Arena Tracks: Hotshot

A photo of Tyrney Steinhoff aboard a stout little buckskin gelding popped up on my Facebook feed last week.  The bedazzled shirt belied the times – the early 2000s, but the pony’s pinned ears and intensity on the jockey’s face were easily recognizable.  If, in 2005, you were old enough to walk upright and foolish enough to love barrel horses, you would recognize Hotshot, registered as Nate Shilabar, one of the truly iconic barrel horses of all time.

While the life and exploits of the little buckskin gelding have been previously documented by folks far more informed than I, a quick refresher may be in order due to the sneaky passage of time.  Hotshot was the Sister of the early 2000s.  Everywhere one looked, there he was; winning races with tiny children and taking home big checks.  It’s a little ironic that he was most known for his time with the Steinhoff family, even though that was about his third act.  

Nate Shilabar was a 1987 buckskin gelding by the stallion Shilabar Gold and out of a mare by the name of Talent Lady by Roll A Coin.  Recognize any of those names?  Me neither.  The lack of brand name bloodlines on Hotshot’s papers is a huge part of his charm.  Additionally, he was foaled on October 1st, leaving the tiniest whisper of illegitimacy.  At one point his dam, Talent Lady, was in the top five broodmares for the year.  She only had ONE foal that had won any money.  Hotshot carried her to that honor on only his four little hooves, proud to honor his single mother.  

Hotshot started his nut-tough swagger through life in Georgia with the family of David Jackson.  While his papers show his next owner as Peyton Raney – the “maker” of Hotshot, rumor has it he passed through a few hands and sale barns before Peyton saw breakaway potential in the broncy little gelding..  Hotshot was 5 years old at the time and a little wild-eyed.  Peyton Raney was 15 and had the general grit and naivety of youth to stick with the snorty little bugger.  She roped on him, sure, but soon saw more potential and with the help of Ed Wright, turned Hotshot into her ticket to the 1997 WPRA Rookie Championship.  She also qualified for the NFR, a pattern the 14.2 gelding could inhale.  They ended up sixth in the average for the year.  An injury forced the pair to take a year off, but they came back strong in 1999 and qualified for the NFR a 2nd time, this time with half the number of rodeos.  Peyton was concerned about keeping the little buckskin sound, so was very picky about the rodeos she entered.  For his part, Hotshot was less choosy when picking the two or three rodeos per year at which he’d unload Raney before the barrel race.  In 2001, Janet Stover’s good horse Gotewin Bo, was laid up and she was looking for a horse to jump ride at the NFR.  Hotshot got the call and won Stover four rounds at the Thomas and Mack enroute to being crowned the 2001 WPRA World Champion.  After the 10th Round, Hotshot was loaded in a different trailer and went home with the Steinhoff girls, Tanya, Tyrney and Taylor.  

While Hotshot was first purchased for Tanya, it was Tyrney that I most remember riding him.  Both sisters won BIG on Hotshot – Tanya taking home around $177,000 and Tyrney about $164,000.  The Steinhoffs capitalized on Hotshot’s fame and their daughters’ horsemanship, even dubbing themselves “Team Steinhoff” and marketing a series of barrel saddles.  Hotshot even got the greatest honor ever bestowed upon a horse; he had a Breyer model made in his likeness.

It was after nine years winning with the Steinhoffs, that my path crossed with Hotshot’s.  Danny Ray of Victory Farms was standing a clone of Hotshot they had dubbed “Another Shot” and, as a promotional bit, had Hotshot at the 2010 (or maybe it was 2011) Barrel Futurities of America World Championships in Oklahoma City.  Disappointed that I hadn’t made the effort to see Scamper who was there the year before, I made a point to take myself down and meet the legend.  I meandered through the row of stalls, expecting something glitzy; maybe some flashing lights or neon sign?  For sure I figured there’d at least be some fringe or banner.  There was none of that.  I had all but walked past when I realized that the horse standing at the back of the second stall from the end was Hotshot.  Now, folks will tell you I’m a little ridiculous when it comes to animals.  I love them all.  I talk about them healing hearts and seeing into my soul.  Thing is, I believe all of that and I felt every one of those emotions when I laid eyes on Hotshot.  The 23 year old gelding stood there, hip cocked, head down.  He was little and a tiny bit frail with hollows above his wise, all-knowing eyes.  While it was December, he was extra hairy in an “old man” kind of way and was a little over at the knee.  I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, perhaps a snorting, pawing dragon desperate to be free of the stall in his fervor to go run barrels?  For certain, that is not what met me.  What met me was more profound.  Hotshot raised his head and took my measure from 12 feet away.  Deeming me worthy, he slowly walked to the front of the stall so I could pet him.  There was something about that horse, like he could look at me and know all of my secrets.  He took my scratches with dignity and was too classy to fuss as I moved along, stoically watching me walk away.  The feelings I had about Hotshot defied words.  All I know is that I couldn’t stop thinking about him.  I still can’t.  

They claim that Hotshot was competing right up to the end and, while he died on Wednesday, December 28, 2011, was entered to compete that Friday in a New Year’s Barrel Race.  In my heart, I hope that isn’t true.  The old pony I saw that day would probably rally and run the cans as hard as he could, but he was tired and deserved the dignity of a good rest and plenty of scratches around the ears. 

Greatness is a palpable thing.  You can see it and FEEL it in athletes, leaders and people who step up in times of emergency.  I felt that greatness in Hotshot.  I think pretty much anyone that met him did too.