WEANLING MARES

A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

BY KIMBERLY FRENCH, JOURNAL INTERN

His eyes were sparkling and his smile beaming. AQHA Professional Horseman, Don Bell of Whitesboro, Texas, could barely contain his emotions. This championship was exceptional.

Don trains and exhibits Guns N Lace, owned by Greg and Jodi Sullivan of Maumee, Ohio. The sorrel filly triumphed over 44 others to capture the title of world champion weanling mare.

“Most people know we came here last year with this filly’s father, Golden Gunslinger, and we recently lost him,” Don said. “This filly is the first one to hit the ground by him. This is very special.”  

With Don leading, Golden Gunslinger was a three-time world champion and multiple Congress champion. The 3-year-old palomino stallion was popular with fans and horsemen alike. Due to his untimely death, he will only sire two crops.

“I have more of an emotional attachment to this filly’s sire than any horse I’ve ever had,” Don said. “To find a stud that has that kind of conformation, show career and disposition is very rare with what we do. He has done wonders for me.”

Guns N Lace and Don Bell with the championship trophy for weanling mares.

Guns N Lace -- “Guns” -- is not a palomino, but she has inherited other characteristics from her famous father.

“She really does remind me of her daddy in her head and neck as well as her disposition and her wither,” Don said. “She’s going to have a lot of width to her like her daddy did later on. She’s kind of fractious. At this age, he was like that, too. She’s just like her daddy.”

Don does not compete in many futurities, and this is Guns’ first show.

“We look forward to many more with her,” Don said with a grin.