at the Rogers ranch in Hidden Valley, California, Trigger, at age 30, passed away. Roy was reluctant to "put him in the ground", so Rogers had the horse mounted in a rearing position by Bishoff's Taxidermy of California. The rest of his remains are buried in Thousand Oaks, California on one of Roy's former ranches.- Gallant Bess is known for Adventures of Gallant Bess (1948).
- Silver King the Wonder Horse, aka "The horse with personality", was a white Palomino of seventeen hands height. He performed at major rodeos and headlined as the equine star of western movies between 1924 and 1937. In addition to the standard duties assigned stunt horses, Silver King was also capable of winking with one eye, nodding or shaking his head for yes or no, lifting bars, undoing knots and jumping from moving railway carriages. The animal was originally acquired in New York by cowboy star Fred Thomson and subsequently trained by him. Briefly a rival to Tom Mix in the sagebrush stakes, Thomson rode the horse in a series of popular B-grade westerns until his untimely demise in 1928. Silver King went on to receive second billing as the trusty steed to Hal Taliaferro (usually credited as Wally Wales) in westerns for Imperial Pictures, his stunt rider often being the legendary Yakima Canutt.
- The Lone Ranger's white horse, like the Ranger, are fictional characters created by George W. Trendle, or by Fran Striker, for Detroit radio station WXYZ. They first appeared on radio in 1933. For publicity, the radio station hired a horse named Hero. With Brace Beemer, the voice of the Lone Ranger, they both would do public appearances. Later years Brace bought his own white horse named "Silver's Pride", that he would prefer using for appearances. As years went by naturally movies were made of the Lone Ranger adventures. The Lone Ranger (1938) featured Silver Chief as Silver. The Lone Ranger Rides Again (1939) featured Silver Chief as Silver. When the television series The Lone Ranger (1949) aired there were several different white horses. Hugh Hooker the original owner of a white stallion named White Cloud was personally picked for the series by Clayton Moore who would play the Lone Ranger for the series. White Cloud was 12 years old at this time and a very impressive tall horse. Said to be 17+ hands tall. White Cloud owned by stuntman/wrangler Bill Ward at the time would also work on the television series as stuntman/stand-in for Clayton. Another white horse that Bill Ward owned, named Traveler played Silver for stunts requiring action scenes. Bill Ward, dressed as the Lone Ranger would ride during chase, leap off at a full gallop, and do jumps off of Traveler. Nobody else rode Traveler. Not even Clayton Moore. During the period when Clayton Moore was replaced by John Hart, another horse was brought in to play Silver. This white horse named " Tarzen's White Banner" renamed "Hi-Yo Silver" by its new owner George W. Trendle, was next to play Silver. This would be the same horse that Clayton Moore would do special appearances with. As far as later Lone Ranger movies like The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) and The Lone Ranger (2013), it is unknown at this time which horses were used as Silver.
White Cloud lived out its life at the Ace Hudkins stables. Passing in 1959 at the age of 21 or 22. Burial at Hutchins Brothers Ranch Burial Site: 14612172, North Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Hi-Yo Silver lived out its life at the Wayne Burson Ranch. Passing in 1976 at the age of 29. Traveler became the USC Trojan mascot at football games. Unknown where and when he passed.
It should be noted that western actor Buck Jones rode a white horse named Silver and claimed he originated the yell "Hi-Yo Silver" in his western movies way before the Lone Ranger existed. Even had a movie titled The Lone Rider. Jones sued about all this, but lost the case. - Beauty the Horse is known for My Pal (1925).
- Black Jack was a black Morgan stallion owned by actor Allen "Rocky" Lane. He was purchased from actor Bill Elliot when Lane took over Elliott's role in Red Ryder. Lane enjoyed a successful run in comics from 1946 through 1959 and Black Jack was one of the very few cowboy's horses to star in his own comic book series.
- Black Jack is known for Silver Stallion (1941).tt0034189/combined, 1941.
- Black King is known for The Judgement Book (1935), Racketeer Round-up (1934) and Riddle Ranch (1935).
- Boy the Wonder Horse is known for Hell Hounds of the Plains (1927), The Fighting Stallion (1926) and The Outlaw Breaker (1927).
