by Mark Davis
The future of our industry took center stage on Wednesday evening in Calsonic Arena for the 72nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors Association National Futurity.
Once again, as in recent years, the Futurity was produced by the TWHBEA, but managed and overseen by the officials of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, therefore, National Futurity classes can serve as qualifiers for Celebration Championship events.
This year’s Futurity features 18 classes that highlight the Weanling, Yearling, Country Pleasure, Trail Pleasure, Lite-Shod, Park Pleasure and Performance divisions.
The judges for the 72nd Annual TWHBEA National Futurity include Spencer Benedict of Glasgow, Ky., Jennifer Bingham of Shelbyville, Tenn., Mike Carpenter of Franklin, Tenn., Nathan Clark of Arab, Ala., and Tommy Loid of Bowling Green, Ky.
Promptly at 5:30 p.m., official flag horse Counterfeit Dollar and Bud Seaton made their way up from the warm up ring to get the show underway. The invocation for the evening was given by TWHBEA Executive Director Stan Butt, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Morgan Mills of Nashville, Tenn.
Up first on the evening’s agenda was the TWHBEA/WHTA Youth Challenge (Canter) division with four entries making the call to work as Judge Spencer Benedict called the gaits in the event. This division was created several years ago to give young riders an opportunity to learn the canter gait and show all three gaits in the show ring. Riding to the win in the division was the team of Showboat’s Silk and Alex Way in the irons for Beard and Way of Shelbyville, Tenn. Jazz Time and Taylor Walters pulled in for the red streamers for Molly Walters of Rancho Mirage, Calif. You’re In Command and owner/exhibitor Maggie Mae White of South Lyons, Mi., were third.
The Country Pleasure entries were up next for class 2, Two & Three-Year-Old Country Pleasure Stallions, Mares & Geldings with seven of the 10 expected beating the timer to work for Judge Jennifer Bingham and her staff. Topping the division was Name This Tune, the entry owned by Ella Kline of Robbins, Tenn. Watchout’s Protégé was reserve for Jennie and Nathanael Jackson of Cookeville, Tenn. Watchout Without A Doubt was third for Suzanne Most of Bell Buckle, Tenn.
Class 3 brought the babies to the track for the Weanling Fillies & Colts – Foaled October 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010. Seventeen of the 59 nominated showed their very best under the watchful eye of Call Judge Mike Carpenter and his panel. Capturing the win in the section was Just Another Stormy Night, the entry owned by Robert Nelms of Chapel Hill, Tenn. This win was preceded by 2010 wins at Panama City Beach, Fla.’s Gulf Coast Charity Celebration and Columbia, Tenn.’s Spring Jubliee. Loveline, owned by Nancy K. Lovato of Lehi, Utah were reserve with Jose’s Ginny Belle, owned by Hoyte Eakes of Nashville, Tenn., tying third.
Back under saddle, class 4 featured the Two-Year-Old Trail Pleasure Stallions, Mares & Geldings (Optional Tack) with nine of 20 nominated taking the rail to work as Judge Nathan Clark served as Call Judge for the class. Riding to the winner’s circle was Good Til The Last Drop, owned by Ashley Womack Say and Patricia Hoffman of Nashville, Tenn. This outstanding young horse already picked up a Celebration World Championship on Wednesday morning in the Two-Year-Old Trail Pleasure division with Ashley Say in the irons. The Midnight Ride, owned by Wallace Carrier, Jr. of Franklin, Ky., collected the red streamers in the class, while I’m Manhattan, owned by Willis Bowman of Greeneville, Tenn., were third.
The performance horses were back for class 5, Two-Year-Old Mares & Geldings with 10 of the 39 nominated taking the rail to work for their chance at a set of National Futurity roses under the watchful eye of Judge Tommy Loid and his cohorts. Walking to the winner’s circle was I Walk A Fine Line, the entry owned by George Wright of Old Hickory, Tenn. This outstanding youngster also topped the Two-Year-Old Mare & Gelding division at the Belfast Lions Club Horse Show. Pulling in for reserve was Dreaming Of Bingo, owned by James A. Welch of McMinnville, Tenn. Labeled At Midnight collected the yellow streamers for Joseph A. and Mary E. Alvarez of Olympia, Wa.
The babies were back once again, hollering for momma the whole way, for class 6, Weanling Fillies – Foaled April 1, 2010 – August 1, 2010. Eleven of the 59 nominated entries worked to the track to show their good looks and walking ways for Call Judge Spencer Benedict and his panel. Walking away with the roses was Silver Dollar Debutante, the entry owned by Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Brantley, of the historic Brantley Farm, of Wartrace, Tenn. This talented young filly just captured the blue at the Spring Hill, Tenn. Horse Show this past weekend. What’s Next?, the entry of Carole Hargett of Shelbyville, Tenn., were reserve, with Talia Talia, the entry of Carole Hargett and Robert Neal of Shelbyville, Tenn., accepting third.
Class 7 brought the Two-Year-Old Lite-Shod Stallions, Mares & Geldings to Calsonic Arena with 10 of the 16 nominated making the gate call as Judge Jennifer Bingham served as Call Judge in the division. Red Sunchip, owned by Laurie Toone of Bell Buckle, Tenn., captured top honors in the division. Miss Red Sox, the entry of Laurie Toone and Liz Gassaway, collected the red streamers. The golden ribbons went to Bill Clinton, property of Jerry Laughlin – 4-J Land and Cattle Company of Waynesville, Mo.
