Ranch History

The J Bar D Ranch was started by John and Donna Wilkins (thus the “J” Bar “D”). John actually got his start in horses with some Arabians, but shortly after that went to racing Quarter horses. After being in the race industry for several years, he then decided that the up-and-coming sport of cutting was where his interests lie. John diligently researched and bought the best cutting bloodlines of that day and put together a program that eventually elevated him to the top 3rd breeder, in the world, for horses winning money in cutting! A title held for 6 solid years (1983 – 1989). John’s Quarter horse breeding program started in 1957, and the ranch has continued to breed Quarter horses every year since. With Doc’s Jack Sprat as the cornerstone sire, the ranch is now on its 4th and 5th generation of “Jae Bar” horses.

Doc’s Jack Sprat

1972-1990

NCHA Moner Earner

AQHA Champion

Foals won over 3.5 million NCHA

“Sprat” was bought from the famed Doc Bar Ranch of Paicines, California, and came to the J Bar D Ranch as a yearling. He started his show career by winning the 2 year old stallion class at the Denver Stock Show. He later went on to become an AQHA Champion with 15 halter points, 14 western pleasure points, and 29 cutting points. He was an NCHA Derby Semi-Finalist, and earned his NCHA Certificate of Ability.

The family of Doc’s Jack Sprat runs deep in the record books. He was sired by the legendary Doc Bar, who had probably the greatest influence on the cutting industry ever! Many believe the greatest cross for Doc Bar was with the blood of Poco Tivio. Doc’s Jack Sprat was a product of this cross. His dam, Pura Fina was by Puro Tivio. Pura Fina was a line bred King mare. Three Bars, King, Poco Bueno, and Texas Dandy all appear in the pedigree of Doc’s Jack Sprat, and they are ALL members of the AQHA Hall Of Fame.

The role of Doc’s Jack Sprat as a sire is a picture of consistency. He has finished no lower than 16th on the leading sire lists during the years 1989 to 1994. He finished 11th on this list in 1990 through 1993. His foals earned (NCHA money) $214,647 in 1989, $294,090 in 1990, $271,017 in 1991, $232,170 in 1992, $220,705 in 1993, and 252,009 in 1994. This consistency has resulted in a yearly average of $247,444 (through 1994). Altogether, Doc’s Jack Sprat’s get have won over 3 million in NCHA money.

Doc Bar

Lighting Bar

King

Poco Tivio

The Magic Cross:

The magic cross for Doc’s Jack Sprat was with the daughters of Leo’s Question. Leo’s Question was a senior sire in the J Bar D Ranch breeding program for many years. He was an AA rated stakes runner on the track. He became a proven sire of halter, race, and performance horses. Leo’s Question was a son of Leo. Leo’s Question’s grandsire on the bottom side was Question Mark.

Here are a few of the horses that were by Doc’s Jack Sprat, and out of daughters of Leo’s Question (with their NCHA money earnings):

Jae Bar Fletch $422,935 (also is in the NCHA Hall of Fame, and sired Royal Fletch, the 2000 NCHA Futurity Champion), Jae Bar Maisie $160,290, Jae Bar Gaby $148,467, Jae Bar Faber $147,059, Jae Bar Peppy $144,576, Jae Bar Fame $142,586, Jae Bar Curt $107,277, Jae Bar Cal $123,230, Jae Bar Mina $87,095, Jae Bar Trick $78,293, Jae Bar Tomahawk $87,691, Jae Bar Alex $72,005, Jae Bar Gali $56,678, Jae Bar Marco $37,345, Jae Bar Muir $37,933, Jae Bar Wendy $37,955, and many more!!!!

Leo’s Question

Leo

Question Mark

The ranch has had the privilege of being the home of many incredible horses, such as, Doc’s Jack Sprat, Leo’s Question, Leo Flyo, Doc’s Cinch Bet, Doc’s Wrangler, Triple Chick, Little King Freckles (son of Peppy San Badger) just to name a few!

The following is the AQHA interview with John Wilkins in 2007 when they celebrated 50 consecutive years of breeding Quarter horses: