It is with a sad heart that we announce the passing of the great western pleasure mare and dam, Chips Original Cooki. The 1993 mare by Zips Chocolate Chip and out of Spark Lyn Skip was
euthanized due to complications associated with chronic laminitis as
well as old age.
“She was a special mare and wanted to be a show horse,” says Cooki’s former trainer Mitch Leckey. Leckey won his first Congress Championship with Cooki in 1997 and was understandably very emotional on the phone.
The 21-year old mare was bred by Jeffrey Casto and Larry Lane of Ohio. She won over $55,000 in futurity and AQHA Incentive Fund earnings combined.
“She brought a lot of people together,” Leckey continues. “Patty Campbell was instrumental in getting the success with this mare all started when she purchased Cooki for the Petty family from Brent Tincher during her three year-old year. She impacted many lives with her greatness.”
“Cooki did as much for our family as any horse we had,” says former owner, Lou Petty of Michigan, a bold statement since they have owned horses such as Certain Potential and A Certain Vino.
The AQHYA World Champion and AQHA Reserve World Champion Senior Western Pleasure mare was also a multiple Congress Champion for the Petty family with wins including back-to-back Congress Championships in Amateur Western Pleasure in 2000 and 2001; Limited Open Junior Western Pleasure with Mitch Leckey in 1997; Senior Western Pleasure in 2000; 1996 Open Congress Three Year-Old Champion with Keith Whistle, and Non Pro Three Year-Old Champion with Brynne Tincher.
“Cooki did as much for our family as any horse we had,” says former owner, Lou Petty of Michigan, a bold statement since they have owned horses such as Certain Potential and A Certain Vino.
Lou’s son, Mike Petty, who won an AQHYA World Championship in western pleasure in 1997 on Cooki says he will miss her. “I keep a piece of her tail hair on a ring my mother gave me as a reminder of her spirit. With determination, passion, love and hard work, dreams are possible and she helped my dreams come true.”
Cooki has also shown to be an outstanding dam with 11 performing foals, eight of which are point earning. Some of her more accomplished offspring include, A Cooki For Certain, A Certain Patriot, and Certain To B Origanl. So far, her offspring have amassed over 500 points and $30,000 in futurity earnings.
Amy Gumz of Gumz Farms, had Cooki in her care off and on since 2008 and decided to buy her in August of 2013. Gumz is expecting two 2015 foals by her stallions No Doubt Im Lazy and Keeping It Good. “Cooki was an amazing mare with tons of heart. We purchased her knowing she was severely foundered, however, she was greatly cared for and given a dignified passing.”
GoHorseShow sends our condolences to everyone associated with this great mare.