- Broncho the Horse is known for The Lone Hand (1920).
- Bullet the Horse is known for The Third Alarm (1923).The Third Alarm (1923). 1922.
- Buster the Horse is known for Tumbling River (1927).Tumbling River (1927), 1927.
- Buttermilk was a light buckskin quarter horse, he is know for The Roy Rogers Show and a few Roy Rogers Movies including South of Caliente and Spoilers of the plains. He was owned and ridden by renowned actress Dale Evens. He had also been used for other riders such as Penny Edwards in Roy Rogers movie North of the great Divide, and Spoilers of the plains.
- Busy the Horse is known for Bunkie (1912).
- Cactus Jr. is known for Battling Marshal (1950) and Fighting Mustang (1948).
- Cactus the White Stallion is known for Outlaw's Highway (1934).
- Chilblains the Horse is known for Green as Grass (1923).Green as Grass (1923). 1923.
- Comet is known for The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993).28 westerns, 93-94.
Partner, Brisco County Jr.. -Bruce Campbell.
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993). 1993. - Copper the Horse is known for The Westward Trail (1948) and Tornado Range (1948).
- Dice was owned by Ralph McCutcheon, his first successful pinto stallion. Dice could do a variety of tricks, like pull a revolver from a pocket, knock down cowboys, boost cowboys by the seat of the pants, kneel, lie down and play dead, count numbers with hoof, bow, and smile or yawn upon command, but it was his striking coloring that drew attention. It was reported that his sire was Arab X Thoroughbred cross and his dam was reported to be an American Saddle Horse X Thoroughbred cross. He appeared in many Westerns and was ridden by many stars like Gregory Peck, Jennifer Jones, Jean Arthur, Gene Autry, Bill Elliott and Richard Dix. In fact Dice made Life Magazine because while the movie "Duel in the Sun" was being filmed on location in Arizona Gregory Peck rode him into the dining room of the Hotel Santa Rita. Dice also went through the hotel lobby, entered an open elevator, decided it was too small, backed out, and climbed the stairs as well. Thunderhoof (1948) was his last film. He died at the age of thirty.
- Doc the Horse is known for An Equine Hero (1912).An Equine Hero (1912). 1912.
- Duke is known for Somewhere in Sonora (1933), The Telegraph Trail (1933) and Ride Him, Cowboy (1932).
- Falcon is known for Rustlers' Hideout (1945), Valley of Vengeance (1944) and Wild Horse Phantom (1944).
- Flash the Horse is known for Silks and Saddles (1936).
- Fleetwood the Horse is known for The Oregon Trail (1923).
- Fritz the Horse was born in 1907. He was an actor, known for The Narrow Trail (1917). He died on 6 February 1938 in California, USA.1907-1938, 31.
2 westerns, 14-20.
Partner, William S. Hart.
The Bargain (1914). 1914. Filmed in Grand Canyon National Park.
Partner William S. Hart
The Narrow Trail (1917). 1917. - Ghost the Horse is known for Under the Tonto Rim (1933).Partner, Tonto Daily, - Stuart Erwin.
- Greyboy the Horse is known for In Old Kentucky (1935).In Old Kentucky (1935). 1935.
- Highland Dale was born on 4 March 1943 in Missouri, USA. He was an actor, known for The Return of Wildfire (1948), Black Beauty (1946) and The High Chaparral (1967). He died in 1973 in California, USA.
- King the Horse is known for Heartbound (1925).Partner, Ranger Bill Miller.
- King Cotton the Horse is known for Pepe (1960) and Snowfire (1957).
- KoKo, "The Miracle Horse of the Movies", was a white-maned, white-tailed chocolate-coloured chestnut stallion trained by Hollywood's premier equestrian specialist Glenn H. Randall Sr. (as was the legendary Palomino Trigger ridden by Roy Rogers). It was purchased from Randall at the age of ten by cowboy actor Rex Allen. Rumour had it that KoKo was at one time earmarked for Dale Evans but was too difficult for her to handle. In any case, KoKo became Rex Allen's trusted and much loved steed and went on to perform as a trick or stunt horse, co-starring in a series of westerns Allen made for Republic between 1950 and 1954. KoKo also headlined with Allen on the rodeo circuit and (according to an interview in 1997) in "theaters, and auditoriums, nearly every summer. I'd go back for eight days and do a film and go back to the road. Take the horse and load 'im up and grab a few musicians." Allen also mused that he had more requests from fans for photos of his horse, than of himself. One of KoKo's offspring, a close lookalike, was named KoKo Jr but ultimately did not live up to his father's illustrious reputation. Unlike Trigger, KoKo did not end up as a museum exhibit but was eventually buried on Allen's ranch near Tucson, Arizona.
