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ApHCC
#26
1949-1977
By
the legendary Appaloosa range stallion Shining
Timber, and out of a mare known as “Dixie”, Silver Tip was earning
his oats as a two year old in the lead team of Bob Lynn’s chuckwagon
outfit, alongside his older full sister Silent
Memories # 27. Although thoroughbreds predominate in the chuckwagon
world, this lead team of Appaloosas held their own in competition, and
were noted for their tremendous start, with few contenders that could
beat them to the track. The team appeared in the Calgary Stampede parade
of 1953. Silver Tip was retired from chuckwagon racing after 2 years, and was
then broken to saddle. He competed in open competition with Esther Lynn
on the Canadian Girls Barrel Racing Association circuit, until a rusty
nail in the hoof towards the end of his fifth year resulted in a long
term injury. With the formation of the Appaloosa Horse Club of Canada in
1954, and the advent of Appaloosa shows, Silver
Tip had a new arena for his talents, and achieved some impressive
wins in halter and performance, including National Champion Gelding of
1958, and National Champion Performance Horse at the 3rd
International Canadian Appaloosa Show in 1959. His early experience on
the chuckwagon track came in useful here, for as well as winning the
Ladies Western Pleasure, the Open Western Pleasure, and the Stock Horse
classes, he came up trumps in the ¼ mile flat race! In 1960 he was
National Reserve Champion Gelding and National Reserve Champion
Performance Horse. His versatility was also demonstrated when winning an
open cutting competition. Showing the same durability and longevity as
his sire, Silver Tip
continued to be useful on the Lynn’s Circle B Ranch at Youngstown, and
in his final year of showing, at the age of 24, he was not only the
Alberta Champion Barrel horse in the 13 and under division, but carried
his 10 year old rider to a second consecutive hi-point win at the local
gymkhana club against open competition. He was officially retired in
September of 1973. Noted for his wonderful disposition and rideability, Silver
Tip, then in his 27th year,
was featured in an illustrated article in The
Canadian Appaloosa Journal of July 1976. He died on
February 19th, 1977 .
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