In this age of high speed Internet, satellite television and the multitude of media outlets certain names in the horse world have risen to legendary status in relatively short periods of time. Most of these trainers, breeders, and show people are associated with the world's top events or with horses that have left audiences and judges dazzled at the sight of 'performance perfection.'

We in the Appaloosa world have most assuredly had our fair share of legendary stars that have earned their fame the old fashioned way, through many years of dedication and loyalty to the breed. They've proven time and again in the highly competitive, all-breeds arena, that they should never count those spots out!

No star in our Appaloosa world has proven the point more consistently or over a longer period of time than our own Dan Lopez. 'Danny' to his many friends has had a lifelong love of the Appaloosa. He has bred, trained and shown Appaloosas for most of his 69 years. Currently semi-retired and residing in Ojai, California, Dan has had a dramatic impact with Appaloosa horses both in top all-breed competition, and in breed sanctioned events that have run the gamut from local regional shows to international venues such as the Canadian Calgary. Whether it's cutting, reining, working cow horse, roping or penning, the all breed crowd knows that when soft spoken, quiet mannered Dan Lopez pulls onto the show grounds all bets are off!

He always appears the consummate Appaloosa ambassador whether he's riding with the U S Marshals Posse aboard his home bred Oak Trees Gold or one of the stars of the Appaloosa contingent riding past the television cameras that are beaming the Rose Parade to the world on New Years Day. In 1984 his presence was requested by the U S Olympic committee to be one of the five representatives to ride and present the Appaloosa horse during the welcoming parade viewed by millions the world over as Los Angeles hosted the summer games. The Appaloosa Horse Club knows him well. Dan has earned 9 National Championships, 3 Reserve National titles, 12 World Championships and 8 Reserves, along with 2 year end high point medallions. These championships were earned in such diverse classes as Trail, Working Cowhorse, Cutting, Team Penning, and the roping events of Heading and Heeling. In 1994 Dan was awarded a most prestigious honor by the ApHC, when he was selected as their Trainer of the Year.

Mounted aboard the great mare TV Writer, Dan Lopez had the spectators on their feet and cheering wildly as he turned this agile bovine in a Lopez signature run down the fence.

A long time Cal-Western Appaloosa Show Horse Association member, Dan has had a dramatic impact on C-WA, as his clients have purchased Appaloosas and gone on to become members and exhibitors on the C-WA circuit. Always a staunch supporter of Cal-Western, he has continued to be involved and highly supportive of the association that he represents to potential members, as the association that has always best represented the Appaloosas of our past, present and hopes for the future.

Even though Dan became semi-retired due to a serious bout of ill health in 2001, nothing could keep him off his favorite spotted horses. In 2003 Dan turned into the comeback kid, and qualified for the ApHC World show in 3 performance events and he accomplished this at a mere 2 shows.

Those in the Appaloosa world have always known to never count spots out, and on that you can rely, but this saying holds especially true when you see Dan Lopez pull his trailer onto the show grounds; smile, your competition has arrived!

L-R: Dan and Virginia Lopez with Betty & Paul Pumpian accepting the
2002 Cal-Western Appaloosa Show Horse Association Hall of Fame award for the great mare, TV Writer.
Dan exhibited 'TV' exclusively for the Pumpians during her entire show career.

Story by: Patti Ansuini 2003