- Lady the Horse is known for King of the Wild Horses (1933), Black Cyclone (1925) and The Devil Horse (1926).
- Partner, Pete Morrison.
- Lightning the Horse is known for Chasing Trouble (1926), The Desperate Game (1925) and Lightning (1927).
- Markee the Horse is known for Hoofbeats of Vengeance (1928).tt0019998/combined, 1928.
- Marquis the Horse is known for King of the Wild Horses (1933).
- Meadowlark the Horse is known for The Ridin' Comet (1925).
- Monte Cristo the Horse is known for Without Orders (1926), Luck and Sand (1925) and The Blind Trail (1926).Partner, -Leo D. Maloney.
- Oneta the Horse is known for Jerry's Best Friend (1917).Jerry's Best Friend (1917). 1917.
- Ott is known for The Villain (1979) and Lassie (1954).
- Paint is known for King of the Stallions (1942).Partner, Chief Thundercloud.
- Pal the Horse is known for The Call of the Blood (1921).
- Prince is known for Arizona Roundup (1942).
- Ranger the Horse is known for The Phantom Pinto (1928).tt0325971/combined, 1928.
- Raven is known for The Texan Meets Calamity Jane (1950).
- Actor
- This equine actor was born in Texas, around 1915 - 1916. He was a Morgan stallion named 'Casey Jones'. This all-black horse had a distinguishing small white mark on his forehead. He was sold to a Colorado Boys Reformatory as a young colt. Probably mistreated. He was known to be mean and ornery. Some would say even dangerous. Rumored to have killed a handler in later years. He was sold to the Colorado Detention Home. He was moved from one place to another over the years and ended up being owned by Hal Roach. Roach had Casey Jones stabled at the Fat Jones Stables. It was Jack Lindell who trained this stallion so he could be in motion pictures. Roach changed the horse's name to Rex. In 1924 Rex was the star of his first movie, The King of Wild Horses (1924). He was still a bit mean and ornery, but this trait was used in movies to his advantage. Some of the tricks that he did, like chasing someone and cornering them, or chasing them under a car were used often in his movies. He does away with a few of the villains in his movies by stomping them to death. Oliver Hardy as the evil bad guy in No Man's Law (1927) becomes one of those to receive and end from Rex. Actor Ernie Adams was terrified of Rex in a movie he played in with this horse. One particular scene from The Devil Horse (1926), where Rex battles a painted stallion, has been edited into many other westerns. Apparently during Rex movie career he behaved well enough to perform in twenty movies. This horse became famously known as Rex, King of the Wild Horses. Retired from acting in the late 30's. Rex lived out his life at the Lee Doyle Ranch in Flagstaff, Arizona. Rex lived some twenty-five plus years.14 westerns, 24-33.
Pal, -Ethlyne Clair.
Wild Blood (1928).
3 westerns, 34-38.
Pal, Rin Tin Tin Jr..
Law of the Wild (1934), 1934. - Rocky the Horse is known for Code of the Mounted (1935), Rough Riding Rhythm (1937) and The Fighting Trooper (1934).
- Rusty the Horse is known for Wild Horse Canyon (1938), Trigger Smith (1939) and The Mexicali Kid (1938).
- Scout the Horse is known for Men in the Raw (1923), Grinning Guns (1927) and Looking for Trouble (1926).
