Adolfo Aguilar Inducted into the Jesus Gonzales Gomez UPHA Caretaker Hall of Fame
Friday, July 16, 2021
The United Professional Horsemen’s Association Caretaker Hall of Fame is given to an individual who has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to providing excellent care of horses. He or she must share enthusiasm and loyalty with his/her barn family and maintain perseverance in the face of adversity.
During the Thursday evening performance of the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show, UPHA honored Adolfo Aguilar, as the 2021 inductee into the Jesus Gonzales Gomez UPHA Caretaker Hall of Fame.
Adolfo came to the United States from Mexico in 1978, and soon aspired to become an American citizen. In 1985, that wish came true.
His first job was with Jim B. Robertson where he worked for three years. Following that Adolfo found his home at Woodstock Farm in Danville, Kentucky where he worked for the next 35 years for Carter and Karen Cox. During his time at Woodstock Farm, he took care of and started many notable horses including: WGC CHA Sweet Treat, WC CHRejoice, WC CHThe Great Gaspar, WC Simbara's Cara Mia, WC CHSimbara's Samba Jamba, WCC CHSimbara's Audacity, WC CHBlue Chipper, WC CHHarlem's Diamond Jim, CHStarmaker’s Southern Star, WC CHFrench Silk Stockings, WC Spanish Santana, WC Tyler, RWC Jon Bon Jovi, WC Reedann's Old Spice, WC Coming Out, WC Timely Affair, RWC Bama McCall, RWC Ribbons and Reins, WC Sugar Pine, WC Gone East, and many others. Adolfo also helped manage the stallions at Woodstock Farm that included, Sultan's Starmaker, Simbara's Living Legend and Master Class. Together Carter and Adolfo handled many in-hand futurity world and reserve world champions.
When Carter decided to retire, Adolfo went on to help many different horsemen in Kentucky, one being Billy Jarrell who states, “In my eyes, Adolfo is sort of a legend in the Saddle Horse world. You don’t see many individuals spend as many years with one trainer, but he took full advantage of the opportunity to learn. He is the epitome of, speak in a soft voice but carry a big stick. Adolfo can accomplish things on his own with a horse that sometimes would take three or four people to do. Adolfo learned a lot more than how to groom and care for a horse from Carter. He learned how to bridle a horse, and that there is no timetable to getting a horse ready to show, the horse will tell you when it is ready. When Adolfo worked for me I always said, if I disappeared for six months, and came back my horses would be exactly as I left them, that’s the kind of guy he is, a true gentleman and an asset to our breed.”
Stacey Kipper-Perelli, has known Adolfo for over 26 years and she adds “Adolfo was an integral part of the Woodstock Farm family. He was the glue that held it all together. He started the colts, communicated with all the employees, and made sure everything went smoothly at the horse shows. No one could handle a problem horse like Adolfo, or turn a horse out better, and tails were definitely his specialty. Adolfo welcomed me in as part of his family, often inviting me to cookouts at his home. I will always cherish our friendship and the time we spent together at Woodstock Farm as he taught me so much."
As a 10-year-old little girl, Kristen Bagdasarian, also met Adolfo at Woodstock Farm while her parents had horses with Carter and Karen Cox. She recalls, “the farm, the horses and the people were heaven to me. I followed Adolfo around the barn mesmerized by everything he did.” She remembers Adolfo as always being kind and willing to take her to the broodmare barn to show her the mares and foals and answer all her questions. Fast-forward 30 years later, and Kristen says, “I still follow Adolfo around the barn mesmerized by what he does. I’m honored Adolfo works for Diamond View Farm. He is a very important part of the farm and just like family. I thank him for all he brings to my farm and my life.”
Finally, Carter Cox, states, “He is an outstanding man, employee and friend. For 35 plus years he was an integral part of Woodstock Farm. As such, he bred and foaled mares, broke colts to lead, under saddle and in harness. He assisted me in showing in-hand colts and put all the horses in the ring in a high-class manner. I always relied on Adolfo to have everything up and ready. He never failed and I will always be grateful. He is the complete and total caretaker.”
Congratulations once again from all of us Adolfo, on your well-deserved induction into the Jesus Gonzales Gomez UPHA Caretaker Hall of Fame.
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