Meet Big W, “Winston”, the 9-year-old American Paint X Quarter Horse Cross. He was bred by Peggy Knauss who owns his sire, “All Time Fancy”, who is the leading sire of paint stock type hunters. Winston is a Chestnut with some roan markings, 4 white stockings, a big white blaze, and a white splash on his cheek. This sweet paint is owned and ridden by Melissa who lives at Irish Day Farms in Houston, TX where the pair trains with Katie Lambert Boone.

Melissa shares that Winston is known to always make memories for their family. That said, her favorite memory was probably when they learned that he hated earplugs. “We were trotting down the rail and he was shaking his head so hard his ear plugs flew out and one hit the rider trotting next to me.” Although, Melissa shared another memory of hers which Winston loves playing tag in the arena. “He loves tag and did it once with my friend’s dad who was running. He nudged him a little too hard and he went flying thru the air!”

Melissa has owned Winston for 4 years now. “A long-time friend of mine told me a super funny cool hunter was for sale. When I first met him he seemed so big, he is 17.3hh. He was snorting and looked like he was a 20-hand snorting monster. Turns out it was just another one of his silly tricks to not get ridden.”, says Melissa.

Winston has many cute personality traits, one of Melissa’s favorite being when he nickers at you until you pet him. He loves Cheez-Itz and Tic Tacs. He will play tag and act like a dog in the arena. But don’t let this gentle giant fool you, because he is scared of ponies, golf carts, and goats!

Winston has quite a few accomplishments under his belt. He has won the World 7 times, Reserve World Champion 4 times, All-In Paint/Pinto Competition, and crossed into USEF winning at Pin Oak!

Melissa started riding as a little girl, about 3 years old. She has been doing it ever since and is well into her adult years now. She shares that her favorite thing about owning horses is what great friends they make.