Roy Rogers was an American singer and cowboy actor who was one of the most popular Western stars of his era. He appeared in over 100 films and numerous radio and television episodes of The Roy Rogers Show, which ran on radio for nine years before moving to television from 1951 to 1957. His productions usually featured a sidekick, and many times he appeared with his wife, Dale Evans and his German Shepherd, Bullet. Yet it was his golden palomino horse, Trigger, who completed the ‘cowboy’ image and became famous in his own right.
Trigger was a beautiful 15.3hh palomino Thoroughbred-cross. Originally called Golden Cloud, Roy Rogers decided to rename the stallion Trigger when Smiley Burnett (Roy’s sidekick in his first two films) commented that the horse was sure ‘quick on the trigger’. Smiley was right – Trigger could stop on a dime, and could cut and spin so fast that a less experienced rider could be left in mid-air! And yet his personality and disposition was gentle enough that Roy could put three or four kids up on his back at the same time without any concern for their safety.
Trigger was just four years old when Roy began using him in his films, and over almost 20 years, he appeared in each of Roy’s 81 starring films and all 100 of his television episodes. This record is unmatched by any other motion picture animal! Together, Trigger and Roy became household names. Trigger was a star performer and he quickly learned the movie business. When he heard the words, ‘Quiet on set,’ he would perk up, and when he heard ‘Cut!’ he would relax. Trigger learned over one hundred trick cues and is said to have been able to walk 50 feet (about 15 metres) on his hind legs. He could sit in a chair, bow, sign his name “X” with a pencil, lie down for a nap and cover himself with a blanket. He was also extremely well house-broken, often visiting hotels, theatres and hospitals. Trigger became so famous he even had his own Dell comic book, which recounted his various exploits with his Roy Rogers. Trigger’s hoof prints even appear next to Roy’s handprints outside the famous TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Roy Rogers also made many personal appearances with Trigger in tow. On a number of occasions Roy, who loved children and supported many children’s charities, escorted Trigger up three or four flights of stairs at hospitals to visit sick children. The demand from fans to see Trigger at Roy’s personal appearances grew so great that the horse couldn’t keep up with his busy publicity and movie-making schedule! Realising this, Roy bought another palomino called Little Trigger to bring on tour. Little Trigger was a bit smaller than Trigger and had four white stockings. A few other palominos were also used as stunt doubles to ease Trigger’s work load, and a horse called Trigger Jr. took over most of the publicity work in the late 50s and 60s. Trigger Jr could perform a huge range of tricks and stunts, even dancing, but no horse could match the original Trigger’s unique combination of fierce intelligence, trainability, fearlessness, gentleness and athleticism.
Trigger lived out his days on the Rogers’ ranch in Apple Valley, California, dying in 1965 at the ripe old age of 30. His hide was mounted at Roy’s request and remained on display until 2009. In 2010 it was bought by television channel RFD-TV, which plans to display it in a Western museum.
Trigger is undoubtedly one of the greatest equine performers in motion picture history. Have any of you globetrotters been lucky enough to visit the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood and see Roy Rogers and Trigger’s prints in the concrete out the front?
References: Wikipedia – Triggerand Roy Rogers, Happy Trails Foundation.
Image credits: Dallas News, Happy Trails Foundation, Wikipedia, Leo Boudreau / Sunset in the West (1950), Don Boyd, Horse Nation.
FAQs
After Trigger passed, he was stuffed and mounted at the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum. This is located in Apple Valley, California. His hide was stitched over a foam mold and he was placed in his signature rearing move. The museum was opened in 1967 and received close to 200,000 visitors to see Trigger.
How many triggers did Roy have? ›
But there was, absolutely, only one 'Trigger'. Originally his name was Golden Cloud, renamed Trigger after Roy Rogers bought him. It's not 100% clear precisely what his breeding was, but he was often said to be a cross between a Tennessee Walker and a Thoroughbred.
What ever happened to Trigger the horse? ›
Trigger lived out his days on the Rogers' ranch in Apple Valley, California, dying in 1965 at the ripe old age of 30. His hide was mounted at Roy's request and remained on display until 2009. In 2010 it was bought by television channel RFD-TV, which plans to display it in a Western museum.
How many tricks did Trigger know? ›
Trigger learned 150 trick cues and could walk 50 feet on his hind legs. Trigger became such a ham that as soon as he heard applause he would start bowing and ruin the trick. He could sit in a chair, sign his name "X" with a pencil, lie down for a nap and cover himself with a blanket.
How old was Trigger the horse when he died? ›
On July 3, 1965, at the Rogers ranch in Hidden Valley, California, Trigger, at age 30, passed away. Roy was reluctant to "put him in the ground", so Rogers had the horse mounted in a rearing position by Bishoff's Taxidermy of California.
