A ‘jack-of-all-trades and a master of one’ is an apt description of hunter legend, Just Cruising. During the 70’s and 80’s, he captured championships across North America at such prominent horse show destinations as Palm Beach, Devon, Upperville and Ox Ridge.

His is a true Cinderella story. Foaled in Spain, the thoroughbred gelding was sent to Argentina to play polo. At 16 hands, he was the perfect size, but his heart was not in the game. He was purchased by Jerry Laframboise and sent to Hudson, Quebec, to be a hunt horse. When he failed to live up to expectations, he was sent to a dressage barn where, yet again, he was deemed unacceptable. He finally found a home in 1978 when he was purchased by Randy Roy and his wife, Cathy, who were based at Dwyer Hill outside of Ottawa.

The plain bay gelding had finally found his niche, excelling in the hunter ring with Cathy. In their first year alone, they claimed zone championship titles in three divisions – Green Conformation, Green Working Hunter, and Amateur-Owner. While pregnant with daughter, Ryan, Cathy leased Just Cruising stateside where Leslie Howard took over the ride. Other riders who successfully showed Just Cruising, known as “Sham” around the barn, included Mac Cone, Jamie Mann and Ian Millar.

In 1980, Cathy and Randy moved to King City to start a new business, Hunter’s Glen. Although they had many offers, the Roy’s decided to keep Just Cruising and Cathy won many championships at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show and on the Florida circuit. In 1982, Just Cruising was sold to Carl and Martha Lindner of All Seasons Farm in Cincinnati. After many more championships in the Amateur divisions, Just Cruising was retired to California.

Just Cruising is remembered for many reasons – his struggle to find a career, his dominance once he found his calling, and his remarkable longevity.

Presented in memory of Lorna Jean (Knight) Guthrie