I just got off the phone with Marian Alton. She said many times she knew this day was coming sooner or later. Black Annie Hands, the last known living daughter of the foundation stallion Hands Up F-2217, passed away this morning. I don’t have my notes in front of me, but I think she would have been 38 next month. The backhoe was already there when Marian called me this morning. She started failing about a week ago, and the tough decision was made this morning. She will be buried next to one of her daughters.

Marian bred and owned her for her entire life. Black Annie Hands was one of Hands Up’s last foal crop. Marian told me, on more than one occasion, that she already had three mares at Nolan Hutchison’s farm in Missouri to be bred to Hands Up in 1973 when Hands Up passed away. She was a big Hands Up fan, and still is.

I’ve attached a picture I took of Marian & Black Annie Hands around the later part of 2008, and also a picture of a number of Sooner ApHC members who stopped by one day to see “Annie.” She had become somewhat of a celebrity with the Sooner ApHC folks.

At this point, I really don’t know if she was the last known living get or produce of any of the foundation horses, but could very well be.

On a more historical note, Hands Up was originally buried at Nolan Hutchison’s place in Missouri. When the highway expansion would have paved over his grave, he was exhumed and reburied at Marian Alton’s place in Claremore, Oklahoma, so now he, and his last known living daughter will be buried on the same farm.

Gerry, Oktaha, OK

Month: May

Day: 01

Year: 1982

Your Website: http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/enrs+go+disco+go

State: California

Registration Number: 384041

Sex: Gelding

Thanks,

Bill Thiel

She will be 30 this spring. I got her as my first horse when she was 4. We competed with the Menomonie Saddle Club Drill Team for 20 years. We also enjoyed trail rides and parades. She came out of retirement when my daughter’s pony was stolen form our farm. My daughter showed her for another four years.

Month: April

Day: 09

Year: 1980

Your Website: http://menomoniesaddleclub.org

State: Wisconsin

Registration Number: T 372348

Sex: Mare

Forever Velvet, known around the barn as “Zema”, is a registered red roan Appaloosa born in 1981. He has done a little bit of everything including: team roping, steer daubing, ladie’s sidesaddle, saddleseat, hunter under saddle, western pleasure, the rope race, camas prarie stump race, lead line and more. He has several registers of merit and has qualifed for the World Appaloosa Horse show several times. This past year he qualified in Senior Trail. All of this and his first Appaloosa show was not until until 2001, at twenty years of age. He is currently a lesson horse at J-Squared Lessons and Training where he teaches many young riders the basics in the arena, the trail and in the show ring. But more than a lesson horse he is my beloved first horse and has taught me more than I ever imagined.

Month: March

Day: 14

Year: 1981

Your Website: http://j2lessonsandtraining.com

State: Missouri

Registration Number: T368662

Sex: Gelding

Gumbys Secret, known better as Trucker, has unknown original origin. What I do know is that he was donated to Murray State University in Kentucky. He was a lesson horse there for several years. I bought him my Junior year. I could not trace his old owners so I got hardship papers. The farrier, the vet and the horse dentist I was using all agreed he was born around 1981, although now my vet thinks he is older. Trucker has spent his life teaching others to ride. He never runs out of energy and is always friendly. He has been to the World Appaloosa show in Pre-green hunter and has a register of merit in Heritage. He is a jack of all trades and has points in numerous classes. He is currently a lesson horse at J-Squared Lessons & Training and is beloved by all.

Month: January

Day: 01

Year: 1981

Your Website: http://j2lessonsandtraining.com

State: Missouri

Registration Number: 587194

Sex: Gelding

Appy is a dream come true. He has been my rock, assisted me in regaining confidence after a riding accident that resulted in a head injury as a child. Appy is trail ridden regularly, but has been retired from 4-H and gaming since 2008 (dont tell him). Due to his good looks, willingness to please and Speed no one ever guesses his age. I have been looking high and low for lineage of his to carry me on past the God forsaken day he passes. Appy (Design for Glory) is of Red Plaudit breeding on top and all AQHA on bottom Born in Choctaw Oklahoma 1984, I love you Appy Pappy!

Month: May

Day: 18

Year: 1984

Your Website: http://facebook.com/jilljenkins-kane

State: Indiana

Registration Number: 408462

Sex: Gelding

Month: May

Day: 01

Year: 1977

Your Website: http://oldestappaloosa.com

State: Illinois

Registration Number: T275010

Sex: Mare

“Sioux Kay” is 28 years young and still going strong. She was bred by Don and Mary Ulrich, foaled in Wyoming 4/17/1981, and currently resides in South Dakota.

Month: April

Day: 14

Year: 1981

Your Website: http://www.ctranchappaloosas.com

State: South Dakota

Registration Number: 355272

Sex: Mare

Month: May

Day: 01

Year: 1983

Your Website: http://www.thecjranch.com

State: Connecticut

Sex: Gelding