“The shocking news of the death of Good I Will Be was about as close to losing a family member as it gets,” says trainer Leonard Berryhill, who in 2012, won a bronze globe with Willy at the AQHA World Show and tied for first at the Congress in the Senior Western Riding. “We were blessed to have been a part of his legacy and my sympathy goes out to those who loved him, Sandra Morgan, Stephen Stephens, and, of course, Rita Crundwell and Jim McKillips and the many others who were a part of Team Willy.”
Leonard talked in depth to GoHorseShow about the nine year-old bay stallion whose passing on November 10 rocked our horse show world. One of Berryhill’s fondest memories that he will cherish the most was riding Willy in Florida bridleless.
“He was the only horse I have ever ridden that I feel could excel at any event he was pointed towards,” Berryhill states. “He was so special and wanted to be a show horse. I loved just having him around. He was a pest and loved to try and nip at you and play around but it was never in a mean way. He had a God given talent and brains that made him a rare commodity because he had both the mental and physical capacity to do well. I always showed him fresh because he showed the best that way and he didn’t need much preparation. I just took him out of the stall and rode him around a bit and he was ready.”
Berryhill adds, “A good example of that was when I only had him a few weeks before I showed him at the Congress and World last year and he rose to the occasion despite being out of shape and unprepared–he was just a special horse. I never thought after riding Vital Signs Are Good that I would ever ride a horse as talented as she was, but I did get that chance when I was able to ride and show Willy–he was that talented.”
To date, Good I Will Be has sired 40 point earners, Congress Champions, and his get have
amassed over 1800 points and over $60,000 in NSBA futurity earnings. Despite being a young sire, he has already made his mark in the breeding arena. Some of his famous get include, Willy Be Potential, Doodle Jump, Fire Escape, Will Be Hot Sizzlin, Will Be Thumptin, Bailys Be Good, Boys Will Love Me, IE Ibeagoodone, Good Marecedes, and Willybuptonogood.
“Willy is a great sire,” Berryhill says. “I am showing two of his babies at the World in the western riding and one in ranch pleasure. I also have several coming in a few weeks for training. I love his babies and look forward to carrying on his legacy.”
GoHorseShow would like to thank Leonard and Leigh Berryhill for sharing their thoughts about Willy during this difficult time.
Photo © Jeff Kirkbride
