CH Imperator
Five-gaited Saddlebreds, known for their beauty, graceful energy, and high knee action, have been called “peacocks of the show ring,” CH Imperator exemplified the breed’s best qualities.
With his exceedingly long (14 ft!) and lustrous natural tail, CH Imperator commanded attention and generated excitement whenever he stepped into the show ring and perform the five gaits: walk, trot, canter, rack and slow gait.
Imperator was known for his eagerness to show off and for his excellent slow gait. He was never beaten in gelding classes at the World’s Championship Horse Show.
*CH is a special symbol added to an American Saddlebred’s name after they become a world champion.
American Saddlebred: Five Gaited
Chestnut Gelding
Foaled March 11, 1974 at Peacock Farm in Wilmette, Illinois
By Supreme Sultan, out of Empress Wing, by CH Wing Commander
Died October 20, 1997 at the Kentucky Horse Park
Breeders: Wanda Wilkinson
Trainers: Don Harris, John Champagne, Billy Greenwell, John Fry
Owners: Peacock Farm, Finisterre Farm, Glen Ridge, Dutel Farms, Mr. & Mrs. Ron Kirsch, Dr. Geraldine Meanor
Titles / Awards
Oldest horse ever to win the Five-Gaited World’s Championship at age 12 (1986)
Estimated Earnings: $85,000 cash plus silver trophies.
CH Imperator was sold four times for a total of over $600,000, a record for an American Saddlebred gelding
Notable Wins
World’s Grand Champion Five-Gaited Horse (1980, 1981, 1985, 1986)
World’s Champion Five-Gaited Gelding (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1988) (broke record for number of times winning this title)
World’s Champion Amateur Five-Gaited Horse (1984)
World’s Champion Junior Five-Gaited Horse (1978)
Five-Gaited Grand Champion National Horse Show ( 1980-1984)
Five-Gaited Grand Champion Lexington Junior League (1979-1983)
Five-Gaited Grand Champion Rock Creek Horse Show (1979-1983)
Five-Gaited Grand Champion American Royal, Kansas City (1982 and 1985)
Five-Gaited Grand Champion Pin Oak, Houston Texas (1985)
American Saddlebred Showing
American Saddlebreds are known for their high stepping and exaggerated action. They can be shown three-gaited (walk, trot, and canter) or five-gaited (walk, trot, canter, slow gait, and rack).
Hall of Champion Resident
August 1991 to October 1997
