In 1977 at a meeting of the Central Illinois Pony Club, I was told by a friend about Ralph Lawson, a professor at Purdue
University. It seems Mr. Lawson had three barns full of wagons and carts to sell. During the winter when there was nothing
to do, I called him. He'd had a stroke and really wanted to sell his horses. I was interested, but had to wait until the snow
melted as it had been a very bad winter. Finally when the weather permitted, I went to his place and purchased four mares. On
the trip back home, Marie and I tried to figure out how we could come up with some more money. Mr. Lawson had some very
nice horses and we wanted to buy more. After a couple of weeks, I called back hoping to purchase more mares, but Mr.
Lawson was feeling better and was out of the mood to sell. The next thing I knew the man had died and his herd had been
dispersed.
One of the four mares I had originally purchased was a beautiful palomino mare, Johnston's Vanilla, by Gold Melody Boy,
who was in foal to Poplar Lanes Samson. That foal, her first, was Buckeroo. I didn't show Buckeroo as a weanling or
yearling because to me he was just too gangly. In fact, several people have told me I offered to sell Buckeroo to them for
$1,500...I'm sure glad they didn't take me up on my offer! Another reason I did now show him then was because of my heart
attack. Early in 1980 after my heart problems, I decided to retire and do what I loved best -- show my horses.
As a two-year-old, Buckeroo blossomed! In 1980 at Murray, Kentucky, he was chosen International Grand Champion
Stallion, a title he won again the following year. Later at that show, J. C. Williams came up to me and said, "One of these
days we're going to see one of these little horses bring $100,000. And it might just as well be yours if you've got the best
and evidently you have because you've won two years in a row." After that, I was feeling pretty full of myself and remarked to
Marie and some friends who were listening that I was never gonna sell Buckeroo unless he brought $100,000. I remember
some laughing and snickering after that remark.
After that win, we decided to turn our valuable little horse out with some mares to breed. Not long after, we came home one
evening and couldn't find Buckeroo. Apparently he had gotten under the fence and been beaten up pretty badly by another
stallion. He was injured bad enough for me to need the trailer to move him from the field back to the house. Not too long
after that when he was breeding a mare, he fell over and I caught him and laid him over on the grass. I called the vet and told him
there was something very wrong with Buckeroo. We took him to the University of Illinois where they did and x-ray and
determined his front leg had been broken in two places and gangrene had developed. I told them he was not a $50 pony; I
didn't care how much it cost, I wanted him fixed! Well, they took everything I said to heart and presented me with a pretty
fantastic bill, but Buckeroo was going to be okay. Other than a few white hairs over the injury, you would never know he had
been hurt.
In 1983 at a show in Indiana, Ed Eberth and I were watching my brother Don show Buckeroo against Marianne with
Komokos Little King Supreme for Grand Champion Senior Stallion. When Ed & Marianne's horse was announced as
the winner, Ed commenced to hoot and holler like an Indian chief for what seemed like five minutes (It was probably only 30
seconds). The announcer quickly apologized and said he meant to say Reserve Grand Champion that the win actually had
gone to Buckeroo. With that Ed's hollering stopped and mine started!
Several days later, I received a letter from Ed wanting to purchase some Buckeroo blood. At the time, I was having heart
problems again and needed to go in for by-pass surgery at a cost of $50,000 which I did not have. I wrote back to Ed and
suggested he buy Buckeroo from me. At this particular time, Ed and Marianne had purchased one of the finest groups of
little mares from Joel Bridges at a cost of $250,000 and were in the process of building their house and still owed on the
barn. Marianne thought the $100,000 I was asking for Buckeroo was too much, especially in their present financial situation.
Ed, on the other hand, was determined Budkeroo would become the foundation on which Little King could build their
future. With that dream in mind, he convinced his banker to personally loan him the money to purchase Buckeroo. The
Eberth's dream was on its way to becoming reality.
On August 3, 1983, Marianne came to pick up Buckeroo but couldn't leave until the next morning because the test results
for insurance were not ready. The following morning as she left with Buckeroo, I left for the hospital. My understanding with
Ed and Marianne was (if I survived my surgery) I was to go to the AMHA Nationals later in September and show
Buckeroo. My open heart surgery was a complete success and I was able to go to Texas and show Buckeroo for the last
time. Together, Buckeroo and I won the 1983 AMHA National Grand Champion Senior Stallion.
My story should end here. But fortunately it does not. The Eberth family and I have become very close friends. We all
shared and participated in the same dream -- a dream we see every day in the get and grand-get of this exceptional stallion.
Written by Lowell Boone.
The Odyssey Continues....
"The Event" 1996, showing Get of Boones Little Buckeroo.
In 1980 our family attended the International Miniature Horse Nationals in Murray, Kentucky. A man with a pleasant
demeanor, quick step and a large, proud, contagious smile took into the show ring a young stallion with large eyes, full of life,
competitively fit, athletically animated with exceptionally beautiful color. I could not take my eyes off him. He was chosen
National Grand Champion Stallion on that day. He was Buckeroo.
