HICKORY VALENTINEDOC

Doc Olenas Valentine was in foal when sold through auction by APE INC of Coral Gables, Florida to Brian and Marjorie Kruger of Maynard, Minnesota. On February 26, 2009, Doc Olenas Valentine foaled in Minnesota and Hickory ValentineDoc was that sorrel stud colt.

May of 2009 Doc Olenas Valentine and the stud colt were sold at auction in Saskatchewan, Canada. Gould Ranch, Blaine & Lois Gould, purchased the pair. The stud colt was affectionately called “George” because he was good looking like George Strait and proved to be like Curious George, interested in all things.

Life circumstances at the time had Cheryl Wright Israel seeing George often over the rails of the Gould Ranch corrals. George kept coming to mind. Due to the Breeder’s Certificate being withheld from Florida without a substantial fee being paid, Gould Ranch was selling George as a grade.

Weighing the decision to purchase George heavily Cheryl Wright Israel committed to doing whatever it took to have George be a registered AQHA Stallion.

After numerous phone calls and emails over many months, which could be called years, all of the needed signatures were acquired and the fee for the Breeder’s Certificate was paid to allow this handsome fox-eared horse to be AQHA registered as HICKORY VALENTINEDOC.

Knowing Hickory ValentineDoc could be an AQHA breeding stallion it was time for the AQHA Genetic Disease Panel Test. In February 2015 the test was run knowing that the Sire, Hickory Bar Bully, was a HERDA carrier which presented the 50/50 probability of Hickory ValentineDoc possessing the carrier genes. Great relief was felt when the results were received – 5 panel N/N.

The 5 panel N/N result was the kick start of D.A.R.K. Horse & Cattle Co’s HERDA free program. George was enrolled in training with Jess Dyck, a professional horse trainer, then of Grunthal, MB and now Faulkner, MB with 2J Ranch Horses. Jess did an exceptional job teaching Hickory ValentineDoc respect and feel.

Following training with Jess, George went to Sabre Quarter Horse Ranch where he was taught to be “Gentleman George Strait”; knowing when it was time to focus on the flag, when it was time for breeding or going for a walk to the house - greeting Ellen at the door with Greg at his side.

Hickory ValentineDoc passes on his excellent conformation and curious nature to his offspring. Siring 25+ homebred offspring that are entering the Stewardship Programs, Hickory ValentineDoc is the equine foundation of the D.A.R.K. Horse & Cattle Co horse program.