“To sit on a ranch horse that’s been broken in, it’s like getting in a Porsche.”
—Sam Shepherd
If a Porche were a horse…Meet Gold Member. It’s said that a Porsche was designed to turn heads and hearts, leaving everyone from the driver and passengers to the spectators satisfied. The same can be said for the Four Sixes Ranch-designed horse we call Gold Member.
The Four Sixes legacy of breeding horses for ranch work and performance is exemplified in Gold Member. A natural-born athlete, he stands 14.3 hands, weighs 1,250 pounds. His stature is that of an athlete, ready to perform.
Gold Member was carefully curated at the Sixes, a strategic pairing of NCHA Open Futurity champion Rockin W with a daughter of $13 million-sire Wimpys Little Step. Gold Member comes marked with his Four Sixes history, explaining his lineage. To the left of his tail, a 4 tells of his 2014 birth year, to the right is 44 for his sire. His dam is marked by 6 on his jaw and the famous L on his left shoulder.
Having a horse like Gold Member at Wilson Cattle Co. affirms our love for a well-made ranch horse. The Sixes say their goal is to “produce the world’s best ranch horse,” and they did just that with Gold Member. We have spent many long days on the ranch with Gold Member and he and makes hours in the saddle a pleasure. He has a silky trot with the endurance of a real athlete. He is full of Rockin W’s cow sense and blessed with strength to drag or pull any beef on the end of the line.
When Gold Member goes to town, heads and hearts will be a’turning—he’s round-bodied and pretty-headed. His talent, though, shines brighter than his golden coat. He’s earned paychecks all over, from Vegas, to Arizona to the Texas Panhandle in World Series and US ropings and WRCA ranch rodeos. Gold Member is good-minded enough for low numbered ropers with the speed and quick feet to suit higher numbers. He is a well-rounded gelding and it makes us proud that he is representing both the 6666 Ranch and Wilson Cattle Co.
If you have any question about what the Four Sixes stands for, take it from longtime ranch employee Boots O’Neal.
“This is the best broke, big remuda of 75-100 saddle horses I have ever seen as far as every one of them. The ranch bred really good horses and selected their mares that go back several generations to this certain mare. She’s had good colts, and the guys kept them long before they had records like we have now. These are really good horses. I think that is bred in them. They are real cowy.” O’Neal added, “They stress the value in good horses and good men.”
If ever there was a cowboy to believe, it’s Boots—his understanding of the Sixes program is unparallelled. Getting Gold Member means you have a chance to be a part of this legacy.
Have you heard that “Good horses make good cowboys?” Ride a horse like Gold Member and you’ll believe it to be true.
