Imperator (1974–1997) was an American Saddlebred show horse. He won four Five-Gaited World's Grand Championships and eight Gelding Championships at the World's Championship Horse Show, besides four five-gaited Grand Championships at the National Horse Show. He retired to the Kentucky Horse Park after the end of his show career and when he died was buried there.
| Imperator | |
|---|---|
| Breed | American Saddlebred |
| Discipline | Five-gaited |
| Sire | Supreme Sultan |
| Dam | Empress Wing |
| Maternal grandsire | Wing Commander |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | March 11, 1974 |
| Color | Dark chestnut |
| Major wins | |
| |
Life edit
Imperator was foaled March 11, 1974, out of Empress Wing and by Supreme Sultan. He was born on Peacock Farm in Wilmette, Illinois. His damsire[a] was Wing Commander, the first six-time five-gaited World Grand Champion. Imperator was a dark chestnut gelding who was nicknamed "Perry". After his show career, he retired to the Kentucky Horse Park[1][2] in August 1991 and died there October 20, 1997, of complications following colic surgery.[3] He is buried at the park in the Hall of Champions.[4]
Career edit
Imperator won four five-gaited World Grand Championships at the World's Championship Horse Show, in 1980, 1981, 1985, and 1986;[5] when he won it for the last time, at age 12, he became the oldest horse to win the title. He also won the five-gaited Gelding Championship at the same show in 1979, 1980–83, 1985, 1986, and 1988, setting the record for the most times an individual horse won the title.[3] In 1983, he competed there against Sky Watch, a duel which became legendary in the Saddlebred industry and was won by Sky Watch.[6] Imperator also won the five-gaited Grand Championship at the National Horse Show from 1980–1984. He was trained by four different trainers, and owned by several owners throughout his career.[3] Imperator was known for having a fourteen-foot long natural tail and for being eager to show;[3] he was also said to be excellent at the slow gait. He was never beaten in a gelding class at the World's Championship Horse Show.[4] His lifetime earnings were approximately US $85,000, not counting silver trophies.[3]
Notes edit
- ^ In horse parlance, damsire is the correct term for maternal grandfather
References edit
- ^ Harris, Moira C. (2006). America's Horses. ISBN 9781592288939. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
- ^ Price, Steven D.; Rentsch, Gail; Burn, Barbara; Spector, David A. (December 17, 1998). The Whole Horse Catalog. ISBN 9780684839950. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "Kentucky Horse Park :: CH Imperator* :: Lexington, KY". Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- ^ a b Kentucky Horse Park. "Bio of Imperator". Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- ^ Millard, James Kemper (2007). Kentucky's Saddlebred Heritage. ISBN 9780738544403. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
- ^ "Dinner with Mitch Clark at Windy Hill Farm : The Saddle Horse Report". Retrieved March 25, 2016.