In Loving Memory of InTheSweetShop – 2007-2025
By Delores Kuhlwein
The Caliendo family announced the passing of multiple World and Reserve World Champion InTheSweetShop, aka “Bentley,” Monday afternoon on social media.
From Marylyn Caliendo, “Our hearts are absolutely broken with the passing of our all time GOAT, Inthesweetshop a.k.a Bentley. He was a multi champion in the pen, but more importantly a champion in our hearts. Cannot thank Sara Simons enough for letting me have him, this beautiful soul. Run free with Whoopie, my lover boy. You’ll always be in our hearts.”
Marylyn and “Bentley” at the APHA World Show.
The 2007 bay Tobiano gelding by Three Chips (Zips Chocolate Chip x Hug Me Zippo) and out of Endless Zippo (Zippos Sensation x Good ToBe An Asset) graced our magazine’s cover in July/August 2014.
The cover became iconic, a symbol of hope and recovery, as well as a tribute to a horse raising the bar in Western Pleasure and in All Around competition.
When Marylyn purchased him from Youth Jenni Hansen in October 2013, not only had Bentley earned 2997 youth points with Jenni at that point, as well as a youth versatility and a youth superior under the guidance of Simons Show Horses – he was coming into the forever, loving arms of Marylyn Caliendo, who had been battling breast cancer all year.
Even though the World Show quickly followed the purchase that year in November, Marylyn won a World Championship in Masters Amateur Senior Western Pleasure, despite the fact it was only her second show with him.
In November 2013, she told The Equine Chronicle, “I couldn’t ride all year because I had breast cancer,” Caliendo says. “That’s why I got him so late [in the year]. We went to Waco last week, and I showed him for the first time. We won, so I was like, ‘Wow, Sara’s right. I can ride this horse.’”
Armed with that confidence, they were able to clinch the win. At the time, Marylyn explained, “My ride was excellent. I thought my cut was really good, but he was dead on in the finals. It kind of freaked me out a little bit. I was waiting to fix something! After I made the cut, Sara said she couldn’t even tell me anything to fix because there wasn’t anything to fix.” So she made up her mind to “ride him like I owned that pen.”
Rylee Morgan and InTheSweetShop, 2018 NSBA World Show.
Bentley went on to add to his incredible show record with Marylyn and with his open riders while continuing in the Simons’ Show Horses program, and by the time he retired, his APHA record totaled 481.5 Amateur points, 31 Novice Amateur points, 514 Open points, and 2997 Youth points, with 216 halter points in the youth division alone. He earned World Championships, Reserve World Championships, and Superiors across disciplines with his riders.
He also marked the early career of Rylee Morgan of MM Show Horses, who rode InTheSweetShop to win the $2,500 Ltd. Horse $2,500 Ltd. Rider Open Western Pleasure for the Caliendo family at the 2018 NSBA World Championship Show, another win to add to his countless accolades.
From Megan Caliendo, “Bentley, your heart was too big for your body. “inthesweetshop” aka Mr B. You were an anomaly from the start, took care of everyone who sat on you and gave life to those around you. I will dearly miss our turnouts as you were one who didn’t even need a halter to be lead. It’s not goodbye – it’s I’ll see you later, buddy.”
To Bentley, who gave confidence to Marylyn in her recovery, and who gave his heart and his talent to everyone – you will not be forgotten as a symbol of love, hope, and heart.
Somewhere
Stanley Harrison
Somewhere…somewhere in time’s own space
there must be some sweet pastured place.
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
some Paradise where horses go.
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.
The July August 2014 cover story written by Marylyn Caliendo:
(download the PDF here): Cover story
