With a heavy heart, we regret to inform our readers of the loss of legendary all-around gelding More Radical (Rodney). The 2004 gelding was by Radical Rodder and out of Zip Me Some More. He amassed over 1,130 points and was a multiple AQHA World and Congress Champion. In 2019, Charlie Cole and More Radical won the Senior Trail at the Congress with an impressive score of 243, beating over 130 other horses. His current owner Bonnie Sheren wanted to honor his memory and shared some thoughts about this beloved gelding.
“I’d just like to say that Rodney had such a sweet, gentle nature,” Bonnie remembers. “He was very affectionate and loved being given attention. He was so talented and already a World Champion when I bought him from Kathy Tobin, and he continued to be the champion he was, giving me so much success in the arena. I was incredibly proud when he and Charlie Cole won the Senior Trail at the Congress in 2019. I want to thank the vets, shoers, and everyone at Highpoint who did everything they could to keep Rodney happy and comfortable as long as we could. Everyone loved him, and he will be greatly missed. “
Jason Martin told us how Bonnie came about purchasing More Radical. “He achieved greatness with every exhibitor that showed him. We were so lucky to catch Kathy Tobin and the Searles on the right day that they agreed we could buy him. He was the perfect horse for Bonnie and taught her so much. He was very special and will be greatly missed.”
Charlie Cole adds, “Rodney was one of the kindest and sweetest horses you could ever be around. I feel fortunate that I got to show him and won some big classes on him, including the Congress. He was the kind of horse that you could always count on at the big shows.”
Former More Radical owner Susie Johns told us how she came about purchasing him. Johns said that she found Rodney as a 5-year old showing Junior Western Riding with Mark Jensen at the Oregon Summer Classic.
“We knew he was special after watching him show just once, so we bought him immediately,” Susie recalls. “He instantly became a special horse for us. He won Jeff (her son-pictured right) Top 3 honors at the AQHA World Show in Amateur Western Riding and was consistently a presence in the amateur and open western riding and trail pens. He was so fun and easy to show and taught Jeff a lot about western riding. He always tried hard and gave his best.”
Johns sold him to her sister Kathy Tobin after she sold Flashy Attraction to the Searles Family. “Rodney continued to have a great career with Kathy and was a part of so many people’s lives,” Susie remembers.
More Radical was bred and owned initially by Stanley and Susan Scott and got his start with Ashley Lakins in the western pleasure. “He is another prime example of a pleasure horse that went on to excel in the all-around events after their career in the pleasure pen. One of my greatest and most treasured memories was standing with my sister Kathy on Rodney and me on Heza Radical Zip as the last two standing in Select Western Riding at the 2015 Select World. Being World and Reserve Champion with my sister was probably the greatest feeling ever in my showing career. We will miss Rodney greatly, but we were happy that he was able to live out the remainder of his life, being loved by Bonnie Sheren and the Highpoint Family.”
Kathy Tobin also shared her thoughts about Rodney. ”We send our deepest condolences to Bonnie and Charlie, and Jason on the loss of Rodney. My heart breaks with them. I want to thank Susie Johns for selling Rodney to me. Rodney was such a sweetheart, both on the ground and in the show pen. He was always happy going through western riding and trail with his ears up and enjoying his favorite classes. He made it seem so easy and beautiful. Rodney always gave a 110%, even if I didn’t ride him so well. Rodney will always have a special place in my heart. I can’t thank Rodney enough for the thrills of multiple AQHA, NSBA World, and Congress Championships and for the pure joy of being a small part of his life.”
Jeff Johns remembered some more special memories involving the gelding. “He was the very first horse I ever found myself. I saw him showing at the Oregon Summer Classic in Junior Western Riding, and I ran and told Jim, Deanna, and my mom about him. They had also seen him but hadn’t mentioned anything about him until I talked to them. We all agreed that he was special, and he was soon a part of the family. I’m very proud that they agreed with my initial assessment of Rodney. I was very proud of him, and I will always hold a special place in my heart for him. He tried very hard and brought us more success than I could have ever imagined. I will miss him immensely.”
Deanna Searles added that Rodney was one horse they always looked forward to riding. “Rodney was a blessing to have in our program and family. There are not many horses that you could always count on in the show pen. He always did his best with his ears forward. He made you smile. His disposition was so kind. He will be missed.”
Our sincerest condolences go out to all involved with the amazing life of this legendary gelding.
