The Backstory...

Operation Unicorn was recently established by John & Becky Maubach, owners of Equistat #1 All-time leading barrel racing dam, Royal Sissy Irish. Each year they hope to collaborate with entities to offer the most elite equine genetics and donate the proceeds to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

“I spent over 25 years as a helicopter pilot in the Air Force, over 22 of that flying Special Operations helicopters and CV-22s. Much of that time was deployed supporting operations around the world and unfortunately, during these operations, many great Americans lost their lives. I wanted to do something to help the families of these great heroes, and the Special Operations Warrior foundation (SOWF) is an awesome organization and a wonderful way to support those families that have lost loved ones.

After I retired from the Air Force, Becky and I went to the Myers Horse Sale on a whim because we thought it would be nice to visit the Black Hills. We were looking for young horses that were already started, but “accidentally” bought a 5-month-old colt when the bidding stalled and I raised my hand to do my part to help the bidding process on a horse that was being auctioned off as a fundraiser for a nephew of the Myers that had been injured in a rodeo accident. Suddenly, we were the proud owners of a stud colt by Frenchmans Guy! As that colt grew, so did our interest in the barrel racing world. We invested in some mares, one of them being Royal Sissy Irish. Unbeknownst to us at the time, that purchase would lead us to the place we are now!

Becky and I laugh about how all of this has happened and what got us to this point. We feel that for some reason God has led us here and it is our responsibility to take what God has given us and share it with those in need. This is a great opportunity to take what we have been given and use it to help the Special Operations Warrior Foundation to meet their goal in ensuring every child of a special operator or medal of honor recipient gets an education at no expense to the family.”
John Maubach