Skip to content

Equine Obituary - CH Impressive Ruler





A.K.A. Bubba

1985 - 2015

CH Impressive Ruler a.k.a Bubba, was humanely laid to rest on October 16th at Strohfus Stock Farm in Hastings, Minnesota.

Bubba was born April 1, 1985 in Texas. After a few previous owners, Mary Strohfus purchased him at the age of seven. He was a big handsome bay gelding, by Golden Ruler and out of My Victoria, a Wing Commander grand daughter. For many of the years Strohfus owned him, she was an Amateur/Owner/Trainer and they competed as such.

His first claim to fame was when he garnered the 1992 National Pleasure Driving award under the guidance of trainer Pat Wessel. Bubba received years of local, state and national awards as a show/country pleasure horse. In 1995 Strohfus decided to become an Amateur/Owner/Trainer and see what she could do with Bubba on her own. With Kitty Theis as head groom and best friend to Strohfus, they made their first of four victory passes in In the Shatner Western Finals, in 1997 Bubba unanimously won his first Saddle & Bridle’s Shatner World Championship.

Bubba was a great ambassador for the Saddlebred and had a long and successful show ring career, including winning the Saddle & Bridle’s Shatner Finals four times, Saddle & Bridle’s Working Western Finals three times AND the Saddle & Bridle’s Hunter Seat Classic Finals. He is one of only two horses in the history of the Saddle & Bridle Finals to have won all three championships. According to the ASHA website, he has won over 140 classes, with one of them being as large as 34 entries. More than likely, there are over another 100 wins that do not appear on the website.

In 2007 Bubba placed third in both the Western Country Pleasure Invitational qualifier and championship classes at the world championship show in Louisville, Kentucky. This was to be Bubba’s last performance. He did however, travel to St. Louis that same year where he received his induction into the Saddle & Bridle’s Western Horse Hall of Fame. He was officially retired while in St. Louis in 2007. His hometown fans back in Minnesota enjoyed his second retirement ceremony back at home during the Octoberfest show the following month.

Bubba horse was more than just a “show horse”. While in retirement, he was a nanny to many playful colts and soon taught them social manners. He taught yearlings how to lead by having them tied along side him as Strohfus rode him. But most importantly, he was there for Strohfus when she needed a shoulder to lean on, to cry on and confide in.

“Thanks to my late husband Norm for being so supportive in my life with Bubba. A special thank you to my stepson John, who made it all possible for Bubba to be buried on our farm” Mary posted on Facebook shortly after his passing.

More Stories

  • Latest Issue 2 25 HW

    Read More
  • ASHBA Annual Meeting Highlights

    The annual meeting of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association saw a substantial turnout of membership. More than half of the active, eligible members at the time of the vote let their voices be heard either in person or by proxy on two topics: a bylaw amendment proposal and the vote to elect two people to represent the membership on the nominating committee for the board of directors. Read More
  • Morgan Stallion Sweeps Date Changed

    The New England Regional Morgan Horse Show and Association along with the United Breeders Committee announces a date change for the upcoming Morgan Stallion Sweeps drawing to March 15th. Read More
  • AHHS Board of Director Election Results

    The results are in and the AHHS would like to congratulate the five successful candidates on their election to the AHHS Board! The five candidates elected are Chris Gantley, Maureen Quackenbush, Bryan Earehart, Amber Kildow, and Melissa Moore. Read More
  • Latest Issue 2 10 25

    Read More
  • Update on ASHBA Website

    Earlier today, we noticed that the server that supports the ASHBA database was experiencing a lot of activity. After a brief investigation, we discovered that certain parts of the system were being hit almost constantly and slowing down the server. This was leading to performance issues across the board. We pulled server logs and saw more than 77,000 requests for show results for this morning alone. Read More
  • Over $60,000 Raised At New York Morgan Stallion Service Auction

    It was a new year and a new committee for the New York Morgan Stallion Service Auction. With committee members emeriti Ivan Beattie and Lynn Peeples, Chairperson Jennifer Peek focused on the young trainers in the New York area, tapping Anna Kufs, Chris Bernard, Keith Friday, Lindsay Perry Atkinson, Rebecca Arotsky and Will Vidler, and Tuffy Owens to fill out the revamped team. Read More
  • Topping The Ladies Division

    Read More
  • 2025 Annual Membership Meeting of American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association

    The Annual Membership Meeting of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association, Inc. will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 2 pm EST at the Lexington Marriott City Center, 121 West Vine Street, in Lexington, KY.  Read More
  • Michigan Morgan Horse Breeders Futurity Activities

    The Michigan Morgan Horse Breeders Futurity (MMHBF) will host its annual stallion service auction on Saturday, March 1, with a full day of activities on Friday, February 28. The events will be held in the Middlebury, Indiana area with the Hampton Inn serving as the host hotel.  Read More