History
Wisconsin Futurity ~ 50 Years of Excellence and Still Growing
The Wisconsin Futurity was developed by a group of dedicated horsemen determined to bring the best of the American Saddlebred bloodlines to Wisconsin. Their vision created the program that continues today. Currently the Wisconsin Futurity is recognized in the American Saddlebred world as a trendsetter. Their payouts are second only to the competition held in Louisville, Kentucky at the World's Championship Horse Show.
The first competition of the Wisconsin Futurity was held October 5 and 6, 1946, at the State Fair Grounds in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Wayne Munn and Walter Craig were co-chairmen of this show. The show was a complete success and thus began a long line of horsepeople ready to serve and assure the continuation of the Wisconsin Futurity.
Many breeders of today remember Dr. Munn as the person who brought Genius Bourbon King (originally registered as Shoreacre's Genius) to his Shoreacre's Farm in Janesville, Wisconsin. The names of many ribbon winners at the earlier futurities are evident on pedigrees of winners today.
Futurities provide wholesome family activity. Amateurs can compete on a par with professionals. Many young people enter the show ring for the first time, leading or trailing a young Saddlebred horse.
Throughout the years the Wisconsin Futurity has continued uninterrupted due to the perseverance of those willing to give of their time and money in support of this futurity. They are the rock upon which this futurity was built. They have served as members of the board of directors, officers, and horse show managers. They are the folks who donate to the hospitality that has made this show a success.
Without the exhibitors who join us each year the effort would have been in vain. These are the people we honor as we gather in September of 1996 to celebrate fifty years of progress.
We thank you.
In The Years of 1946-1956 the following horse become prevalent in this breeding decade; Anacacho Shamrock, Anacacho Denmark, Nancy Highland's Chief, the Genius, and Genius Bourbon King. We are going to attempt to highlight some of the bloodlines that have been mainstays in the history of the American Saddlebred and how they have related to Wisconsin Futurity. For instance, in 1948 Dr. Wayne A. Munn bred the winner of the Wisconsin yearling class. That yearling winner was Torcido's Anacacho by Anacacho Denmark out of Torcido Queen. Torcido's Anacacho was bred by U.L. Graber. The two-year old Wisconsin winner of that same year the The Genius Firefly by The Genius out of the performance mare Magnificent Firefly. In the 1951 Wisconsin Yearling class the top 5 ribbon winners are all by Nancy Highland's Chief.
In The Years of 1957-1967 we begin to see the following stallions breeding Wisconsin winners: CH Wing Commander, CH Valley View Supreme, Ridgefield's Denmark, CH Ridgefield's Genius, and Kalarama Denmark. CH Wing Commander without a doubt had a profound influence on the bloodlines we see today. Remember during this era CH Wing Commander was new to the breeding ranks. In 1959-1960 Kalarama Denmark appears as a strong sire of young horses. Kalarama Denmark has been noted as siring the famous broodmare Carol Trigg. Also noteworthy at this time is the mare Milady Denmark by Kalarama Denmark out of Reveries' Blood Moon, who was also by Anacacho Denmark. In 1959 Milady Denmark won as a weanling and then as a yearling in 1960 at the Wisconsin Futurity. Milady Denmark later became a good three-gaited horse for Brent Jacobs. Valley View Supremem sired Supreme Revelation whose dam was Perique. Lloyd's Genius Bourbon Prophet was a strong breeder in the mid 60's, producing winning young stock in the Wisconsin yearling and two-year old divisions. Lloyd's Genius Bourbon Prophet was the sire of CH Greenway's Commander who is remembered as both a great performance horse and a great breeder in the 70's and 80's.
In The Years of 1967-1977 the top producers become CH Gallant Guy, Private Contract, Genius Bourbon Prophet, Supreme Sultan, and Sultan's Santana. In 1971 Sultan's Spartan won the Wisconsin weanling division. He was by Supreme Sultan out of Kate's Fine Feathers and bred by Alvin C. Ruxer Farms. In 1974 all of the Wisconsin Weanling division winners were by Sultan's Santana. Cher was the winner of the Wisconsin Weanling-Fillies and was the Weanling Champion that year. She was by Sultan's Santana out of Sharon Hope, bred by Martha B. Siekman. The colt division that year was won by Briarwood's English Leather, by Sultan's Santana out of Fashion's Command, bred by Stanley Shaw.
In The Years of 1976-1986 CH Greenway's Commander, CH Kourageous Kalu, Mr. Magic Man and Flight Time become prominent. CH Greenway's Commander produced both World and Reserve World Champions CH Moraine's Question Mark, Gotta Dance, Valentina, Nite Fever, French Wine, French Commander, Commander's Image, Futurity Champions Ladies' Man, Moraine's Commander, Stonewall's Golden Serenade; and breeding stallions, Andeker, Genius Bourbon Prince, Mr. Wonderful. CH Bi Mi Fascination won the two-year old division in 1977 and was by Sultan's Santana and out of Millwood's Dream Awhile, bred by Lorri Berg of V.I.P. Farm.
In The Years of 1986-1996 Bi Mi Sauvignon won the two-year old division. He is by Bi-Mi Sultan's Wine out of Bi Mi Magic Dream and also was bred by V.I.P. Farm.
The Wisconsin Breeder's Association was established in 1946. We have attempted to review briefly some of the history of the American Saddlebred Breeding Foundation and how it is related to Wisconsin homebreds. We hope this information jars your memories of the horses you've bred and raised.
* This article is taken from the WI Futurity Festival Show Program, 1996