In 1981, I saw the same young stallion over and over again. Always brilliant, always animated, always fit and beautiful, always
different and distinctively alert, with incomparable presence and self confidence, always winning and always with the same
cheerful man at the end of his lead.
After several inquiries into, "Who was this horse?" and "Where did he come from?" admiration and curiosity led us quickly to
his respected and proud owner, Lowell Boone. Our friendship began.
In 1982, Buckeroo broke a front leg in an accident. It required a great deal of care, attention and patience from this
dedicated owner. The result was a near perfect Buckeroo who continued to compete with an unfaltering winning record.
In the summer of 1983, Ed and I talked about buying a son of Buckeroo, and called Lowell to inquire about Buckeroo 2nd.
Lowell casually asked, "Why don't you just buy Buckeroo?" It was really not in our wildest dreams and certainly not in our
checkbook, but after discussing it for many hours and considering the possibilities and reasons to take on such a
lifestyle-altering project, we decided Buckeroo should be the foundation of our breeding program. We then had to convince
the bank that Buckeroo would be a wise investment for our family and business. When I went to pick up Buckeroo, Lowell
was preparing to go to the hospital for open heart surgery the next day. As I sat in the kitchen and wrote a check for
$100,000, I was not only apprehensive, but my heart hurt for this man who was experiencing a critical time in his life and selling
a horse I felt was the most beautiful miniature horse I had ever seen and I know he felt that also.
In September 1983, one month after his surgery, Lowell and Buckeroo together won the 1983 AMHA National
Champion Senior Stallion title. Once again, I was able to see the bond and respect both Buckeroo and Lowell had for
each other.
Along with relative blind optimism, excitement and a total family commitment, we entered into a horse breeding ventrue that
has become a personal goal and commitment fulfilled only because of the ability of one great horse that reporduces his
gentle demeanor, unmistakable brilliance and show ring presence and correctness.
There aren't many "greats," nor are there many real "legends." Many are just called that for promotion and advertising. I
believe that to have such a title and deserve it, a stallion must reproduce consistently excellent quality that carries on
generationally and one that withstands the ebbs and flows and fads of the industry. Ray Zoercher once called this "staying
power" in relation to some great Arabian stallions. Many hroses are "flyers" or "flashes in the pan" who have excellent show
ring performance, but never go home to the breeding shed and produce winners, even when bred to excellent, show proven
mares, "paying hig stud fees."
Sure I am partial, but my admiration and loyalty to Buckeroo stems from his ability to pepotently pass his correctness and
the "Look At Me Look" on to his babies who in turn pass it on to their offspring. To me, that is a "great horse." When we
sell Buckeroo get, we can be confident that not only the horse, but its offspring will please the owners and also be
competitive and carry on the unmistakable look and attitude of Buckeroo.
Many well-known and highly promoted stallions have had the opportunity to be bred to very expensive mares who are show
ring champions, but Buckeroo has been bred to good, solid, correct mares, most have been unproven in the show ring, and
many with unproven pedigrees. Yet, Buckeroo has produced many National Champions from these mares. Such mares have
produced horses such as L.K. Buck Echo, L.K. Locomotion, L.K. Buckeroo Times Two, L.K. Buck Easy, L.K.
Madam Buckeroo, L.K. Black Velvet, L.K. Bonsai Buckeroo, L.K. Bullet Buckeroo, Spice of Life Saffron, Boones
Little Buckeroo 2nd, L.K. Buckeroo Extasy, L.K. Buckeroo DeJaVu....
Few miniature stallions boast get who are champions in halter and performance. Such get and grand-get as L.K. Debonaire,
Spice of Life Saffron, L.K. Buck Easy, L.K. Bolero and L.K. Little Bucker are Champions and National Champions in
Driving. They all have outstanding natural action and balance, great extension and hock action and also the "Look At Me"
presence and love of the show ring. They are true athletes of our breed.
What's with color? I honestly do not know. Buckskin is attractive, it stands out in a crowd. But I honestly feel buckskin is just
the "icing on the cake." Whatever it is, it's like a magnet in the show ring.
Our wonderful and successful experiences in breeding miniature horses throughout the past 20+ years are largely due to
Buckeroo. His uniqueness makes it easy for us to achieve the consistency and brilliance we so love. Our children owe
Buckeroo for their positive experiences in the beginning and throughout their show ring careers. I will never forget John and
Locomotion, Robin and Bolero, Heather's experience in our first of three National Champion Get of Sire wins and, of
course, Brian and our wonderful Madam. Without Buckeroo, we would not have been offered the pleasures and enjoyment
of watching our accomplishments proven by the get and grand-get buckeroo has sired. It has brought great joy and fulfillment
for our family. We stop and wonder, "What would this farm be without Buckeroo?"
As Buckeroo approaches his 20th birthday and we continue to breed him along with Buck Echo and Buckeroo Too, we
see many great horses in the future. We are confident Buckeroo's get and grand-get will carry on the "Unmistakable
Buckeroo Look" for many generations to come.