Weanling Colts – Foaled April 1 2010 – August 1, 2010 were up next on the evening’s program with 13 of the 39 nominated answering Announcer Bobby Sands call to the ring. Judge Mike Carpenter served as Call Judge for the class. Walking to the winner’s circle in the class was Command Sgt Majors, the entry owned by Nathan and April Mills of Donelson, Tenn. This youngster picked up 2010 wins at Dickson, Tenn.’s Dickson County Horse Show and Lebanon, Tenn.’s Betty Freeman Memorial Horse Show and strong reserves at the Wartrace and Spring Hill, Tenn. Horse Shows. El Nino’s Cash, owned by Daniel J. Miller II of Bell Buckle, Tenn., was reserve, with the yellow streamers collected by I’m A Salty Dawg, the entry of Ray Beech of Belfast, Tenn.
The performance horses were back for class 9, Two-Year-Old Stallions, with eight of the 51 nominated working up the ramp to work for Judge Nathan Clark and his cohorts. Topping the class with an outstanding performance was Ryder Cup, the entry of W.D. (Bill) Landrum of Griffin, Ga. Ritz’s Loose Change, owned by J. Fred Johnston of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., accepted the red ribbons. A Junkyard Dog, owned by Bobby Joe Jones of Manchester, Tenn., was third.
Back in the Halter division, class 10 featured the Yearling Fillies with 19 of the 74 nominated making the gate call to work under the watch of Judge Tommy Loid and his panel. Walking to the top of the division at the 2010 Futurity, just as she did earlier in the year at the Gulf Coast Charity Celebration, the Lady Azules Horse Show and the Spring Hill Horse Show, was Gen At Nine, property of Dale Watts, Bobby Jones and Roger Richards of Manchester and Hendersonville, Tenn. Miss Cheyenne, owned by Larry Mesimer and Roger Richards of Concord, N.C. and Hendersonville, Tenn., were reserve. Jose’s Steppin’ Stone, owned by Brian L. Wright of Lebanon, Tenn., pulled in for the yellow ribbon.
Class 11 brought the Three-Year-Old Trail Pleasure, Stallions, Mares & Geldings to the track with eight of the 12 nominated coming to work as Judge Spencer Benedict called the gaits in the class. Taking the honors back to the Bluegrass State was Copper’s In Style, owned by Wallace Carrier, Jr. of Franklin, Ky. Second in the class was Dollars In Dixie, property of Dr. Judith Moore and Ed Foust of Shelbyville, Tenn. Rounding out the top three was Alamo Joe, owned by James E. Nichols of Oxford, Miss.
Two and Three-Year-Old Classic Park Pleasure Stallions, Mares & Geldings were up next on the schedule, class 12, with 12 of the 25 expected making the call as Judge Jennifer Bingham served as Call Judge for the class. Topping the good class with a unanimous decision of the panel was Foxy Foxy, owned by Katrina Bone of Hillsboro, Ind. I’m Gunn Powder And Lead was reserve for Randall T. Baker of Lewisburg, Tenn. Third in the class went to I’m Walkin On Wallstreet, owned by Jennifer Lea and Glenda Hall of Smyrna, Tenn.
Returning to the Halter division, the Yearling Colts were up next in class 13. Eighteen of the 83 nominated came to compete for National Futurity acclaim as Judge Mike Carpenter served as Call Judge. Walking to the winner’s circle was Livengood On Parole, owned by Allen Curtis of Hendersonville, Tenn. This talented colt captured top honors earlier this season at Carthage, Tenn.’s Smith County Horse Show and the Wartrace, Tenn. Horse Show. Marquis was reserve for William Wadsworth, Jr. of Hernando, Miss. Watchin For The Storm, property of Bobbi Kay Hein of Lebanon, Tenn., was third.
With no entries in class 14, Three-Year-Old Geldings, the show moved on to class 15, Three-Year-Old Lite-Shod Stallions, Mares & Geldings. Five of the six entries expected made the call to show for Judge Tommy Loid and his panel. Proving to be a true champion, Le Champion rode to top honors in the division for Amy Corrigan of Unionville, Tenn. Headed back Carolina way, Jazzalicious was reserve for Ginger Williams of Reidsville, N.C. Dixie’s Revenge rounded out the top three for Dr. Judith Moore and Ed Foust of Shelbyville, Tenn.
Class 16 brought the Three-Year-Old Mares to the ring with five of the seven with reservations taking the rail to work for their chance at the National Futurity tri color and roses as Judge Spencer Benedict called the gaits in the class. Riding away with all the honors with a unanimous decision and taking them back to the Bluegrass State was Me And Mrs. Jones, property of Kathy Vincent of Lexington, Ky. Nightshade’s Maiden pulled into the second spot for Laura and Roger Mauney of Gastonia, N.C. The Special Design was third for Don Milligan of Shelbyville, Tenn.
The Yearling In-Hand Extended Gait division was up next, class 17 on the evening’s schedule. Judge Jennifer Bingham served as Call Judge for the class which featured 10 yearlings who wanted the opportunity to show off their ability to display the classic four beat running walk the Tennessee Walking Horse is known for. Topping the class was Livengood On Parole, owned by Allen Curtis of Hendersonville, Tenn. Gen At Nine was reserve for Dale Watts, Bobby Jones and Roger Richards of Manchester and Hendersonville, Tenn. Watchin For The Storm was third for Bobbi Kay Hein of Lebanon, Tenn.
The final class of the evening was class 18, Three-Year-Old Walking Stallions.
Four of the 10 with reservations made their way to Calsonic Arena to work for Judge Mike Carpenter and his panel. Topping the division with an outstanding performance was Walkin’ Dollar, the property of Darrell Frazier of Jamestown, Tenn. All My Money was reserve for Bill Easley of Tunnel Hill, Ill. Polo Ritz was third for Cindy Bowman of Greeneville, Tenn.
With that, the 72nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association National Futurity was in the record books and with a large crowd on hand and outstanding horses in the ring, it will certainly be remembered as a success.