2017 Hall of Fame Inductee: Prince Jester
** Below is the Hall of Fame Induction Speech for Prince Jester. This stallion was inducted into the MFTHBA Hall of Fame on September 9, 2017**
2017 Hall of Fame Inductee: Prince Jester
©MFTHBA
Prince Jester, is a product of arguably one of the most successful crosses in Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association History, Traveler’s Jester and 4-time World Grand Champion mare, Missouri’s Charming Princess. Larry Robbins of Farmington, Arkansas owned both sire and dam and knew from the beginning that the cross would be special.
In 1998 prior to the start of Prince Jester’s two year old performance career, he began to show a great deal of potential and Larry Robbins sent Prince Jester to Geno Middleton for training. Geno, no stranger to the winners circle, recognized the young stallion’s talent immediately. Prince Jester show career began by winning the 1998 Two Year Old Amateur World Grand Championship in Ava, MO with owner and rider, Robbins. In the Fall of this same year, Randy Williams who was trainer and manager of the Ocala, Florida Foxtrotter Ranch was in search of a stallion prospect to promote the Missouri Foxtrotter in the southeast corner of the United States. Prince Jester’s performance during the 1998 World Celebration horse show and his well known pedigree drove Randy to set his sights on the purchase of the young stallion.
Prince Jester’s two year old success was just a start to what would become a great show career for the adolescent stallion. Prince Jester went on to win the 1999 Three Year Old Open World Grand Championship and in 2003 was crowned the Open 5 Year and Over World Grand Champion under the guidance of Hall of Fame Trainer, Geno Middleton. Along with his successes at the World Championship level Prince Jester also won numerous titles across the United States to include being named Florida State Champion.
Through his life, Prince Jester continued to promote the MFTHBA by being presented at equine affairs and exhibiting in expositions both locally and nationally. Prince Jester amazed everyone he met with his gentle nature and the MFTHBA was proud to have him representing the breed across the entire equine industry.
On April 12th, 2011 Prince Jester lost a short battle with Colic. Although his life was cut short his legacy would live on through his talented offspring.
Today, the late Prince Jester is known by foxtrotter enthusiasts around the World for his personable nature, gentle disposition, and incredible talent. These great traits can also be seen in his get. Prince Jester’s offspring have been shown in all performance divisions to include youth, amateur, open, model, and versatility. A few names of his offspring which are well known around the MFTHBA include:
- Prince Jester’s Shadowfax
- Amber Rose
- Jest Another Jessie
- Lilly Claire
- Jester’s Pride-n-Joy
Prince Jester has produced 19 different World Grand Champion horses, 7 different Reserve World Grand Champion horses, and 8 different futurity and world champions. Prince Jester is also the grandsire of one of the all time greatest show horses and fellow 2017 Hall of Fame Inductee, Grand Central.
Since the year 2012 the MFTHBA membership committee started giving out a top 5 stallion award. Although Prince Jester passed in 2011 he has still won the award 3 times. Prince Jester is also the only horse in the history of the MFTHBA to be on the cover of Horse Illustrated Magazine. Along with this great honor he also is a feature Breyer Horse.
In recognition for his accomplishments in the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association, his promotion of the breed, and the impact on the breed through his offspring, upon recommendation of the MFTHBA Board of Directors, we welcome Prince Jester to the MFTHBA Hall of Fame.
©MFTHBA