JJ Babu

{{Short description|Event horse}}

{{Infobox named horse

|horsename= JJ Babu

|image=

|caption=

|breed= Thoroughbred

|sire= Babu Dancer

|grandsire= My Babu

|dam= Polymelia

|damsire= Tudorka

|sex= Gelding

|foaled= 1974 Germantown, Maryland

|country= United States

|colour= Bay with a small star

|breeder= Charles B Eiler

|owner=

|trainer=

|record=

|earnings=

|wins=

|awards=

|honours=

|updated=

|death_date=1989|death_place=Fair Hill Horse Trials, Maryland}}

JJ Babu was a Thoroughbred gelding that excelled in the sport of eventing, under American rider Bruce Davidson.

JJ Babu was bred in Maryland.{{Cite web |last=Rizzo |first=Katherine O. |date=2013-10-03 |title=The Evolution of Fair Hill International |url=https://equiery.com/the-evolution-of-fair-hill-international/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=The Equiery |language=en-US}} He was purchased by Davidson as a yearling. He was not only a good-looking horse, but was well-tempered. The gelding excelled in all three phases, which explains his success.

Partnered for 15 years with Davidson, the horse won the team gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics, but also the Rolex Kentucky Three Day in 1983.{{Cite web |title=The Chronicle Over The Decades: 1980s - The Chronicle of the Horse |url=https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/chronicle-over-decades-1980s/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |language=en-US}} He competed at the advanced level for nine seasons, and started in 12 CCIs.

Davidson described JJ Babu:

"The world never saw a greater horse–he was great to look at, he had great manners, and he gave me 15 fabulous years...He was the ultimate event horse; everyone could ride him, even the children. He was a great friend and companion..."{{Cite web |title=The King Of Kentucky - The Chronicle of the Horse |url=https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/king-kentucky/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |language=en-US}}
JJ Babu was destroyed in April 1989 at the age of 15, after he fractured a pastern bone at the Fair Hill Horse Trials.{{Cite web |last=Dyer |first=A. J. |title=Bracket Battle of Event Horses: ROUND 1 - Eventing Nation - Three-Day Eventing News, Results, Videos, and Commentary |url=https://eventingnation.com/bracket-battle-of-event-horses-round-1-needs-bios-2/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=eventingnation.com |language=en-US}}

Competition Record

1988

1987

  • 1st Stockholm CCI *** (Sweden)
  • 1st Somborne

1986

1985

  • 11th Badminton CCIO ***
  • 2nd Brigstock

1984

  • Team gold and individually 13th the Los Angeles Olympics

1983

1982

1981

  • 1st Chesterland Three Day Event (Advanced)

1980

  • 1st Essex Three Day Event (Preliminary)

References

{{Reference list}}