UPPERVILLE, Va.--Ifwhizkycouldtalk was the Take2 Division Champion and also won the Upperville Thoroughbred Hunter Classic on June 3 at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show.
Take2 Champion Ifwhizkycouldtalk, right, and Reserve Champion Kensington Court (Photo by Teresa Ramsey)As a rider, Sue Lyman dominated both the Take2 Thoroughbred Hunters and the Upperville Thoroughbred Hunter Classic as she also rode the Reserve champion, her own Kensington Court who was also second in the Thoroughbred Hunter Classic.
The Take2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program promotes second careers for Thoroughbreds after the racetrack.
Both Ifwhizkycouldtalk and Kensington Court had successful careers as race horses, particularly Kensington Court who raced for five years with wins both the flat and over fences.
Ifwhizkycouldtalk, a 6-year-old Pennsylvania-bred gelding by Unfettered and out of Pam Got Even, earned $22,870 in three starts, one of which was a win by 6 1/2 lengths in a Maiden Claiming race on Jan. 12, 2022, at Parx Racing before being restarted for eventing.
He began showing, ridden by Lyman, in 2024, winning championships at his first rated shows at Middleburg Classic and WIHS Regional Horse Show.
HE SHOWED off the trailer in Ocala early this year, taking everything in stride, picking up championships in the Thoroughbred Division and earning good ribbons in the 3’3” Green Hunters against Warmblood horses.
“This horse gets better every day,” said Lyman. “He’s genuine, he’s brave, and he doesn’t have to see anything in the ring and likes to go with a loop in the reins, which is how I like to ride.”
“This horse is brilliant and makes any rider look like a genius and he’s incredibly smart and talented. On top of this, hiis owner Catherine can enjoy riding him!”
“We kept his Jockey Club name because we are very proud that he is a Thoroughbred,” said owner Catherine Brown of Washington, D.C. “Sue is the best Thoroughbred trainer you could ask for, and the two of them together are just incredible.”
At 13 years old, the Kentucky-bred Kensington Court, by Giant’s Causeway out of Backseat Rhythm, is a decorated veteran of the Thoroughbred Hunter Division with owner/rider Lyman, winning championships at such shows as WIHS Regional Horse Show, Keswick, Kentucky and Upperville.
Before his career as a hunter, he had a successful career both in flat races and in hurdle races.
He started six times at Gulfstream Park, Belmont Park and Saratoga with two wins in claiming races.
He transitioned to steeplechase racing under Middleburg trainer Julie Gomena and won over hurdles at Fair Hill, Saratoga and Colonial Downs, finishing wth three wins, including one in an allowance and one in a handicap, two seconds and a third from 13 races over fences.
“The Upperville Colt & Horse Show is proud to partner with Take2 to provide a platform for these incredible athletes,” said Joe Fargis, UCHS president, who won double gold medals with Thoroughbred Touch of Class at the 1984 Olympics. “Thoroughbreds bring a unique heart and intelligence to the ring, and this championship celebrates their versatility and continued value.”
The Take2 program, launched in 2012, offers prize money and year-end awards for Thoroughbreds competing in recognized hunter and jumper divisions across the country. Horses must be registered Thoroughbreds and verified as having raced or been in race training.
