Miss Friendship, “Pepsi,” with Brandi Burroughs
National Reserve Champion WC Legally Blonde (Psytation EA x CT Pina Colada
Life-long equestrian Cindy Beck’s love for breeding horses began in 1981 when she traded a used two-horse trailer for the HalfArabian buckskin filly Miss Friendship (“Pepsi”). Her daughter, Brandi Burroughs, was a young girl at the time, developing the same love for horses her mom had. Decades later this mother and daughter are still enjoying horses together.
Beck has bred 44 horses, with an affinity to colored horses. That inspired her program’s name, Winning Colors. One of the most special moments she and Burroughs have in common is winning national championships on horses with the WC initials ahead of their names.
“There is no other feeling like it,” Burroughs shared with a smile. “Hearing your name called as the winner is the culmination of years of planning and love.”
Beck finds a lot of pride in her small operation and says that her mares are the most important part. “My advice for people is to find the best mare you can,” Beck says. Then pick a horse with a pedigree and conformation who complements her.” Her first mare Pepsi had seven foals who earned eight national championships, and nine reserves. And the Quarter Horse mare I Am A Dun Diva (“Dee Dee”), who Beck purchased in 2010, has proven to be just as impactful on Winning Colors’ reputation.
Left: I Am A Dun Diva with WC Khanfidential
Below: Cindy Beck with WC Khanspiracy
by CAITLIN PIGOTTWINNING COLORS: PROUD BREEDERS OF 16 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS & 18 RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Riskie Business+++//
WC Just Imagine+//
WC Center Stage+/
WC Ultimatum
WC Legally Blonde
WC Khanfession
WC Khanfidential
WC Khanspiracy
Multi-National Champion WC Center Stage+/ (Psymadre x CT Pina Colada)
Soon after purchasing Dee Dee, Beck had a pivotal conversation with Caralyn Schroter who told her about the up-and-coming breeding stallion PA Kid Khan. His first foal out of Dee Dee resulted in national champion WC Khanspiracy. Since then, this crossing has been replicated six times, resulting in five national championships, and seven reserve national championships.
There was always something special about WC Khanspiracy (“Jumbo”) for Beck. “He is my heart horse,” she said about him whom she bought back in 2020 from a previous owner she sold him to.
“Jumbo was my first national championship,” Beck reflected on their 2022 Oklahoma City victory. “As special as those moments are, we really breed all-around horses. Right now, Jumbo is home while some of his younger siblings are in training. Seeing him every day brings me indescribable joy.”
One of these siblings is WC Khanvicted (“Chapo”), who is currently at Becker Stables preparing for the 2023 Half-Arabian AWPA Futurity. Beck and Burroughs are very purposeful about the training programs they invest in. Becker Stables has been the most common choice because of their faith in how Becker can optimize a horse’s potential.
Moving forward, Burroughs hopes to learn from her mom’s experience and eventually take over the small breeding operation. “I believe in the foundation my mom has created so much that I purchased Fiona from her,” Burroughs stated with admiration. Fiona, formally known as WC Khanfidential, is the only mare to come of the PA Kid Khan x I Am A Dun Diva cross thus far. So, this was an intentional purchase.
Multi-National Champion WC Khanfidential
(PA Kid Khan x I Am A Dun Diva)
Her daughter is wise to build on what she has created, because Beck has always had a knack for breeding a successful Half-Arabian. She is extra proud of their success at young ages. She bred consecutive Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure Futurity winners in 2005 and 2006. WC Center Stage took the title in 2005, as the first buckskin to win the class. Her mares also produced the National Champion Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Futurity winners in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
“I am excited to see what the future brings, “Brandi says to her mom, “but truthfully, all that matters is we have horses who we adore, and we get to share them with each other.”
National Champion WC Khanfession (PA Kid Khan x Tiki Command)
Multi-National Champion WC Khanspiracy
WC Khanvicted (PA Kid Khan x I Am A Dun Diva)