GoHorseShow is honored to share some thoughts from Darcy Reeve and Charlie Cole about their once-in-a-lifetime horse, Ima Petite Classic. Affectionately known as “Kramer,” the 19-year-old, legendary black gelding passed away on Friday, July 20th. Kramer was by Petite Lord and out of Sheza Classy Kitty and bred by Kramer/Davis of Reddick, Florida. For the past 12 years, he was owned and loved by The Reeve Family of Garden City, Kansas. The gelding will be laid to rest at Highpoint Performance Horses in Pilot Point, Texas.
“Kramer should be remembered most for his natural ability,” Darcy Reeve shared with us. “Not many horses could be competitive at such a diverse set of events. He should also be an example of a horse that comes into his own later in life. He was always a talented horse, but he didn’t really peak until well into his teens.”
Ima Petite Classic amassed over 4,100 points, two AQHA World Championships in the Open and Amateur Western Riding and 11 Congress Championships. In 2015, Ima Petite Classic and Charlie Cole scored a record-breaking 242 to win the Senior Western Riding. That record still holds today. The talented gelding is also a four-time AQHA Reserve World Champion and earned over $49,000 from the AQHA Incentive Fund, $41,000 at the AQHA World Championship Show and nearly $76,000 in NSBA monies.
“Kramer had the biggest heart of any horse I’ve ever known,” Reeve shares. “He definitely had his quirks, but he never wanted to be bad. He always wanted to please. His personality was always so gentle, and you could do just about anything you wanted with him. His natural ability was so far and above most show horses that he was a modern age, true all-arounder. Aside from big career wins in the trail, western riding, western pleasure and hunter under saddle, he also had some major accomplishments in the jumping events.”
Darcy shared that her family bought Kramer over 12 years ago. According to Reeve, he was supposed to have been a filler horse because the one she had was getting older. They had just bought A Certain Vino to become her next horse, and Darcy had plans for Vino to do every event and just needed a horse to show while he was learning everything.
“It’s crazy how it all worked out,” Darcy recalls. “Kramer turned out to be even more exceptional than we thought, and Vino didn’t quite take to the other events as well as he did the pleasure and western riding so we just kept both throughout the years.”
Kramer’s trainer for the past decade, Charlie Cole shares some thoughts about Kramer. “He is probably the horse who I have had the deepest bond with. I showed him from January 2008 until November 2017. He was spooky, quirky and very docile. He was a horse that, if he made a bobble, had a bad lead change or spooked in the trail, I never punished him. I would simply let go and forget about it. He always tried, but he was a big chicken.”
Cole reflects, ”I’m sad that he is gone, but he left peacefully and on his terms. I can only hope to have that bond and extended time with another horse of his incredible lope and talent before my showing career ends. But if I never do, I will cherish the ride and the memories he gave to me.”
Darcy talked about her favorite day in the show arena with Kramer. At the 2013 Congress, this team showed the trail and western riding on the same day and ended up winning both with some of their all-time best patterns. “He was so solid that day. Another favorite win was at the AQHA World Show in 2012. We won the Amateur Western Riding that year, and it was such a special moment to give Kramer his first AQHA World Championship.”
Reeve adds, “He had the funniest quirks. I think most people know how he stuck his tongue out and sucked on it after he got a treat, but he would also use that tactic to beg for treats as well. He was an extremely lazy horse but was always on alert for something dangerous – mostly trash cans and certain colored flowers,” Darcy shares and laughs.
“There will never be another Kramer…trust me, we’ve been looking for years. That’s why this moment is so devastating. He was so much more than a show horse. He was the heart of the barn. The one that everyone looked forward to seeing. The reason the peppermint industry is still in business,” Reeve fondly shares. “I will never forget this moment, so much to mourn, but so much to celebrate. He touched so many lives and changed so many others. I guess the only thing left to say is thank you. Kramer, thank you for everything you taught me, and thank you for showing me what it’s like to work like a maniac to achieve my wildest dreams.”
GoHorseShow would like to send our condolences to everyone who was involved with his career over the years.
Please take a look at the slideshow honoring him.
