Saddle Horse Report has learned of the passing of the great walk-trot World’s Champion, CH Talent Contest. Born April 20, 1983, Talent Contest was by Talent Town and out of Rainbow Valley (BHF). Out of the 15 mares listed in four generations of his pedigree, Talent Contest listed 12 Broodmare Hall of Fame members.

With that royal pedigree behind him, the bright chestnut with a world of charisma was shown to his first Louisville blue by William Shatner in 1989 in the Amateur Gentlemen’s Three-Gaited class. Melissa Moore would guide the gelding to two more World’s Championship titles in 1992 in the Ladies Three-Gaited ranks. He finished out his stellar career with Victoria Shepherd Bleeden in the irons.