GoHorseShow is heartbroken to announce that the legendary halter
stallion, Mister GQ, was euthanized on Monday at the age of 22 years
old. The sorrel stallion was a multiple AQHA World Champion and World
Champion sire by Mr Conclusion and out of Always In Fashion. GQ was
owned and loved his entire life by his owner and breeder, Candace Jussen of Pilot Point, Texas.
During his show career, Mister GQ was the 1992 AQHA Amateur World
Champion Yearling Stallion. The same year he was Reserve World Champion
in the Open with Ted Turner. GQ was also one of the rare yearlings to
stand Grand Champion Stallion at the All American Quarter Horse
Congress. Five years later, Denny Hassett led GQ in his final appearance
at the AQHA World Show to a World Championship in the Open Aged
Stallions.
GQ’s success was not limited to just the halter
arena–he also competed in the western pleasure events. During his three
year-old year, just two years after being named AQHA World Champion and
standing Grand Champion Stallion at the Congress, Jussen and GQ were the Solid
Gold Non-Pro Western Pleasure Champions.
The legendary stallion
was also a very well-respected sire with his get earning over 6,400
points, $139,767.08 in AQHA Incentive Fund earnings, 13 World
Championships, and seven Reserve World Championships.
To date,
Mister GQ has 323 registered foals with 170 performing. Some of his
famous offspring include: Im Too Hot To Handle, Encountered, Gee Que
Silhouette, GQ Armani, GQ Eclipse, Too GQ, The Only GQ, GQ Platinum Dot
Com, Forever Showin Off, Genuine Que, GQ Elle, and GQ Jezebel.
Mister
GQ was such a special part of his owner, Candace Jussen’s life, that
she wanted to share a heartfelt letter about her beloved
equine friend.
In Candace Jussen’s own words in memory of GQ:
What a beautiful day in Texas. I’m always in awe of the
sunrises and sunsets. I think it encourages me to be thankful for my life.
This will be a difficult time for me, so I am asking for
help. Rather than have GQ’s passing be a sad occasion, I am choosing to
celebrate an incredible journey; a very large portion of my life journey at
that.
GQ was more than an average horse to me and to so many people. Of the many things that set him apart throughout his life, most important was what he gave back to the industry. I’m asking those of you who knew GQ to not contact me with
sadness but instead share a story about him with someone. In remembrance of him, try to give a little more consideration to those who might need it. I ask you to take
this opportunity to reach out to someone in our horse community that may need
that extra bit of compassion. Give a compliment to a youth who
would love nothing more than a tiny word of encouragement, or to a Select
exhibitor who is struggling with the question, “If they can still show?”
GQ was the epitome of courage and strength. His will to live
was untouchable. So, I ask that we remember him by giving a kind thought or
word to someone that may need it.
I
have so many wonderful stories I want to share, involving so many great people
that I came into contact with along the way because of GQ. I remember Charlie Cole
and I going to Greg Whalen’s and picking out GQ’s mother; Doug Lilly guiding me
to breed her to Mr Conclusion; The Lannings and Dr. Dennis for bringing me into
the breeding barn and starting yet another chapter; My dear friend and GQ’s
biggest and most loyal fan, Kenny Brownlow, who is buried with GQ’s first win
buckle; Tom Lukenbil listening to me about riding GQ; Ted Turner–a
relationship throughout GQ’s life and mine; Jerry and Betty Wells who encouraged
me during my off beat riding attempts with GQ; Adam Mathis for his years and years of keeping GQ sound; Denny Hasset, Gene Parker, Wayne
Halvorson…all were a major part of his life; of course, the Kosters in
Duvall–without their help, our journey would have been cut very short, long
ago.
It’s really interesting… I’ve always felt that GQ was
“My” responsibility; my obligation. Now, in retrospect, I think I may
have been way off in that thought. I now believe that I was the one who was
being directed, following his path. What a fantastic ride it has been.
So, please help me celebrate this beautiful journey with
this magnificent horse by sharing a nice thought with someone else. Let me get
over it before we hug and share our stories…. otherwise, I just don’t think I
can bare it.
As always,
Candy and Mister GQ
