November 8, 2011
By Samantha EckertThe American Quarter Horse Journal
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Cecil’s age has not slowed him down much in the ranch sorting ring, but owner Ross Graham says he has to keep his age in mind during a run. (Journal photo).
A sorrel gelding bred by Ronnie Brooks of Clark, Missouri, in 1980 will retire after his final appearance with Ross Graham of Sherman, Illinois, in amateur ranch sorting.
“I have had him for 16 years,” Ross says. “He’s gone for years now with me now, and he’s just as solid as can be.”
This year’s competition will be the horse’s first time competing in ranch sorting at the World Show but definitely not his first go-around at the World Show.
“He was always team penning from Day One. Then, we used to team-sort in the full arena before they came up with the ranch sorting. It was really the same thing. Then the ranch sorting was put into a smaller confined area. They had had a few feedlot sortings throughout the country that we had been to – really it wasn’t that big of a change. The ranch sorting is a little easier on him. It’s less ground to cover to cover and a little more user-friendly.”
Als Kaper, aka “Cecil,” has qualified for the AQHA World Show eight times, placed in the top 10 four times, was a reserve champion once, and a world champion once. He has an extensive record in team penning.
In 1996, Als Kaper earned his first amateur team penning world title. He returned in 1999 to earn a reserve champion amateur world title.
“He was a pretty big cutter when he was a 3 and 4 year old,” Ross says. “Ronnie Brooks – when I first won the World Show on Cecil in 1996 – he called me right away and he was just ecstatic to hear that the horse had done that.”
Ross has owned Cecil since 1994, when Cecil was already middle aged at 14. Ross purchased the gelding from AQHA Professional Horseman Conway Miller of Sage, Arkansas.
“I got him because he was hard to ride,” Ross explains. “The people that owned him before had a hard time staying on him. He was physical. As he got older, of course, he calmed down, but he has always just fit me to a T. We’ve just had a ball ever since.”
Not only does Cecil have an extensive show record, but he has also sired six American Quarter Horse foals and has quite the personality.
“He’s just a big ham,” Ross says. “He just loves people. He loves to eat and take naps. He’s missing his front teeth, so his tongue always hangs out a little. You can turn him out with anybody, just as easygoing as they get.”
Get up-to-date on AQHA showing news at www.aqha.com/showing.
Cecil’s age has not slowed him down much in the ranch sorting ring, but Ross says he has to keep his age in mind during a run.
“You kind of have got to really take care of him. You can’t ask him for too much at the wrong time, and you really have to look after them first. At that age, it’s very senseless to try to push a horse into a spot that you know is going to be hard for them to succeed in.”
Ross and Cecil have been a great team in the past years, but this year, Ross just wants to keep Cecil safe in his final runs.
“If we can make the top ten that would be fantastic, but I just hope he’s healthy and rides well and has a great show. Whether he places or not is immaterial to me.”