Parker County

Parker County. Cutting Horse Capital of the World. In the beginning on the vast prairies of Texas, first came cattle, then horses, then the cowboy, and the combination of the three created, out of necessity, the cutting horse to shape the herds either for select breeding or for the markets. Even today, their job remains the same; however the pleasure and pride of being astride a good cow horse has brought about still another sport in the cowboy world - the cutting horse contest., Beginning in 1946, three of the eight founders of the National Cutting Horse Association, the first three presidents and the first three world champions were from Parker County. In addition, the first rider and horse to win three consecutive world championships were also a Parker County horse and rider, a record which still holds today., Parker County is where it all began - today it continues to produce more cutting horses than any other county in Texas. Because of this distinction, this cutting horse bronze created by sculptor Kelly Graham, is dedicated to all the cow horses, cowboys, and cowgirls who ever took up the challenge to separate a cow brute from its herd. The contributors who so graciously gave of their time and money, honor these unique horses and riders in appreciation for their positive contribution to Parker County, its economy, and its cowboy heritage., "God didn't promise an easy trail to ride, just a good hoss on which to make the trip.", Author: Tom B. Saunders , Sculptor: Kelly Graham , January 15, 1999