American Quarter Horse Association honors the late Pete Reynolds

The late Pete Reynolds of Demopolis has been honored by the American Quarter Horse Association and Hall of Fame for 75 years of continued breeding. Reynolds is one of 16 breeders who have registered a foal every year since the inception of the AQHA 75 years ago. His name is being carried on with the AQHA through his son and grandson’s continued work with quarter horses.

Reynolds, who passed away in 1994, was born a rancher’s son in 1907 in Texas. There he began involvement with ranching that spanned almost nine decades in Mexico, west Texas, Montana, New Mexico and Alabama. His biography on the AQHA website reads in part:

“In an area where there were virtually no fences, no roads and no towns, Pete and his cowhands did everything in the time-honored traditions of the Old West, which translated into hours in the saddle branding, doctoring, caring for and finally driving the cattle 220 miles to market. After purchasing a 35,000 acre spread in New Mexico, Pete finally moved his family to Alabama in 1951, where he remained the rest of his life. The reason for his move was more green pastures than he had ever seen.”

According to the AQHA, Reynolds operated ranches in Greene, Marengo and Hale counties, and also worked with the Eutaw, Demopolis and Linden stockyards for 20 years. He and his son, Pete, Jr., eventually became partners in the family ranching business.

“Like most true cowboys, Pete had a lifelong appreciation of a good horse; and in 1939 he purchased a weanling stallion that was to make them both part of American Quarter Horse history. The horse’s name was Rey P-5727, and he had the blood of some foundation greats flowing through his veins,” the AQHA bio continues. “By Captains Courageous and out of Goldie No. 379, Rey was owned his entire life by Pete and bred to very few outside mares. Most of his sons were gelded. Still, Rey’s get included halter champions, performance champions, race champions, excellent roping and cutting horses and exceptional bloodmares. He was the sire of Frontra Sugar and Reina Ray, the dams of Sugar Bars and Lightning Rey.”

Reynolds was a founding member of the AQHA and its first president. He was inducted into the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame in 1986, and was a state champion roper and actively competed in the sport until age 78, even after breaking his leg at age 74.

“A friend of countless individuals,” the AQHA states, “Pete influenced horse circles around the state through his skills of riding, roping cattle and breeding horses for farm, race and show use. Pete, Jr., who describes himself as more of a cattleman, carries on the ranch. Jay Reynolds works alongside his father on the original site outside Demopolis, producing quality foundation type Quarter Horses on the Reynolds Ranch.”