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.
Junior rider Bryn Huxoll has also contributed to the row of trophies and ribbons. At 16, she successfully piloted Gizzy to regional and East Coast championship wins in sidesaddle, sport horse in hand, English trail and Westner trail junior to ride. Gizzy has also won points in the following categories contributing to this prestigious award: dressage training level, dressage first level, sport horse under saddle, show hack, hunter pleasure, western pleasure, trail ATR and trail open.
With all these great winnings over the past few years, when Cumberland walks into his living room he is greeted by a colorful wall of ribbons, silver trophies and gold award plaques. He probably never imagined he'd own such an exciting horse in his childhood days in Arlington or while serving in the Army as an artillery gunner in Vietnam.
However, for the past 16 years he has called Spotsylvania his home while working at Livingston Manor Arabians. Cumberland will turn 60 on Sunday, and he plans to stay at LMA with Gizzy and on the road to further success.
NOTE
Sunday will be the rain date for the Commonwealth Trail Ride and Picnic Lunch at Ingleside Plantation in Oak Grove.
Calendar
Oct. 22-25: Great American USDF Region I Dressage Championship and VADA Fall Competition
Oct. 24: Whitestone; Dressage at Cedar Run; Coventry; Oak Hill; Elmington; Nokesville Western show
Oct. 24-25: VRPC National Testing/ Margaret Compton
25 Hazelwild; Amber Hill; Associate Championship Jumpers; Hollow Oak; GRHSA; Capital Region Pony Club
Oct. 26-31: Washington International Horse Show
Oct. 30-Nov. 1: Va. Horse Trials, VHC
Oct. 31: River Chase; Moriah; Stone Bridge; Cinnamon Ridge; Silver Lining
Betsy Carter can be reached at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; or by fax at 540/373-8455.