Wilson Mustain – Keeping The Colonel’s Legacy Alive

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338 – May, 2023

By Amy Fernandez

Here’s the thing, regardless of what they’ve won or produced, our dogs are family members. At the end of the day their true impact on our lives is personal. Sure, we brag about their big wins and their famous offspring, but like every important relationship, their real importance derives from stuff that defies analytical measurement. You’re probably thinking, “Okay, that’s obvious, why is this nitwit wasting ink on this topic?”

That’s where Rock Falls Colonel enters the story. That legendary English Setter made history within the context of our sport. But his greatest contribution is often overshadowed by his phenomenal show record. The Colonel’s real achievement was forging that pathway from admiration to participation that brought millions of new purebred fanciers into the sport.

Virginia resident Wilson Mustain has a unique perspective on how this deal went down. He says, “My grandfather’s friendship with Mr. and Mrs. Holt started in the 1930s when he attempted to open a car dealership.” Nothing too far out about that plan except, as Wilson admits, it was right in the middle of Virginia peanut country in the midst of the Great Depression. “Mr. Holt–and we always called him Mr. Holt–started a business selling Chevrolets in this small agricultural town and my grandmother went to work for him as a bookkeeper.” Getting any business off the ground is a struggle and that’s when loyalty matters. “This car business was not going well during the Depression and she would forego paychecks sometimes.” Long story short, the whole thing imploded. But that wasn’t his first or last business venture to go south. It didn’t matter. Wilson continues, “So after numerous failures, she became very close to the Holts.”

Click here to read the complete article
338 – May, 2023

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