“Sad to say that probably the greatest all around horse, Conclusives Bar Cody (Milton), passed away today in Texas,” says former owner, Nancy Alto-Renfro who won the AQHA World Show Amateur Super Horse back-to-back with Milton in 1996 and 1997. “He will be buried next to other greats–Knowtorius and Show Diva.”
The 23 year-old, 17-hand, brown gelding by Conclusives Dare and out of Ole Cody Bat Doll passed away due to complications associated with colic. Milton amassed over 3400 points, 16 superiors, and multiple AQHA World and Reserve World Championships including championships in the hunter under saddle, horsemanship (twice), equitation, and western riding–as well as multiple, AQHA Performance Championships, AQHA Championships, AQHA Versatility awards, AQHA Supreme Championships, and multiple year-end high points including the 1996 GMC Truck Amateur All-Around–the list goes on and on!
Milton had some impressive and accomplished owners including, Nancy Alto-Renfro, Lauren Halvorson, Blair Gilbert, Amy Paddock Henry, Laurel Topper, Amy Gumz, Sara Simons, and Allison Bradley.
“He was such an incredible horse and a huge part of my childhood and my family,” former owner, Blair Gilbert told GoHorseShow. “I will miss him dearly. I’ll always think of Milton as a warrior. His spirit, his strength and his energy were inspiring. He really taught me to be a competitor and what it means to work hard to achieve something that you want. For years we showed in back-to-back classes all day, every day and regardless of how late it was or if we were outside in the pouring rain he would perform at one hundred percent.”
The most meaningful win for Blair with Milton was their AQHYA World Championship in hunter under saddle, “That moment is something I will never forget,” Blair states. “Also, the Congress All-Around, and winning the Congress in the hunter under saddle four times–especially the last class in my last year of youth. The Congress was Milton’s favorite show and hunter under saddle was always our best class together and the first one we ever won so that one really meant a lot to me.”
Jason Martin of Highpoint Performance Horses, who won many titles on Milton says he was a horse before his time. “He was the best horsemanship horse I think there has ever been,” Martin boldly states. “He was 17 hands but could spin like a reiner, and he was glass smooth to ride.”
Charlie Cole agrees, “Milton was one-of-a-kind. I don’t think we’ve had a horse as unique and versatile since Milton. One year at Congress, he won the Open Hunt Seat Maturity, Senior Western Riding and Amateur Equitation and Horsemanship as well as being Reserve in hunter hack. He made you work hard, but, he had so much talent and presence–he was nearly unbeatable when he was on.” (pictured right with Blair)
Martin remembers that Milton had some funny quirks. “He absolutely hated being groomed and would try and bite us every time, but on his back he was great. I believe he could still be competitive in all of the same events today. We are always searching for another Milton.”
Photos © Jeff Kirkbride and Harold Campton
