The 2009 AQHA World Show saw three Open World Champions crowned for the first time; Randy Jacobs in Two-Year-Old Stallions, Pierre Briere in Junior Western Riding, and Murray Griggs in Senior Trail. However, Wednesday, November 18, marked a day that proves hard work pays off, God works in mysterious ways and good guys do finish first. Or at least that was the case for 30-year veteran trainer, Murray Griggs, whose father had passed away just two weeks before.
There were fifteen horses qualified to return to the Senior Trail Finals including Griggs and McZippo, a 16 year old Zippo Pine Bar gelding owned by Wren Myers. This was the second time the two had qualified for the finals. In 2007, Griggs and McZippo were first to go in the finals and held the high score until the last few horses. They ultimately finished fifth. They did not make the finals in 2008.
The 2009 finals pattern by course designer Tim Kimura was extremely challenging and placed an emphasis on forward motion. In true Kimura fashion, there was a test at each element. Click here to see the pattern
Griggs easily recalled the various aspects of the pattern. “We started out with the first obstacle which was the gate. It had two raised poles and you had to keep your feet moving. There was no hesitating there,” explained Griggs. “I was pretty relieved when I got through the gate. That’s usually when this rider messes up!” laughed Griggs, who is no stranger to poking fun at himself.
The pair executed the gate clean with Griggs guiding McZippo through effortlessly. They set their sights on to the other elements.
“Right after the gate there was a serpentine trot and you had to have quite a bit of pace through there,” Griggs described. He continued “After that was maybe the most difficult element which was the extended lope for six raised poles. We got through that. Then slow down and lope a wagon wheel. Then through a series of trots into a chute a very challenging back, two full turns in a box and a walk out with raised poles. It was a lot of pattern.”
This year, unlike years past, AQHA decided to not announce the scores of each contestant. Drawing sixth, Griggs did not know the score to beat and he had no idea what he marked. “This was the first year that they haven’t announced the scores and I liked that. It gave it added anticipation.”
Walking out of the arena, Griggs leaned down and gave McZippo a pat as the crowd cheered loudly. “I thought our pattern was pretty good. We were clean, but you never know.”
According to close friend and AQHA judge, Jeff Mellott, who went right before Griggs in the Senior Trail finals, “We all knew it was Murray and Tammi (McAllister on World Champion, So Much Potential) in the top two. The question came down to which one of them got the nod.”
Horse show announcer Zeb Bell called out 13 placings and “It came down to Tammi and me and it was pretty cool sitting there waiting,” Griggs recalled.
Good friend and AQHA judge Karen Graham witnessed the events from the stands. “I watched the whole finals and knew Tami and Murray both had clean goes and each were deserving. But I wanted Murray to win because he’s such a special person.”
Leslie Lange, who has been friends with Griggs since they showed in youth together, also competed in the finals that morning and placed ninth. “I remember we were all standing down there in the alleyway and you don’t want to wish anyone ill-will, but I just kept hoping that Murray would win.”
“Folks, there was only a half-point difference between the top three,” said the announcer.
Graham (pictured here in the front row behind Griggs and McAllister) recalls, “When they called Tami reserve, I realized I had tears in my eyes. I was so happy for Murray and he sat there so calmly. I wanted to reach over the rail and shake him!”
When asked about the moment following the announcer reading his name as World Champion, “I went out and saw (AQHA Executive Committee Member) Peter Cofrancesco and got my trophy,” said Griggs nonchalantly.
“Nothing makes me happier than to hand one of those coveted gold trophies to one of my friends in the arena, and that was certainly the case when I presented Murray with his,” said Cofrancesco. “Murray and (wife) Robin have been great friends over the years, and are two people for whom I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration.“
Mellott placed fifth in the class but his thoughts were with Griggs. “That was the most deserved award that I’ve ever witnessed at the World Show in all of my years of showing. I would not have been happier if I had won it myself. I don’t think you’ll find anybody who has put more into the industry, who has tried harder or who has carried a better attitude throughout it. Then you take into account the trials and tribulations he has been through this year. I was thrilled to be there and to be a part of it.”
“That gold trophy could not have gone to a better person or come at a better time than it did,” said friend Cindy Hale whose husband Greg is one of Griggs’ closest friends.
Leslie Lange’s husband Tom has also been a friend for a long time. “Tom and I are just thrilled for Murray. Of all the people who were in the finals that day, it was just cool because many of us have been fortunate to win before and you couldn’t have asked it to happen to a nicer person or anyone more professional or anyone more committed or dedicated to our industry and the horses.”
As Graham describes it, the scene immediately following the class was mild chaos. “It was hard to get to Murray, I’ve never seen so many genuinely happy people congratulating him. I think I said something like ‘You had a perfect ride.’”
To the question of whether or not being a World Champion will change Griggs one bit? The resounding answer was “Nah”, “No way” and “Absolutely not!”
Course designer Tim Kimura added his perspective, “Murray is Murray and this won’t change him one bit. What you see is what you get. That’s why people like him so much.”
The day after the big win is a prime example of this. Griggs wasn’t wearing the shiny new buckle and the gold trophy was not predominantly displayed in front of the stalls like so many others do.
“I’m just the same guy,” said Griggs matter-of-factly. “I have my ball cap and my shoes on. Time to get back to work.”
It was also the day after that Griggs took time to reflect about his father, Loren, who he had lost to cancer just two short weeks before.
“My Dad passed away October 31st. We basically came home from the funeral, had a few days and came to the World Show,” Griggs explained. “My mother who hasn’t been here for nine or 10 years was here and that was really special. She was in the stands and it was very emotional. The fact that she was here made it so much more special to me.”
“I think Murray rode that class for his dad, or maybe his dad rode it with him,” said Graham.
“The first thing that came to my mind when I heard he won was that his Dad had got to heaven and had a talk with God, and they sent angels to ride with him that day!” explained Hale. “Murray’s Dad was so proud of him and I know he was watching.”
Griggs agrees. “He was here. No doubt. He saw it.”
