History

Box O Quarter Horses at Willow Creek Ranch wishes to welcome you to our program. We've worked at producing high quality performance and ranch horses since 1982. We started with three mares that were grand daughters of Happy Hancock. These mares were pretty headed and had fantastic minds that they passed on to their colts. In 1988 we purchased Bar Heels Jack a Three Bars grandson. His colts have an excellent mind and a willingness to please that is a pleasure to work with. Most of our repeat customers on 'Jack's' colts are returning because of their solid minds and ease of training. In 1994, we found and purchased Roan Ambrose, a Blue Valentine son to add a stronger Hancock base. This has proved to produce extremely keen headed, sharp minded, broody daughters. To this strong Hancock brood mare base we have purchased SNSS Glory's Par Tee. This 3 year old blue roan has a package of balance, size and sharpness that fits with our program very well. We are very excited about this young prospect.

Our horses are not pampered in any degree. Colts are weaned and put on a grain mix and free choice hay from October through March. When we have grass usually that following April, they are turned out and won't see much grain again until they are brought back in and broke to ride. We start colts using a pressure release concept but they spend very little time in a round pen. Most of their miles are put on in the pasture or calving lot.

Each of our boys have started their 4-H showing with a colt that we have raised. These horses do not spend a lot of time in finish work but have still performed very well. Stetson, our oldest, qualified in Reining on a four year old mare the first year he was eligible for the Nebraska State Horse Exposition. Sterling qualified in Reining the following year on a 'Jack' son and tied for first in the boys junior division of Reining. Stetson qualified again on the same Mare in 2000 and went in three events on her. He placed well in Reining and Barrels. The boys use these horses at home in the crowding pen or roping calves at branding.

We feel we are offering some true individuals with solid minds that are willing to learn and the looks and color to turn heads. Have a look around, enjoy yourself and let us know what you think of our program.

Bar Heels Jack has been our senior stud for the past 10 years. We purchased 'Jack' from the late Alan Melton who owned 'Bar Heels' a Three Bars son. Jack was a colt on his mom and came up to us in the pasture when we were looking at Alan's colts. We decided to buy him then because of his excellent disposition and black color. We have never been disappointed with his offspring. His colts are highly intelligent and are extremely personable individuals. They enjoy people and are willing to please. Each of our boys has started a 'Jack' colt as their first colt to break. These colts are also extremely cowy. I have used them in the calving lot and had to get an old snakey cow in with them in the middle of the night. These colts don't have to be shown what to do when they are pushing on a cow. We've started a few of the colts on roping and they have made us smile then also. Two of our boys use them in the arena now and are getting along great with them. The best part is that these colts have grown with the boys. We started with 4-H projects and are now moving into rodeo. They have roped at brandings and in the pasture and the horses have enjoyed each new aspect.

When we went looking for a stud prospect we wanted a good looking horse that would out produce himself. We wanted to stay with old blood up close and add it to our Hancock base. We felt that 'Jack' was an excellent choice. We sold a number of his colts into families to be 4-H prospects and those prospects have grown into either brood mares or on into the rodeo world. 'Jack's' paternal grandmother is Joan, a daughter of Joe Hancock. Bar Heels himself is a full brother to Bob's Folly. 'Jack' has excellent papers and a disposition that can't be beat. His colts have quite a bit of style also. Take a look and let us know.