BATON ROUGE, La. -- Hot! Hot! Hot! In more ways than one! That’s what everyone who attended the Dixie Jubilee Horse Show had to say about the 54th annual event, held Nov. 1-4, 2000. In addition to an increase in walking horse entries and great quality horses, the temperatures in Baton Rouge were reminiscent of August.
“I think it was the best walking horse show they’ve [Dixie Jubilee] ever had,” said noted trainer David Landrum. Landrum had plenty to be happy about -- his crew took a total of seven titles including the North American Walking Grand Championship.
Landrum directed Generator’s Champion to the North American title as well as the Over 15.2 Walking Stallion preliminary win. These two wins marked the pair’s second and third victory since their debut at the Kentucky Celebration, where they also claimed that title. “He was really exciting both nights,” said Landrum. “I felt like he really had a flare that excited the crowd. I think he’s really a legitimate contender for the 2001 World Grand Championship,” he finished, indicating that he will campaign the handsome sorrel stallion for next year’s title.
Landrum’s additional wins were all in the amateur ranks, all with Karla Landrum in the irons. Karla directed the multi-titled Show Pleasure veteran Heir’s Rolling Stone to the Show Pleasure title and the Show Pleasure Grand Championship. Next, Karla and Brother Splash claimed the Ladies Auxiliary title in an exciting class. And finally, it was the “other brother’s” turn. Karla and I’m Splashed turned in two of the Dixie Jubilee’s most exciting performances. First, the pair claimed the Two-Year-Old Amateur Specialty Stallion division, then returned in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Championship to wow the judges again. These wins were both unanimous.
David and Karla had some additional excitement besides Team Landrum’s seven wins. Daughter Lindsey earned her first wins in Saddlebred competition by capturing the Six and Under Walk Trot title aboard Epcot’s Taurus and the Academy Equitation Walk/Trot 6 and Under Championship aboard Oh So Elegant. David and Karla felt Saddlebred lessons would be a good experience for Lindsey to learn the basics. They say she will begin showing walking horses soon, as she has already mastered Hunter Jumper lessons.
Jimmy McConnell’s Formac Stables boasted the most wins, taking home eight blues. The Formac crew swept the first night of competition by winning five blues, the first three consecutively. McConnell and Cut The Smoke claimed the Junior Stallion title while Barbara Pate directed Cut The Smoke to the Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion win, making this talented mount a two-time champion and bringing his season wins to a total of 12. Next up, McConnell directed current World Champion Barracuda to the winners’ circle in the Over 15.2 Senior Walking Gelding class before returning in the very next class to claim the Two-Year-Old Stallion title aboard The Black Nightshade.
Two classes later, McConnell returned, this time aboard Pusher’s Rodeo Queen and walked away with the Four-Year-Old Mare and Gelding win. Next up was Dan Waddell, who directed the multi-titled Bionic’s Superstar to the winner’s circle in the Plantation Pleasure, Stallions, Mares, and Geldings division. Superstar returned in the Plantation Pleasure Grand Championship with Bob Medina in the irons to walk away with another title. This championship performance marked Superstar’s last appearance as he is now being retired to stud. Medina was in the irons for the final blue under the Formac banner, this time aboard Pushover’s Infiniti.
Floyd and Beverly Sherman’s Backward S Ranch went back to Murchison, Texas, with five wins under their belt. Bill Young and the always exciting Irrational Exuberance captured the Three-Year-Old Walking Stallion title, but to many fans’ disappointment were unable to show back in the championship due to I.E. having a high fever. The leg-waving young stallion had the industry abuzz all this year. His Dixie Jubilee win came on the heels of his Three-Year-Old Walking Stallion World Championship.
Beverly Sherman enjoyed two outstanding rides aboard her mare, Silverado Spirit. The duo was named Three-Year-Old Amateur Specialty Mares and Geldings champions and returned in the Three-Year-Old Championship to earn that title as well. Kelly Sherman Garrett also enjoyed two winning rides. Kelly and That Lady’s In Command rode to the title in the 15.2 and Under Amateur Mares and Geldings class while Kelly directed Pusher’s Solid Design to the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty Mares and Geldings blue. This rounded out the Backward S-trained wins.
Jackie McConnell’s Whitter Stables claimed a total of four blues. Among them was Beverly Sherman and Generator’s Flirtin’ bringing the Sherman family wins to seven. Lee Wall Rikard was in the irons for two of Whitter’s wins. First, Lee and Rare Cash captured the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings win, while Lee directed The Summitt to the Three-Year-Old Amateur Specialty title. One of Whitter’s most exciting wins was in the Youth 11 and Under division, which was one of the most exciting classes of the show. Lindsey Wall and Flashy Cash gave a flawless performance to claim the title. The pair returned to finish reserve in the championship. Combined with Aunt Lee’s two wins, Lindsey accounted for the third win for the excited Wall family.
Benny Johnson Stables made the long trip from Bluemont, Va., and went home with four blues to their credit, three with Penny Matthews in the irons. Penny’s first victory pass was aboard Eb’s Bold Silver in the Plantation Pleasure Three-Year-Old division. Next, Penny rode Inside Trader to the blue in the Juvenile Plantation Pleasure Specialty division. Finally, Penny and Regal’s Lady of Royalty were named Lite-Shod Plantation Pleasure Juvenile Specialty Champions. Bob Medina and the striking gray colt Iron Eyes Cody, sired by the renowned Ironworks, claimed the Plantation Pleasure Two-Year-Old, rounding out Johnson’s wins.