Joe Kirk Fulton from Texas Tech Archives
Joe Kirk Fulton blazed the trail in 1954, as the first mounted football mascot – Texas Tech University’s famous Red Raider. Fulton’s contribution to the Quarter Horse world, however, reaches well beyond his native Texas.

Peppy San Badger, a foundation sire of the modern cutting horse, was bred by Fulton, as were the earners of more than $16 million on the racetrack, including world champions Dashs Dream and Special Leader, and 72 other stakes winners.

Fulton, who has been raising Quarter Horses for 50 years and was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame this year, has bred and/or owned stallions that have sired the earners of more than $60 million.

Click here for a video interview of Fulton and film clips of him as the Red Raider.