RIP: Colonel’s Smoking Gun

“Gunner,” a National Reining Horse Hall of Fame inductee and $5 million sire, lost his battle with laminitis earlier this week.

Imagees: McQuay Stables

Owned by Tim and Colleen McQuay of McQuay Stables in Tioga, Texas, the paint stallion is a legend the reining world.

An APHA World Champion, Gunner was also an NRHA Futurity Open Reserve Champion and United States Equestrian Federation Reining Champion before joining the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2003.  Check out this video of Gunner winning the USET Reining Championship in 2001.

He was immortalized as a Breyer Horse and finished his career with earnings over $177,000.

Gunner’s legacy lives on in his offspring. He has sired numerous Futurity and Derby finalists, including Gunners Special Nite, winner of the individual Gold medal at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

Video: The 2010 WEG Gold Medal run of Gunners Special Nite, a near spitting image of his father, ridden by Tom McCutcheon.

In a press release, Tim McQuay said, “We appreciate everyone who supported Gunner through his career–he had a great team. He will be laid to rest next to Hollywood Dun It on our farm. We will truly miss him.”

Colleen McQuay added, “Gunner was a sweet happy horse, and when I look at all he has given us I can only be grateful for the time we shared with him. Losing him leaves another hole in our hearts.”

Gunner’s fans are invited to leave messages on McQuay Stables’ Facebook page.

Go Gunner.