She started life as Dazzling Queen, changed for a short time to Wait For Me before another name change to Ottawa's Empress. In 2022, eighty years after her birth, she has had her final name change to CH Ottawa's Empress. So how does a horse become a CHampion this long after her show career? And for the other question, why would anyone care? Until a few months ago, I didn't know that anyone could nominate a deceased horse for Championship status. For some reason, I assumed it had to be an owner, exhibitor, trainer, or someone else with a material interest in the horse. Thanks to Sally Sharpe of Saddlebred Treasures for setting me straight.
All a horse needs is 15 points to become a champion. Sounds simple, but shows have to be at least 3 days long to qualify. And there must be at least 6 horses in a qualifying class to earn a point. And you have to win the class. Championship classes only need 4 horses, and those winners earn 2 points, and reserves win 1 point. In hand wins can only count for 3 of the 15 points. Still sound simple? Then factor in that Ottawa's Empress' show career was in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Where to find those records is yet another question.
That gives the basis of how, but now to tackle answering why. Why would I choose a horse that was born 80 years ago, has probably been dead for 50+ years, and I never heard of until about 15 years ago? If you've read this blog before, you may have heard of my first horse, Buddy, Best Ever Saddlebred. I purchased him from Dr. Robert Elrod Sr (MD) nearly 50 years ago. In his 23 years, Buddy was always cared for by Doc's son, Dr. Robert Elrod Jr (DVM). Through the years, I had many conversations with both of these gentlemen, which started me down the path of loving Saddlebred history. Bob Elrod Jr was my neighbor, and one day I asked him if he had a favorite horse. Mind you, their Ottawa Creek Farm bred American Saddlebreds from the 1920's through the 1980's, so there were lots of horses to choose from. Without a moment's hesitation, he said Ottawa's Empress. I was surprised that it wasn't a horse from a more modern era, and she wasn't even one that they had bred, but Bob had his reasons.
Bob Elrod passed away in 2013, and after his death, I learned much more about Ottawa's Empress. From possibly the only person I know that actually saw this mare show, I learned that she just looked like an ordinary horse when she was jogging, but when she hit the show ring, she could really become extraordinary. Three members of the Elrod family including Doc, his wife Martha Elrod, and Bob Jr all showed her with success in amateur, ladies, and open classes. Ottawa's Empress took on all comers, including World's Grand Champions. She showed in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania under the Ottawa Creek Farm banner making appearances at Grosse Pointe, the Ohio State Fair, Dayton, Lexington Jr League, Devon and the Pennsylvania National. There were many other shows that didn't earn qualifying points. This mare was a campaigner! After her sale in 1950, she continued to show on the East Coast for 3 more years. After that, she was bred and also produced a Reserve World's Champion.
No wonder she was Bob Elrod's favorite. After I received confirmation of her CHampion status, I called Bob's son to let him know. I also asked him if he knew his dad's favorite. "Empress" was the immediate response.
With the help of old Blue Books which listed the shows where individual horses competed, and a library of old magazines, it was a fairly easy process to make Ottawa's Empress transform to CH Ottawa's Empress. Along the way, I learned of her showing against other greats of the era like Kate Shriver, Parading Lady and Regal Aire. CH Ottawa's Empress certainly earned her status!
