World grand champion and multi world champion The Land Shark passed away on December 6, 2017. The five-year-old stallion was owned and loved by Larry and Pam Russell of Pontotoc, Mississippi.
Sired by Lined With Cash and out of a Generator’s Silver Dollar mare, The Land Shark was foaled on April 4, 2012 to Richard Greer. He began his training under the direction of Joe Fleming Stables, winning his first blue at the 2014 Spring Fun Show in the Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallions class unanimously with Benjamin Bowen in the irons.
The duo went on to garner the Amateur Two-Year-Old Sec. B, World Championship and finished reserve in the Amateur Two-Year-Old World Grand Championship that same year.
Although shown sparingly as a three-year-old, The Land Shark proved himself to be a competitive force at Celebration. The Three-Year-Old Stallions Section B World Championship went to The Land Shark and Justin Harris, by unanimous decision of the judging panel.
In their first outing of the 2015 season, The Land Shark and Benjamin Bowen captured the Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallions Section A World Championship. This great team went on win the Amateur Three-Year-Old World Grand Championship to bolster an impressive resume in just two short years.
In 2016, Wright Stables took over training duties with Casey Wright now sharing saddle time. Casey Wright directed The Land Shark to two Open Specialty victories at the Alabama Jubilee Charity and Tunica Fall Classic. The pair became a competitive entry in Stake classes across the Middle Tennessee Show circuit.
However, it was no coincidence that the The Land Shark made his final show ring appearance with Benjamin Bowen in the saddle at the Tunica Fall Classic. He was a once of a lifetime horse for the Russell and Bowen families and will be greatly missed.