by Christy Howard Parsons

Amateur Four-Year-Old

The new team of Mike Walden and He’s Wild Eyed and Wicked topped the charts in amateur four-year-old competition. After former owner Beverly Burgess Wood piloted the talented youngster to a win at the Trainers’ Show, Walden purchased the standout and asked the staff of David Landrum Stables to prepare them for world class competition. A debut win at Jackson was followed by a reserve in the championship and wins at Gulf Coast, the Fun Show, Bethesda, Lewisburg and two first place ties at the Dixie Jubilee. Capped by a Reserve World Grand Championship and a Reserve World Championship, this amazing season earned this first year team 172 points.

Pam Russell and Sanman earned reserve honors in the High Point Report under the direction of Link Webb. Shown at 14 different shows in open and amateur competition, Sanman also earned a top ten finish in the open four-year-old category. The determined team won amateur competition at Holly Springs, Miss., Jackson, Miss., Faith Haven, Columbia Spring Jubilee, Tony Rice, Magnolia Classic and Wartrace. Other top performances at Starkville, the Fun Show, the International and Southern Championships also added to the point total. A third place finish in Section A of the Amateur Four-Year-Old Mares and Geldings capped off the season. Trainer Link Webb also claimed a World Championship in the Four-Year-Old Geldings for a banner year in 2003 for Larry and Pam Russell.

Stephanie Carter also did her fair share of winning aboard Olympic’s Godfather. Top performances at Holly Springs, Miss., Weakley County, Tenn., Jackson, Miss., Faith Haven, Miss., Humboldt, Tenn., and Germantown, Tenn., Ripley, Tenn., Brownsville, Tenn., and Gum Tree, Miss., led to 110 points for the Barry Carter owned entry.

World Grand Champion and World Champion The Phantom Menace, JFK Again, Dumas Dandy, The Lowrider, Sabina, Talk Is Cheap, and World Champion Driving Miss Dumas complete the top ten champions in the amateur four-year-old category where 271 horses competed in 2003.

Amateur Three-Year-Old

Skywatch’s Dark N Stormy topped the High Point Report Amateur Three-Year-Old category and earned a reserve finish in the open three-year-old category with outstanding performances at nine different horse shows in both categories. Sam and Rae Martin prepared this talented youngster for the Renaissance Farm and Tricia Timmons. In the amateur category, Tricia Timmons rode Dark N Stormy to top performances at the Trainers’ Show, Gulf Coast, Lexington, S.C., the Fun Show, South Carolina State Championships, the International and the Southern Championships. A third and seventh place finish at the Celebration added to their final point tally of 164.

Texas Salsa and Nancy Groover didn’t show as often, but they did have outstanding results winning each of the seven times they entered the ring, including Section A of the Amateur Riders on Three-Year-Old Mares or Geldings World Championship. David Landrum Stables prepared this talented team for Wink and Nancy Groover. Their wins were earned at Mississippi Charity, Columbia Spring Jubilee, Bethesda, Lewisburg, the International and of course, the Celebration.

Brenda Bramlett enjoyed a successful 2003 aboard Sky Jam to earn the third place finish in the High Point Report. Wins at the Trainers’ Show and the International were complemented by a reserve at the Fun Show and two third place finishes at the Celebration. Additional points were earned by the Southern Championships where new owner Suzanne Littell won the Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallion class. Allan Callaway prepared Sky Jam for competition throughout 2003 for Brenda Bramlett.

Orient Express, Boomer In Command, Don’t Bust My Bubble, I’m Silver Too, San Juan, Jazz Push Over and I’m Causin Commotion finish out the top ten amateur three-year-olds in the High Point Report.

Amateur Two-Year-Old

Amateur Two-Year-Old World Grand Champion and World Champion Witch’s Jazz topped the High Point Report. Owner Ed Breedlove enjoyed top rides at the Trainers’ Show, Gulf Coast, the Spring Fun Show, Woodbury and of course, the Celebration under Allan Callaway’s direction and then decided to sell the champion to Floyd and Beverly Sherman. Beverly Sherman took her first turns aboard the standout youngster at the Dixie Jubilee earning two more blue ribbons and securing the High Point Report Championship in the process.

