Cal-Western Appaloosa Show Horse Assoc. - H O T

In Memoriam

Doris Elizabeth Sundin-Sharp
August 29, 1929 - January 23, 2005

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Doris moved with her family to San Francisco when she was a youth. She attended elementary school in Richmond and High School in Redwood City. Always known for her intense of love of horses, Doris lived her ultimate dream and that was to spend her entire life with and around the horses she so dearly loved.

If she wasn't riding, breeding, exhibiting or promoting Appaloosas she was at the easel drawing, painting or creating their likeness in bronze. She became known as a woman of great versatile talents and of vision when it came to her breeding program.

A member of the Appaloosa Horse Club for more than 44 years, and a promoter and long time supporter of the Cal-Western Appaloosa Show Horse Association upon joining that state regional in 1971. She also was a long time member of the Mission Trails Appaloosa Horse Club of Morgan Hill, and the Nor-Cal Appaloosa Horse Club of Red Bluff.

Doris was never one to brag about her successes, she always left that to the Appaloosa owners and exhibitors. She did however keep a large painted plywood board that she, over the years, would add the current crop of the champion's names to. These Appaloosas were known to have won or were winning virtually every performance event the equine world had to offer. The board(s) became larger and the list of names grew; it was thought at one time that if her current successes continued she would probably be able to side the barn with all of her championship boards!

In 1998 Doris was presented with a little immortality of her own, when she was selected by the Cal-Western Appaloosa Show Horse Association's board of directors for induction to the Hall of Fame. With this nomination Doris was added to the ranks of the true Appaloosa devotees that will live on in legend as the truest of loyalists and the ultimate champions of the breed.

Not surprisingly, she had seen her great stallion, Bright Chip, the foundation of her breeding program achieve virtual immortality by being inducted to the Appaloosa Horse Club's Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Cal-Western Appaloosa Show Horse Hall of Fame in 1990. The sheer numbers and names of champions sired by this great Appaloosa stallion could fill the pages of a sizable book.

Doris had a vision for her horses and her fervent wish for her beloved Appaloosa 'family' and close friends remained constant over the years. Her message was that 'fun should always be the objective, being at peace with each other, good sportsmanship and always treating horses with kindness and compassion.' Her beliefs were reflected down to her ranch name, 'Halcyon Farms.' You couldn't miss the message or the signs as you drove through the front gates as you made your way to her barns.

Doris remained active as an exhibitor for many years and rode for the last time in May, 2001. Alone she loaded up and hauled her much beloved, 1975 multi, ApHC-titled gelding, 'Glory', (Chips Into Glory) (pictured with Doris) to the Mid Valley Show in Turlock, California where she exhibited in the side saddle classes, an all time favorite event for her. After completing her class she asked the show announcer for the microphone and announced that this was indeed her final show and wished everyone a very fond farewell.

In an interview back in 1999, one of Doris' long time friends and former C-WA board member, Donna Gaines, had at that time summed up what many felt were some of Doris' greatest contributions to the Appaloosa horse, especially in California. "Doris Sundin had personally coached many youth and non-pro exhibitors to go out and get involved with showing in all the riding disciplines. She had 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 had 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 participated at all levels of horse show management, up to and including the designing and making of special trophies and awards.

Many people were never aware but Doris usually did not accept year-end awards in order that others could achieve their dreams. She simply didn't want to use her position or influence to create any thoughts of favoritism. How many of us have ever done something like that? How many of us would? Doris would come into a club, and gently guide others to succeed, and then she would set back on the sidelines while they went on to achieve, and she never accepted credit for her efforts".

When her stallion Bright Chip passed away Doris decided her greatest tribute to him and to honor the Appaloosa brethren was to design and sponsor the annual Bright Chip Memorial Pleasure Horse Award. This much-coveted perpetual award is presented annually at the C-WA awards banquet to the highest scoring pleasure horse in the annual point tallies. Each year Doris would present her beautiful custom designed bronze trophy to each year's champion.

In addition to her beautiful art trophies she also had an impish side that moved her to create another much more infamous trophy. This particular trophy designed and sponsored by Doris was awarded in a category that can only be described as 100% pure fun. This outrageous award could only be earned by the winner of the 'Hot Legs Shorts Maturity', held on Saturday nights at the old Nor-Cal Appaloosa shows in Red Bluff, Calif. If you ever had a chance to witness this event first hand, you definitely knew what a true guffaw was all about.

Ironically, several months ago Doris had to euthanize her most beloved Glory. It was a very sad day for her. I personally like to think she and Glory have been reunited, both young and vibrant again. Behind heavens pearly gates they now and forever more will ride over the glorious paths of heaven with manes and tail flying high.
For the love and remembrance of my dear friend, Patti Ansuini 2005