BOLD and Gray
(Horses That Is!)
March 20, 1999
Duane Walker honored
at KSU’s Stockmen’s Dinner
MANHATTAN - Given the alternative, Duane Walker doesn’t mind being a little lucky once in awhile. More than 40 years as a successful quarter horse breeder and Kansas businessman has something to do with that thinking.
“I’ve always been lucky, but I noticed the harder we worked, the luckier we got,” Walker said
Or, as son Tim Walker quotes his dad as saying: “All good things come to him who waits, so long as he worketh like hell while he waits.”
The Walkers’ words could be taken as cliché, but the Canton family’s record of success is anything but common. Friends and industry leaders paid tribute to Walker and his wife, Jo, during the recent Duane Walker Appreciation Evening in Manhattan.
Each speaker said Jo Walker was equally deserving of the honor
“For almost 45 years they have stood together shoulder-to-shoulder. They have been an inspiration to all of us,” Tim Walker said.
Terry Bradshaw, quarter horse breeder and former professional football quarterback, is a close friend of the Walker family. While playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, Bradshaw attended a horse sale at the Walker’s Tee Jay Ranch.
“I love gray horses and Duane got me started on gray horses.” Bradshaw said. “God sent me there to meet Jo and Duane Walker. They are the kindest, nicest people I know.”
He added: “The greatest compliment you can give a friend is maintaining familiarity. When you haven’t seen them for two or three years, then you get back together, you should be able to pick up right where you left off. That’s the kind of friendship I have with Duane and Jo.”
As American Quarter Horse breeders, the Walkers’ accomplishments are numerous. They are listed as breeders of 1,589 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) registered foals. Of those registered, 273 earned 3,858 halter and 6,095 performance points. They have bred nine World Champions, 95 Register of Merits (ROM) and 13 AQHA Champions.
In 1977, Walker was the leading breeder of halter horses in the AQHA. He bred 27 horses which won 341 times and were named Grand Champion 205 times.
“That’s getting the job done,’ said Don Good, director of development for the Livestock and Meat Industry Council. Good compared the Walkers to such Quarter Horse breeding greats as Howard Pitzer, the King Ranch, and Hank Wiescamp.
But what the Walkers will always be remembered for is a gray stallion that stamped his offspring with correct conformation, athletic ability, intelligence and often with the same gray color -- Jackie Bee.
“He [Jackie Bee] made me look like I knew what I was doing,” Walker said.
Good said of Walker’s horses: “Form and function are tied closely together. After correctness has been achieved, the horse must have intelligence and the heart to get the job done. Duane Walker put the whole thing together.”
James Coffman, Kansas State University provost and former veterinarian for the Walkers, said many other horses bred during Jackie Bee’s lifetime either were great at halter or a specific performance event.
Jackie Bees’ offspring were good at all events.
“That speaks real well of a bloodline built to stand the test of time,” Coffman said. “Duane Walker loved these horses. They were enjoyed by the family and all things that made these horses great were reflect ed in the Walker family tradition.”
In addition to being a horse breeder, Walker managed the Canton Elevator for 40 years, retiring in 1998.
ADM Milling Company Vice President David Warrington said Walker succeeded because he did what he was supposed to do -- buy low and sell high.
“Except Duane wanted to buy high and sell higher. He always wanted to pay, the producer more,” Warrington said. “The only way he did business was with trust and integrity at the highest level.”
Family is an important part of the Walkers’ success. They are the parents of four children: Tim, Kathy Prieb, Cindy Monts and Dennis. In addition, they have five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The Duane Walker Appreciation Evening was co-sponsored by K-State’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, and LMIC.
Jack Riley, department head of animal science at K-State, said LMIC and the animal science department have tried to honor Walker in the past, but he always said no. Walker felt any credit given should not go to him, but to his horses.
“We persisted until he finally said yes,” Riley said.
The Stockmen’s Dinner was initiated in 1971 by A. D. Weber, vice president of the LMIC and Don Good, then head of K-State’s animal science department. Its purpose is to honor an individual who has contributed to the betterment of the meat, livestock or a closely-related industry.
K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is in Manhattan.