HIGH THUNDERBIRD

Excerpt from an article in the Appaloosa News Jan/Feb 1960:2-3

Creswell Farm is the home of one of the larger bands of registered Appaloosa broodmares East of the Mississippi. It is headed by a foundation registered stallion named "High Thunderbird", Reg No 1822. These horses were originally introduced into Virginia by Max Tappero from his home state of Washington, where the Appaloodsas were the proud possessions of the Nez Perce Indians of the Northwest. Max is now showing and training these horses for Creswell Farm.

The winning show record of "High Thunderbird" has been remarkable considering he is only four years of age and the competition that has been pitted against him. Just as the "Tops are in Virginia" for Angus, the tops of working horses of other breeds have been brought into Virginia as well as other Eastern States, and are actively campaigned in Western Show Classes.

"High Thunderbird" was named Champion Pleasure Horse, all breeds competing, in the Virginia State Horse Show for 1959. He was the Champion Pleasure Horse, and Reserve Champion Stock Horse at the Lynchburg Springs Show 1959. He won seven other Stock Horse Championships and one Trail Horse Championship in Eastern areas shows in 1959.

His most sensational showing, all things considered, was in the National Show held at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania this fall. He had been in pasture for two months with his band of broodmares, then taken out, shod and put in trailer to Harrisburg. Despite his pasture condition compared with fitted show horses, "High Thunderbird" won 4th in the Western Pleasure Horse Class (57 entires) 5th in Tail Horse Class (39 entries), 7th in Stock Horse Class (43 entres). Horses from all over the US, Canada, South America and Europe competed in the show.