If there were an official title for the top hunt seat equitation horse of all time, it would go to Grappa, the appropriate namesake of the Best Horse title at the East Coast Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search.
Grappa, an equitation horse to remember.
The seven-time national champion, owned by Sarah Willeman, left us this week at the remarkable age of 34. She often posted photos of him, and he looked great in retirement, grazing with his pal, Otter.
He took his final bow for the public in 2006 at the Washington International Horse Show. Sara called the years after that, “a gift beyond what I could have expected.”
She recalled that “his extraordinary life force made him unruly and brilliant as a show horse. The wild look in his eye that used to warn us of upcoming antics reassured me in his later years: a sign that he was thriving, still himself. His beauty, grace and class were with him to the end. An extraordinary being in all ways, a horse we all felt lucky to know.”
Sarah, who thanked caretaker Nancy Shaw for her efforts, noted, “What Grappa did for me in my riding career is forever part of me. And even more than the achievements, the chance to be his person, to learn from him, to care for him over many years, has helped to shape who I am. Whenever I’m with any horse, Grappa is in my heart.”
Trainer Missy Clark remembered that “Grappa ran the show, and we had to figure out ways to fit into his playbook. There will never be another soul like Grappa.”
After Lauren Bass rode him to the Maclay title in 1996, the year that the National Horse Show returned to Madison Square Garden from the Meadowlands, Lauren also was aboard the next year for victory in the AHSA Medal Finals.
When Sarah bought him, she won the 1998 Washington International Horse Show finals with the former jumper, then went on to take the Medal and USET East Coast Show Jumping Talent Search Finals. She leased him to Missy’s stuents, including Brian Walker, who won the Maclay in 2001 while in 2002, Maggie Jayne took the Medal finals.
“I am so incredibly grateful to have had a horse like Grappa in my life,” stated Missy.
“His talent, athleticism, individualism and desire to win were the traits that set him apart. His sense of humor was unforgettable too. He not only had an impressive track record of winning national championships, but he also had quite a track record of bucking people off! Luckily I escaped that fate, but he could sure keep you on your toes!
Missy offered condolences to Sarah and her mother, Anne Meyer, on their loss of such a remarkable horse.
“Godspeed Grappa… you were one in a million and I will remember all that you taught me for the rest of time.”