Dilday Ranch Announces The Passing Of Topsails Rien Maker – An Amazing Horse With An Amazing Heart

Topsails Rien Maker and Russell Dilday are quite possibly one of the most incredible teams to watch. Sadly, Dilday Ranch announced the passing of “Slider” this morning on Facebook. They wrote:

“Good bye Great One… It has been an incredible honor and an extraordinary privilege to have something this magical be a part of our lives. What you didn’t have in size you made up for with heart. You were the little horse who did. You never met a cow you couldn’t catch, you gave everything you had every time you trotted in the gate, you left it all in the arena. NO regrets, the epitome of true grit, a fierce competitor with a heart of gold. You could win the World’s Greatest, come home and stand by the fence until Ace could climb on and head out with a halter bareback. That reflection in you big kind eye was pure goodness. You will always be the absolute greatest to us. Thank you Slider for so many treasured memories, you will be cherished in our hearts forever….”

The Dilday Ranch Website lists this fine stallions accomplishments as:
2002 NRCHA World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity, Limited Open Reserve Champion
2003 NRCHA Southwest Region Open Hackamore Champion
2004 NRCHA Derby Open, 3rd
2004 NRCHA World Championship Hackamore Top Ten
2004 AQHA Junior Working Cow Horse Qualifier
2004 AQHA Performance ROM
2005 NRCHA World Championship Open Hackamore Champion
2005 NRCHA Two Rein 3rd Nation, 6th World
2006 Worlds Richest Stock Horse 4th place
2006 NRCHA Bridle Spectacular Champion
2006 Spring Classic Bridle Spectacular Champion
2008 Worlds Greatest Horseman Champion
2011 Worlds Greatest Horseman Champion
2012 Worlds Greatest Horseman 3rd, Steer Stopping Champion
2013 Worlds Greatest Horseman 3rd
LTE (Lifetime Earnings): $371,521.90

I don’t think they make horses any more talented than Slider was. Our hearts go out to the Dilday Family and everyone who knew and loved this amazing horse.