xenophonn

    Xenophonn (pronounced Zen-o-phon), or "Zee" as he is better known, was born on May 27, 1972. He was purchased by Red Fletcher, and Tom Miller fine-tuned the cutting horse and began competing on him. When Red was injured in 1981, Miller then bought the stallion, who was big, strong, and extremely athletic. He won consistently, and in 1981, he began breeding him. In 1982, six of his foals were born, three of which (Zee Prince, Zee Trixie, and Zee Ruler) went on to win national titles. He was an incredible sire, because he had such a great mind set to be the western competitive horse that he was. He was both physically and mentally able to do the work that was asked of him. His hocks were set low, si he could really get in the ground. His mind was incredibly stable, and because of this, he was able to remain calm in stressful competitions.
     By the near end of 1998, Zee had sired 149 registered offspring. Of these, there are 27 national title winners in the working western division, an accomplishment that no other sire has ever been able to reach. Zee himself won 3 U.S. National Championships in open and novice cutting, and 3 U.S. Reserve National Championships in ladies and open cutting. Most of his offspring are bay. There has never been a chestnut in his get, and grays have only occurred when the mare is homozygous gray. The best cross with Zee was with the Millers' mare, Speed Princess (Ferana, by Ferseyn x Teyma Miller). She has claimed two U.S. Nat'l Cutting Championships (futurity and ladies) and 3 U.S. Nat'l Top Ten open cutting awards. Their best offspring include:
Zee Princess (1987 U.S. Nat'l Cutting Futurity Champion), Zee Prince (1987 U.S. Reserve Nat'l Cutting Futurity Champion), Zee Queen (19889 U.S. Nat'l Cutting Futurity Champion, Top Ten Open Cutting, and 1990 U.S. Nat'l Open Cutting Champion), Princess Zee (1990 U.S. Nat'l Cutting Futurity Champion), Z Princes Miracle (2 1995 U.S. Reserve Nat'l Championships in futurity cutting and non-pro futurity cutting), and Zee King (1997 U.S. National Futurity Cutting Champion title).
     Xenophonn also was bred to Impressive Lady, whose offspring included 4 national reserve titles and one national championship in cutting events. Those five offspring are: Zee Trixie, Zee Witez, Ima Trixie Too, Zee Impressive, and Zee Jada.
     As quoted in Marian K. Carpenter's book Arabian Legends, Tom Miller states, " 'I always say that we breed for three things. One, eye appeal. They have to be pretty. Two, athletic ability. If they can't move well, you might as well just get a piece of clay and mold yourself a pretty horse. And three, a trainable mind. This is the most improtant. They must be able to take a lot of work, respond well, retain what they learn, and understand what you are trying to get across. If they can't think very well, then you are up against it; pretty and even athletic aren't going to help much. Zee does put on pretty. People come up to us al the time when we ride Zee horses and say, Boy, that's a pretty horse. And that's whether they are the most knowledgeable or it's their first time at a horse show. Zee horses attract people.' "(52).
     Xenophonn incredibly impacted the western working division world both by his personal performances and by his offspring. "The Millers and their Zee horses have changed the horse world's view of Arabian cutting horses. They are good and competitive."(53). He is still living, and resides with the Miller family at their ranch, where the horses are tough (none are shod and all are turned out), and where the working western competitive training is elite.
     " 'The old horse, he's made quite a difference. For the Millers and for Arabian cutting horses.' "(53).