At the time the article was published, Manuel ("Meme") Volpe was one of a few people still living whose personal involvement with the development of the Quarter Horse extended back to a time when it had only begun to emerge as a recognized type. 

The first of real significance was Camaron, (Texas Chief x Mamie Crowder) bred by William Shely, and he continued to develop the quality and quantity of his animals, becoming a major presence in QH racing. Meanwhile, in Alice, Ott Adams had produced Zantanon and sold him (with two others) at eleven months to to Erasmo Flores of Nuevo Laredo, just across the border from Laredo Texas. Quoting Mr. Volpe - "Immediately after my friend Erasmo Flores bought these colts, his uncle, Don Eutiquio Flores, being his neighbor also, was so impressed by the horse colts that after a long and insistent discussion my friend Erasmo sold both colts to Don Eutiquio, who began training the 14-month old Zantanon. I regret to say that all measures involved in the training were so hard that I now know it was not only extravagant and foolish, but it was the most unjust burden ever imposed on any horse; I still do not understand how the poor animal could stand it."
 

He goes on to say - "After Zantanon had won his first races, my father, who possessed valuable resources, determined to belittle the merits of Zantanon." - and that those efforts were unsuccessful - "Zantanon beat my father's best horses in more than half a dozen races." right - this is the only picture I have seen of Zantanon in his youth, about 4. Hopefully someone will find and publish a better copy of it one day.

Zantanon was absolutely not for sale while Don Eutiquio lived, but Mr. Volpe was able to buy the animal from his heirs for $500, considered an outrageous price in 1931. He said that - "Everyone, especially my father, criticized me for paying so much for a 14 year old horse, but it was not long until many horsemen desired his service, which I did not permit." He had not seen the horse in a long time, and had doubts about the purchase upon delivery, saying "The horse was in the most deplorable condition imaginable; he was so poor and weak he could hardly walk."

[As to that price, Mr. Volpe bred and sold King to Charlie Alexander, who sold him to Byrne James. He, in turn, loaned him to Win DuBose, who eventually purchased him for $500. When Jess Hankins later bought him for $800 he was also considered foolish for spending so much, although he evidently did not punish his critics by withholding stud service - which I would, too - punish them, that is.]

It appears that in the middle 30's Mr. Volpe sickened of the behavior sometimes encountered at events, to quote the article, "the social graces and moral fiber of many persons who participated in match racing in the 1920's and 1930's left much to be desired", and reacted by selling Zantanon and "a number" of his best mares to Byrne James. Ultimately regretting this, he later bought them back, along with most of their produce. The rest of the article is directed mainly toward Zantanon's offspring, and while interesting, is a subject for another page, at some future time.

It closes mentioning that Mrs. Volpe died in 1959, and that the Volpe ranches were being managed by his son, who lived close by with his wife and children. Also that he sold the last six mares he had in December of 1961, and said that he felt their absence keenly, and that he would always treasure the friendships that had arisen from his involvement with horses.