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It’s often said that the best moments in life come when we least expect them. This was certainly true for us. A seemingly ordinary trade that started as a casual conversation led to the arrival of one of the most remarkable horses our ranch has ever seen. It wasn’t a trade I had planned or expected to be anything out of the ordinary. Looking back, it feels like fate had a hand in it. I agreed to a trade for a colt I hadn’t even seen, and now, just a few years later, I look at what Gibson has become and think, “What a story.” Who could’ve predicted that a simple trade would bring us something so special—not just for the ranch but for our family and business, too? Gibson’s journey has become so intertwined with ours that it’s hard to imagine one without the other.
When they dropped him off, I wasn’t there. They took him straight to the first colt pen by the loading chute. When I returned from town and went to the pens, I saw him right away. I opened the gate, took one look at him, and thought, “Wow, this is a really pretty colt.” Most people who know me understand that I don’t usually get excited about young horses, especially yearlings. But Gibson was different. There was something about him that just stood out, even in the quietest way.
As soon as I saw that his registered name was “Cool Guitar,” I called my dad, who had always surrounded himself with music and artists. I asked him, “Hey, Dad, what’s the coolest guitar?” He quickly replied, “Gibson.” Then he added, “Well, or Fender,” but I insisted, “No, no, you said Gibson, so that will be his name.” Just like that, his name became Gibson. It has always meant a lot to me that my dad chose the name Gibson. He was such an important part of my life, and it’s comforting to know that, in a way, my dad is still part of Gibson’s story.
When Gibson first arrived, I had no preconceived notions about what I was getting into, and that’s part of what made the entire process so rewarding. I made the trade thinking it was a fair deal on both sides—Donna got to showcase her horse at the Futurity, and I got a yearling to work with. My plan was simple at the time: train him and sell him as a two-year-old. But when my brother, Wyatt, found out I had him, he said, “I want in.” Without hesitation, he bought half of Gibson, and that’s when we started thinking about his future together.
Our original plan was to send him to the two-year-old sale, but looking back, it’s amazing how little pressure we felt. He didn’t owe us anything, and we had no major expectations. We focused on letting him show us what he could do, taking it one step at a time. Honestly, that’s been one of the things that made this journey so special—no rush, no pressure, just a quiet belief that he had something great ahead of him.
Reflecting on the day Gibson first arrived, I’m reminded of the unpredictable moments that life throws our way. Trading for a horse sight unseen may sound risky, but it highlights the beauty of spontaneity and trust. It’s these very experiences that come together to create lasting memories, reminding us that sometimes the most unexpected turns lead to the most special outcomes.
Written by Lacy Tucker