- This equine actor was in many western movies. He originally was owned by Clarence Y. Jones, whose nicknamed, was "Fat". The Fat Jones Stable would regularly rent out this horse to the movie industry. It is believed the horse was named Sheik. But he has been credited in movies as "Pal", "Silver King", "Thunder", "Duke", 'Whitey", "Dynamite", "Starlight", and "Sheik". This all-white stallion has one distinguishing feature. He has what is called a mottled face. Some of these blotches had unique features. Under his right eye there was a long streak mark. Under his left eye he had a "c" shaped mark. This horse is most remembered as Zorro's horse El Rey in the movie Zorro's Fighting Legion (1939). After its movie career was over, it is unknown what became of this horse.
- This equine actor, born in 1931, appeared in fifteen western movies as Dick Foran's horse. Smoke was owned by the actor Chief Thundercloud, who played Tonto in the early Lone Ranger serials. This well-trained horse was able to perform the usual stunts and tricks performed by horses of his day. A unique trick that Smoke performed in movies was having a shootout with the bad guys. Smoke could shoot a gun when the setup was just right for him. Smoke is the only horse shown in a movie trampling the bad guys to death. Smoke was injured in a stunt that used a "running w" harness. This injury brought an end to his acting career and brought a ban to this practice of tripping running horses. After his acting career Smoke lived out his life on a ranch in California. Smoke passed away at the age of 23 in 1954 in Ventura, California, USA.
- Sonny the Marvel Horse is known for Wagon Trail (1935) and Aces Wild (1936).
- Sonny the Horse is known for Ghost Town (1936).
- 8 westerns, 24-29.
Partners, Dick Hatton,
Art Acord,
A Western Engagement (1925).
Horse Sense (1924), 1924. - Starlight the Horse is known for Beyond the Rio Grande (1930), Gun Grit (1936) and Rainbow Riders (1934).
- Tarzan "The Wonder Horse" was a star of Movies, Circus, and Rodeo.
When Ken Maynard bought Tarzan around 1925 for $50 in Newhall, California, he found his perfect co-star. Tarzan received billing in many of Maynard's movies from then on.
Ken named his prize steed Tarzan after the fictional hero of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novels. This angered Burroughs, who sued Maynard. Ken settled out of court on the condition that his stallion be called Tarzan, The Wonder Horse.
To the delight of Buckaroos, young and old, Tarzan, The Wonder Horse was prominently listed on posters, lobby cards and in comic books for the next 15 years. He often had more screen time than the other co-stars in a Maynard Western. Of course, Tarzan was a better actor than many of them. The Wonder horse was a splendid horse, amazingly intelligent, and clever. The half Arabian and half American Saddle horse was strong and beautiful. Ken had an exceptional rapport with his prize mount. Maynard taught the horse all kinds of tricks that have never been duplicated in the movies.
Tarzan's film career began in earnest with the 1927 production of "Somewhere in Sonora" and lasted until his death in 1940. His last role was in "Lighting Strikes the Range." When Tarzan died, Ken was overwhelmed and his career, already confined to poverty row movies, took a nosedive. Tarzan was buried in a defunct stable in Hollywood Hills. His grave was lost to development, but his star will always shine bright. - Thunder is known for Sun Valley Cyclone (1946).Partner, Red Ryder. - Bill Elliott.
- Thunder is known for Silver Stallion (1941) and King of the Stallions (1942).
- Tony the Horse was an acting horse and the companion of Western-star Tom Mix. It was the first horse labeled as 'Wonder Horse' and became very famous through appearances in over two dozen films. Tony is known for The Arizona Wildcat (1927), Silver Valley (1927) and Six-Shooter Andy (1918). It died two years to the day after his screen-companion Tom Mix.32 westerns, 22-40.
Partner Tom Mix.
The Rider of Death Valley (1932), 1932.
Just Tony (1922), 1922.
It's Showtime (1976), 1976. - Tony Jr. the Horse is known for Flaming Guns (1932), Hidden Gold (1932) and The Miracle Rider (1935).
- Wahana is known for My Friend Flicka (1955).
- Warrior the Horse is known for Two in Revolt (1936).Two in Revolt (1936), 1936.