Another terrific story, Ty and Marty Irby placed a capable two-year-old in the hands of David Landrum Stables and after a stellar season in both open and amateur competition, Marty Irby rode to his first world championship in Section A of the Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares or Geldings class. They returned as Reserve Amateur Two-Year-Old World Grand Champions. Trainer Joe Cotten also won the Two-Year-Old Geldings World Championship aboard FDR. Following the Celebration, FDR was purchased by the Arthur Gordon family for daughter Stephanie to ride under the direction of Dude Crowder in 2004.

It wasn’t the Celebration that put Kody On the Mountain and Tammy Bunch at the top of the High Point Report, it was 15 top performances at 15 different horse shows earning them points. Top performances across West Tennessee and into Mississippi, Missouri and Kentucky contributed to the point total and included wins at Faith Haven, Savannah, Tenn., Paris, Tenn., Fred T Fowler and the Midwest Trainers’ Fall Classic in Springfield, Mo.

Other talented two-year-olds topping the High Point Report include Taboo, Touch Me On Command, Groovy Chick, Robert Redford, Jose’s Rojo, Fame Seeker and Wallering N Dollars.

Walking Horse Auxiliary

Auxiliary World Champion Dru McCormick and Pusher’s High Voltage also topped our High Point Report. Winning at each of the nine shows they competed at, McCormick and High Voltage were hard to beat at any level. Husband/trainer Mickey McCormick directed the team to wins at the Trainers’ Show, the Children’s Classic, Walking To Make A Difference, Columbia Spring Jubilee, Lynchburg, Wartrace, the Celebration, Bedford County 4-H Harvest Festival and Walking For The Children. They amassed 130 points to top the High Point Report.

Joyce Marie Green earned reserve honors in the High Point Report showing nine times in auxiliary competition to top ribbons. Husband/trainer Jeff Green prepared Spring’s Starmaker for competition. Starmaker is owned by the Greens’ children, Corey and Samantha Green.

Gen’s Master Blaster and Barbara Newton earned third place in the High Point Report by showing at eight different shows across Georgia in the GWHEA Ladies Auxiliary classes. Ronnie and Barbara Newton were delighted with the six blue ribbons and the top three finish in the High Point Report.

Other top ten finishers in the High Point Report include My Bright Star, Sensational Premier, Commanding Gold, Sure Threat’s Masterpiece, I’m Shania, Olympic’s Iceman and Silver Design Entertainer.

Youth 11 & Under

Showing 12 times at 11 shows in 11 & under competition, Popcorn Pusher won the High Point Report Youth 11 & Under Championship. Raegan Thompson showed the talented entry owned by her father, John Thompson. Tim Wheelon trained the talented team who earned 163 points to top the High Point Report. Wins at Upper Cumberland, Manchester, Smoky Mountain Classic, McMinnville, Land O’ The Sky and East Tennessee Fall Classic as well as top shows at Carthage, Fayetteville, North Carolina State Championships, Murfreesboro Kiwanis and the Celebration made up the winning point tally.

Rachel Hyneman showed Flashy Cash to the Reserve High Point Report Championship under the direction of Whitter Stables. Wins at Faith Haven, West Tennessee Strawberry Festival, Germantown, Bethesda and Dickson led to a World Championship ride in the B division of the 11 & Under Geldings. They also earned a fifth place tie in the championship at the Celebration and the fall season brought wins from the International and the Gum Tree Classic. Dad Rusty Hyneman owns the talented entry.

Pride’s Big Sky and Erika Duckworth earned 133 points with top ribbons at South Carolina Ladies Auxiliary, Walking For The Children, North Carolina Foothills Jubilee, Land O’ The Sky, Tazewell, South Carolina Championships, North Carolina Championships and the East Tennessee Fall Classic. They also tied fifth at the Celebration. Derek Bonner directed the entry.

Other 11 & Under Top Ten Champions include Gen’s Burning Rage, Sunrise’s Heartbeat, Sunrise Que Sera Sera, Pusher’s Blizzard, Jerry Maguire, Inside Track and Man Of Mine.

