Birth place or City of origin: | Davenport |
State of origin: | IA |
Last known City: | |
Last known State: | CA |
Start/Birth date: | 1908 |
Death/End date: | 1996 |
Art Miller was a man well known from Texas to California with his roots in Omaha, Nebraska. He's one of the prominent granddaddies of non-professional cutting horse competition and one of the very few men in equine history that made it a constant habit to switch back and forth between a Bohlin silver laden parade saddle and the scuffed working rig of the cutting horse arena. Before coming to California in 1957 he was a Pontiac Dealer in Omaha, Nebraska. In the late 50's, 60's and 70' he became Yucca Valley, California's prime real estate developer. Using Art Miller's flare and love of self promotion he used horse activities and his Pontiac Bonneville convertible loaded with Bolhin enhanced silver guns, steer horns and saddle to express his personal signature. This signature included Nudie the Western Tailor designed parade horse suits and everyday western wear. The Art Miller name became synonymous with western ideals for living in Southern California.
REAL ESTATE: Only 25 miles northeast of internationally-renowned Palm Springs, Yucca Valley became the hub of the high desert communities. Snugly nestled in a secluded valley of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, this paradise was developed by Art. He sub-divided Western Hill Estates for folks who wanted homes and land consistent with the western motif and complimenting the desert environment and views.
CARS: After devoting 25 years of his life to the Pontiac dealership business in Omaha, Art started to decorate a Pontiac Bonneville every year with the highest known compliment: he covered it in Bohlin silver! From 6 ft cow horns on the front, to the silver brake pedal, to the Holster and guns gracing the back of the seats, Art showed how a Bonneville can shine!!! The greatest homage he could pay to his life was to replicate himself, his horse and parade saddle on the wheel cover plus a miniaturized Bohlin version of his saddle used for the console of the car. Art was the catalyst that gave Nudie the Western Tailor the idea to build and design his own custom western cowboy car.
THE HORSEMAN: As the California Horse Review once said of Art, “he's one of the most prominent granddaddies of non-professional cutting horse competition, and one of the very few men in equine history that made it a constant habit to switch back and forth between a silver-laden parade saddle and the scuffed working rig of the cutting horse arena.” Those who knew Art say that “no one ever loved cutting horses of the NCHA more” than he. For over thirty years Art was member of the world-famous trail ride group, Rancheros Visitadores, whose membership included Montie Montana and Ronald Reagan. Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and Rex Allen were among Art's close friends.
THE MAN: Born in Davenport, Iowa in 1908 and after the loss of his father at age 5 he moved to Alboin, Nebraska to grow up on his grandfather's farm. At 14 he moved to Omaha Nebraska and worked to help support his mother. While growing up on a farm he developed a love for horses. Because of this and his competitive spirit he became involved in showing parade and cutting horses. In the cutting horse world he owned and show Sugar Russom and Hollywood Cat both top ten winners. In 1997 he was inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Member Hall of Fame. In the parade horse world he rode American Saddle Bred palomino renowned Peavine Golden Major who won nine world parade horse championships in 1963. He also rode Major as a Marshal in 16 consecutive Tournament of Roses parades in Pasadena until 1969 always clothed in stunning Nudie the Western Tailor rhinestone outfits with matching hats and boots! When ever he entered the arena or in business, he always wanted to beat the competitor that was going to be second.