Weiscamp-Skipper W

The name Hank Wiescamp is easily one of the most recognized in the horse world. When you hear the name Wiescamp, the Skipper W Bloodlines are not far behind. Wiescamp is one of the all-time leading breeders of AQHA Champions and Register of Merit qualifiers. He is also known for the Skipper W line of Quarter Horses that he created more than 50 years ago. Beginning as an auctioneer and a dealer in cavalry and polo horses in the mid-1920s, he built an empire around a family of horses so singular in type and coloring than any other group of horses known. The late Hank Wiescamp of Alamosa, Colorado, was the undisputed king of the linebreeders. Utilizing the AQHA Skipper W as the cornerstone of his program, Wiescamp linebred a "family" of Quarter Horses that were so easily distinguishable by coloring and type that they are more often described as "Wiescamp horses" than as members of any single breed. Although most often associated with his legendary lines of Palominos and Quarter Horses, Wiescamp founded equally well-known families of Paint Horses and Appaloosas. As a result of the literally thousands of horses he directly contributed to, all four of the major western horse registries, his positive and far-reaching impact is indisputable. He is the only man inducted into three breed association Halls of Fame: American Quarter Horse Association; Appaloosa Horse Club; and Palomino Breeders of America.

You need to know that when you look at a Hank Wiescamp bred horse you will see linebreeding to such sires as Old Fred and Skipper W. This linebreeding is then reinforced by outcrosses to such stallions as Rukin String, Double Dancer and Three Bars on the mares in the program. But the foundation of Wiescamp's program was the mares he bought and bred for the program. He will readily tell you that his mares are the foundation of the program.

Skipper W got his name, according to Wiescamp, because "I told a fellow who was working for me to disinfect the navel on the colt. After the man did that, the colt got up and turned around and kicked him, 'cause it smarted. I said to the fellow, Look at that, he already knows he's the boss!" Wiescamp stated, "I've got a Showboat (another colt that was foaled that year) and every boat needs a skipper, so that's what I'm naming him - Skipper. I added the W for Wiescamp." (excerpt taken from Western Horseman Book 'Legends Volume 2')

Skipper W died in 1963, at the age of 18, of an apparent heart attack. At the time of his death, Hank Wiescamp had retained 7 of his sons and 57 of his daughters for use in his breeding program. The Skipper W line of horses is still being raised today, not only by Wiescamp, but also by other breeders throughout the United States and in Europe. Skipper W was never heavily shown or promoted, and he lived out his life in Colorado. He never stood to outside mares and was never put into mass production as a sire. Despite all of this, his name continues to be a household word within the Quarter Horse world.

Mr. Wiescamp had several opportunities to sell the quarter horse colt, but he priced him so high that there were no takers. So Skipper W spent his whole life on that ranch. He was also never bred to any outside mares.

As a two year old, Skipper W was trained by George Mueller. Mr. Mueller said he drove him in a corral for three or four days and just got on him. He never bucked or anything. The horse loved to go work cattle. Mr. Mueller roped calves off him a lot.

As a four year old, he was shown at halter three times, and was grand champion at all three. One was at the National Western Stock show in Denver, one at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, and the last at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque.

Skipper W sired one hundred thirty-two registered quarterhorse foals in his lifetime. Seventy-three of those foals were shown and they acquired 1392 AQHA points at halter and 586.5 AQHA points in performance. Seven of those earned a Superior in halter, eight ROM, one Superior performance and thirteen AQHA Champions. He was unusual in that he sired both sons and daughters who also went on to become famous sires and dams.