A Grand, Unanimous Birthday Present For: Kathy Headley, From: Ross Roark and Rumerz

By: Brittany Bevis

Kathy Headley received a very special birthday present today as her trainer Ross Roark led the statuesque, black stallion Rumerz to a unanimous Congress Championship finish in 2-Year-Old Stallions. Then, he did one better by being named the unanimous Grand Champion Stallion.

“What a birthday present!” she exclaims. “This feels absolutely wonderful. He was also the unanimous World Champion as a Yearling Stallion.”

“Ross has done a great job with him and has him looking great. I want to let you in on a secret too… Ross loves this horse! I think they are buddies.”

In fact, Roark and Rumerz regularly work cattle together on his farm in Monahans, TX. “He thinks they should be able to ride, and it just makes their minds better,” she says. “Ross does a lot of roping, so he rides a lot. He asked us what we thought, about him riding Rumerz, and we agreed, because they’re supposed to be able to do more than one event. I don’t know if he’ll ever work it competitively, but he’s out there on the ranch and he’s having fun. He showed him without a lip chain today too. He’s got a sweet disposition.”

When the Headley family of Steve, Kathy, and daughter Sarah first saw Rumerz at the AQHA World Show, when he was still owned by fellow Halter horse enthusiast, Gerri Leigh Pratt, they knew he needed to become part of their lineup.

“Our mouths dropped open… all three of us,” she says. “Sarah saw him first,” Steve says. “She said, ‘Dad, I know it’s your and Mom’s money, but you need to buy this horse. I fell in love with him almost instantly and if I did the judges will too.’ Gerri Leigh has been so good to us and very supportive.”

Next year, Rumerz will be standing at stud to a limited book with Don Griffey at Griffey Equine Center in Ohio. “We’re taking it one step at a time,” Steve says. “I hope his foals look just like him. If he can stamp his look and disposition on them, we’ll be good.”

The Reserve Champion in today’s class was Gene Parker with Kid Shine for owner Jerrid Nightingale. Third place was Rolyn Casper with My Good Intentions for Kathryn DeVries; this team was also the Limited Champion. Fourth place was Phil Wilkerson with Hy Fa Lootin for Pamela Holbrook. Fifth place was Dave Williamson with Angels Package for Pamela Bucklew-Wilder.

The Reserve Grand Champion Stallion was Gene Parker with Kid Shine.