History Of The Golden Horse
One reason horses have become such iconic symbols for many Americans is that the species is woven into our history. Often color defines American breeds like the Appaloosa, named for the Palouse region yet most people are unaware that one of the most coveted coat colors made famous by a horse named Trigger arrived in America thanks to a queen. I’ll share the story after the break. Today palomino is used to describe a coat color but in the early ranch history of this nation palomino or "Golden Dorado" was considered a royal breed. Spaniards called them Isabellas because they were the favorite of Queen Isabella of Castile who kept a hundred stabled golden palominos in her famed Remuda Royal only allowing members of her royal family and noblemen to ride them. She shipped a palomino stallion and five mares to her viceroy in the New World, (Mexico), to start a herd that eventually would spread it’s royal seed deep into Texas and California. It’s fitting the Golden State should have such an influence on the Golden horse especially considering palomino’s popularity in Hollywood and parades because it was from a ranch in Santa Barbara that a descendant of La Reina one of Isabella's most precious royal mares would break free. It was said the stallion was full of life and fire, fit for an Emperor yet so gentle a child could ride him. According to the Palomino Horse Association for many years after his escape stories would be told among the great ranches of coastal California about sightings of beautiful swift golden horses.
