About CH SA (SJ) Like A Champ
April 5th, 1997
Bloodline Chart
Champ Abroad
Champ was born in South Africa. As
a colt, Champ was exported by renowned
trainer Lionel Ferreira to England.
In England, Champ began his training, and
then entered the show ring, with great success.
In 2002, Ferreira brought Champ to the US,
where he was shown further, and then sold.
Monnington has exported top Saddlebred stock from South Africa, trained them in England and shown them with great success in the USA. These include the Three Gaited gelding SJ Like a Champ and the Five Gaited Stallion Don't Worry Be Happy in 2002 , Trujo A Wish Come True in 2003, SJ Denmark's Geronimo in 2004.
Champ Stateside
In the US, Champ started his show career in the 3 Gaited Open, Amateur & Ladies division. He was shown very lightly from 2007-2008, but was always a top finisher. In 2009, Champ was purchased by Triple D Holdings, of Huntersville NC, for an accomplished young rider, 8 year old Maelee Dudan. Maelee was ready to move from the Academy division where she was ASAC’s High Point Champion 8 & Under Walk & Trot Equitation to Performance. The two enjoyed immediate success in the show ring in 2010 as a top Walk/Trot Equitation mount.
Recent Achievements
- 2010 was Maelee Dudan’s first year out of the Academy class.
- Champ carried Maelee all the way to World Championships in Louisville, and the upstart pair returned to Huntersville as the Reserve World Champions for 8 & under Walk & Trot Equitation.
- Champ and Maelee also received honors as the 2010 ASAC High Point Champions.
- The pair collected a few 1st place ribbons along the way, including major events as a 10U Walk & Trot Equitation mount which included Blue Ridge Classic, Southeastern Charity, Raleigh Invitational, NC State Fair, Asheville Invitational, J.D. Massey Classic & ASAC.
- Maelee was the first juvenile to show Champ. They competed in both Walk/Trot 8 & under Equitation and 10 & under Walk/Trot Equitation.
- The team competes in both Walk/Trot 8 & under Equitation and 10 & under Walk/Trot Equitation.
- 2010 8 & under Walk & Trot Equitation Reserve World Champions.
- 2010 ASAC High Point Champions- 10 & Under Walk & Trot Equitation Champions.
- 2010 & 2011 1st place finishes at major events in 10 & Under Walk & Trot Equitation including Blue Ridge Classic, Southeastern Charity, Raleigh Invitational, NC State Fair, Asheville Invitational, J.D. Massey Classic & ASAC.
- In 2011 they can be seen competing in the Southeast & again in Louisville in the 9 & under Walk/Trot Equitation Division.
- 2011 Blue Ridge Classic- 10 & Under Walk & Trot Equitation Champions and Grand Champions “Unanimously”
- 2010 Top 10 National Horseman Rider in 10 & Under Walk & Trot Equitation
Prior Achievements
- Champ was first shown in the US in 2002. In that year, he was the Reserve Champion at Lexington Jr League, Open 3 Gaited 15.2 & Under.
- In an amazing display, Champ won his next eight Amateur 3 Gaited classes in 2002 & 2003.
- Major wins as a 3 gaited mount included ASHAV, Penn National, Bonnie Blue, Roanoke Valley, Children’s Benefit, UPHA Spring Premiere, Devon & ASAC.
Blue Ridge Classic 2011
Like A Champ at the Blue Ridge Classic in Asheville, NC.