Youth 12-17

One of the most competitive divisions is the Youth 12-17 division where 257 horses competed for top honors. Madison Holloway and Pushin The Limits earned a World Championship in Section B of the 12-14 Year-Old Mares or Geldings class at the Celebration in addition to a Reserve World Grand Championship in the 17 & Under division. Chad Baucom trained the team who also won classes at the South Carolina Ladies Auxiliary, Walking For The Children, East Tennessee Classic, Land O’ The Sky and the South Carolina State Championship. Strong shows at Gulf Coast and North Carolina Championship also added to their 239 total points.

Seventeen & Under World Grand Champions Kathryn Ramsbottom and Pusher’s Special Design also claimed the 15-17 World Championship in addition to blue ribbons at virtually all of the ten shows she performed at in 2003. Wins at Gallatin, Smoky Mountain Classic, Money Tree Classic, Woodbury, Pulaski, Dixie Jubilee, the Celebration and the Southern Championships gave them 230 points to earn the Reserve High Point Report Championship.

Tyler Herndon and Hytone’s Buster Brown showed an amazing 19 times in this division with nine wins to earn third place honors in the High Point Report. They also earned the Reserve World Championship for riders age 15-17.

Heart Attack’s Fast Beat, World Champion Beaming Around, Final’s Pusher, They Call Me Sir, I’m Cruella De Vil, Dr. Dangerous and Coin’s Smooth Operator are the remaining Top Ten High Point Report Champions in the Youth 12-17 category.

Youth Walking Ponies

Morgan LeGate and Final Keeper were a tough team to beat! World champions in the walking pony division for riders 14 and under, they showed in 11 classes at ten shows leaving with the blue ribbon an amazing nine times! Justin LeGate trained the entry for owner Gary LeGate.

Andy Adkins showed Dumas, an entry owned by the Keith Carlton family, 11 times as well. With wins at Minor Hill, Alabama Summer Classic, Bethesda, Magnolia Classic and the Southern Championships, Dumas amassed 151 points. These also include the world championship in the walking pony division for riders 14 & under in Section B and a fourth in the World Grand Championship for Walking Ponies.

Madison Holloway also had a good year in the walking pony division. She exhibited Eb’s Magic Motion, owned by Tom and Teresa Kincaid, to the third place finish in the High Point Report under Chad Baucom’s direction. A third place finish at the Celebration as well as good shows at South Carolina Walking and Racking, South Carolina Ladies Auxiliary, Walking For The Children, East Tennessee Classic, Land O’ The Sky, Tazewell County Classic, South Carolina State Championship and the North Carolina State Championships added to their point total.

Olympic Encore, Late Night Jazz, Silver Design, Black Sails, Skywalk, Special Alert and I’m Bond James Bond complete the High Point Report Champions in the walking pony category.

Equitation

Faye Lynn Coffey coached both of the top two Equitation High Point Report Champions in 2003. Alex Bumpus won both the Auxiliary Equitation 12-14 Year-Old Medal and the Auxiliary Equitation Youth Medal Championship under Coffey’s direction. She also won five more classes throughout the season at the 11 shows where she competed.

Lindsey Landrum continues to win Equitation championships in the American Saddlebred business in addition to earning the Reserve High Point Report Championship here in the Tennessee Walking Horse business. Often competing against riders 17 and under, Landrum earned four wins and a reserve in Equitation competition prior to earning the Reserve World Championship in the 11 & Under Auxiliary Equitation class.

Rachel Jernigan earned third place honors in the High Point Report with top performances at the Trainers’ Show, Belfast and both International shows under the direction of Nicole Carswell.

Jeren Guthrie, Paige Bennett, Erica Derickson, Shelby Foat, Kendel Domres, Emma Jones and Emily Prentice complete the Top Ten High Point Report Champions competing in the rapidly growing Equitation division.

Amateur Show Pleasure

Lee Wall and her I’m Armed And Lethal topped the High Point Report in the amateur show pleasure category with wins at six different shows and a second and third place finish at the Celebration. The season began with two wins at Mississippi State Charity and continued with wins at Gulf Coast, the Fun Show, McMinnville, Wartrace, the Bedford County 4-H Harvest Festival and two wins at their finale show, International Fall. Trainer Jack Way prepared this talented team for amateur and occasional open competition.

