Where in the world can you find a nine time AQHA World Champion stallion (most of any stallion in history), a two time APHA Super Horse, the 2011 Barrel Horse of the Year for 4 Year Old Stallions and a Galapagos Tortoise? The answer isn’t on a coast or an exotic island somewhere but in Pilot Point, Texas at High Point Performance Horses. Owners Jason Martin and Charlie Cole have trained over 100 AQHA World Champions and 200 AQHA Congress Champions. However, they don’t limit themselves to just one discipline; horses in their show string have won championships in Western Riding, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Pleasure Driving and Halter. At any one time they have 70-80 horses in training at their facility.
Before settling in Texas in 1998 Jason and Charlie dabbled in the breeding industry with their AQHA stallion, Debt of Honor (Beduino x Everetts Whiz) who qualified for the AQHA World Show in Halter. It wasn’t until their client purchased the 3 year old stallion, Artful Investment (Artful Move x January Investment), that they truly considered themselves to be in the breeding business. Artful Investment proved himself not only as a success in the show ring winning multiple world championships but also as a sire. He has sired World and Reserve World Champions in multiple breeds and disciplines.
The breeding program at High Point Performance Horses is overseen by Ranch and Breeding Manager, Christi Christensen. Their stallion roster includes VS Flatline (Lazy Loper x Vital Signs Are Good), VS Code Red (Blazing Hot x Vital Signs Are Good), Hot Ones Only (photo below right; Invitation Only x Hot Shot Hit), Slick By Design (photo below left; Designer Red x Dream Of Blue), The Big Sensation (Zippos Sensation x Behind Blue Eyes) and Hubba Hubba Huntin (Huntin For Chocolate x Hubba Hubba Hotrod).
Each stallion at High Point Performance Horses is a champion. VS Flatline is the 2012 AQHA World Champion 2 Year Old in Western Pleasure. VS Code Red is a 5 time AQHA All American Congress Champion in Western Riding and Western Pleasure. Hot Ones Only is the All Time Leading performance stallion in history with earnings of over $100K as well as a nine time AQHA World Champion in Hunter Under Saddle and Pleasure Driving. Slick By Design is the 2012 AQHA World Champion Junior Barrel Racing horse and has earnings of over $185K. Last but surely not least is the The Big Sensation who is a seven time World Champion, two time APHA Super Horse and sire of a Reserve Super Horse.
High Point Performance Horses has been a client of Select Breeders Southwest, in Aubrey, Texas for the past decade. Since some of their stallions are not retired from the show ring they utilize frozen semen when they are away at shows. This allows them to continue breeding mares while continuing to win championships. They also currently have semen available from most of their stallions in both Europe and Australia.
“Select Breeders Southwest assists us in many ways. Anytime we have a young stallion that needs taught how to collect, we send them to Select Breeders to learn. This is not because we aren’t capable of teaching them but Select Breeders has the "safest" learning environment. Select Breeders also does the semen analysis on our stallions to make sure that we are tending to each stallion as an individual and extending and shipping the stallion's semen properly as to what is best for that particular individual. We also do ALL of our frozen semen freezing, testing, and shipping through Select Breeders Southwest.”
Even with all of those horses in training and the clinics they do within the USA and internationally Jason and Charlie find time for their hobbies. One hobby they share together is doing speed horse events such as running barrels and poles. For over 10 years they have been traveling from Texas all the way to Calgary, Alberta Canada to compete in rodeos and jackpots. They have also raised World and Congress Champion Barrel horses and are promoting the stallion, Slick By Design, who is currently #3 in the World. He is headed to the 2013 National Finals Rodeo with Michele McLeod aboard.
Their other hobby revolves around the raising of exotic tortoises. They currently have over 40 tortoises living in their tortoise house and pasture. In their care are Herman’s Tortoises, Greek Tortoises, Russian Tortoises and many more. They also have Rosie, a Galapagos Tortoise, who was born in 1988 and has lived with Charlie and Jason for the past 13 years. Their hope is to find her a companion and begin breeding Galapagos Tortoises.
On any given day there is a lot going on at High Point Performance Horses but you will always find an inviting atmosphere and friendly face to greet you.
Photo Credits: Photos provided by High Point Performance Horses
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