Santa Rosa Stud ~ Standing Good Quality Ranch and Cutting Bred Quarter Horse Stallions ~ Vernon, Texas

Santa Rosa Stud ~ Good quality ranch and cutting bred quarter horse stallions standing stud in Vernon, Texas

The Santa Rosa Rodeo grounds was constructed in 1945-46 by E. Paul Waggoner of the Waggoner Ranch. Early stories of that time put the cost of the rodeo grounds and facilities at $700,000, because of black-market prices that had to be paid for materials and supplies during the period of World War II. E. Paul Waggoner was the philanthropical owner and sponsor of the Santa Rosa Rodeo until his untimely death in 1967. He had the rodeo bleachers brought in from Arlington, Texas where they had been used at Arlington Down Race Track. It was during these years that the rodeo was most sucessful with many years of complete sell out of tickets, and crowds of 7,500 to 8,000 people. The favorable rodeo prize money for cowboys, announcers, celebrity entertainers, good livestock and clowns was the result of unlimited funds made available by the Waggoner Estate for the success of the rodeo.

In 1954 Mr. Waggoner moved Poco Bueno and his mares to the Santa Rosa Rodeo grounds. At Santa Rosa he was hand bred and available to the public at a $5,000.00 breeding fee, which was the highest of any Quarter Horse at that time. He also was the first Quarter Horse to be insured for $100,000. The brown stallion was retired rather early from the show ring because of the many mares booked to him.

Santa Rosa Stud ~ Poco Bueno, age 20, on the Santa Rosa Rodeo grounds in Vernon, Texas E. Paul Waggoner built in approximately 1954 a round block building about 20' in circumference with a large pen where Poco Bueno was allowed to run in the day time and was more visible and easily seen for those who came to visit him. There is a 20 stall barn of which, one was Poco Bueno's in the corner where he was stalled at night. Both are still standing today.

In 1966 Poco Bueno was retired and living at the Santa Rosa Rodeo grounds. Poco Bueno was given the run of Santa Rosa to come and go as he pleased. He had arthritis and laminitis at the age of 22 years of age and Mr. Waggoner built a special water vat for Poco Bueno to stand in daily to soak his feet. The vat is still there today. He was put to sleep November 28, 1969 and his owner, John Biggs, had him buried standing straight up to comply with E. Paul's wishes.

Upon the death of E. Paul Waggoner, the property was willed to his son-in-law, John Biggs. Mr. Biggs sold the property to Dr. Grady Stowe in 1974 when it became Santa Rosa Stud. Santa Rosa Stud ~ Dr. Grady Stowe and Royce Rogers in front of the stud barn at the Santa Rosa Stud in Vernon, Texas in 1974 Dr. Stowe stood to the public some of the finest horses around. Included in the stallion roster was 1974 World Champion Running Horse, Tiny's Gay si 106, who earned $444,721. He came very close to becoming a rare quarter horse Triple Crown winner, losing by a head. Super Sound Charge, Bunny Bid, The Signature, Jet Deep, Game Plan and Loom (TB) also stood at the Santa Rosa Stud during this time period. Santa Rosa Stud was one of the top three breeding farms in the nation in the late 70's and early 80's, breeding over 400 mares a year.

After the gates being locked for 20 years, in 2007 Santa Rosa Stud was leased by Don & Teresa Martin where they stood 5 stallions to the public breeding 200 mares. In his first year to stand to the public, Little Cat Olena, son of High Brow Cat and out of a daughter of Doc Tari, bred a full book of 101 mares. Also the Martins stood own sons of Freckles Playboy, Peptoboonsmal and Shorty Lena for a successful breeding season.

On October 5, 2007, Santa Rosa Stud and Rodeo grounds were purchased by Santa Rosa Joint Venture LLC. and will be managed by Don & Teresa Martin. The new joint venture has plans to restore the historical facilities and continue the breeding operation and carry on the tradition of the Santa Rosa Roundup, host the Santa Rosa Breeder's Futurities, Ranch Rodeos, Ranch and NCHA Cuttings, Ranch Horse Competition, Team Ropings, Barrel Racing and Team Sortings.

Visitors

Santa Rosa Stud

Don & Teresa Martin
Vernon, Texas
(940) 839-1969 Barn
(940) 839-1969 Cell
Email: Santa Rosa Stud