For most people, the name, “The Rock” conjures up visions of the muscled movie star and professional wrestler, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. But in today’s horse world, The Rock is quickly making a name for himself as a striking red roan stallion with a very bright future. By the multiple World Champion producing stallion, RL Best of Sudden, and out of Lopen Good Bar, The Rock was bred to be special.
The Rock’s first run at becoming a household name in the Quarter Horse world came as a two year-old at the 2013 AQHA World Show where he was crowned Intermediate Champion in the Two Year-Old Western Pleasure with trainer Scott Frye. Little did anyone know that his future owner was sitting in the stands admiring his every step.
The Rock was bred by FMH INC and Patty Roberts of Chatsworth, Georgia. “I saw him as a weanling and I immediately had my eye on him,” says Scott Frye. “I won the Congress on one of his owners’ other horses and that’s when I asked if I could be a partner on The Rock. He was striking from the very beginning and the colt would just lope right beside you while you were walking. He is great minded but also has a great heart to go with all his other positive qualities.”
At the 2013 AQHA World Show, The Rock’s now owner, Lorretta Magnuson of Mound, Minnesota, says she immediately fell in love with him.
“When I first saw The Rock as a two year-old at the AQHA World Show, I was totally taken back by my reaction to this wonderful, beautiful roan stallion. He had such an amazing ring presence and his precise balanced movements kept me mesmerized,” says Magnuson, who has been involved with horses ever since she was a young girl. “I couldn’t take my eyes off him. As far as I was concerned, he was the only horse in the arena. It was love at first sight. I inquired about the possibility of buying him but did not pursue it. I went home and told friends and family about this amazing horse I saw. He is not a horse you can easily forget.”
After their World Show success, Frye continued with The Rock and won several futurities with him in 2014 including the Tom Powers and Little Futurity. The Rock is also a two-time NSBA Reserve World Champion.
Then, at the 2014 NSBA World Show, Magnuson set her eyes on The Rock again when he jogged into the show arena. “He had only gotten more mature and more beautiful. My heart skipped a beat, and I just could not take my eyes off him,” Lorretta recalls. “I felt God had a hand in this meeting. He was meant to be part of my horse program. I’d had a year to think about his place in my breeding program and how he would cross with all my mares. It was a no-brainer. Besides, everyone knows I have a passion for the roan color.”
Magnuson is extremely happy with her decision to purchase The Rock. “He has a sterling disposition and loves to be loved on. I had people at the Congress tell me that he acts more like a friendly dog than a stallion,” she said. “I feel proud and honored to be an owner of such a magnificent animal, and I hope he produces the best pleasure horses ever.”
The gorgeous, now four year-old stallion, has continued his winning ways in 2015. He kicked off the show season with a bang by winning the circuit championship in Junior Western Pleasure in Venice, Florida. He will be shown at all the major events in Junior Western Pleasure with Scott Frye.
The Rock will be standing with Mike Hay at Pilot Knob Quarter Horses. His breeding fee is $1500. Hay is looking forward to promoting this junior stallion.
“He has the entire package–color, mind, conformation, movement and heart.” Hay, who is one of the most well respected breeders in our industry, states. “He has huge potential as a breeding sire and I don’t see any drawbacks. He has everything going for him, and I look forward to seeing his first foal crop next year.”
For more information about this stallion, please contact Mike Hay at 336-368-5235 or email him at [email protected].
CLICK HERE to view The Rock’s website
CLICK HERE to visit The Rock’s Facebook page and become a fan
CLICK HERE to view The Rock’s ad in the January issue of GoMag
Photos © Shane Rux and Kelly Graphics
