The Joni Jacobs Nelson Memorial Challenge trophy, which is currently on display in "Agland" in the South Wing for the first time in more than eight years, was presented in the Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Stake at the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show beginning in 1985, when it was won by CH Reedann’s Box Seat and trainer Don Harris for the Charles Adler family.
The 756-pound piece was created by noted artist Cindy Wolf of Versailles, Kentucky. Mounted on a marble base, the magnificent bronze stands five and a half feet tall and portrays the 1985 Junior Three-Gaited Over 15.2 World’s Champion Night Of Roses. The handsome bay stallion was bred by Joni and David Nelson’s Double Dove Farm and owned by them at the time of his world’s championship win.
Joni Jacobs Nelson was a long time American Saddlebred breeder, owner and exhibitor and Night of Roses was one of her all-time favorites. The breath-taking piece was donated to the show by friends of Joni after she passed away in early 1985.
-- via American Saddlebred Horse Association