Duke is a 20 + year old QH Gelding that was purchased for a friend.  When we tried him out he threw a big old fit (Sat back on rope, snorted, fell down, etc) and we almost passed him up.  His next trip was gonna be the auction.  My daughter decided to ride him anyway and he handled like a dream.  He's just one of those horses that you can't tie when you saddle him.  He has since become one of my lesson horses.  He is a big ole lover and will stop whatever he's doing and stand by you if he thinks your gonna brush him.  He has a "been there, done that" attitude that works great for the Beginners.  He was most likely used as a roping horse in his younger days.  He tends to get a little stiff in his hocks if you ride him too hard. He also has several melanomas under his tail. He is one of my favorites and will have a forever home here with us.