Brooklyn "Brookie" Supreme (April 12, 1928 – September 6, 1948)[a] was a red roan[4] Belgian stallion noted for his extreme size. Although disputed, the horse may be the world record holder for largest (but not tallest) horse[3][6] and was designated the world's heaviest horse.[7][1] He stood 19.2 hands (198 cm (6 ft 6 in)) tall and weighed 3,200 lb (1,451.5 kg) with a girth of 10 ft 2 in (3.10 m).[8][9][10][2] Each of his horseshoes required 30 in (76 cm) of iron.[9][11]

Brooklyn Supreme
Brooklyn Supreme, c. 1930
BreedBelgian
SexMale
Foaled(1928-04-12)12 April 1928
Brooklyn Center, MN
Died6 September 1948(1948-09-06) (aged 20)
CountryUnited States
ColorRed
OwnerCharles Grant Good,
Ralph M. Fogleman

The horse was foaled on the Brooklyn Center, Minnesota farm of Earle Brown,[4] who first exhibited him.[5] Before becoming oversized, the stallion "had been Grand Champion of his breed in many state fairs".[4] One of his great-grandfathers was another famous horse, Farceur 7332.[4][12]

For much of his fame, Brooklyn Supreme was owned by Charles Grant Good of Ogden, Iowa; Ralph M. Fogleman of Callender, Iowa partnered with Good and exhibited the horse around the US,[7] charging spectators 10 cents to view the animal.[11]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Guinness Book of World Records states April 12, 1928 – September 6, 1948.[1] Many sources list no exact birthdate but state the years 1928[2]–1948.[3] Strangely, the source with the most specific information (including an ancestor, foaling location, dates, and original ownership) indicates June 6, 1930 – 1950,[4] but another source states that the horse placed "First in Yearling Stallion class and Reserve Junior Champion at the 1929 Iowa State Fair."[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b McWhirter, Norris (1987). "World's Heaviest Horse". In Russel, Alan; Boehm, David A. (eds.). Guinness Book of World Records (1988 ed.). Sterling Publishing Company. p. 43. ISBN 9780806965987.
  2. ^ a b Green, Sara (August 1, 2009). The Belgian Horse. Bellwether Media. p. 19. ISBN 9781612115955.
  3. ^ a b "[Unknown]". Equus (251–254). Equine Health Publications Company: 24. 1998.
  4. ^ a b c d e Willoughby, David P. (1974). The Empire of Equus. A. S. Barnes. ISBN 9780498010477.
  5. ^ a b Telleen, Maurice (1991). "Brooklyn Supreme — The Largest Horse". A century of Belgian horses in America. M. B. Telleen. ISBN 9780962907609.
  6. ^ Porter, Valerie; Alderson, Lawrence; Hall, Stephen J. G.; Sponenberg, D. Phillip (2016). "American Belgian Draft (USA)". Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding. CABI. p. 434. ISBN 9781845934668. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Jepsen, Stanley M. (1973). The Gentle Giants: The Story of Draft Horses. Arco. ISBN 9780668027656.
  8. ^ Widmayer, Paul E. (2014). The Strongest Animals in the World Are Herbivores. Bloomington, Indiana: West Bow Press. p. 39. ISBN 9781490826806.
  9. ^ a b "Picture of Brooklyn Supreme". RuralHeritage.com. Rural Heritage.
  10. ^ Tadlock, Annamaria. "The World's Biggest, Tallest, Largest Horses". ultimatehorsesite.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  11. ^ a b "The Gentle Giants II". StallionStation.com. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  12. ^ "Brooklyn Supreme Belgian Draft".