“Double Bill represents the United States in the Sport of Kings Challenge event at Cheltenham” – The Daily Telegram, December 9, 1988

“Double Bill Triple Threat at Saratoga’s NY Turf Writer’s Cup” – Daily Racing Form, Aug. 15, 1991.

“Double Bill Returns to Winner’s Circle at Atlanta” – “The Chronicle of the Horse,” April 17, 1992.

A son of NoDouble out of Queen’s Way, Double Bill was foaled in 1983. He was trained by Jonathan Sheppard, America’s leading money-winning steeplechase trainer for 17 years, and owned by Ann & Frank Loving of Tryon. Carter Brown, Jr. once wrote, “Someone needs to do a story on this fine couple and Double Bill…. He is a lovely horse.”
On his retirement from racing after the Block House Steeplechase Races in 1995, Double Bill was turned out to pasture at the Lovings’ farm in Tryon.

Jonathan Sheppard wrote to the Lovings, “He certainly had a wonderful career and was always full of surprises. Sometimes he ran above our expectations and occasionally disappointed us when we expected him to do well. Now that he has survived 11 years of my training and has retired seemingly sound and healthy, I guess you could say that he outsmarted us all, and is probably having a great chuckle about it.”
Ann Loving began “converting” Bill to retirement by riding him on the trails around their farm in the Hunting County. She recalled he loved deer and wild turkeys and crossing streams. She also rode him in a drill team under the direction of Annette Murphy.
Little fazed Bill, but then, that shouldn’t come as a surprise after experiencing the festivities of Saratoga to the stress of international travel and racing abroad.
As winter approached and the Lovings began to prepare to spend time in Florida, they wondered how Bill could be kept occupied while they were away. The answer came via their vet, who suggested Green Creek Hounds huntsman “Tot” Goodwin have a look at Double Bill.
Goodwin took Bill to his barn to familiarize the big chestnut gelding with the “tools” of fox hunting. Horns were blown in his face, whips were whirled around his head and hounds yapped at his heels. Nothing seemed to faze him. Next thing the Lovings knew, they were attending the Blessing of the Hounds!
And so, at age 13, Double Bill began his second career. “Tot” Goodwin credited Double Bill with being the smartest horse he had ever ridden.
If you happen down Hunting Country Road, you might see a chestnut gelding turned out in a pasture at his home. Ann Loving recalled that one day not long ago she looked out and saw Bill lying down in the field. Somewhat alarmed, she started out to check on him. As she came into view, Bill raised his head as if to say, “Don’t call the vet yet.”
At age 28, he is still enjoying retirement.
Editor’s note: Portions of this article were taken from the March 25, 1996 Tryon Daily Bulletin and “The Chronicle of the Horse,” March 1, 1996.)
– submitted by Happy McLeod