Its Just About Me (Charles), a leader among foals of 1999, passed the $300,000 earnings milestone with a win under Matt Gaines at the North Texas Cutting Association Summer Circuit in Fort Worth.

The sorrel stallion, owned by Bob and Nan Kingsley’s Bluestem Ranch, Weatherford, Texas, was retired to DLR Stallion Station last year, where he’s been bred to some industry leaders, including 2002 NCHA Horse of the Year Little Pepto Gal. But it was hard for Kingsley to pass up an opportunity to bring Charles to Will Rogers Coliseum and shoot for one more notch in his record.

Kingsley, the host of Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40, had another motive in bringing Charles out of retirement. For the first time, Kingsley would be able to ride the stallion himself.

“When Matt rode him, he turned so hard a few times that Matt’s rear came out of the saddle,” Kingsley noted on Friday. “I just hope I can stay on him.”

The next day, Kingsley had no problem staying aboard Charles and, despite his “first time” jitters, scored 75 points. It was just the third time Kingsley had shown a horse since he was sidelined following surgery, last fall and again this spring, to repair a detached retina in his right eye. Then on Sunday, he marked 76 to win the Non-Pro.

Bob Kingsley with Its Just About Me.