Two-time AQHA/PRCA Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year Bad Motorscooter died of natural causes on the Powers Ranch in Sonora, Texas, on July 27.

“Scooter” won his two AQHA/PRCA Horse of the Year distinctions in 1998 and 2001. He carried Mike Smith to the world title in 1998, and Mickey Gee to the gold buckle in 1999.

“He weighed 1,000 pounds, and 500 of them were his heart,” said Jimmy Powers, Bad Motorscooter’s owner.

The little bay gelding’s heart was displayed at its best during the 1998 National Finals Rodeo. Though he stood just an inch taller than 14 hands, he carried five cowboys through all 10 rounds. Mike Smith, Herbert Theriot, Steve Duhon, Jeff Corbello and Kurt Goulding all rode Scooter at the 1998 NFR, and the quintet won three of the top five spots for the year and more than $255,000 in NFR prize money. Smith won the world championship, Theriot finished in the reserve spot, and Duhon finished fifth.

Bad Motorscooter, sired by 1973 Quarter racing world champion Truckle Feature out of Haughty Hussey, by Raise Your Glass TB, was bred by McDermott Ranch, Madisonville, TX. He was 26 when he died and was buried next to the practice arena on the Powers Ranch.