- The Westernaires are known as the "Best Precision Mounted Drill Riders At Speed" anywhere in the world. Members may join this non-profit organization as young as 9 years old, and must graduate at the time they turn 19 or graduate from High School. Based in Jefferson County, Colorado, Westernaires has about 1,000 members, and is 100% volunteer-run. In addition to the Drill Teams at speed, there are Cavalry, Indian Warriors, Riders of the Steppes (cossack-style mounted acrobatics), Trick Riders, Equidance (dressage-style riding), Liberty Riders (riders perform over small jumps without the aid of saddles or bridles), Roman Charioteers, Bull-whipping, Trick Roping, Roman Riding (riding while standing on two horses side-by-side), Harness Team for the authentic Stagecoach, Military Cannons, Wagons and other equipment.
The highest level teams (known as the "Red Division") travel North America and perform annually at numerous shows and rodeos. Some of these appearances have included include / have included (but are not limited to):- the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado
- the Estes Park Rooftop Rodeo, Colorado
- the Trinidad Roundup Rodeo in Trinidad, Colorado
- the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo in Vernal, Utah
- the Sandoval County Fair in Cuba, NM
- the Aksarben Rodeo in Omaha, NE
- the American Royal Rodeo in Kansas City, KS
- the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in Calgary, AB, Canada
- the Greeley Stampede Rodeo in Greeley, CO
- countless other television, rodeo, parade, and show appearances across North America.
Westernaires has also performed for numerous U.S. Presidents, foreign dignitaries, and numerous kings, queens, and other royalty.
While many members of Westernaires own their own horses, the organization has about 250 livery horses in their livery that are used for training and performance. Members are not required to own their own horses, and can rent these capable string horses. Riders begin first with the basics of safety, horsemanship, and the basics of drill riding, then gradually advance through the ranks and teams as they matriculate. The highest ranking drill team -- the Varsity Red Team -- is the ultimate goal in drill riding achievement. Their world-famous "Firelight" drill runs around 13 minutes and contains numerous complex maneuvers, many of which are copyrighted. Always versatile, most of these same riders also perform numerous other specialties.
Westernaires was founded in 1949 by Mr. Elmer E. Wyland and has grown and thrived at their home -- Fort Westernaire -- located behind the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Current Director, Glen E. Keller, Jr. -- has capably led the Westernaires since 1983. There are nearly 200 adult volunteers who lend their expertise, time, and muscle to the group.
Since the early days, Westernaires has graduated thousands of individuals from the organization. Westernaires has also been a positive influence in yet tens of thousands of other kids of Jefferson County throughout its nearly 70 years of existence. Westernaires prides itself in fostering self-reliance, diligence, and leadership skills in its members. - A star is born and a star fades such is a perfect synonym to describe the career of White Cloud. One day a casting director was walking by a pasture to see about casting the star of a new serial called Mystery Trooper. While other horses were grazing in the pasture, he saw one lone white horse who caught his eye. This horse wasn't like anyone he'd ever seen before and he knew right then and there, he found his star.
White Cloud arrived on set and people knew that the star had arrived but it quickly went downhill from there. First, he would not eat with the other horses and then he demanded his own personal stall. The weeks of shooting changed White Cloud. He went through all stages of fame from the beginning as a rising actor down to the end where nobody wanted to work with him. There were constant arguments on set over billing and it was finally settled that Robert Frazer would appear on top and White Cloud would be on the opposite end but have his own title card.
Sadly, he quickly gained the reputation of being hard to handle and some say he even developed a drinking problem. After the completed filming of The Mystery Ranger, he was put out to pasture never to be seen again. Some say they saw him outside the bars at Gower Gulch and some could swear they saw him in the pasture in which he came but the world will never know what happened to the star that was but they will forever be grateful for his contributions to the history of film. - White Flash is known for Headin' for the Rio Grande (1936), Down the Wyoming Trail (1939) and Westbound Stage (1939).
- White Fury the Horse is known for The Golden Stallion (1927) and Heroes of the Wild (1927).
- White King is known for Melody of the Plains (1937), Code of the Fearless (1939) and The Fighting Deputy (1937).
- White Star the Horse is known for King of the Herd (1927), Old Age Handicap (1926) and A Horse on Broadway (1926).
- Wild Beauty the Horse is known for Wild Beauty (1946).Wild Beauty (1946), 1946.
- Wildfire the Horse is known for The Lion and the Horse (1952).