A Trapezoid Makes a Good Horse

September 5, 2010 Off By Roberta Johnston

What has two equal sides and a bottom proportional to its top? Trick question. There are two answers. A trapezoid and a horse with perfectly balanced conformation. Those involved with evaluating horses recognize this ideal build as having a trapezoid shape. The horse’s underline is twice as long as the back, the top line should be level from the withers to the croup and the horse should have a sloping shoulder balanced with strong hind quarters.

Dan and Carol McWhirter are selling more than 90 trapezoid-like horses at their complete dispersal sale September 18 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, Neb. The McWhirters’ stallion, Absolute Investment, is one such trapezoid who not only has near perfect form to function conformation, but superior movement and a sound mind. Because this “trapezoid horse” stamps his offspring with his traits, more than half of the horses on the sale are either sired by him or are broodmares in foal to him. Even Absolute Investment, himself, is consigned to the sale.

“He is our vision of perfection in a horse,” Carol said.

Since Absolute Investment consistently produces quality offspring, the McWhirters campaigned him with the saying, “Build with Absolute confidence.” Now, they are saying, “Buy with Absolute confidence” when talking about the horses consigned to the sale. Not only are the genetics a reason for confidence, but every horse is sold with full disclosure and, with the exception of Absolute Investment, every McWhirter consignment will sell without a reserve. If Absolute Investment does not sell, he will continue to stand at Gumz Farms in Kentucky.

The McWhirters spent more than 30 years breeding and raising top-quality American Quarter Horses, this includes two Hall of Fame Stallions, The Big Investment and The Invester along with longtime leading sire, Good Asset. These stallions and the success of their progeny earned Dan and Carol several AQHA Top Breeder rankings. In 2009, AQHA ranked them Top-5 in Performance point earners, Performance class winners and Halter class winners.

“This fall the public gets to benefit from our years of trial and error.” Carol said. “These horses not only have excellent conformation and a willing mind, but they have been given one-on-one attention since the day they were born.”

This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that allows you to buy with Absolute confidence. The auction starts at 4 p.m. September 18 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, Neb. A pre-sale party will be held September 17. Alan Parker Auctions is providing the sale management for the event; contact them at 813-220-4668. For more information on the dispersal sale contact Carol McWhirter at 402-744-8341 or 402-902-9283. Visit www.DanMcWhirter.com for pictures and videos of each consignment.