My Friend Flicka TV Horses
the horses that made Television

My Friend Flicka - The TV series

image Flicka coloring book
There was the "My Friend Flicka" coloring book made with the likeness of Johnny Washbrook and Flicka of the television series version
( photo above )
image Flicka and Johnny Washbrood  Flicka with Johnny Washbrook  "My Friend Flicka" TV series
( photos: above - below - left - right )
image Flicka and Johhny Washbrook

 image Flicka and Johnny Washbrook

The television series
My Friend Flicka with Johnny Washbrook as Ken, was filmed at a ranch in Montana as well as the studio ranch. Flicka received the award of excellence in 1958.
 
image Flicka and Johnny Washbrook

The shows were based on the story books written by author Mary O'Hara which are partly true to her life style living on a ranch in that era.
Flicka means little girl in the Swedish language.

 image Flicka and Johnny Washbrook
(photo provided by Gary)

Comments and info from: Gary M.
Date: April 2000

ALERT SEE APRIL 2009 UPDATE BELOW WAHAMA IS WAHANA

Flicka ( real name Wahama ) was played by a 900 lb. chestnut mare (pure Arabian) who played the animal lead in the TV series 'My Friend Flicka" was trained by Les Hilton. Wahama's stunt double was a quarterhorse-type gelding named Goldie. With the passing of the popular western actor Gene Evans in 1998 in Tennessee, the original cast members (Gene, Anita Louise and Frank Ferguson) are all gone. That is, except for the popular auburn-haired juvenile star, Johnny Washbrook, who played Flicka's owner Ken McLaughlin. However, his whereabouts are somewhat of a mystery. His family took him back to their native Toronto, Ontario, after the series folded). I'm sure there are thousands of 'baby boomers' who remember meeting or seeing him during the '50s, as he made many personal appearances during the show's hey-day. I remember meeting him at one such appearance at Belmont Amusement Park in San Diego and hearing of him appearing in the annual Mother Goose Parade there as well. The series was originally filmed in color, on the Fox Western Street and The Fox Ranch in Malibu Canyon, and debuted in 1955. In recent years, the series could still be seen on The Disney Channel, and is probably played in some areas even now.
Wherever you are, Steffi and Johnny, we hope you are well.

image Stephi Epper, Goldie, Johnny Washbrook, Wahama image Wahama and Goldie

Stunt Doubles for Johnny Washbrook and Wahama
were Stephanie Epper and Goldie.
Steffi is related to John and Tony Epper veteran stunt men.
The entire Epper family worked in stunts.
Thanks you Gary... for the supply of photos of the TV series celebrities

UPDATE: 21 Aug 2000
from: Gary M.

Well, I have a happy update for you. I've located Johnny Washbrook.

UPDATE: 21 May 2001
from: Gary M.
John did say that he was really extremely fond of the horse, whom everyone referred to as 'Flicka.' For some reason, she was not supposed to give birth due to some condition, and after the series she was sold to a rancher, who in turn sold her again. While in the care of the next owner she apparently became pregnant and died, tragically.

UPDATE: November 2001
from: Loretta Kemsley
Flicka was at Fat Jones Stables, where Les Hilton worked with her.

UPDATE: January 2002
from: Martha Crawford Cantarini
My own horse - Jim did the free jumping scenes (out of a corral, etc) for Flicka TV. I doubled the mother in that series.

UPDATE: April 17, 2009
from: Gary M
 Flicka's Name:WAHAMA is WAHANA

Subsequent research has found that one of your contributors was correct, TV's Flicka was originally named Wahana, not Wahama as I reported back in 2000. She was last kept at a ranch in New Mexico. She had been foaled in Newhall, CA in 1950. Her double 'Goldie' had been recruited from a racetrack in Mexico where she was working as a lead pony. Johnny Washbrook ('Ken McLaughlin') will do his first celebrity apearance since he was a boy at the 'Gathering of Guns' of the 2009 Memphis Film Festival, 4-6 June, in Olive Branch, Mississippi.

UPDATE: April 27, 2009
from: Darrell C
 Flicka & Goldie
Date: October 2008 I have managed to gather and verify the following information on Wahana (Flicka): Registered Name: Wahana (Abu Farwa x Mehana) Registration Number: AHR*6513 Foaled: June 13, 1950 Bred by: W. P. or Josephine Hawley Progeny: Hanabu, AHR*20389 (Arabian Stallion) foaled March 11, 1961 Ross Flicka, HAHR*1A26719 (Half Arabian Mare) foaled March 16, 1962 Arabian Horse Association Owners of Record: Patrica Ann Eaves (June 13, 1950) Frances Saueressig (July 6, 1967) Seeing that Wahana had two foals for Ms. Eaves it would appear that the comment stating that she died giving birth to a foal is inaccurate. It appears that Wahana was put up for sale in 1967 (presumably from the death of Patricia Ann Eaves) and was purchased by Frances Saueressig who died in 1984. I have been trying to determine when Wahana died and where her final resting place is. It is possible that Wahana's remains may be interred in New Mexico on the property where the Ms Saueressig resided when she owned Wahana. DATE: APRIL 2009 As mentioned in my October 2008 post she also had two foals and was purchased as a 17 year old in 1967 so the report of her not being able to be bred and dying while foaling is also likely erroneous. For the past two years I have been trying to find out everything I can about Wahana and such information has been difficult to come by. If I may be so bold as to point out that Goldie, Wahana's stunt double was a 'he' not a 'she'. Close visual examination of several of the TV episodes validates this. It would would be wonderful to be able to have a dialog with Mr. Washbrook to see how much he remembers about her.

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