Seventeen year-old Ashleys Bo Doc is one of those rare war horses who has a show record a mile long and is still out there competing against much younger horses. “Oscar” has an incredible record that includes 2002 World
Champion in the Senior Hunter Under Saddle and Hunter Hack as well as
Reserve Super Horse at the AQHA World Show the same year. He also has
multiple high point wins and placings in classes including: working
hunter, pleasure driving, hunter under saddle, hunter hack, and hunt
seat equitation. Past AQHA President Peter J Cofrancesco, III, also
showed Oscar in the pleasure driving.
The 1995 sorrel gelding has amassed over 1100 points so far in his career and it looks like his winning ways are destined to continue. GoHorseShow would like to congratulate newcomer, Allye Deskins of Stroutsville, Ohio on the purchase of multiple AQHA World Champion Ashleys Bo Doc from the Griggs Family.
The new team will be showing in the Novice Youth Hunter Under Saddle, 14-18 Youth Hunter Under Saddle, and Non Pro Maturities under the guidance of Lee Quarter Horses. A senior in high school, Deskins will be making her debut with Oscar in her last year of youth at a Springfield, Ohio show later this month.
“I started taking riding lessons at Sid Griffith’s facility when I was
five, and I have been hooked ever since,” says Deskins. “This is my last year showing in
AQHA as a youth and with that in mind, I had a dream. I wanted to show
at the AQHA Youth World, the NSBA World and the Congress.”
Deskins continues, “Oscar is an amazing horse with a historical show record. My goals are to further his show career, keep him winning and give him lots of love,” says Oscar’s excited new owner. “I know I am going to learn so much from him about riding and showing. My heart is so thankful to Oscar, the Lees, the Griggs, Allison Ham and all my fellow competitors in AQHA who have been so kind to me at the shows. It is wonderful to be part of the AQHA family. I am one lucky girl!”
Youth Exhibitor and former owner Connor Griggs says that it was really hard to sell Oscar who is now seventeen and number three on the all-time point earners’ list in the hunter under saddle.
“He taught me so much about hunter under saddle and showing. Although it was hard, it was time to move on,” Connor says. “I’m super excited to be showing my three year-old by Signature Of Honor. Allye is such a sweet person, and I’m so excited to see them show. I wish them the best of luck. Oscar has been a once-in-a-lifetime horse for me and I’m sure he will be for Allye too.”
Select Amateur Allison Ham, who is Murray Griggs’ sister and Connor’s aunt, will also miss showing Oscar. “I feel very fortunate to have owned and shown him. He is just one of the greats. He is 17 now, but sure doesn’t look like it. I hope he continues to go around for a few more years. Oscar loves his treats,” Ham says. “He deserves the best. Robin, Connor and I won a lot and had a lot of fun with him. It’s really hard to part with him. Lots of tears over this one. I wish the best of luck to Allye and Darla. I would also like to thank my brother and sister-in-law, Murray and Robin Griggs for all the great help. It’s been a fun family affair.”
GoHorseShow talked to Robin Griggs and she choked up several times when speaking fondly about this special gelding. “If we still lived in Missouri, we would have definitely kept him forever, but that isn’t the case and Connor has a new hunt seat horse that she wants to concentrate on. Oscar also still has the ability to help Allye achieve her goals and dreams in the show arena, and I think they will be a great team.”
(Photo of new owner, Allye Deskins)
We wish Allye and Oscar good luck in the show ring!
