French Flash Hawk facts for kids
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| Breed | Quarter Horse |
|---|---|
| Discipline | Barrel racing |
| Sex | gelding |
| Foaled | 1987 |
| Country | United States |
| Color | Sorrel (horse) |
| Owner | Kristie Peterson |
| Honors | |
| Honors | |
| ProRodeo Hall of Fame |
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French Flash Hawk, known as Bozo, was an amazing Quarter Horse born in 1987. He became a superstar in Barrel racing. With his owner, Kristie Peterson, Bozo won four World Champion titles in a row! He was so famous that he was added to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2018. Bozo was one of the most well-known animal athletes in rodeo history. He passed away on May 4, 2016.
Bozo's Early Life
Bozo was born in 1987. He was a sorrel colored gelding (a male horse that cannot reproduce). He had a white stripe, called a blaze, on his face. When Bozo was two years old, Kristie Peterson bought him for $400. She brought him home on Thanksgiving Day in 1989. Kristie's husband, Chuck, helped train Bozo before Kristie started riding him. Bozo's nickname came from a circus, linked to his mother's father.
At first, Bozo was a bit wild when ridden. But Kristie and Bozo quickly formed a strong bond. Kristie understood that Bozo liked his independence. She knew he was meant to be a great rodeo horse. He didn't need much attention from people, but he loved running the barrels. All the attention he needed, he got from Kristie.
Bozo's Amazing Career
Kristie Peterson started her barrel racing career with Bozo in special events for young horses. She had never done this before. In 1991 and 1992, they competed in futurities and derbies. They earned almost $150,000 in just two years! In December 1992, Bozo won a big championship. It was the Barrel Futurities of America World Championship Derby and Sweepstakes.
Kristie also joined the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) in 1991. She earned her first of 11 Mountain States Circuit titles. Kristie remembered, "He did really well in the futurities. But at five, in the derbies, he was just awesome." She quickly realized Bozo was a true winner.
Competing in the WPRA
In 1993, Kristie and Bozo began serious competition with the WPRA. They competed in events held by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). They had big wins that year. They won at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. They also won at Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Dodge City Roundup.
In 1993, they went to their first National Finals Rodeo (NFR). They almost won the world championship! They finished a close second. They nearly beat the famous team of Charmayne James and her horse Scamper. That year, Scamper was going for his 10th championship. Bozo and Kristie won two rounds at the NFR. However, they knocked over a barrel in round nine, which cost them the title. Even so, fans loved this new team. They admired Bozo's unique style and Kristie's humble attitude. She always gave credit to her amazing horse.
The NFR was held at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1994, Kristie and Bozo won the NFR championship. They went on to win three more times: in 1996, 1997, and 1998.
From 1996 to 1997, the duo always earned prize money. From 1995 to 1997, Bozo placed in 22 rounds in a row! In 1998, he missed prize money in the first round. But after that, he went 17 rounds without missing a check. Together, Kristie and Bozo earned over half a million dollars in their career.
Bozo's Awards
Bozo won many important awards during his career:
- 1992, 1994, 1995, 1998 RAM (formerly Dodge) National Circuit Rodeo titles
- 1993, 1995, 1999 Reserve World Barrel Racing Champion
- 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 NFR Average titles
- 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 World Barrel Racing Champion
- 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 Horse With the Most Heart
- 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 PRCA/WPRA AQHA Barrel Racing Horse of the Year
Bozo's Legacy
In 1999, after Kristie won her third championship at RodeoHouston, she retired Bozo. He passed away on May 4, 2016, at Kristie's home in Lott, Texas. He was 29 years old. Kristie saw Bozo as more than just a barrel horse; he was part of her family.
Bozo also changed the sport of barrel racing. Most barrel horses at the time would turn barrels by sliding around them using their back legs. Bozo, however, would pull with his front legs and power through the turn with his back legs. This unique style helped him succeed in all kinds of barrel events and on different grounds.
Bozo's success made breeders very interested in his family tree. His father, Sun Frost, had two sons who became very famous: Frenchmans Guy and PC Frenchmans Hayday. Frenchmans Guy is now one of the top fathers of barrel horses. His offspring have won almost $10 million! Bozo's records, his bloodline, and his special style all made him one of the most recognized barrel horses ever. He might even be one of the most famous animal performers in rodeo history.