Nine shows, five wins and one world championship added up to a great season for Insomnia and Keith Johnson. Rather than counting sheep, this talented team was counting top ribbons at Mississippi Charity, Summertown, Money Tree Classic, Liberty Lions, Tony Rice, Mt. Pleasant, Bedford County 4-H Harvest Festival, Southern Championships and the Celebration in 2003. We hope that this reserve finish in the High Point Report compares to their World Championship and Reserve World Grand Championship honors in their highlights for the year.

James Vernon entrusted Link Webb with the responsibility of fine tuning Gen’s Super Stroke for amateur show pleasure competition. Webb certainly lived up to that responsibility at eight shows where Vernon earned top ribbons in the category. The talented team also earned reserve world championship honors in the Amateur Gentlemen’s Show Pleasure class at the Celebration, not to mention additional recognition in the open show pleasure category.

Extra Ordinary, Double Shot Of Gen, Guaranteed Delight, Mark The Time, 1 800 Collect, Fashion’s Midnight Threat and Major Player complete the Top Ten of the 232 horses with points in the amateur show pleasure category.

Amateur Park Pleasure

Traveling to an amazing 19 horse shows with ten blue ribbons in both amateur and open park pleasure competition, Skyline topped the High Point Report. Under the direction of Tim Wheelon in 2003, Skyline was piloted to outstanding performances in amateur park pleasure competition by Mary Williams, owner Jack Morgan, Christen Altman and Megan Mozeley. Capping off the winning season was a world championship earned in the Novice Park Pleasure Mares or Geldings with Amateur Novice Youth Riders with Christen Altman in the irons. Mary Williams also rode the talented entry to a top ten finish at the Celebration in the Amateur Novice Riders on Novice Park Pleasure Mares or Geldings class.

Bob Lawrence enjoyed a winning season aboard She’s Breathtaking to earn reserve in the High Point Report. With wins at the Trainers’ Show, Gulf Coast, Bethesda, Bedford County 4-H Harvest Festival, Oak Grove School and the Southern Championships, owners Bob Lawrence and Carol Hutto were well rewarded. Add a world championship ride for Lawrence in the Amateur Riders 50 & Over on Park Pleasure Horses and you make for a banner season. An additional 24 points were earned for the third place finish in the Amateur Park Pleasure World Grand Championship.

Another Doug Barnes trained entry, Captive Heart claimed third in the amateur park pleasure category, this time for owner Bridget Rush. The Amateur Park Pleasure World Grand Champion also claimed the Novice Amateur Riders on Novice Park Pleasure Mares World Championship. This Cinderella story started with strong performances at the Trainers’ Show and the Fun Show and was followed by wins at the Money Tree Classic, Tony Rice and two wins at the International. Additional points were earned at Columbia Spring Jubilee, Woodbury and Belfast.

Metro Grand, Rodney Dangerfield, Caretaker’s Image, Undercover Pusher, Caprice’s Lady Gen, Joltin’ Joe Dimaggio and Hermano Gold finish out the High Point Report Amateur Park Pleasure Top Ten Champions.

Amateur Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod

An amazing 15 blue ribbons earned at shows all across Texas and Tennessee earned Trashadeous the High Point Report championship in the amateur plantation pleasure lite-shod category. Some of these titles were earned in open lite-shod competition as well as in model, driving and even western competition, but the shows contributing points to this category include the Texas Bluebonnet Classic, Pin Oak Charity, the International and the Celebration. Both Jimmy and Barbara Civils earned points at the Celebration in amateur lite-shod competition under the direction of trainer Mike Civils.

Double Java earned points all across California for owners Mark and Marcy Drummond including the Carousel, Desert Classic, West Coast Trainers’ Show, TWHAC All Amateur Show, the California Celebration and the Western States Celebration, but it would be hard to top the performances at the 2003 Celebration. Marcy Drummond started things off right with a World Championship title in the Amateur Riders on Four-Year-Old Lite-Shod Plantation Pleasure Horses. Trainer Scott Benham and his son Mac then earned four more world titles in open and amateur competition including the World Grand Championship in both categories.

In perhaps one of the most competitive categories, another world champion earned the third place finish in the High Point Report. Jose Quervo Gold, owned by Bob Lawrence and Carol Hutto, earned 188 points under Doug Barnes direction in this category. Wins and top ribbons at Gulf Coast, Walking To Make A Difference, Spring Fun Show, Money Tree Classic, Columbia Spring Jubilee, the International, Southern Championships and the Celebration contributed to the point total. World Champions in Amateur Riders 50 & Over on Lite-Shod Plantation Pleasure Horses, this talented team earned the third place finish in the Amateur Lite-Shod World Grand Championship as well.

