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The Rock
by Brittany Bevis
“We realized very early on that we had a unique horse, so we started the search for a name that would truly describe this special, young stallion. ‘The Rock’ says it all – rock solid foundation, rock solid confirmation, rock solid movement, and a rock solid mind.”- Scott Frye
Trainer Scott Frye offers high praise for the 2011 AQHA red roan stallion by RL Best of Sudden and out of Lopen Good Bar he fondly refers to as The Rock. Owned by Magnuson Farm LLC, The Rock is a relative newcomer to the AQHA Western Pleasure scene at just four years of age.
Following a strong start to the 2015 show season with a Circuit Champion title earned in Junior Western Pleasure at the Fox Lea Farm Circuit, Frye and The Rock have their sights firmly set on the AQHA World Show later this fall. In the meantime, supporters of this young sire are excited to see what he will produce in his first foal crop coming in 2016.
Why head to the breeding barn at such an early age? Vickie Oakley, who has teamed up with Frye and Magnuson Farm to promote the stallion, gives a simple explanation.
“In a short period of time, he has become a major contender,” she says. “Given his amazing attitude, we felt that he could be a young breeding stallion and then go back to the show arena.
“He has an incredible pedigree on both sides including Zippos Mr Good Bar and RL Best Of Sudden. We feel that he can carry on that strong and proven genetic background.”
The decision to stand The Rock with Mike Hay at Pilot Knob Quarter Horses in Pinnacle, North Carolina was an easy one, given Hay’s superior breeding knowledge and years of experience in the horse industry. Now, the hope is The Rock will join the legion of AQHA sires that have gone before him, in an effort to help form the next generation of Western Pleasure talent.
“He has an incredible mind, willing disposition, extraordinary natural movement, and unequaled conformation,” Frye says. “As a sire, we think that he will produce talented, good minded, and natural moving prodigies.”
In addition to his natural talent and eye-appeal, Oakley hopes The Rock will pass along his sweet disposition.
“He is a gentle giant,” she says. “Every day, after breakfast, he enjoys an hour long nap with lots of snoring. Then, he rolls over for his belly rub and sits up like a dog waiting to see if he really has to go to work. I’ve never seen a horse desire to have such a bond with humans.”
When it’s time for work, The Rock is all business. After his first trip to the breeding barn in 2015, the young stallion will continue to compete at all major events throughout the year in Junior Western Pleasure and Western Pleasure Maturities. In the future, events like Western Riding and Performance Halter may be added to his repertoire.
All breeding inquiries for The Rock can be directed to Mike Hay at 336-368-5235. After the 2015 breeding season, The Rock will return to Scott Frye Quarter Horses in North Carolina. Please feel free to stop by and visit The Rock anytime. He loves entertaining visitors!
