With all of his accolades, Rock County Kid (aka “Rocky”) needs no introduction. The 2011 bay gelding by Good I Will Be and out of JDZ Madison County was the NSBA Horse of The Year in 2014. The same year, as a three-year-old, Rock County Kid was Congress Champion in the Three Year Old Western Pleasure Futurity as well as AQHA World Champion in the Amateur Western Pleasure with former owner Sharnai Thompson.
“I have loved Rocky ever since I saw his sale video as a two-year-old,” says his new owner, Alexandra Chavez of Pilot Point, Texas. “I also got to watch Sharnai Thompson and Rusty Green show him a lot the year he was the horse of the year and he won the World and Congress. Nancy Sue Ryan is foaling out a full sibling to Rock County Kid any day,” Chavez says. “I bought the embryo last year that’s how much I’ve loved Rocky.”
“No one knows the western pleasure and Rocky better than Maggie,” states Alex, referring to her trainer, Maggie Grandquist (pictured right, far right). “He’s been in training with her and Highpoint for the all around events. I’ve ridden him a time or two, and he’s everything you’d think he was. It’s an easy transition for all of us – Maggie, Troy (Lehn), Jason (Martin) and Charlie (Cole). Our camp and Highpoint are like one big family. We are all very excited and blessed for the opportunity to own and show such an accomplished, talented show horse.”
Some of Rocky’s other 2014 career highlights include wins in the 3-year-old events at Tom Powers Triple Challenge and NSBA World Championship Show. In 2014 alone, Rocky accumulated earnings of $50,818.15 in NSBA Futurity earnings. This past year, Rocky and Sharnai brought home the bronze trophy in the Amateur Western Pleasure and were Reserve Congress Champions in the Amateur Western Pleasure. Rocky has also started adding new events including the hunter under saddle, horsemanship and western riding to his repertoire.
“Rocky is one of the best lopers and biggest personalities I’ve ever been lucky enough to own,” Sharnai told us. “I will miss him dearly, but I take great comfort knowing he will be loved and taken care of by great friends, and he’s just around the corner to go visit. I can’t wait to cheer him, Alex, and Maggie on!”
We wish Alex and Rocky the best of luck at all the major shows coming up this year! For more information about Chav3z Enterprises, visit their facebook page.
