(Jogged into the ring with background music Green Day "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)")
Tonight ladies & gentlemen, we interupt this evening's classes to pay tribute to and acknowledge the accomplishments of one of Maine's most well known American Saddlebred horses. A true champion in and out of the show ring, this will be World Champion Bayhead Spartan's final performance in the show arena. The decision has been made to retire "Joey" from the stressful life of competitive showing and let him enjoy long trail rides and leisurely days out to pasture. Though he will no longer be active on the show circut, Joey's presence in the show ring will not soon be forgotten.
Born in April 1987 at Bayhead Oaks Stable in Dade City, FL, Joey grew up in a loving environment with other well-bred Saddlebreds. Joey's dam was Reverie's Serenade and his sire Sultan's Spartan. His impressive bloodline includes Supreme Sultan, CH Valley View Supreme, CH King's Genius, and CH Wing Commander. His first owner, Richard Howey, showed Joey lightly in-hand and as a driving horse. Joey was also started as a gaited horse. Joey lived in Florida for close to 14 years before finally coming to New England. In the five seasons he and owner Jessie Green have spent together Joey has accumulated 118 blue ribbon wins and championships including many impressive year-end awards. He was a Maine Horse Association Champion in many divisions including Saddlebred Western Country Pleasure, MHA Medallion, Youth Western Pleasure, Stock Seat Equitation, Bridle Path, and MHA Western Pleasure. In 2002 he was the MHA Reserve Year-End Champion in Open Trail and the Downeast "Challenge of the Breeds" Reserve Champion, losing by just one point! The American Saddlebred Association of Maine has continually rated Joey as the Champion in Stock Seat Equitation, Western Country Pleasure, Youth Pleasure, and Hunter. In 2003 Joey retired two of the ASAM trophies: the Stella Mitchell Western Tack trophy (founded in 1988) and the Hurricane Cassandra Youth Pleasure trophy (founded in 1994). Twin States American Saddlebred Association has also favored Joey with much year-end recognition in both Western Country Pleasure and Junior Versatility Horse divisions. Joey was also the New England Horseman's Council Champion Saddlebred Western Country Pleasure horse for a number of years, and the American Saddlebred Horse Association has awarded Joey with five State Pleasure Horse Awards!
(music switch to shortened Queen "We are the Champions")
The NEHC Stock Seat Medal Finals originated in 1990 and each year junior exhibitors from across New England compete to qualify for this title, usually on stock breed horses. In October 2001 Jessie took Joey to Springfield, MA for the finals after months of dedicated practice. With help from her mom and good friend Robin McGayhey coaching from the rail, Jessie and Joey won the Medal Finals. This was the first and only time that the NEHC Junior Stock Seat Medal Finals has been won by a rider on an American Saddlebred.
By far the most memorable win for this pair was the claiming of the Saddle & Bridle Junior Shatner Western Pleasure World Championship title at the St. Louis Nationals in 2002. The incredibly strong bond between Jessie and Joey helped them to overcome an obstacle that could have stopped Joey from competing. They had trained so hard and traveled so far that Joey suffered from severe dehydration upon arrival from his cross-country trip. It was a dream come true when Joey was announced the winner on that September day. Joey has since double qualified for the St. Louis National Finals in both Hunter Classic and Junior Shatner Western Pleasure for the past three years.
(music switch to Eve 6 "Here's to the Night")
Joey is also known for his incredible presence in the show ring. His moving performances presenting the colors at numerous local shows, starting here in Skowhegan at the Downeast Horse Congress, earned him the honor of becoming the opening act at the Pfizer Fantasia Musical Celebration of the Horse during Equine Affair 2004. Joey performed nightly to sell out crowds of over 5,000 equine loving spectators at the Springfield coliseum. Joey's many fans cheered loudly for him as the spotlights highlighted him proudly jogging into the darkened arena to Kate Smith's "God Bless America" and he recieved a standing ovation nightly for stepping up proudly upon his star spangled pedastal during the National Anthem. He truly represented the beauty and presence of the American Saddlebred breed. Joey's kind and loving nature with children has made him a favorite with Southern Maine 4-H and therapeutic riding centers as a demonstration horse. He stands ever so patiently while the kids hug his legs, pat him and feed him peppermints. He has recently started giving lead line lessons to some very lucky little girls. Jessie feels that Joey is best known for giving his all every time he performs, whether it's in the show ring or during flag presentations and demos. No matter what the circumstances he puts his heart into every performance. This included numerous trips into the ring during pouring rain and the occasional snowstorm. From the hottest days of summer to the ice-cold days of fall, Joey has never done anything half-heartedly. He loves to be the star and loves to be the center of everybody's attention. Jessie is grateful to Joey for giving his all every time they stepped into the ring together. He's got the biggest heart of any horse she has ever met. He's worked hard and accomplished so much over the past four years that she feels he deserves to be retired, even though he doesn't show his age. Joey has made her dreams come true and so much more.
(Joey was then ridden into center ring, dismounted, unsaddled and unbridled to symbolize his retirement)
Joining Jessie and Joey is their biggest fan and #1 groom, her mom Bonnie Green presenting her with a boquet of roses, and Jessie's friend and mentor Robin McGayhey. Robin is presenting Joey with his final championship neck ribbon, a gift from Joey's many fans at RMD Stables. Ringmaster Larry Wahl, who presented Joey with his very first blue ribbon at this show in July 2001, will now award Joey with his final farewell neck ring of flowers. Show Manager Jo Hight is presenting Jessie with a plaque specially made to commemorate this special occasion.
This horse loves to shine and have the auidance cheer for him, so let's all rise and give Joey what he craves to hear, what he truly deserves....a standing ovation for five seasons of victory passes and one final trip out of the show ring where it all started. World Champion Bayhead Spartan is leaving the show ring a champion one final time.
(Joey was led out of the show ring and an "Open Stall" party was hosted in his honor back at the barn)