Was Trigger a fast horse? ›
Smiley was right, Trigger was very fast; in fact he was the fastest horse on the lot. The beautiful golden horse was very athletic and could stop on a dime and give you nine cents change.
Who owns Trigger the horse now? ›
Trigger's preserved remains sold for $266,500 to television channel RFD-TV, which plans to start a Western museum. Bob Tinsley, a Victorville developer who built Roy Rogers's home in nearby Apple Valley, bought the fiberglass replica in April 2010, and plans to make the statue a part of historic Apple Valley Village.
Was Trigger a gaited horse? ›
(1941-1969) | Christie's. The original Trigger is said to be a cross between a Walking Horse and a Thoroughbred, but in reality Trigger Jr. was a full-blooded Tennessee Walking Horse named Allen's Gold Zephyr who was bred by C. O. Barker of Readyville, Tennessee.
What happened to Trigger after Roy Rogers died? ›
After Trigger died at age 33, his hide was stretched over a plaster likeness and put on display, also reared on two legs, inside the museum. He was mounted, then, not stuffed. Trigger was not alone; Buttermilk (Dale Evans' horse) and Bullet (the Rogers' German Shepherd) were mounted alongside.
What were Roy Rogers' last words before he died? ›
Most importantly, he was at peace with himself and his god. His final words were reportedly, I never expected to see you in heaven. He said these touching words to his son, Dusty Rogers, who had visited him a few days before he died. Dusty had been estranged from his father for many years.
Randall Sr. (1908-1992) was a professional horse trainer, best known for training the horse Trigger for the television series The Roy Rogers Show. He developed over 30 hand commands to which the palomino responded.
What breed was the Trigger Roy Rogers horse? ›
Trigger was a registered palomino. His sire was a Thoroughbred and his dam believed to be a Quarter Horse mix. Trigger was a stallion, but he was never bred. Rogers was afraid that the horse would find that occupation more interesting than movie work!
Is triggers real name ever mentioned? ›
Trigger (born 12 May 1946), is a fictional character (full name Colin Ball) in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses and its prequel Rock & Chips. He was played by Roger Lloyd-Pack in Only Fools and Horses and Lewis Osbourne in Rock & Chips.
What was Roy Rogers' net worth at the time of death? ›
Estimated to be worth more than 100 million dollars, at the peak of his career Roy was earning more than a million dollars a year.
Did Roy Rogers do all his own stunts? ›
A: Yes, Roy Rogers performed many of his own stunts, including horseback riding and daring actions scenes, showcasing his incredible skills and bravery.
Is Trigger still stuffed? ›
After sitting stuffed and mounted for more than 40 years in a museum, Roy Rogers' horse Trigger and dog Bullet will be TV stars once more. Rural cable network RFD-TV bought Bullet for $35,000 on Thursday and Trigger for $266,000 a day earlier at an auction in New York City.
What famous horses are stuffed? ›
Learn with Us! Take movie cowboy Roy Rogers, who had both his horse Trigger, who died in 1965, and Dale Evans' horse Buttermilk, stuffed for display.
Was Trigger a gelding? ›
Trigger's original name was “Golden Cloud.” Trigger was a registered palomino. His sire was a Thoroughbred and his dam believed to be a Quarter Horse mix. Trigger was a stallion, but he was never bred.
Was Trigger a walking horse? ›
The original Trigger is said to be a cross between a Walking Horse and a Thoroughbred, but in reality Trigger Jr. was a full-blooded Tennessee Walking Horse named Allen's Gold Zephyr who was bred by C. O. Barker of Readyville, Tennessee.
Roy Rogers was an American singer and cowboy actor who was one of the most popular Western stars of his era. He appeared in over 100 films and numerous radio and television episodes of The Roy Rogers Show, which ran on radio for nine years before moving to television from 1951 to 1957. His productions usually featured a sidekick, and many times he appeared with his wife, Dale Evans and his German Shepherd, Bullet. Yet it was his golden palomino horse, Trigger, who completed the ‘cowboy’ image and became famous in his own right.
Trigger was just four years old when Roy began using him in his films, and over almost 20 years, he appeared in each of Roy’s 81 starring films and all 100 of his television episodes. This record is unmatched by any other motion picture animal! Together, Trigger and Roy became household names. Trigger was a star performer and he quickly learned the movie business. When he heard the words, ‘Quiet on set,’ he would perk up, and when he heard ‘Cut!’ he would relax. Trigger learned over one hundred trick cues and is said to have been able to walk 50 feet (about 15 metres) on his hind legs. He could sit in a chair, bow, sign his name “X” with a pencil, lie down for a nap and cover himself with a blanket. He was also extremely well house-broken, often visiting hotels, theatres and hospitals. Trigger became so famous he even had his own Dell comic book, which recounted his various exploits with his Roy Rogers. Trigger’s hoof prints even appear next to Roy’s handprints outside the famous TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.