Multiple World Champion Sire Dress Western Passes
On December 7th, 2018 The Dress Western ‘Eh partnership announced the sad loss of AQHA Stallion Dress Western. The beautiful, 1997 bay stallion by Invitation Only and out of Fannie Mae Flash had been standing in Manitoba, Canada for the past six years.
Scott Mackenzie, a partner in Dress Western ‘Eh who stood Buster at his barn shared today that “It saddens us to announce the passing of Dress Western. He was a great show horse and sire. Some of his major accomplishments include being a World and Congress Champion along with producing many to do the same. We are honoured to have had the opportunity to be a part of this great horse’s life.”
Mackenzie continued “Buster touched the lives of many. From watching him perform as a show horse, riding his offspring, raising his foals or being his friend (he was inspired by treats in his late years.) Dressed Western will be missed. We are thankful he allowed us to be part of his legacy. We will continue to enjoy watching and riding the get he has left behind. Thank you to all who have supported him throughout his years”
Dress Western has sired to date 353 AQHA foals with 50% of them becoming AQHA performers. In his show years Dress Western developed many fans as he worked his way to Superiors in both Pleasure and Western Riding as well as the, 2002 Congress Championship in Jr Western Riding, 2003 World Championship in Sr. Western Riding and many other top 5 and top 10 placings.
The Dress Western foals have earned over 15,800 points to date, 7 World Championships, 3 Reserve World Championships, multiple Congress Championships, 7 AQHA Champions, 75 Superiors and countless beloved family members and show ring partners.
Whitney Vicars shared on social media her thoughts on the loss of this great horse that was such a part of her family. “This truly breaks my heart. Buster was so incredibly special to my family from watching my Dad (Bruce Walquist) win World & Congress Championships on him to riding and winning on several of his offspring myself. He has been and is a very significant part of Walquist Quarter Horses. We will forever be grateful for the blessings he brought to our family and do our best to carry his legacy on. Thank you, Scott, and the Lepp family for taking care of him and giving a good home all his later years, we are sorry for your loss and share in your sadness.”
While Dress Western has stood in Canada, he continued his legacy siring many futurity champions and phenomenal show horses in the past six years.
Cassandra Lepp, a partner in Dress Western ‘Eh reminisced on the journey that brought this great sire into her life.
“It has been a great adventure. We fell in love with him in 2011 in the sale barn at the World Show, and in two bids he was ours.” Shared Lepp “I am so grateful we got to be the ones who cared for him in his twilight years. I am so incredibly thankful for the girls we have. Reese is going to be a momma this spring and I can hardly wait to see what her little will be like. Finley (Dressed By Cocoa) has perhaps given me more joy than any other horse and she’s only four. I am so excited to watch Parker (Lady In The West) with her new owner next year. Lennon and Aspen have big shoes to fill and I can’t wait to see where they go. Dressed Western filled dreams I didn’t even know I had, and we learned so much along the way. What an honour it was to own one of the great ones. Rest easy old friend.”
Stephanie Lepp (also a partner in Dress Western ‘Eh) continued “I remember walking into the sale barn at Worlds and seeing Dress Western for the first time. I fell in love very quickly, how couldn’t you. He was the most beautiful horse I’d ever seen. He looked like a cartoon with those huge eyes. I remember just staring at him forever and playing with him through the stall. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d buy him. What a grand adventure it has been.”
Stephanie shared “He’s given us so much and I’ll forever cherish the girls that we have from him. He was so kind and gave that kindness to his foals. Thank-you to everyone who supported our venture. Thank you Scott for looking after him all these years and for going in with us when we purchased him. He will be missed greatly and will live on through our girls”
Dress Western will be sadly missed by all those that knew him as a show horse, sire and family member. His legacy will continue through his foals, as it does with all the truly great sires.
All of us at PleasureHorse.com share our deepest condolences on the loss of such a wonderful sire and family member.
