Cyndy Supreme, a 1958 mare, was
the first Appaloosa Doris claimed title to. She went on to
train and exhibit 'Cyndy' in local regional shows during
the 60's.
In 1972 Doris and her husband, the late Gene Sharp, (1989
Cal-Western Hall of Fame Inductee) purchased the great stallion,
Bright Chip, (1990 Cal-Western Hall of Fame inductee. 1991
inducted to the ApHC Hall of Fame). Doris knew that she wanted
to breed great using horses that were perfect for youth as
well as non-pros. She felt that the Bright Chip horses were
easily trained and were a pleasure to be around.
Over these
many years we have seen her breeding insight pay off in big
dividends as many of the Bright Chip foals went on to become
World and National champions. As late as the 1998 ApHC World
Show in Ft. Worth, Texas an own son of Bright Chip, 21 year
old Chiped Ice, added yet another world title to his long
list of accomplishments. (20 National & World
Titles to date)
Doris still actively shows her 1975 gelding,
Chips Into Glory (pictured) in the side saddle classes every
opportunity she gets.
In an interview with Doris' long time
friend and former C-WA northern board member, Donna Gaines,
Donna had summed up what many felt were some of Doris' greatest
contributions to the Appaloosa horse, especially here in
California. "Doris
Sundin has personally coached many youth and non-pro exhibitors
to go out and get involved with showing in all the riding
disciplines. She has mentored many of us all over the state
and the U.S. patiently encouraging us to achieve dreams we
all shared with our Appaloosas.
On a club level, she has been
an active participant and tireless worker in the Mission
Trail Appaloosa Association of Morgan Hill, and the Nor-Cal
Appaloosa Horse Club of Red Bluff. She has participated in
all levels of horse show management, up to and including
the designing and making of trophies and awards.
Many people
aren't aware but Doris usually does not accept year-end awards
in order that others may achieve their dreams. She simply
does not want to use her position or influence to create
any thoughts of favoritism. How many of us have ever done
that? How many of us would? Doris has come into a club, gently
guiding others to succeed, and then has sat back on the sidelines
while they went on to achieve, and she has never taken credit
for it".
When her stallion Bright Chip passed on Doris
decided to design and sponsor the Bright Chip Memorial
Pleasure Horse Award. This much-coveted perpetual award is
presented annually at the C-WA awards banquet to the pleasure
horse scoring the highest number of points in all the pleasure
classes for the show year. Points are counted in the open,
non-pro, and youth classes of both the english and western
divisions.
Another, more infamous trophy designed and
sponsored by Doris is awarded in a category best described
as 100% pure fun. This outrageous award can only be earned
by the winner of the 'Hot Legs Shorts Maturity', held on
Saturday night at the Nor-Cal Appaloosa show in Red Bluff,
Calif. If you haven't witnessed this event first hand, you
are definitely missing out. Doris believes that horse shows
should be fun and her fellow club members in the Northern-Cal
Appaloosa Association couldn't agree more.
A Horsewoman
A Mentor
An Artist...
...Doris Sundin
Story by Patti Ansuini
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