Strong Dollar – Preparing To Make Memories

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As we are well into the 2006 show season we have seen many contenders that have established themselves as the leaders of their divisions. Most all are preparing for their divisional World Championship at the Celebration. In my memories of the great show horses of all times, titles are not burned into my memory, but those great moments in the show ring when a horse rises to the occasion and makes himself a standout in a class of the best. Titles are given by panels of judges that have their own opinions and reasons to place one horse over another. Moments are shared by many who have the same sight advantage of those around them. The West Grandstand crowd may share a memory of greatness that the East Grandstand only gets a glimpse of.

Strong Dollar has provided many memories of greatness during his career. Many were there when he made his appearance at the 2002 Columbia Spring Jubilee. We saw this big, gangly Two Year old who could “step a mile” behind and had the tools to go further and be a top show horse. He went on to win his first World Championship and the International that year but it isn’t the titles we remember it was his performances and our first impression of him.

As a Three Year Old he was “All World”. From his memorable performance at the 2003 Trainers Show to the “Show Down” between he and Titleist in their 2 horse workout at 2003 Fun Show. Anyone who was at the Fun Show that night can recall this stallion doing more than you could possibly imagine a horse could do. It wasn’t the blue ribbon that he wore out of the ring that night that had us on our feet. It was what he could do and how it made us feel that had us cheering. It wasn’t the title but the performance that gave us a lasting memory.

His appearance at the Celebration as a Four year old left many lasting memories. He finally faced his former stable mate and rival Ted Williams, for the first time, in his preliminary class. Ted got the blue that night but many of the Strong Dollar fans felt he should have been the victor and expressed their feelings to the McCloys, Strong Dollar’s owners. According to Curtice McCloy, “The heartfelt emotions that people have for our horse is so touching and is worth more than any title.” On Championship night that year Ted was not shown and Strong Dollar had another memorable work-out with another rival through the years NYPD. All fans remember this class to be a highlight of the 2004 Celebration and still talk about it today.

Last year he jumped into aged competition for the first time. His loyal fans followed. Up until the World Grand Championship last year only one stallion ever tied higher than Strong Dollar. Strong Dollar didn’t dodge or avoid anyone and always went into the “lions den”. He continued to make memorable performances for his fans new and old alike. Fans would say, “He can step over my head”. Or “He’s got the best back-end of any horse I have seen.” He definitely is a stallion with whom fans can identify.
During his off season in 2006, Strong Dollar made his first impact on the breeding world. His loyal fans followed him to the breeding shed. There aren’t many stallions that ever breed over 100 mares in a season. Strong Dollar did this in his first season. Dr. Bob McCloy reflects “It is so unexpected to have this response to Strong Dollar in his first season. In Silver Dollar’s first season we had 7 offspring and we were fortunate enough that half of those colts went on to tie well at the Celebration in their Two year old year. Included in that crop was Counterfeit Dollar the current flag horse for The Celebration. We attribute Strong Dollar’s success to his great fans who believe as we do that he will be a top sire.” It would have been very easy to leave Strong Dollar in the breeding barn and retire him from the ring due to this response as a breeding stallion but the McCloys love to see their horse show and feel his fans do also. Many say people breed on last impression. Memory wise, the last impression for many was that he could have been the World Grand Champion of 2005.

The Monday after the Gulf Coast Horse Show this year, Strong Dollar reported back to Link Webb Stables to prepare for the 2006 show season. Link says the off time has really helped this horse and he has freshened up and matured. Strong Dollar still makes early morning trips through the week to Rising Star Ranch to finish out this breeding season. Now that breeding season is winding down his 2006 debut performance is on the horizon.

The McCloys have been involved with many World Grand Championship contenders ranging from the late great Ebony’s Threat Professor, to Generator’s Silver Dollar and now his son Strong Dollar. The quest for a title can be an all consuming thing. The title of World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse can be a very elusive thing. The Celebration chooses a well qualified panel of 5 each year. Many times even with a great performance the “stars must align” to get the nod from the panel in the Championship class. But the greatest thrill any stallion owner could have is the moment his horse hits the ring and you hear the roar of 30,000 screaming fans. This is an honor that the McCloys have relished on many occasions with their stallions. Fans don’t scream for titles, they scream for performances. Fans come to the Celebration for the memories, and Strong Dollar is prepared to make many more of those lasting memories.

—David Williams