Prince Jester

World Grand Champion Missouri Foxtrotter

The role of the jester has always been to entertain and delight, and in show rings and exhibition halls, one Missouri Foxtrotter stallion continued that legacy of bringing smiles to the faces of all who saw him: three-time World Grand Champion, Prince Jester. The liver chestnut son of Traveler’s Jester, out of the undefeated Missouri’s Charming Princess M., lived up to his royal lineage early. He won the 2 Year Old Amateur World Grand Championship under trainer Geno Middleton in 1998 and captured the attention of Randy Williams, manager/trainer for Richard Simon’s Ocala Foxtrotter Ranch. Impressed with the young stallion’s ability and pedigree, and seeking to promote the Missouri Foxtrotter breed in Florida, Prince Jester was purchased by the ranch with hopes of fulfilling that potential in the ring and breeding barn.

© Dawn Young

Prince Jester represented the defining characteristics of the Missouri Foxtrotter breed including beauty, strength and surefootedness. He delivered a stunning representation of the unique "fox trot" gait, where the horse walks in the front and trots behind in a fluid diagonal trot. This comfortable gait is a favorite of everyone from trail riders to show ring competitors. 

“Prince” exceeded all expectations by winning the 3 Year Old Open World Grand Championship and 3 Year Old National Breeders Cup Grand Championship in 1999, the 5 Year Old & Older Stallions & Geldings World Championship and 5 Year Old & Older Open Reserve World Grand Championship in 2001, and 5 Year Old & Older Open World Grand Championship in 2003. 

After retiring from the show ring, Prince Jester enjoyed a more relaxed lifestyle standing at stud at Missouri Foxtrotters, LLC in Buffalo, Missouri. In total, he sired 19 World Grand Champions, 7 additional Reserve World Grand Champions, and 8 different futurity and world champions. A stallion who epitomized the “gentle” in gentleman, his sweet disposition, willing heart, and smooth style served him well in his roles as a therapeutic riding mount and demonstration horse in equine sports massage exhibits.

A prince by name, but a king among horses, Prince Jester earned his rightful place as an outstanding ambassador of the Missouri Foxtrotter breed. He was posthumously inducted into the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association's Hall of Fame in 2017, which speaks to his place in the hearts of so many of the breed's enthusiasts.

Prince Jester's Breyer model was produced from 2011 to 2012.