AGED GELDINGS

HE'S DURABLE, DEPENDABLE AND DEFENDING CHAMP.

BY KIMBERLY FRENCH, JOURNAL INTERN

The Coolest Te, trained and exhibited by Gene Parker of Orrum, North Carolina, is a win machine. In two years, the 8-year-old sorrel owned by Laurie Sagers of Lumberton, North Carolina, has not exited an arena without a championship.

The 2005 world champion aged gelding triumphantly defended his title, and he shows no signs of slowing down. In 2004, he was the reserve world champion aged gelding and the youth reserve world champion gelding. In 2003 and 2002, he was the youth reserve world champion gelding. And he was grand champion aged gelding at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in 2006 and 2005.

“We have shown him three times this year,” Gene said. “He was world champion at the (Ford) Youth World (Championship Show) in August, youth champion and grand champion at Congress and then he is world champion here again this year.”

“Bubble Gum” is a level-minded horse that maintains a high level of fitness without a demanding regimen.

“He’s a good-minded horse,” Gene said.  “He would have to be good-minded to haul him like we have, and he stays sound. He doesn’t take much to keep in condition. He’s a real easy horse to take care of, that’s why we like showing him. He’s just a great horse.”

The Coolest Te and Gene Parker leaving the arena after winning the 2006 world championship in aged geldings.

Erin Sagers, Laurie’s daughter, led Bubble Gum to his youth championships. In her opinion, he immensely enjoys the bright lights of the arena.

“He likes to show,” Erin said. “If you ask him for it he will willingly give it to you. Some horses do not want to show for you but he will go out there and just stand there with all eyes on him, and he likes it.”

Gene attributes the gelding’s fine form to plenty of leisure time.

“We just get him ready for the fall shows,” Gene said. “We don’t ever show him early in the year. We have no reason to. We let him rest and stay at home, and I think that’s one of the things that have helped him look so good. We don’t have to haul him very much.”

As long as Bubble Gum retains peak fitness and has an affinity for the arena, he will continue to show.

“Fortunately he keeps staying in real good condition,” Gene said. “When he starts going the other way we will quit showing him. But right now we haven’t found anything to replace him with.”