Cherry’s Leader changed the Appaloosa cutting and roping horse industry by siring some of the greatest cow horses of his time. Blanche Wolf O’Connor of Bay City, Texas, bred Cherry’s Leader, a dun colt by Joker’s Leader and out of Cherry Twist. Cherry Twist foaled him on February 2, 1969. His extended pedigree runs into Quarter Horse greats such as Leo, Red Dog, Joe Reed II, Joe Reed and Hard Twist.

Dean Alexander, now of Grand Saline, Texas, trained for O’Connor Ranch and rode both Joker’s Leader and Cherry Twist. A huge fan of Joker B. and Red Dog, Dean understood Cherry’s Leader’s potential as a working horse. Dean purchased the colt as a yearling in 1970 and never sold him.

Dean trained and showed Cherry’s Leader, who forged ahead in cutting and roping after successfully competing in halter. The stallion earned nine World and National titles along with six reserves. He received a register of merit in calf roping and cutting from the Texas Appaloosa Horse Club and later earned the title of Texas Appaloosa Champion.

Cherry’s Leader sired 127 foals during his 16-year career as a breeding stallion. Twenty-four of his foals earned a combined 261.7 performance points in classes ranging from western pleasure and halter to cutting and reining. Eight earned a combined 47 halter points. Six earned seven registers of merit.

Cherry’s Leader’s foals collected 10 bronze medallions and three superior achievement certificates. They excelled in non-pro and youth classes as well as open. Cherry’s Leader’s top point earners include TV’s Leader, out of TV Writer, and Cherry’s Cola, a 1978 mare out of Krissy Ko Ko (AQHA).

Cherry’s Leader died of founder in 1988.