RL Best of Sudden’s offspring head into the World Show on the heels of a tremendous Congress.
“Bo” sired 12 Congress Champions including the winners of the
Masters Two Year-Old Western Pleasure, Two Year-Old Non Pro Western Pleasure,
Green Western Pleasure, and the All-Around Open Horse. The 2002 bay stallion
also had an impressive six Reserve Championships. (See complete list below).
Owners, Ken and Marilyn Masterson of Masterson Farms in Somerville,
Tennessee took a chance on the young stallion in 2004 after winning the
Reichert 2 Year-Old Western Pleasure $100,000 Open Challenge. The Mastersons’ belief that RL Best Of
Sudden would make a great breeding horse has proven itself in spades with offspring
earnings in excess of $1.6 million, over 9,300 AQHA points and multiple AQHA
and NSBA World Championship titles to their credit.
Ken Masterson has been involved in Quarter Horses most of
his life. Following his retirement
from FedEx Corporation, which he served as its General Counsel for 25 years, he and his wife, Marilyn, devote their full time and energy to Masterson Farms, RL Best Of Sudden and the
pleasure horse industry. A man of
few words and a highly respected leader in our industry, GoHorseShow was all ears when Masterson agreed to answer a few of our
questions.
GHS: Congratulations on another great Congress for RL Best
Of Sudden. How do you feel about the success of Bo’s offspring?
KM: We couldn’t be more pleased for the owners and trainers
of his offspring and the great success they had at this year’s Congress!
GHS: Trainers and owners really seem to love their RL Best
Of Sudden foals. What characteristics do you see that his foals share?
KM: He is an extremely prepotent sire and you see that in
everything from their beautiful heads and quality of movement to their
personalities and trainability.
GHS: What has been your most satisfying achievement so far
as a breeder?
KM: The remarkable successes his offspring and their owners
and trainers have achieved and how much people simply enjoy and like these horses.
GHS: What is your opinion of the state of the pleasure horse
industry?
KM: We obviously not only have to attract — but also keep
— customers for our horses and activities if we are to have continued success.
I’m only troubled about our future when we, and our organizations, fail to
truly focus upon our customers and what they’re looking for. That becomes even
more important as the demographics change and the expense of participating in
shows increases.
GHS: What do you see are the challenges of being a stallion
owner?
KM: One of the main challenges is managing through difficult
times in our marketplace when demand suffers even while expenses are
increasing.
GHS: Like most breeders, it must be difficult to decide
which foals to sell and which ones to keep and promote. What are your thoughts
on selling the best foals versus keeping them for yourself?
KM: Fortunately, we’ve had enough really good yearlings at the
farm that we’ve so far been able to keep some to start. But, the ones we do
keep normally continue to be for sale.
GHS: As a stallion owner, do you feel obligated to only show
horses by your studs?
KM: Yes, although that sometimes includes horses by other
stallions but out of mares by our studs.
GHS: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
KM: You’re very welcome.
RLBOS List of 2013 Congress Champions
- OnlytheBestChocolate – Open, Youth, Amateur Performance Halter
- All But Sudden – NY Horsemanship 14-18, Res Novice 14-18 Western Riding
- KM Hot Number – Green Western Pleasure, 10,000 Limited Horse Western Pleasure
- A Sudden Illusion–All Around Open Horse, Reserve Jr. Trail
- Its Best To Be Hot–Two Year Old Masters Champion
- The Best Sign Yet – 10,000 Maturity Limited, 10,000 Limited Horse Western Pleasure
- Snap Krackle Pop – Three Year-Old Limited Western Pleasure
- Best Game In Town – Reserve Western Yearling LL, Reserve Non Pro Western Yearling LL
- First N Line – Two Year-Old Non Pro Western Pleasure
- KM Zip Me Suddenly – Reserve Champion Junior Western Riding
- Bestseatnthehouse– Reserve Masters Two Year-Old Champion
CLICK HERE to view the RL Best Of Sudden ad in the November issue of GoMag
