About

Pete Reynolds' Quarter Horses actually had its beginning in Texas. Howard Pete Reynolds was born in 1907 on a ranch in Texas.  His father was a foreman at several different ranches including fellow Legacy Award Winner The "JA  Ranch", before purchasing his own ranch in Marfa, TX.  Pete was practically raised horseback and he followed his father and brother into the open ranges of Old Mexico to run steers in the early 20’s. The open range and long cattle drives back into the states created a drive for Pete to breed the perfect Ranch or Cowboy horse.  A few hundred miles north in Ft. Worth several fellow ranchers had the same ideas and formed the American Quarter Horse Association. After its formation Pete's horses were soon added to the Stud Book and Registry and this Legacy Breeder's history began.  

 

In 1939 Reynolds purchased his most famous stud Rey P5727 and took him into Old Mexico where he turned him into the pasture to breed with the Reynolds mares. In 1951 Reynolds brought his horses to Alabama and established Reynolds Ranch. The accomplishments of Rey’s lineage are very well known by horse owners all over the country. Rey helped establish a legacy.

 

Rey was bred by Plunk Fields of Acala, Texas and by Captains Courageous and out of an old race mare Goldie 379.

 

Rey was the Champion Quarter Horse 1944, Southwestern Livestock Show, El Paso, Texas.

 

One of the mares Rey bred at the time was Palomino D.O. who was owned by O.C. Dowe of Marfa, Texas. Palomino D.O.’s lineage traced to Ben Hur and Ace of Hearts. The result of that mating was Frontera Sugar who became the dam of the great Sugar Bars.

 

He also sired Reina Rey who became the dam of Lightening Rey. There was also Pete’s Spice, a full sister to Frontera Sugar, who was the dam of the 1966 Quarter Horse Champion at Evangeline Downs.

 

Pete’s Spice produced Bama Paprika who produced Sand Juana who produced Rona Bar who produced Ronas Ryon. In 1986 Ronas Ryon won 1st in the All American Futurity Gr. 1, 1st in the Kansas Futurity Gr. 1, 1st Graham Futurity Gr. 111.

 

At one time in the World Championship Rodeo at Montgomery, Alabama, there were six gelded sons of Rey used in the calf roping. Three of the top ten calf ropers at the RCA National Finals in Dallas roped on Rey geldings. At one time Rey was first in the listing for sires of high point roping horses by the American Quarter Horse Association. 

 

The American Quarter Horse Association awarded to the Reynolds the inaugural “1997 Legacy Award,” being one of only nine breeders in the country that registered at least one foal every year for 57years since the AQHA was founded in 1940.

 

This legacy continues as H. Pete Reynolds’ son Pete and grandson Jay manage the AQHA registered horse business.