Skipa Stars Lace, 1984 Grey Quarter Horse Mare

Skipa Stars Lace was known for her versatility, athleticism and striking appearance. Lace earned a reputation as a top-tier competitor in Western Riding, as well as being highly competitive in Western pleasure, Western Horsemanship and Hunt Seat Equitation.

The 1984 grey mare was by Skipa Stars Buck and out of Scoots Lace by Sierra Scoot and was bred by D E Corbin of Los Lunas, New Mexico.

Lace rose to prominence in the 90’s impressing judges and spectators alike. The mare accumulated a long list of accomplishments for owner Leigh Wewers Berryhill and Trainer Jackie Krshka solidifying her status as one of the top horses in her field.  Skipa Star Lace and Leigh were four-time American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Champions, three-time AQHA Reserve World Champion, AQHA World Show Amateur All Around mare, AQHA Youth All Around High Point and multiple All American Quarter Horse Congress Championships. Lace amassed an impressive 1800 points in 10 different events.

Leigh’s mom, Paula Thompson Platner, found her at the world show in 1987, and she loved her, but she was buckskin and she didn’t like that.  However, the next year, she turned grey, so she bought her in 1988.

What Leigh remembers the most about her was how beautiful she was. You would think by looking at her that she was a prima donna but she wasn’t. She did like to show off. I think she knew how good she was, so, maybe she was a little cocky. This makes Leigh laugh just thinking of her.

Leigh also remembers a funny time when her now husband, Leonard Berryhill, showed her in Kansas.  Leonard was with Leigh at a show, and he wanted to show her in the senior western pleasure. She said today is not the mare’s best day. He kept on, so she handed him the reins. Well, of course, when he was loping on a full drape, one of the horses behind her started acting up and she dropped her right ear, that’s how she would give you a little hint something didn’t suit her. Then, she lowered her head and bucked. Of course, not terrible, but enough that he shortened his reins the rest of the class and came out saying Leigh was right!

Jackie comments that Lace was a “unique horse”.  As her trainer, she definitely kept Krshka on her toes. You knew when you could challenge her for more or perhaps needed to back off.   Some of Krshka’s greatest moments were experienced in riding her to multiple AQHA World Championships in Western Riding, and watching Leigh achieve so much success on her.  Then some of my wildest memories were experiences with her. From getting dumped on gravel road at her ranch in an English saddle, to clearing out the warm up pen at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.  Apparently, she did not care for the flapping flags on the old racetrack. Jackie feels blessed to been her trainer and work with dear friend Leigh Berryhill.

Leigh feels her life changed when she and Lace went to train with Jackie Krshka.  Leigh got a lifelong great friend and mentor. The best part of owning Lace was the people she met along the way.  Leigh was so glad that she sold the mare to Jill Pennau Briggs in 1991 who gave her an amazing forever home!”

Jill Briggs thought that Lace was her once-in-a-lifetime horse. She was a lot of work but she taught her so much.  Jill who won the AQHA High Point Youth in the Nation in 1992 and a AQHA World Championship and several AQHA Reserve World Championships. Jill felt that she have never had a horse as special as her that could do all the events so well. Briggs had her for 22 years, and didn’t realize it would hit her so hard now that she is gone. She was out in the pasture behind Jill’s house, and it is so weird not seeing her there anymore. She definitely changed Jill’s life for the better.  However, she was a “show horse” for sure and she knew when it was time to be at her best.

Skipa Star Lace passed away in February, 2014 due to complications associated with old age.

Skipa Star Lace is a 2024 Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall of Fame Inductee.

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