This Week in Horse History - November 16th Through November 22nd

This Week in Horse History - November 16th Through November 22nd

November 18, 2006 – The legendary show jumper Gem Twist was euthanized at the age of 27. Gem Twist is possibly best known for his performance at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. It was there that Greg Best rode Gem Twist to an individual Silver medal. During his career Gem Twist was ridden by Greg Best, Leslie Burr Howard, and Laura Chapot. He was highly popular because of his amazing talent and the exuberance with which he approached his job as a showjumper.

Information and photo courtesy of Show Jumping Legend Gem Twist Dies

November 20, 1956 - Famous Quarter Horse racehorse Go Man Go wins the Clabbertown G Handicap at the Los Alamitos Racecourse in California. He would go on to win this same race three times in a row. Go Man Go drew huge crowds to Los Alamitos when he was racing. He would earn $86,151 during his racing career, and was named World Champion Racing American Quarter Horse of the Year for three years, from 1955 to 1957.

Photo and information courtesy of Losalamitos History

November 21, 1987 – The first fully sponsored miniature horse show by the Miniature Horse Association of Arizona was held in Scottsdale, Arizona. The show, called the Arizona Touch of Class Show, included 87 horses and 46 events. Since first being held, the annual show has only grown in size and popularity and today it frequently has over 200 horses entered.