SometimesHorses Choose People
by Alden Corrigan
A
Cindy Brooks, Justin, Pat O’Connell, Carleton Brooks, Joe O’Connell
Tribute to Just For Fun
Rewind almost 30 years back to the with perfect, clean, tidy legs.” “He was a special horse. Especially
1980’s, a time when the thoroughbred “He tried so hard. Later on, when his in a what have you done lately sport,
hunter reigned supreme. Horses like job got more difficult, he got tougher. it’s important to remember a horse like
Just For Fun were rewarded for jump- He had to work at it, and he was willing that.”
ing with brilliance and boldness, over to do it.” Mr. Kaskel (who had purchased Justin
Regular Conformation hunter fenc- Charlie should know, at the National for his daughter Lauren) had every tro-
es that were a stout 4’6”. As phy Justin won as Grand Hunter
George Morris so eloquently Champion at Devon copied and
puts it, regarding the Interna- cast in silver for his trophy cabi-
tional Hunter Derby move- net.
ment, “we are headed back to Richter still has Justin’s 1985
the future.” Grand Hunter Champion cooler
Just ask anyone who ever from NY hanging over a railing in
came to have the privilege of her home to this day.
showing “The Pro” as he was “He was such a wonderful
called by Junior Johnson, early horse; it was the heyday for hunt-
on in his career, and they will ers at Coker Farm.”
all tell you he knew when it In 1986 and ’87 after Lauren
counted, and always rose to Kaskel had stopped showing,
the occasion. Molly Ashe Cawley (Queen Eliza-
For Charlie Weaver, who beth II Cup, World Cup, Samsung
has ridden some of the all Super League to name a few) got
time greats, many for Kenny the ride. “I showed him as a Ju-
Wheeler’s Cismont Manor nior Hunter, as he had already
Farm, to remember Justin’s very won everything in the 4’ division.”
first round, should tell you something. Horse Show alone, he piloted Justin to “He was one of THE famous 4’ hors-
“Kenny bought Just For Fun from Grand Hunter Champion honors three es of that era. He was a big deal super
Delmar Twyman (who bred him) in times in five years, and garnered AHSA star 4’ horse. When they asked me to
1980. He was a winner right from the Horse of the Year titles in 81, 83 and ride him, it was an honor and terrifying
start. His first show was Warrenton, in 85 in the Green and Regular Confor- all at once.” He had spunk and spirit,
the 3yr old division, and he won every mation Hunter divisions. he knew his job, and he knew when it
class.” Judy Richter, trainer, and board was important.”
“As a 4 year old he went on to the member of the National Show Hunter “I was blessed with him. They don’t
Green Conformation division, and won Hall of Fame, recalls “We bought him make many of them like that. It was a
at every show. I don’t think he ever lost in 1985, when he was 8, from Kenny part of my life that I treasure.”
a model. He was a beautiful little horse Wheeler who had started him.” “Catch riding him as a kid, being
39
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84