Every summer during the 1980’s and early 1990’s, I would make a trip to San Jose Cattle Company, in Pleasanton, TX, to photograph racehorse yearlings bound for the Ruidoso Super Select Sale. At the time, San Jose Cattle Company was owned by Perry Bass of Fort Worth and managed by Art Shahan, who had worked for Bass’ uncle, the famous wildcatter and oil magnate Sid Richardson.
Shahan built an impressive program for Bass based originally on daughters of Jet Deck, Go Man Go, and Easy Jet. Under Shahan’s direction, San Jose Cattle Company became part of the original Dash For Cash syndicate and produced such notable runners as two-time AQHA running champion Dashing Phoebe, as well as major stakes winners Meganette, Sayin Goodbye, Baby Hold On, Ms Secret Cash, Racin Image, Wrangle Alot and Ima Dasher Myself.
As a former field inspector for the Santa Gertrudis Association, who traveled from coast-to-coast and to 17 foreign countries, Shahan had an unerring eye for conformation and an innate skill for breeding outstanding performers. Dashing Phoebe and Meganette, who each earned over $600,000, were as beautiful to behold as they were talented.
In addition to racehorses, San Jose also owned some top ranked cutting horses, including 1978 NCHA world champion Doc’s Play Mate. But it was Miss Silver Pistol, bred by Shahan out of his favorite roping mare, Pistol Lady 2 Be, who would have a lasting impact on the cutting world. As a competitor under Shahan’s son, Wes (pictured), Miss Silver Pistol won the 1985 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity and earned over $500,000 in open and non-pro competition; as a broodmare she has produced earners of more than $350,000, including leading sire Playgun.
When Miss Silver Pistol was just a two-year-old and Wes Shahan was a senior in high school, Frances Shahan, Wes’ mother, gave me a cookbook produced by the Atascosa County Black Hill 4-H Club of which Wes was president. Frances was a great cook and I enjoyed some wonderful meals at the Shahan table, which had a large turntable on top that could be rotated for easy access to the mouth-watering dishes prepared by Frances.
Kuntry Fixins, my treasured Black Hill 4-H Club cookbook, is sprinkled liberally with Frances’ recipes, but one of my favorites, under the category “Appetizers, Pickles, Relishes,” was contributed by Wes and named in honor of his father.
Daddy’s Ranch Spread
- 2 cans ripe olives, chopped
- 2 cans green chilies, chopped
- 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 4 green onions, including tops, chopped
- 1 T. salad oil
- 2 T. wine vinegar
- 1/2 t. garlic salt
- 1/8 t. pepper
- 1/2 to 1 fresh green chili pepper (optional)
Mix ingredients, adding tomatoes last. Chill in tightly covered container. Serve with Ritz crackers or Doritos, or over meat.