To say Gen’s Fire & Ice was a great horse is to simply say Fred Astaire could dance. No other horse in the Tennessee Walking Horse World could match his level of success and many have tried.  He was laid to rest in Orange, California on the morning of July 14, 2013. He was owned by Arthur Gordon, and Family, of Stonegait Farm in Orange, California and Shelbyville, Tennessee. He was trained by the Russ Thompson Stables in Devore Heights California. He had 42, World champion and World Grand Championship titles at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.

His story began on a Monday morning, May 13th 1985 on the Farm of Claude Crowley. Born to the great “World Grand Champion Prides Generator” and was the first foal born to his dam “Ice Maker”. He was destined to make all of his seven siblings famous. It was Susan Gordon who rode Fire & Ice to most of his Celebration wins, and her daughter Stephanie also rode him to many World Championships and World Grand Championships in the Youth division. Trainer Russ Thompson also rode him to wins in the Mare and Gelding Division at the Celebration. History books will read that Fire & Ice was the signature horse for Susan as her list of great show mounts was endless. Yet Fire & Ice will always be the one who took top billing.

Like any family member, this great horse has left behind many who are sad today at his passing. The Gordon Family, The Thompson Family, and the whole Russ Thompson Stables crew who took care of his needs for so long over his very lengthy life are left to celebrate his life. His final days were spent at the home of Arthur Gordon, in a special prepare paddock, in the equestrian community where they lived. He had a very special demeanor that was all his own, and even being a long time gelding, he was often times the master of the universe in his home community, even being accused of being a stallion. He loved to buck, and was always his choice when that happened. He even had a whinny that was all his own and like crossing his legs when he whinnied like a human. He was larger than life.

His popularity among horse fans was unmatched. Just owning a hat with his name on it was special. One year at the Celebration the late Dick Stuper was assisting Arthur distribute Fire & Ice caps and a gathering mobbed Dick of all the hats and actually stopped traffic. There are countless funny stories many of the Russ Thompson Stables crew tell about this great horse. Russ Thompson once said one time when they were travelling from California to Tennessee for the Celebration….”all was well till we got to Memphis and ole Fire & Ice told us to pull over …he said he just wanted to walk the rest of the way to Shelbyville”.

Our sympathies go out to all who knew this great horse, family, friends, and fans.

Good bye old friend…you were a true loyal and faithful servant.