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Betsy Carter's Horse Scene Date published: 10/23/2009
AS John Cumberland Gizzy is a straight Egyptian Arabian. Cumberland bought him a yearling from Kurt and Susie Nordstrom, who had purchased the horse from longtime local breeders Jerry Leonard and Willie Jett of Spotsylvania. When Cumberland purchased Gizzy, now 12 years old, for $1,000, he hoped the horse would make a decent trail horse for casual rides around the field and trails. However, over 10 years of careful training, the $1,000 horse turned into a million dollar baby. Bahims Thunder has earned national Top 10 awards in two countries, the United States and Canada and has shown in Albuquerque, N.M.; Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; and Regions 14 and 15, which cover Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Kentucky, West Virginia and Ohio. In 2004, the talented horse earned the title of Legion of Honor with the help of then-junior riders Lisa Morris and Cassandra Banks and 10-and-under rider Bryn Huxoll. Gizzy's Legion of Supreme Honor was earned in 2005. Cumberland was thrilled with Gizzy's accomplishments and thought he had probably reached the top of his achievements when his trainer, Dawn Leonard Roper of Livingston Manor Arabians, fell ill with cancer and had to take an extended leave from her work as rider and trainer. Fortunately, after recovery, Roper returned to the saddle and Gizzy was back on the show circuit, continuing their winning streak. In the meantime, Cumberland had formed a business partnership with Richard Roper, Dawn's husband, as joint owners of Gizzy, and Richard Roper began riding Gizzy in adult amateur classes. He and Gizzy won their first national Top 10 award together in Canada in 2004 in amateur trail.
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