Sometimes it’s about more than a horse show. Rick Peterson is reminded of this each time his weanling filly’s name is announced as she walks into the show ring. Butterscotch Icecream is not just named for the creamy colors of her frame overo coat. Her name bears far more significance.
Having raised Quarter Horses for years, Rick and his wife Robin of Aubrey, Texas, decided three years ago to branch out and add some color to their herd. It’s a decision they’ve never regretted.
They were delighted to see the beautiful, loudly colored overo filly when she made her debut into the world this past January. Their decision to breed their Quarter Horse mare VR Fancy Heiress to Paint stallion Brooks Or Dunn had paid off in a big way.
Also delighted by the arrival was a set of twins from just down the road—Lonnie and Larry Fikes. The boys’ mother, Julie, and Robin are best friends so the twins are a common sight at the Petersons’ ranch.
“Those boys have always been horse lovers and we enjoy getting to provide them an outlet for that passion,” said Rick, who was also the boys’ Boy Scout leader when they were younger.
These two 15-year-old Aubrey High School freshmen know more than most of us about living in the moment. While they savor every minute petting and feeding the horses treats, they will never ride or lead one.
They have muscular dystrophy, a genetic disease characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement.
Rick’s son Curtis, who plays professional baseball for the Florida Marlins, has a strong connection with the twin boys. During a visit home after the palomino overo foal was born, Curtis noticed the twins had a strong affection for the striking filly. He decided at that point to let the boys be a part of something that would be with this filly her entire life—he asked if they would do him the honor of naming her.
Curtis and the twins put their heads together and considered some of the boys’ favorite things. They narrowed down the best options and finally decided that one word would be Lonnie’s favorite food and the other Larry’s.
As you can see, the boys have a sweet tooth! Clearly, they put even more thought into it since the name perfectly describes the filly’s coat colors. Rick added that he plans to get the boys to name several of his 2011 foals.
Butterscotch Icecream, known around the barn as “Josette,” is not only making the Petersons’ proud here at the APHA Fall World Championship Show but you can bet there are two teenage boys at home cheering her on.
Friday she placed third in the Breeders’ Futurity Gold Senior Weanling Mares class with Jason Smith. She will be competing today in the Weanling Mares Slot with Rick McClain and again on Thursday in the Weanling Mares with Olin Parker.
