Bobbie Broussard, breeder of NCHA World Champion Bob Acre Doc, passed away April 8 at the age of 99.
Broussard, who ran mixed cattle on his farm at Delcambre, Louisiana, was hoping to raise a ranch horse, when in 1980, he bred his 16-year-old Sapp Head mare to Son Ofa Doc, on the advice of NCHA Hall of Fame Rider John Carter. Sapp’s Sandy had been a handy mare at home, but she had no performance credentials, and her only previous breeding had resulted in ill-fated twins. The mare herself died a few weeks after giving birth to Bob Acre Doc and Broussard hand-raised the colt on a homemade mash of Calf Manna, crimped oats, honey and milk.
“I force-fed him a little bit at a time, three or four times a day,” he said of the colt, whose name came from a country railroad depot, Bob Acre, not far from Broussard’s home. “It took me a long time until he started eating by himself, but I never got discouraged with him.
Broussard sent Bob Acre Doc to Peewee Clements for breaking, and Clements advised him to put the colt on cattle. Gene Cook took over then, and later Hall of Fame Rider Sam Wilson, who stood Bob Acre Doc’s sire, bought half-interest in the stallion.
Wilson won the 1986 NCHA 5-year-old Classic on the horse, and later showed him to win the 1991 NCHA World Championship. Houston attorney Suzan Cardwell, bought Bob Acre Doc in 1990, and showed him herself to win the 1994 NCHA Non-Pro World Championship. Bob Acre Doc retired with career earnings of $381,703, and was inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame in 1991.
Glade Knight bought Bob Acre Doc in 2001. The stallion sired NCHA money earners of $9.4 million, including NCHA Futurity Open champion Bobs Smokin Joe, Non-Pro champion Peponitas Acre and Open World Champion Bobs Hickory Rio.
A long-time resident of Delcambre, Broussard served in the United States Coast Guard. He was a shrimper prior to buying the Ice House in Delcambre, serving shrimp boats in the area for many years.
He is survived by his son, Robbie Broussard and wife Darlene of Delcambre; daughters, Peggy Broussard of Delcambre and Bonnie Hebert and husband Kenneth of Henry; one brother, Herman Broussard and wife Leona of Delcambre; his sister in law, Nettie Broussard of Henry; four grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eta LeBlanc Broussard; and three brothers, Jimmy, Kern and Wayne Broussard.
Evangeline Funeral Homes of Delcambre is in charge of arrangements.