Prestige Training

Grieko

“Grieko” was imported from the Netherlands in 1993 by Randy Johnson, a Grand Prix Show Jumping Rider who lives in Maryland. He is a 16.3 Hand Bay Dutch Warmblood Gelding who first came into the program for Event training in 1995. Originally a Show Jumper owned by Joy Johnson of Denver, Colorado, Randy’s sister, “Grieko” had to be retrained to be an Event horse.

Jim competed him for 3 years up through Preliminary before Joy sold him to his sister Cindy West of Sedalia, Colorado. Since then Cindy has competed him at Preliminary and Jim has catch ridden him in a CIC* in 2000 at High Prairie finishing 1st and a CIC** in 2001 at High Prairie finishing 5th.

In 1997, Jim rode “Grieko” to Area IX United States Combined Training Association “Preliminary Horse of the Year” . In 2000, he was again “Preliminary Horse of the Year” for Area IX USCTA with Cindy & Jim riding. In 2001, Cindy again rode him to “Preliminary Horse of the Year” for both Area IX USCTA and Mountain States Combined Training Association.

In 2004 Jim took over the ride again and campaigned “Grieko” at the Advanced Level placing 3rd at Pine Top Horse Trials in Georgia and 8th at Galway Downs CCI*** World Cup Qualifier in California. Jim and “Grieko“ were selected to represent the United States in the World Cup of Eventing in Pau. France that year. Unfortunately “Grieko” had an abcess in his front foot which came to a head during the first horse inspection and they were not able to compete.

From 2005 through 2007 “Grieko” taught many junior riders and adults the Ropes of Eventing including taking Jim’s niece, McKenzie West to the USEA National Championships as well as getting her on the USEA Top 10 Junior Novice Rider List for 2006. They also moved up to Training Level in 2007. “Grieko” passed away at the age of 21 on December 28, 2007 from colic complications during a severe snowstorm in Colorado. I want "Grieko" to be remembered as a great teacher in the sport of Eventing. He was a gentle giant, an intelligent animal, and professional competitor in his role as an equine in this human world. We will deeply miss him in our family.