FULL METAL METALLIC

2013 Sorrel Stallion (2013-2026)
(Metallic Cat X Teletrona)
LTE $500+
AQHA REGISTRATION

Farewell Frank - Full Metal Metallic 2013 Stallion

Full Metal Metallic, or “Frank”, as he was known in the barn, died as a result of a twisted colon on May 28, 2026. After all possible life saving measures were taken in surgery, there was nothing more that could have been done and Vera Earl Ranch and Performance Horses sadly lost the heart of its breeding program. 

Frank was an own-son of cutting pen superstar Metallic Cat and Teletrona. Both of which have seen incredible success and earnings with their progeny. 

Frank came to the Vera Earl as a two-year-old in 2015. He was the first stud brought into the program when the Vera Earl decided to rebuild its remuda after it was shut down in 1997. From his lineage, he was bred to be a cutter. Although bred for the cutting pen, Frank quickly showed promise in several disciplines including cutting, cow horse and roping. 

“No one in Arizona had this bloodline in ranching,” said Ian Tomlinson. “Honestly, finding him was pure luck for us. He had a lot of performance horse qualities that we wanted to blend into our ranch quarter horses. That was new to Arizona at the time. The prospect of a Metallic Cat stud was exciting. We bought him sight unseen and knew we had something special.” 

Frank was as bulletproof as you can get and a stellar all-around horse. According to trainers Karter and Bailey Bearup, you could do anything on him. He was dependable on his own, but also dependable in what he passed down to his foals. Consistency, fire and grit are words that best describe this stallion and what he brought to the barn.

“He would fight for you and not against you,” said Karter Bearup. “You could count on him in any situation and know he would pull you through.” 

Both Marin and Addison Tomlinson learned to cut on Frank. He was a horse anyone could ride no matter the skill level. He helped Addison build the foundation that would help her earn two state cutting titles and excel in reined cow horse derby events. He also was rock solid in the pastures of the Vera Earl and in the branding pen. 

“I learned a lot from Frank,” said Addison. “He taught me the importance of keeping my emotions in check. He could feel what I was feeling and he would perform as a direct result. He took really good care of me in spite of that. What I learned from him has helped me so many times in the show pen.” 

As difficult as it is to say goodbye to the cornerstone of any operation, Frank will live on in numerous offspring on the Vera Earl. The ranch is also lucky enough to have several frozen straws and can continue Frank’s legacy long after his departure.

“It is truly a joy to see his personality and strengths in his foals.” said Bailey Bearup. “We are lucky enough to see them everyday even though he is not here.”  

His oldest offspring are now seven and showing incredible promise in several disciples, but especially in the roping arena. Karter Bearup is proud to have won AQHA points on Frank both heading and heeling. 

“Frank was an incredible horse to sit atop,” said Marin. “He stood strong while teaching many how to ride better, not just my sister and I. Between my dad and I, we have three of his daughters in our ranch saddle strings. All have very different personality traits but one thing they all have in common and makes me think of him is, they love to be petted while acting grumpy about it. I miss seeing him in the barn.”

ACCOMLISHMENTS

2025

• AZ Fall Championship Show Open Heeling CHAMPION