The mid-south lost a great horseman on July 14, 2017 with the passing of George Robert “Bobby” Pidgeon, Sr. (84) of Moscow Tennessee.
Bobby, a passionate horseman, owned Bar H Ranche in Weatherford, Texas, and was a leading breeder of cutting horses, winner of the 1991 and 1992 Non Pro Futurity. He was inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Non-Pro Rider Hall of Fame in 2005. His horse, Dual Pep, became one of the leading industry stallions. He also owned CD Olena, the 1994 NCHA Open Futurity Champion and the 1995 NCHA Horse Of The Year.
In addition to being a competitor, Bobby produced multiple Cutting Horse shows, which were renowned for the excellent quality of horse competitions, as well as a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.He was an NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame member who still ranksed 22nd among the all-time leading Non-Pro money-earners with $1.1 million won. His career highlights included the 1990 and 1991 NCHA Summer Spectacular Classic/Challenge Non-Pro Championships on Dual Pep (Peppy San Badger x Miss Dual Doc x Doc’s Remedy), who under his promotion developed into one of cutting’s all-time leading sires and broodmare sires.
In 1966, Bobby became President and CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Memphis, Tenn., a position he held for more than 20 years. He was instrumental in the development of the Agricenter Show Place Arena.
Bobby loved helping people. Both through his business and in his personal life he donated to many charities, always anonymously. He developed a legacy program for the American Cancer Society and was actively involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, the Rameses II Exhibit, Church Health Center and many others. In 1989, Dr. Scott Morris, CEO of the Church Health Center, said he was told a homeless man wanted to see him. It was Bobby Pidgeon dressed in old clothes who handed him a large check and said, “If anyone ever learns I gave you this, I will never give you another dime.” Dr. Morris wouldn’t tell the story until now.
Bobby Pidgeon lived his life with an independent spirit, a feisty attitude and dry humor. As a husband, father, grandfather and friend, he embodied strength and compassion – plus a sense of fun and adventure. He took life by the horns, and those around him learned to expect the unexpected.
Bobby, a passionate horseman, owned Bar H Ranche in Weatherford, Texas, and was a leading breeder of cutting horses, winner of the 1991 and 1992 Non Pro Futurity. He was inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Non-Pro Rider Hall of Fame in 2005. His horse, Dual Pep, became one of the leading industry stallions. He also owned CD Olena, the 1994 NCHA Open Futurity Champion and the 1995 NCHA Horse Of The Year.
In addition to being a competitor, Bobby produced multiple Cutting Horse shows, which were renowned for the excellent quality of horse competitions, as well as a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.He was an NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame member who still ranksed 22nd among the all-time leading Non-Pro money-earners with $1.1 million won. His career highlights included the 1990 and 1991 NCHA Summer Spectacular Classic/Challenge Non-Pro Championships on Dual Pep (Peppy San Badger x Miss Dual Doc x Doc’s Remedy), who under his promotion developed into one of cutting’s all-time leading sires and broodmare sires.
In 1966, Bobby became President and CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Memphis, Tenn., a position he held for more than 20 years. He was instrumental in the development of the Agricenter Show Place Arena.
Bobby loved helping people. Both through his business and in his personal life he donated to many charities, always anonymously. He developed a legacy program for the American Cancer Society and was actively involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, the Rameses II Exhibit, Church Health Center and many others. In 1989, Dr. Scott Morris, CEO of the Church Health Center, said he was told a homeless man wanted to see him. It was Bobby Pidgeon dressed in old clothes who handed him a large check and said, “If anyone ever learns I gave you this, I will never give you another dime.” Dr. Morris wouldn’t tell the story until now.
Bobby Pidgeon lived his life with an independent spirit, a feisty attitude and dry humor. As a husband, father, grandfather and friend, he embodied strength and compassion – plus a sense of fun and adventure. He took life by the horns, and those around him learned to expect the unexpected.
