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National
Horse Breeders - Articles - Poco Lena Doc O'Lena's dam, Poco Lena, was the daughter of AQHA Champion Poco Bueno and Sheilwin, by Pretty Boy. Poco Lena was not only an AQHA Champion and Superior Halter Horse, she was also the first horse to be inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame. She was the NCHA World Champion Cutting Mare in 1959, '60 and '61. Between 1954-1961, she was the NCHA reserve world champion cutting horse five times. By the time her cutting career ended, tragically and abruptly, Poco Lena had earned nearly $100,000 in NCHA competition - during an era when purses were little to nothing. So great were Poco Lena's accomplishments, she was also inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame. But fame did not ensure Poco Lena an easy existence. In 1962 her owner B.A. Skipper Jr. was killed in a plane crash on his way home from a cutting. A hired driver, who was to bring the horses home, left them in a trailer without food or water. In the mayhem following the disappearance of Skipper's airplane, it was days before the horses were missed and located. The episode nearly killed Poco Lena, and crippled her so severely she would never compete again. California horse breeders Dr. Stephen and Jasmine Jensen heard of the plight of the great mare, and decided they would like to purchase her. Their hope was to rehabilitate Poco Lena and breed her to their champion halter stallion, Doc Bar. However, when Poco Lena finally hobbled off the trailer in California, her condition was so pitiable that the Jensens' first inclination was to have her humanely destroyed. Veterinarian Dr. Frank Wayland persuaded the new owners to give Poco Lena one last chance. Dr. Wayland and Dr. Gary Deter worked tirelessly-not only on her feet, but also on her reproductive tract. Her ovaries were the size of peas from years of medication to keep her out of heat for the show pen. On June 21, 1967, Doc O'Lena was foaled on the front lawn of the Jensens' Double J Ranch. The following year she gave birth to another bay colt sired by Doc Bar, Dry Doc. Dry Doc was the last foal the legendary Poco Lena would produce. On Dec 16, 1968, a few months after the colt was weaned, Poco Lena was put to sleep. Poco Lena's legacy, however, continues to be carried on through the many champion performers whose pedigrees boast her name. |
