Two Congress Championships For Ted Lincoln and Tom Robertson with Stallone and Coos Me In The Dark

By: Brittany Bevis

The trainer-client team of Tom Robertson and Ted Lincoln have had a great morning here at the 2016 All American Quarter Horse Congress. First, Tom led Stallone to a unanimous win in Open Yearling Geldings. Then, he returned with Coos Me In The Dark to win Open 3-Year-Old Geldings.

First, we chatted with Ted about his most recently crowned Congress Champion, Coos Me In The Dark. “He’s an awesome horse,” Ted says. “I first saw him as a baby, and I waited on him until the next spring when I bought him as an early yearling. I fell in love with him, and he’s done very well for us. He’s had a hard struggle this spring, but he’s better, bigger, and stronger than ever. We hope to go back to the World Show and win!”

Ted describes his striking, black gelding as “an outstanding conformation horse, from nose to tail.” “He’s as pretty as a picture,” Ted says.

Ted’s yearling gelding, Stallone, has some of the same eye appeal that attracts people to Coos Me In The Dark, but Ted didn’t see any of that before he purchased the horse. He bought him sight unseen upon the recommendation of his trainer. “Stallone was bred down in Texas by Clark Rassi and Randy Jacobs. Tom Robertson found him for me, and I bought him sight unseen. I didn’t even see him until he went to the first show and we won Grand Champion Stallion. Then, we liked what we saw and gelded him, because I already had a yearling stud.”

Just yesterday, Ted’s yearling stallion, FG Unforgettable, was named the Reserve Champion in his class. “Gary and Linda Gordon raised him, and he’s a very nice horse. I love him. He’s very conformationally correct, has a good disposition, and a lot of eye appeal like both of the geldings do.”

Next week, Ted will show all three horses in the hopes of repeating, or improving upon, their performances. “The big shoes are there to fill. All I have to do is step in, lace them up, and go!”

Ted is 83 years young this year, and it seems longevity runs in his family. He will head home to celebrate with his 102-year-old mother before returning to compete in amateur classes next week. “My mom and dad got me started in the horse business. When Stallone won across the board, I had to get her on the phone. After I’m done with my interview, I will call her again.”

“I’ve been in the Quarter Horse business for 65 years now. I’m a 50-Year Breeder with AQHA, and, in two more years, I will be a Legacy 50-Year Breeder, without missing a year. For people who say [they’re too old to compete], I would say to get off the couch and go! It keeps your mind and body occupied, keeps you strong, and it’s fun!”