Last February, during the National Cutting Horse Association World Finals in Amarillo, TX, Casey Don Moore noticed a horse kicking the wall of the stall adjoining his. When Moore went to investigate, an old friend trying to get his attention greeted him. The horse was Sunnys Two Eyed Doc, who Moore had ridden to win the NCHA Youth World Championship in 1991.

Moore had sold the gelding in 1993 and six owners later, at 24, Sunnys Two Eyed Doc was still cutting. This year, Kassie Teal, 9, Naples, TX, showed the 24-year-old senior in the NCHA Junior Youth competition at the World Finals. She has also offered to let Moore’s son Colby, 9, ride “Sunny” in the $2,000 Limit Rider class at the NCHA Eastern National Championships in Jackson, MS, in March.

“He’s a great horse and it feels special to me to carry on with more tradition,” said Colby, whose father also won the NCHA National Youth championship on Sunnys Two Eyed Doc. “I’m a third generation cutter and I’m proud of it,” added Colby, whose grandfather, Gary Moore, Hartford, AL, like Casey Don, is also a trainer.

“I don’t ever hardly worry,” said Casey Don in 1991 of his career with Sunnys Two Eyed Doc. “He’s the best horse I’ve ever had. All he ever sees before I go to a show is a flag. He hasn’t seen a cow at home in two years.”

Kassie Teal is just as enthusiastic about Sunny, who sports a pink halter with “Kassie” emblazoned on the noseband. “When I ride him, I don’t really have to hold on,” she said. “He’ll just keep on going. He’s just been such a great thing in my life.”

Bred by Evelyn Meade, Copan, OK and acquired by Gary Moore at four, Sunnys Two Eyed Doc is by Doc Jack out of Sun Gold Miss, by Sun Otoe.

“Doc Jack is Two Eyed Jack on the top and Doc’s Clabber on the other side,” Casey Don noted. “His mama is an Otoe-bred mare. He’s a foundation-bred horse, but he works up to modern day standards.”