Bright Chip’s name appears in the pedigree of halter horses, performance horses, racehorses and youth horses, and his consistent production record led him to greatness in the ApHC. From 1970 to 1982, Bright Chip earned every California year-end champion leading sire title except in 1972, when he received reserve honor.
Hall of Fame Appaloosa breeder Jim Wild of Sarcoxie, Missouri, crossed the mare Chipeta A to Hall of Fame stallion Bright Eyes Brother F-3047. The cross produced Bright Chip on June 25, 1961. In 1972, Doris and the late Eugene Sharp of Halcyon Farms in Morgan Hill, California, bought 11-year-old Bright Chip from Gail Faust of Capay Rancho in Orlando, California. Bright Chip stood at the center of Doris and Eugene’s breeding program for his remaining years.
The stallion sired 307 registered foals during his lifetime. Forty-seven of his get earned 2,192 performance points and 21 earned 202 halter points. Bright Chip’s show offspring also collected 25 registers of merit, three performance supreme championships, two club championships, two versatility awards, 12 bronze medallions and one silver medallion. He also sired 12 race starters, four winners and two stakes placed.
In 1978, Bright Chip suffered his first bout with colic and veterinarians removed 17 feet of the stallion’s intestines. He colicked and recovered again in 1982. One year later, he suffered from colic for the last time. The Sharps had Bright Chip euthanized on August 7, 1983.
