More Favorite Ranches

Between Whitesboro and Pilot Point

A. McQuay Stables, 15135 E. FM 922, is a state-of-the-art training and breeding facility with a full staff of professionals. Owner Tim McQuay is a legendary reining trainer with earnings reaching close to $3 million. Colleen McQuay has won numerous USEF championships and AQHA events in the hunter/jumber divisions. www.mcquaystables.com, 940/437-2470.

B. Hendricks Reining Horses, Inc., 14974 E. FM 922, is owned and operated by head trainer Dell Hendricks and his wife, Terri. He is ranked by NRHA as one of the all-time leading money earners with winnings in excess of $1,294,616. www.hendricksreininghorses.com, 940/437-5157.

C. Knights End Performance Horses Inc., 14319 E. FM 922, was founded in 2007 by Chris Warwick-Drake. Their highest aim is to breed, train and show high quality Quarter and Paint Pleasure Horses. The ranch is home to A Good Machine, a multiple World and Reserve World Champion sire. The ranch is a full service training and breeding facility. Visitors welcome, 940/634-2820.

D. Star Bright, 12332 E. FM 922, trains Thoroughbreds for racing and is the home of Tinner's Way and Special Rate. 940/437-2626.

E. Cinder Lakes Ranch and Reproductive Center, 11828 FM 372, located between Valley View and Tioga, offers a full range of services including Full Reproductive Program, Stallion Services, Mare Management, and Sales Fitting. www.cinderlakesranch.com, 940/637-2536.

F. Siri Arabians at Promise Land Ranch, 934 Hall Rd., is a multi-faceted ranch. They breed Arabians, Saddlebreds and Thoroughbreds. They train Polo horses along with English, Western, Halter and Dressage. They have many Champions in various disciplines and offer a wonderful lesson program for adults and youngsters. Call ahead to visit, 940/595-2244.

G. Double or Nothin Ranch, 1282 Patton Rd., is focused on the Quarter Horse in the discipline of reining. They are home to the NRHA World Champion ARC Sparkle Surprise. Visitors welcome. www.luckystarhorses.com, 903/429-6364.

H. St-Onge Reining Horses, 444 St. Onge Dr., is owned by Pat St-Onge whon has enjoyed success in reining events nationally and internationally. His ranch, located between Gainesville and Tioga, welcomes visitors. www.st-ongereininghorses.com, 940/368-4629.

Master saddle maker for the Silver Mesa Company for 17 years, Raimundo Blanco of Elite Saddles, offers custom made saddles. In addition to hand crafting any type of western saddle, Elite can refurbish and repair older saddles, including Silver Mesas. Elite also repairs a variety of other leather goods, including headstalls, breast collars, halters and skid boots.

Near the Red River

Along the Red River, history is as thick as the river is wide. And has a proud heritage of cowboys and cattle barrons of yesterday and today.

A. Ford Farms, 11403 E. Hwy 82, has both Quarter Horses and Paint Horses that excel in the discipline of Halter shows. They are the home to multiple world champions. www.fordfarms.com, 903/564-6205.

B. Smith Show Horses, 11162 E. Hwy 82, is a family affair as the entire family participates in the discipline of Halter Horses. The ranch boasts Quarter Horses, Paints, Palaminos and Appaloosas. Visitors welcome. www.jsshowhorses.com, 903/564-6339.

C. El Lobo Ranch, 6647 FM 678, prides itself on having allaround Quarter and Paint Horses. They earned multiple European Championships in all categories from Halter to Hunter horses. El Lobo specializes in Cutting Horses suitable for all levels of competition. Visitors welcome. 940/736-3742.

D. Main River Quarter Horses, 645 CR 131, has a select group of broodmares from proven lines of Cutting Horses and Reining Horses bred to some of the best stallions in the world. www.mainriver.com, 940/665-4547.

E. Ed Dufurrena Cutting Horses, 820 CR 133, is a ranch geared to developing young Quarter and Paint Horses into world class Cutting Horses. The ranch currently stands two incredible stallions, Auspicious Cat and Parkin My Assets. Visitors welcome. www.eddufurrenacuttinghorses.com, 940/665-0775.

F. Carol Rose Quarter Horses, 4500 N. I-35, is home to many top stallion and broodmares. Carol Rose is the American Quarter Horse Association's #1 All-Time Breeder of Performance Horses and has bred 49 AQHA World and Reserve World Champions, earning more than $3,400,000. She was the first woman to accomplish much in the equine world, including the first to win the National Cutting Horse Association World Championship. In 2001, Carol Rose was inducted in the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, honored as a role model and groundbreaker for women in the equine industry. In 2004, she was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. www.carolrose.com, 940/665-9304.

G. North Central Texas College Equine Science Program, 1525 W. California, offers a great deal of hands-on experience in training, breeding and management, as well as classroom instruction on the science and business aspects of the horse industry. www.nctc.edu/agriculture, 940/668-7731 ext. 4318.