Burning Daylight
Nov 13, 2023
By Keri Whitney
"We are burning daylight Papa John," 9 -year-old Layton tells
her grandpa, John Anderson of the Muleshoe Ranch. John had made the mistake of
arriving 15 minutes late to work cattle that morning. Her younger sister,
Harper, 7 years old, had recently laid claim to John's team roping heel horse,
R.C. and informed her Papa John that she'd decided to rename him "Day Dreamer".
The Muleshoe Ranch is a sixth-generation operation.
The history of the ranch began around 1900 when a man by the name of W. D.
Johnson, Sr. purchased land from the Blackwater Division of the XIT Ranch out
in West Texas. After the purchase, the Santa Fe Railroad built a road
from Lubbock to Clovis, NM, going through the ranch. Johnson Sr. ended up
selling the land to E.K. Warren but maintained the Muleshoe brand. Warren ended
up gifting a section of land for a town-site, currently known as Muleshoe,
Texas.
In 1913 W.D. Johnson Sr. formed a partnership with
R.M. Clayton. The pair bought 33,280 acres of ranch land in Borden County, and
the Muleshoe Ranch was founded. In 1945, Jerry Clayton purchased the Muleshoe
ranch from Johnson, Sr. and his oldest brother, Arthur Clayton who had previously
purchased R.M. Clayton's part. In 1957, Jerry Clayton sold the ranch to his
daughters, Jere Hubbard and Barbara Anderson. In 1994, Barbara and her husband,
Rich became the sole owners of the ranch. After both of their passing, John and
his sisters became the owners of the Muleshoe. Today, the Muleshoe Ranch
is not only home to John, and his wife Kevva, but to their son, Clay John,
and his wife Krista who also have a home on the ranch. Although John and
Kevva's daughters don't live on the ranch, Bailey and her husband, Jake, help
with Muleshoe's working ranch program, while Whitney and husband Kye work in
the ranching industry.
"It's a blessing to do the ranching deal," says
John. "The older I get, the more I appreciate it. I'm proud we were able to
raise our kids on the ranch. They are great hands and good people. And now
a couple of granddaughters live on the ranch."
In 2014, the Muleshoe Ranch won the prestigious
Zoetis AQHA Best Remuda Award. With 60 head of broodmares and 5 stallions
currently being used, including Riata Buckle Stallions, Boy Boon and Lena
Stylish Doc, it's not necessary to explain the quality of horses that are
produced at the Muleshoe Ranch. They have been consecutively registering
AQHA horses for more than 70 years.
Boy Boon was purchased in 2006 from Andy Williams
of Post, Texas. Williams was getting out of the cutting business and John
thought Boy Boon would make the perfect addition to the Muleshoe Breeding
program. At that time, the Anderson daughters had started cutting. Bailey
competed on Boy Boon throughout high school. She went to the Texas state
finals all 4 years and her junior year she qualified for Nationals on him. Her junior
year, Boy Boon won the Girl's Cutting High School Rodeo horse of the
year. At 15 hands, he is known for being able to make some good moves
with a great disposition and good bone. Boy Boon has close to 200 babies
registered with the AQHA.
The Muleshoe Ranch originally had a lease
agreement on Lena Stylish Doc (Lena Barbie Doc x Playin Stylish) to breed
mares. In 2019, he went up for sale and John purchased him. He was being
heeled on, but due to his value and an injury, is now being used only for
breeding. At the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Cody Snow won money
heading on Play Sleeping by Lena Stylish Doc. Play Sleeping was the first
American Rope Horse Futurity Association finalist to make a debut in the lights
of Vegas at the NFR.
"Muleshoe Ranch wanted to be a part of The Riata
Buckle because of Denny Gentry," John says. "He has done so much for the roping
and horse industry. My son and I team rope, so it's just a natural
fit. Stallion incentive programs like Riata Buckle will help the horse
market and despite the economy, the horse market is still strong. There
is no telling how much money Denny has made the rope horse world."
The Muleshoe Ranch will consign horses at the
Invitational Ranch Horse sale and the AQHA Best of the Remuda Sale, January 13-14,
2024, at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Horses will also be consigned at
the Western Heritage Classic sale in Abilene, Texas May 11, 2024.
Horses are also available private treaty.
For more information on Lena Stylish Doc, click here. To
learn more about Boy Boon, click here.
