GOODNESS came to Virginia Tech in the summer of 2008. She was an amateur jumper mare, earning ribbons at the Wellington Equestrian Festival. She is by the top showjumper and sire Gonzo I. Gonzo I is by Gepard (who also produced top hunter sire All the Gold) and out of a full sister to the Olympic medalist and three-time European Champion Deister. Gonzo I produced many States Premium mares in Germany, as well as two approved sons in the United States.

Goodness' dam, the Thoroughbred mare Tui, was a show hunter who also produced the AHS MMB mare Anything Goes, by Armin. Tui is a granddaughter of Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, and carries the names of Swaps, Count Fleet, Sir Gallahad, Native Dancer and Mahmoud in her pedigree. The Oldenburg stallion Gatsby, by Gonzo I, also descends from a mare with a Seattle Slew sireline.