King P234, King for short, was a quarter horse who was born on June 25, 1932. His dam (mother) was Jabalina and his sire (father) was Zantanon. His grandsire was Traveler and his maternal grandsire was Strait Horse.
King was born eight years before the formation of the American Quarter Horse Foundation.
King was a bay stallion who was bred by Manuel Benavides Volpe of Laredo, Texas. King’s original name was Buttons and he was sold to Charles Alexander of Laredo, Texas as a weanling for $150. Byrne James then bought the horse from Alexander for $325. James’ wife changed the horse’s name to King. James broke King and used him for ranch work and for roping. James joined the Ne York Giants organization to play baseball and so sold King to Winn DuBose of Uvalde, Texas for $55o. Lastly, DuBose sold King to Jess Hankins of Rocksprings, Texas on July 5, 1937 for $800.
King had magnificent hair coat and was blood bay, or had a reddish-brown coat with black tail and mane. His coat had an unusual sheen in the spring when he would shed and gold flecks would appear. He was easy to get along with, quick to learn and had remarkable cow sense.
At maturity, King was well muscled, stood 14.2 to 15 hands and weighted 1,150 to 1,200 pounds. His conformation (shape) was excellent and became the standard for the Quarter Horse breed. He was admired for his willingness and disposition (temperamental makeup). His owner, Jess, advertised King as the cornerstone of the breed.
King’s former owner Byrne James was once quoted as saying, “You’ve heard the expression “the king of beasts’? Well, he was the KING, superior to all of the rest.” This was in reference to changing the horse’s name “Buttons” to King. The new name was more fitting for a horse who was destined to become the greatest sire in the AQHA, or American Quarter Horse Association, history. It was when King was registered with the association his name changed to King P234.
A quote by Jess Hankins says, “He was a good natured stud as you could find, and he could be ridden by any kid whoever handled a horse.”
King was gentle and kind throughout his life. His outstanding disposition and athleticism were passed on, and they were among his greatest legacies.
King was family to the Hankins and he even helped put Rocksprings, Texas on the map. The Hankins brothers became some of the most famous breeders in the Quarter Horse annals.
King made it to the All Time Leading Broodmare Sires of the AQHA. He was ranked #2 with twenty champions to his credit. He is represented by four songs Royal King, Poco Bueno, Hank H and Beaver Creek. Poco Bueno and Royal King were two of his sons that made it into the AQHA Hall of Fame. He even had a daughter named Taboo, the dame of Joe Cody, who was another member of the AQHA Hall of Fame.
King also had two grandsons Poco Pine and Poco Dell. Of the twenty-two stallions on the list, King is tied to eight. No other sire, besides King’s half brother Ed Echols, equals King’s standings.
King died on March 24, 1958 due to heart failure.
RESOURCES:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conformation
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disposition
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_(horse)
http://www.horsesonly.com/pedpower/legends/king.htm
