| Wing Commander | |
|---|---|
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| Breed | American Saddlebred |
| Sire | Anacacho Shamrock |
| Grandsire | Edna May's King |
| Dam | Flirtation Walk |
| Maternal grandsire | Kings Genius |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1943 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Color | Chestnut, four white socks and star |
| Owner | Dodge Stables |
| Trainer | Earl Teater |
| Major wins | |
| 6 Five-Gaited World's Grand Championships | |
Wing Commander (1943–1969) was an American Saddlebred show horse out of the mare Flirtation Walk and by the stallion Anacacho Shamrock. Wing Commander was a chestnut with four white socks and a thin white stripe that ran from his forehead all the way to his upper lip. He was trained to be a five-gaited horse, meaning he performed the walk, trot, canter, slow gait and rack. Through both sides of his pedigree, Wing Commander traced back to the highly influential Saddlebred stallions Rex McDonald and Bourbon King, who were themselves successful show horses. In 1948, the stallion won his first Five-Gaited World Grand Championship, a title he kept for a total of six years. In total he won 6 Five-Gaited World Grand Championships, and was the first of only two horses to accomplish this. In 1950 Life magazine featured Wing Commander as an example of a fine athlete and an American Idol. He was owned by Dodge Stables, and trained by Marvin Lane and ridden by Earl Teater. Wing Commander stood at stud at Castleton Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, and died at the age of 26.