LAWRENCEVILLE, Geor. - The Georgia Awards Banquet took place at the Marriott Hotel in Lawrenceville, Georgia on February 23, 2002. The banquet festivities started at six o’clock which was a cocktail and social hour that lasted until seven o’clock. Proceeding the cocktail hour was a buffet dinner, which consisted of barbecue chicken, steak, and wonderful desserts. Door prize tickets were given to each person who attended the banquet and during the awards ceremonies six tickets were randomly selected for the door prize winners. After the banquet, the wonderful band “Sessions” performed for everyone’s listening and dancing pleasure.
The presenters for the festivities were Christen Altman, Hannah Cole, and Hayden Waldrip. The coordinators for this year’s banquet were Julie Altman and Gloria Dixon. Jess Branson was the wonderful announcer of the 2001 show season High Point winners. Speakers at this year’s banquet were President David Mullis and Jess Branson.
The Plantation Pleasure division was the first to be announced. In the Plantation Pleasure Lite Shod JUvenile 17 and Under Specialty division, Secret Ruler owned by the Bobby Mullinax family ruled over this division and claimed top honors. Hesa Buddy took home the reserve honor for the Christopher Williams family. Secret Ruler took home another first place award in the Plantation Pleasure Lite Shod Specialty division. Charged By JFK, owned by Richard Wood, Jr. captured the reserve honors. Park Pleasure Youth Council 17 and Under winner, Generator’s C-Note claimed the first award for owners Ronald Frost and Guy Ben Findley. JFK’s Carolina Lady claimed the reserve for the Bobby Mullinax family. JFK’s Carolina Lady claimed yet another award, this time she claimed first in the Park Pleasure Two and Three-Year-Old division. Classic Country took home reserve for Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Mixon.
Edge Of Time claimed the top award in the Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty division for Guy Ben Findley. Fully Armed, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Randall Dixon captured the reserve award. Park Pleasure Specialty winner, Hesa Bud owned by the Christopher Williams family received the top honor in this division. Messenger’s Last Chance owned by Susan Paul took home the top award in the Amateur Owned and Trained division. The reserve award went to Hesa Buddy owned by the Christopher Williams family. Western Specialty winner, Mo Shame On Me, owned by Wesley and Becky Teal captured the first award. The reserve went to Royal Seal for Kathy Malone.
In the Halter division, Dark Avenger, owned by Linda Roy, received the top High Point Weanling award. Prowler’s Legend and Sheza Twister, both owned by Ronnie Arflin, took home first and reserve awards in the Yearling division. Fully Armed, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Randall Dixon, claimed the top Model Plantation award. Boot Leg Copy was reserve for the Christopher Williams family.
The Man In Charge was in charge for Mr. and Mrs. W.H.. HIll for the Two-Year-Old Open award. Ultra Copy’s Casanova, owned by Don and Lisa McMahon walked away with the reserve honor.
Busted Two claimed the top award in the Two-Year-Old Amateur ranks for Larry Few. Armed With Power went into overdrive and top the reserve for Mike Overcast and Rhonda Cato.
Three-Year-Old Open winner, I’m Priceless, brought home the top honor for Ronnie and Barbara Newton. A Touch Of Ritz, owned by the Lowell White family, captured the top award in the Three-Year-Old Amateur division, while UC I’m Ultra Fine, owned by Dr. Linda Jones, captured the reserve title. In the Four-Year-Old Specialty division, UC I’m Ultra Gold received the “gold” or in this case the first place award for owners Cantrell and Warr. Touch Of Magic used his magical powers and captured the reserve award for owners Ronnie and Barbara Newton. Gen’s Secret Warrior, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Mixon., defeated everyone in this division and took home the top award. The reserve award went to Boss Man’s Pusher, owned by Charlsey Frye.
Bossman’s Miracle was honored with the top award in the 15.2 and Under Open division for J.W. Sanders. JFK’s Golden Order owned by Jerry Lunsford captured the first award in the 15.2 and Under Amateur division. Reserve honors went to Pride’s Flashy Girl for Richard and Elaine Doxey.
Enchanter’s Crowd Pleaser enchanted this group of competitors and took home the top award for Richard Wood, Jr. Generator’s Tempo received the reserve award for Ronnie and Barbara Newton. Old Federal Pride, owned by Milford and Milford captured the first award in the Amateur 50 and Over division. Incredible Cash, owned by Dr. and Mrs. W.H.. Hill, claimed the reserve award. Gen’s Master Blaster blasted the competition in the GWHLA Specialty section and took home the top honor for Ronnie and Barbara Newton.
Motown’s Flash Of Gold was the pick for the Open Specialty division for Ronnie and Barbara Newton. E.T.’s Mackenzie owned by Glenn Rinehart and Norma Lynn Bledsoe received the reserve award. Rebel Money cashed in on the Ladies Specialty High Point for Ronnie and barbara Newton. Lone Star Judge was reserve for Mr. and Mrs. Steve Austin. In the Men’s Amateur Specialty division, Ultra’s Copy Of Pride demolished his competitors and for the top spot for Danny and Carol Frankum-Rylee. Magic Man’s Mark was reserve for Jerry and Vicki Cole.
Juvenile 11 and Under winner, 220: Wired By Generator brought the top honors home for Butch and Ann Bailey. Fashion Beauty received reserve honor for William Giddens. CeBe’s Hashmark, owned by the Keith Allen family, received the top award in the Juvenile 12-17 division. Symbol Of Gold captured reserve for Butch and Ann Bailey.
Voted awards were also held at this year’s banquet. The winners of this division went as follows: David Mullis voted Contributor of the Year, martha Branson was voted Female Sportsmanship of the Year, Guy Ben Findley was voted Male Sportsmanship of the Year, Southern Championship Charity Horse Show voted Show of the Year, Rodney Bearden voted Assistant Trainer of the YEar and Carl Bledsoe voted Trainer of the Year.
Every year overall high point awards are given to the horse and/or person who accumulated the most points in a certain division. Juvenile Exhibitor of the Year went to Christen Altman. Ashley Allen received reserve honors. Plantation Juvenile Exhibitor of the Year went to Chase Mullinax with Robert Findley coming in reserve. Amateur Exhibitor of the Year was Barbara Newton and reserve Amateur Exhibitor of the Year was Guy Ben Findley. Plantation Amateur Exhibitor of the Year was Guy Ben Findley. Clint Dixon picked up the reserve. The Plantation Horse of the Year was Hesa Buddy and reserve Plantation Horse of the Year was JFK’s Carolina Lady. Plantation Trainer of the Year was Linda Smith. Willie Cook, Jr. took home reserve. Horse of the Year was Gen’s Master Blaster. Reserve Horse of the Year resulted in a tie between Gen’s Secret Warrior and CeBe’s Hashmark. Trainer of the Year was Larry Edwards and reserve title went to Bill Cantrell.