This Week in Horse History - December 6th Through December 12th

December 6, 2008– A horse named Peppy Superboom sold at the National Reining Horse Association/Markel Insurance Futurity Prospect Sale for $240,000, breaking the record for the largest purchase price ever paid at a NRHA sale. Peppy Superboom was born in 2006 and was sired by the NRHA Top 15 All-Time Leading Sire Boomernic. Peppy Superboom was consigned by Schmersal Reining Horses and was purchased by The Bucket List Syndicate.

Information from:
Record Broken at National Reining Horse Association/Markel Insuranc...
Photo courtesy of: KC Performance Horses

December 9, 1788 - George Washington sold prized Arabian race horse, Magnolia, to Colonel Henry Lee. Washington received 5,000 acres of land in Kentucky in trade for the horse. Magnolia was said to be one of the most beautiful horses in the colonies. Washington was known as a great horseman and owned twenty one horses at the time of his death.

Information from: George Washington's Horse
Some information and photo from: Historical Horses: George Washington Edition

December 11, 1999 – Legendary show jumper Big Ben was euthanized after a third case of colic. Big Ben was a 17.3 hand chestnut Belgian Warmblood gelding who was born on April 20, 1976. Big Ben began competing in show jumping in 1984, and together with his rider Ian Miller, Big Ben would win over 40 Grand Prix titles. Despite being involved in a terrible trailer accident in 1992, Big Ben went on to win a Grand Prix only two months afterward. He was euthanized at the age of twenty three and is buried at the Millar Brooke Farm.

Information from: Big Ben
Photo courtesy of: Big Ben