The first KWPN (Dutch) approved stallion bred and foaled in America, Judgement ISF passed on last week, just shy of his 30th birthday. He is buried at his home, Iron Spring Farm in Pennsylvania.
He had a 10-year career as a grand prix jumper with Michael Matz and then Beezie Madden before retiring and focusing on breeding. Judgement was the only North American-bred horse to win the $1 million CN International at Spruce Meadows Masters in its 44-year history. He also claimed 25 additional international victories at the biggest venues in the world.
“Judgement ISF was an exceptional horse,” said his breeder and owner, Mary Alice Malone. “He gave us so many thrilling moments. Witnessing the magical connection between him and Beezie was the gift of a lifetime.”
Judgement with Beezie Madden up and showing in-hand (Photos courtesy of Iron Spring Farm)
Victorious in the 4-year-old Stallion class at Dressage at Devon in 1995, he was started under saddle by Melvin Dutton.
“When I saw him jumping in preparation for a keuring, I knew he had more talent than any horse I had ever seen,” Mary Alice recalled. After the keuring, Judgement ISF went to Michael Matz for further training.
Matz, a World Cup Finals champion and a world championships and Olympic team medalist, rode Judgement to win the 1995 International Jumper Futurity East Coast Finals. He went on to win $60,000 American Gold Cup in 1999. Shortly after the 2000 Olympic trials, Michael turned his focus to training racehorses and a new legendary partnership was born when Beezie, a world cup champion and Olympic multi-medalist, took over.
She and Judgement represented team USA in two FEI World Cup Finals, the World Equestrian Games and 10 Nations’ Cups. Judgement led the victory lap at the world’s best shows: the $60,000 Budweiser Grand Prix de Penn National, $100,000 Cosequin US Open Jumper Championship, $150,000 CSI3* Grand Prix of Charlotte, CSIO La Baulle, CSIO St. Gallen, The Irish Field Six Bar CSIO Dublin, the $175,000 Nexen Cup—twice, and the CN International.
“He loved to go to horse shows,” said Meghan deGaray, breeding manager at Iron Spring and one of Judgement’s biggest fans. “He was amazing to watch in the ring. He had so much power and presence.” Another hallmark of Judgement’s career was his versatility. He won some of the world’s biggest derbies, speed, six-bar and Grand Prix classes. In the $50,000 Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup at the Syracuse Invitational, he set the record at 6’3” in the three-phase competition.
His last victory came in 2009 at the $65,000 1.5m Esso Challenge at Spruce Meadows. The venue was his favorite and he was named National Champion there on four occasions. Judgement retired sound at the age of 18 after 10 years in the Grand Prix ring.
As a sire, Judgement ISF produced many notable horses. His son, Counselor, (formerly Artesian) was bred in the US and eventually sold to Europe. Counselor made 204 FEI starts, with 84 of those coming at the 3* level and above, with wins and top placings throughout. Judgement’s daughter, Worlds Judgement, was another international show jumper, representing Canada at numerous Nations’ Cups, with top placings at prestigious shows like Spruce Meadows.
Judgement was also the sire of top hunters, dressage and event horses. Zurich is a winning Intermediate I dressage horse who debuted at Grand Prix in 2020.