Est. 1979
Owned and operated by a family of horsemen, Manion Ranch is widely known for standing some of the leading stallions from multiple disciplines like SMART LITTLE LENA who called the ranch home for most of his lifetime (from age 5 until his death at 31). Initially, their stallion roster included AQHA Hall of Fame Halter Stallion IMPRESSIVE, his son – an All-Time Leading Halter Sire PRETTY IMPRESSIVE, and an All-Time Leading ApHC sire DANDY ZIPPO.
Soon to follow, leading stallions from the performance horse industry were welcomed through the front gate. Manion Ranch has stood legends SMART LITTLE LENA (LTE $743,000) NCHA Triple Crown Champion (1 of only 3 horses), NCHA Hall of Fame, and AQHA Hall Fame with offspring earnings of $43 Million and HIGH BROW CAT, All-Time Leading Sire with offspring earnings of $90 Million. Currently in residence, is the once-in-a-lifetime son of High Brow Cat – SMOOTH AS A CAT (LTE $500,000) NCHA Horse of the Year, NCHA Hall of Fame, only Horse of the Year to sire 2 NCHA Horses of the Year with offspring earnings of $36.5 Million. Over the years, the Ranch is honored and proud to have stood 3 of the Top Five All-Time Leading Cutting Sires.
& SMOOTH AS A CAT
A Wish fulfilled… and then some!
More than 4 decades ago, Tommy Manion envisioned building a world-class breeding operation in Aubrey, TX – an area that would become known as “Horse Country USA.” Today, that dream has been realized. The Manion family spent a lifetime working hard to earn the trust of horse owners, breeders and trainers. As hoped, customers found their confidence in Manion Ranch well placed. Their continuous support has enabled the Manions to establish a firm foothold in the Western Performance Horse world, and become one of the leading, and most respected among all the breeders and owners.
In addition, the Manions bred, raised, owned and showed many champions including both Smooth As A Cat and Im Countin Checks – each a winner of more than $500,000. Tommy, Chris and Kyle are all AQHA World Champions. Combined, the family boasts 44 AQHA World Championships, many of which were won on horses from their own breeding program. As competitors, Tommy and Kyle hold the distinction of being the only father and son in history to compete head-to-head in a work off, after they both tied to win a major championship in the Augusta Futurity.
The Manion family appreciates and cherishes the ranch’s longevity, and is especially grateful to work in an industry they love. Tommy, Chris, Kyle and Layne Manion will continue building their legacy with eyes focused on the future, and a driving curiosity to see… what’s next?
Tommy Manion
- WCHA Hall of Fame
- NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame with lifetime earnings of $1.2 Million
- Holds record (41) for AQHA World Championships in multiple events
- NCHA Futurity Non-Pro Champion, plus numerous other major championships
- NRHA Futurity Open Reserve Champion, plus numerous other major championships
- All-American Quarter Horse Congress Championships in multiple events, including 6 versatility titles
- Multiple Futurity Championships (Halter, Pleasure, Reining, and Cutting)
- Former AQHA, NRCHA, NRHA, WCHA Judge
Kyle Manion
- NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame with lifetime earnings of $2 Million
- Two-Time AQHA World Champion
- 1 AQHA Reserve World Championship
- Multiple NCHA Championships
- Western Horseman Cup Non-Pro Champion
Chris Manion
- AQHA World Champion
- AQHA Reserve World Championships (2)
- Manion Ranch Business Manager
Layne Manion
- Horseman in Training
