Great man. My husband and I boarded at his ranch in Almaden for years. He
was a wonderful man, taught my husband how to drive a team of horses and set
up numerous ride n tie and chariot races in Quick Silver Park. He was quick
with a grin or a wink of an eye. Quite the horse trader... He would
sometimes pick up animals that were headed to slaughter. We youngins would
"gentle" them for him for resale. I fell in love with a mustang he picked up
that put two trainers in the hospital. I'm short and stubborn like Virl so I
took on the project. We bathed clipped and cleaned the horse Keebler, the
mustang. Virl walked in and asked "where'd that horse come from"!? Took the
animal to a gymkana play day with Virl and the gang. We were running the
flag race from barrel to barrel. Keebler was fast. Grabbed the first flag
and headed for the barrel at the other end of the arena, made my switch and
rounded the barrel for the run back. Keebler got a peak at the flag in my
hand and decided to spook. I'm sure my eyes were as wide as saucers when I
heard a voice in the distance yell calmly "DROP THE FLAG". I did and he
calmed down.... Just in time for the announcer to say, "and if your
interested, this horse is for sale"! LOL Lots of trail stories with Virl
too. He loved hooking up Arabians to his home made chariots or the old and
very heavy military cart. My husband never could understand why he hooked up
the new horses on the right. Thinking we would get some interesting
explanation about harnessing and training we asked. Virl replied with a
grin, "because we need to turn left at the end of the road".