On October 13, 2022, World Grand Champion and three-time World Champion Custom Chrome, owned and loved by Savannah Upchurch of Monticello, Kentucky, passed away due to complications with colic. 

Sired by Kodachrome and out of Icy’s Master Miss, Custom Chrome was foaled on May 15, 2010, to Jack Heffington. 

Affectionately known as “Chrome,” the beautiful bay found his forever home when he was selected in 2016 with the help of two great friends, Dwight and Sue Dunn, to be campaigned by Savannah Upchurch. Together the duo became a staple in the Amateur Park Pleasure division, under the direction of Chris Zahnd.

In 2018, Chrome carried Savannah to a reserve World Championship in the Owner-Amateur Novice Park Pleasure class. The pair returned in 2019, to earn their first World Championship in the Owner-Amateur Novice Park Pleasure class.

In 2021, Chrome and Savannah enjoyed wins at Walking In The Smokies, Columbia Spring Jubilee and Waynesville Charity. Trainer Chris Zahnd directed Chrome to his second World Championship, earning top honors in the Park Pleasure English class at the Celebration. 

Custom Chrome and Savannah continued their success in 2022 with a victory at Walking In The Smokies, followed by two strong reserves at the Spring Fun Show and Christmas In July. At the Celebration, Chrome carried Jill Upchurch to her first World Championship in the Owner-Amateur Elite Park Pleasure class. The bay gelding returned to the big oval with Savannah Upchurch to win the Owner-Amateur Park Pleasure World Grand Championship.

Custom Chrome was a great ambassador for the breed and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.