In Memoriam:
Claude Pacheco, d.v.m. (1945 – 2010) by Linda White
Claude Pacheco, D.V.M., departed this earth on April 6, 2010. Talented equine reproductive specialist and dear friend to many, Pacheco was an Arabian horse owner for nearly 30 years. During those years he bred and raised many halter and performance champions and national winners. His stallions included What The Huck and LV Cartel. (The “LV” stands for Pacheco’s Liberty Valley Arabians.) The 2009 Canadian National Western Pleasure Champion Rodan Ltd., with trainer Brett Becker, is (was) co-owned with James Vosburgh. “Rodan Ltd. brought him lots of joy,” offers his friend and client Patricia Rose. She and her husband, Dave Walters, bought their farm from Pacheco, “… and it was our good fortune that his friendship came with the farm. He loved it here, and continued to spend a lot of time with us. He did much of our breeding work for years, and my husband’s endurance gelding is by Claude’s stallion, What The Huck. His passing will leave a big hole in our lives, but his spirit will always be here, with us.” Pacheco initially bought What The Huck (Huckleberry Bey x La Bey, by Bey Shah) at 3, in 1994. Now 19, the handsome bay stallion is living out his last years in Morgan Mill, Texas, with Tessa Hege, Pacheco’s friend of more than 30 years. “Claude and I bred 32 horses together,” she tells us. “When I look out my window, I can see my four LV Cartel daughters, my three-quarter sister to Rodan Ltd., three Rodan Ltd. babies, and a mare in foal to What The Huck. “Claude was involved in so many horse breedings, sales and purchases for which he never got credit. For example, in 1998, he found RD Bey Shahmpane (Bey Shah x Bey Shahdar, by Bey Shah) at her breeders’ place. He strongly suggested to two friends that they buy her to breed to Padrons Psyche. The friends did both, and the result was 2005 U.S. National Champion Senior Stallion Enzo.” The gorgeous chestnut stallion was also named 2003 Scottsdale Champion and 2003 U.S. National Reserve Champion Junior Stallion. Earlier, he was named the 2000 U.S. National Champion Breeders’ Sweepstakes Yearling Colt. “Claude was no businessman, but he had a great eye for a good horse, and would literally dream about possible breeding combinations,” Hege continues. “When I moved from California to Texas, he drove over and helped me wrap legs and load 28 horses, then came down here and helped me get everybody settled. He could be exasperating at times, but I have never had a better friend.” 188 | AR ABIAN HORSE TIMES