The name Wimpy does not denote strength, honor or respect. Yet the stallion thus named received the honorable and respectable P-1 in AQHA’s first stud book.
Wimpy was born on the King Ranch in South Texas. Sired by Solis and out of Panda, Wimpy was a grandson of Old Sorrel on both the top and bottom. Old Sorrel was the foundation sire for the ranch, and was bred by noted breeder George Clegg.
Bob Kleberg decided to show Wimpy in the 1941 Fort Worth Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show. The winner of the stallion class would receive the No. P-1 in AQHA’s first stud book.
In the arena were judge Jim Minnick, ring steward Robert Denhardt and John Burns, president of the show. Preceding Wimpy was Silvertone, a palomino owned and shown by Lee Underwood; Little Joe Jr, by Joe Gonzales; and Silver Dawn, bred by the Waggoner Ranch.
As the stallion entered the ring, Jim Minnick turned to Denhardt and said, ‘What do you think of them pumpkins, Bob?’
More stallions entered and joined the circling parade. Minnick finally stopped the horses, and the blue ribbon went to Wimpy, and with it, P-1 in the stud book.
Back at the King Ranch, Wimpy went to work as a sire. He produced 174 registered foals, the majority of which stayed on the King Ranch. However, the few that left the ranch left a lasting impact.
The chestnut stallion produced sons and daughters that went onto produce AQHA Champions. A few of Wimpy’s better known progeny were Lauro, Silver Wimpy, Wimpy II and Bill Cody.
In 1958, Kleberg gave Wimpy to Clegg, a tribute to the fine horseman. Kleberg hoped the 21-year-old stallion would finish out his days in green pastures. A year later, Clegg sold the stallion to oilman Rex Cauble. Wimpy sired a few foals for Cauble before dying knee-deep in clover. He was 22.
Wimpy was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1989.
Biography updated as of March 1989.