(A Buckeroo daughter, L.K. Buck Angelica, was the high-selling horse at THE Miniature Event this year. In 1996, a
Buckeroo colt was the high selling colt at the Event, L.K. Bentley Buckeroo.)
At "The Event" in 1996 showing Get of Boones Little Buckeroo
The following are National Champion Titles of Buckeroo get according to the AMHA Studbook On-Line, September
5, 2001:
BOONES LITTLE BUCKEROO 2ND
1986 SENIOR STALLIONS OVER 30" TO 32" NATIONAL CHAMPION
1992 SENIOR STALLIONS OVER 30" TO 32" NATIONAL CHAMPION
BOONES LITTLE MISS BUCKETTE
1997 YOUTH 13 AND OVER WITH JUNIOR MARE NATIONAL CHAMPION
1998 SENIOR MARES OVER 30" TO 32" NATIONAL CHAMPION
1998 SENIOR MARE RESERVE NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS BANSHEE BUCKEROO
1992 YOUTH 13 AND OVER WITH JUNIOR MARE RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS BIANCA BUCKEROO
1997 SENIOR MARE RESERVE NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION
1997 SENIOR MARES OVER 30" TO 32" NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS BOLERO
1994 YOUTH SINGLE PLEASURE DRIVING NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS BUCK ANGELICA
1997 YEARLING MARES 28" AND UNDER NATIONAL CHAMPION
1998 TWO-YEAR-OLD MARES OVER 28" TO 30" NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS BUCK EASY
1997 SINGLE PLEASURE DRIVING OVER 32-34" NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS BUCK ECHO
1992 JUNIOR STALLION RESERVE NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION
1992 TWO-YEAR-OLD STALLIONS 30" & UNDER NATIONAL CHAMPION
1993 SENIOR STALLIONS OVER 28" TO 30" RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
1994 SENIOR STALLION NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION
1994 SENIOR STALLIONS OVER 28" TO 30" NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS BUCKEROO BACCARRA
2000 AMATEUR SENIOR STAL LEV 2 NATIONAL CHAMPION
2000 SENIOR STALLIONS OVER 32" TO 34" NATIONAL CHAMPION
2000 SENIOR STALLION NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION
2000 AMATEUR GRAND CHAMPION STALLION NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS BUCKEROO BONSAI
1999 SENIOR STALLIONS OVER 32" TO 34" RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS BUCKEROO DEJAVU
1993 JUNIOR MARE RESERVE NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION
1993 TWO-YEAR-OLD MARES 30" AND UNDER NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS BUCKEROO EXTASY
1992 SENIOR MARES OVER 30" TO 32" RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
1992 YOUTH 13 AND OVER WITH SENIOR MARE RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS BUCKEROO ICON
2000 SOLID COLOR STALLIONS AND GELDINGS RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS BUCKEROOS ELEGANT MISS
1998 AMATEUR SENIOR MARE LEV 1 RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
1998 SENIOR MARES OVER 32" TO 34" RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS EVITA BUCKEROO
2000 SOLID COLOR MARES NATIONAL CHAMPION
2000 TWO-YEAR-OLD MARES OVER 28" TO 30" NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS GALA BUCKEROO
1995 YOUTH 12 AND UNDER WITH SENIOR MARE NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS LF BUCKEROO ZORRO
2000 JUNIOR STALLION NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION
2000 YEARLING STALLIONS OVER 30" TO 32" NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS LITTLE BUCKER
1990 SENIOR STALLIONS OVER 28" TO 30" RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
1995 LADIES' ROADSTER RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS LOCOMOTION
1991 SENIOR STALLIONS OVER 32" TO 34" RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS MADAM BUCKEROO
1992 YEARLING MARES OVER 28" TO 32" RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
1993 TWO-YEAR-OLD MARES OVER 30" TO 33" RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
1994 YOUTH 12 AND UNDER WITH SENIOR MARE NATIONAL CHAMPION
1994 YOUTH 13 AND OVER WITH SENIOR MARE NATIONAL CHAMPION
1995 SENIOR MARE RESERVE NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION
1995 SENIOR MARES OVER 30" TO 32" NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS MISS BAY BUCKEROO
1994 YEARLING MARES OVER 28" TO 32" NATIONAL CHAMPION
1994 SOLID COLOR MARES NATIONAL CHAMPION
LITTLE KINGS MISS BUCKEROO
1988 SENIOR MARE RESERVE NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION
1988 SENIOR MARES OVER 32" TO 34" RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
SPICE OF LIFE SAFFRON
1988 YOUTH WITH SENIOR MARE NATIONAL CHAMPION
1991 OPEN SINGLE PLEASURE DRIVING NATIONAL CHAMPION
1991 SINGLE PLEASURE DRIVING MARES RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION
1996 PRODUCE OF DAM NATIONAL CHAMPION
By Robin and Marianne Eberth
