Tooter Bars - #31009 Nominated by David Morris, OK
Tooter Bars has had one of the most successful show careers of any POA and has had accomplished guidance from multiple handlers and riders to make great teams over the years! Tooter started his successful show career under the guidance of Charley Densmore of Michigan in 1988 where he won Junior Western Pleasure at the POA International Show. Eulah Gahwiler spotted Tooter Bars at a POA International Sale in Indiana and knew right then that he was going to be an outstanding horse. Matt Endsley adds that placing Tooter Bars in the Hall of Fame will be a most fitting ending to the story of a great horse. Matt said that learning to ride on an old game pony, Tooter was a welcome change. Instead of constantly having to tend to a headstrong, excitable mare, I was confronted with a horse that was calm and confident. Tooter’s record is part of POA history and was established with multiple riders, but I know in my heart that I loved him the most! He was more proficient, an accomplished showman as demonstrated by a flawless freestyle reigning performance without aid of a bridle…this was a POA first! Matt rode Tooter to sixteen International wins including Stock seat, Bareback, Open Jumping, Senior Western Pleasure, Figure 8 Barrels, Trail, Handy Horse, Freestyle Reining, Flags, Cloverleaf Barrels, and High Point Pony Rider. With all of this success, Matts parent add “Matt knew early on that life itself is not a trailer race. We don’t need another award or extra applause. What we do need is knowing we did our best, gave it our best shot, tried our hardest, and used our ability and knowledge in a productive way….words we can all use to live by today! In 1996, Troy Lehn from Decatur Illinois was a 9-12 rider that was taking lessons from Eulah Gahwiler in Decatur, Illinois. Troy’s family purchased Tooter from Endsley’s and another successful team took to the road. Troy rode Tooter from 1996 – 2005 and quite a successful road they had indeed! Troy won International titles each year from 1996 – 2000, 2003-2004 as High Point Boy, and in 2002 was High Point Timed Events Pony. Troy and Tooter secured 47 first place awards at POA International Shows during their competition years… Tooter Bars retired in 2006 from the show ring and had been enjoying life as a “winter bird” in Arizona where he resides with Troy currently at the very “young” age of 31. Troy still loves to take leisurely rides with Tooter, and Tooter seems to love the challenge. POAC is proud to induct Tooter Bars into the 2015 POAC National Hall of Fame.
- POA May 2015 -
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