November 18, 2009

An original painting of Wimpy P-1 auctioned at the 2009 American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show Sale at the weekend fetched $120,000.

The legendary painting by the late American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame member Orren Mixer was purchased by Hendrik and Lettie Smeding of Pope Valley, California, via telephone bid.

The painting was commissioned by Rex Cauble, the last recorded owner of Wimpy P-1, the first horse registered with the American Quarter Horse Association at its founding. It was consigned by Reynolds and Lisa Moreland of Mays Lick, Kentucky, who purchased the painting from Cauble before his death in 2003.

"We had inquiries about the painting," Reynolds said about his decision to sell the painting, the original of an iconic image of Wimpy P-1 used publicly for decades. "I had people approach me to give it away.

"I approached Mike Jennings (of Professional Auction Services Inc.) last year and asked him, "'Have you ever thought about auctioning artwork?'" he said. "After Mr. Mixer passed away, I had people show an interest. I told Mike what my idea was, he said this might be something we could do.

"(Selling the painting at the World Show Sale) in my opinion, that was going to be the best audience, the largest audience in one spot that would be interested in it," he added. "It's my understanding that none of Mr Mixer's paintings have ever sold (at public auction), it was all commission work."

When the gavel fell Sunday at the World Show sale, Hendrik and Lettie Smeding were the new owners of this historic painting.

"We plan to keep it and enjoy it," Lettie said. "We're pretty excited. It was one of those things when we saw it in the sale, we just decided let's see if we can get it or not."

The Smedings own a ranch in Napa County, and have horses and cattle, and recently acquired a new stallion, Dual Star Cat.

"We like Quarter Horse art and all kinds of horse art," Lettie said. "It was a good fit and good timing."

She added that it was exciting to see a painting of the late Orren Mixer go through public auction.

"We were hopeful and really surprised (to get it)," she said. "Growing up and seeing this painting and photographs of the painting, it was just something that stood out in my mind that it would be neat to have: the No. 1 horse!"