World Grand Champion, Silverado Spirit was laid to rest earlier this week. The great show mare was most recently shown by Harper Grider of Columbia, Kentucky. She and Harper won the Youth 11 & Under Mare class in 2015 and were reserve world champions in 2016 in that division. 

Silverado Spirit was 20 years old, sired by Pride’s Dark Spirit and out of a Generator mare. Her extensive show record included a world grand championship and several world and reserve world championships. 
In 2003, Erin Graf purchased the mare from the Floyd Sherman Family. From 2003 to 2008, Graf accumulated five world championships and one world grand championship under the direction of Knox Blackburn Stables.

In 2009, Tom and Polly Ware purchased the mare and was rarely defeated in the Amateur divisions including wins at the National Trainers’ Show and wins all over Kentucky under the direction of Kemp Martin Stables until 2014.

In 2015, a special little girl, Harper Grider, made the purchase of what would soon be her forever best friend. Silverado Spirit and Harper grew close together as they took walks around the Grider farm, had conversations that only two of them would know and would show out on Saturday nights in the winner’s circle, Youth 11 & Under style. “Silverado” will always be a member of the Grider family and will reside at her final resting place on the Grider Farm in Columbia, Kentucky. April 6, 1997 – October 16, 2017.