Miss Magic Money, Silver Gold Dust, Gen’s Knight Threat, Silver’s Spinal Tap, Pusher’s Beaming Pride, Drop The Hammer and Starstruck By JFK completed the impressive list of High Point Report Top Ten Champions in this category.

Show Pleasure

Ronnie Campbell, Frances Bivins and Pushin Backatcha were rewarded for showing 12 times in open show pleasure competition with the High Point Report Championship. Top performances across Tennessee include the Trainers’ Show, Manchester, Summertown, Lawrenceburg, Bethesda, Cornersville, Cleveland, Walking For The Children and the Celebration added to out of state shows Alabama Jubilee, Bowling Green Charity and the Southern Championships. They earned 141 points with 12 classes and five wins.

John Puckett directed Coin’s Black Stroke for the Burl Compton family and once again they were rewarded with 120 points for their ten classes at ten shows in open competition. Wins at Gallatin and East Tennessee Fall Classic were highlights of the year.

June Hawkins placed Editorial Page in Rollie Beard’s care to be shown in open and amateur show pleasure competition. A reserve world championship and five other wins made for an outstanding season and 87 points.

Other top ten show pleasure champions are Ritz Cracker, Andrew Johnson, Just About Time, Fashion’s Midnight Threat, Gold’s First Paige, Rais A Rukus and Extenuating Circumstances.

Park Pleasure

If you want to top the High Point Report in park pleasure competition, you had better get ready to show! Brad, Glenda and Ted Nichols showed Caretaker’s Image 28 times, and that’s just in open competition (another amazing 15 times in amateur park pleasure competition)! A winner across the state of Missouri and earning two top ten ribbons at the Celebration, this talented entry is a delight for the Campbell Ford-Mercury dealership which owns him.

New owners Shane and Sarah Hastings are certainly pleased with their park pleasure champion. Gen’s Sundancer took Sarah to several top performances in the amateur park pleasure division, but it was in the open division with trainer Jeff Givens, that Sundancer really shined! Ten blue ribbons in open park pleasure competition across the Southeast, a reserve world championship and fourth in the world grand championship made for a terrific season all the way around. Look for more exciting things from this team in 2004!

Owner/trainer Bill Branham took his Generating Cash across the state of Missouri and beyond to earn 11 wins in open park pleasure competition, not to mention five more top three finishes. Together they totaled 153 points to earn third place in the High Point Report.

Other Top Ten Park Pleasure High Point Report Champions include Skyline, Talk Of Texas, Pusher’s Secret Tiger, Caprice’s Lady Gen, Push My Score, Movie Extra and Patriot Score.

Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod

Diane Gueck owns and trains Miss Magic Money, our High Point Report Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Champion. Competing at seven shows in the Northwest in addition to traveling to Tennessee for International and Celebration competition, Miss Magic Money won virtually every time she entered the ring. In total she earned 217 points from 17 classes at ten shows to claim the High Point Report title.

Judge’s Golden Generator was once again in the reserve spot in the High Point Report. Under Jessica Holmes’ ownership, Golden Generator earned 146 points from ten classes at eight shows to claim the reserve title in this category.

High Point Report Amateur Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Champion Trashadeous was third in the open category under Mike Civils’ direction. Other top ten champions include Lord Blackwatch, A Beam Come True, Nite’s Design, Double Java, Sundrop’s Country Razen, Silver Gold Dust and Pusher’s Beaming Pride.

Western Park Pleasure

Western Park Pleasure World Grand Champion Double Your Money also topped the High Point Report in this category. Trainer Leigh Bennett directed the World Grand Champion and Reserve World Champion. In addition the Dwight and Elizabeth Ottman owned entry won at the Trainers’ Show, Gulf Coast, the Fun Show and Woodbury.

Jeff Givens showed Generator’s Power Pusher in the western park pleasure division for owner Sally Reilly. Shown ten times at seven shows in this category, Generator’s Power Pusher now makes his home on the West Coast.

Briana Dotson and Dana Kanstul took turns aboard Patriot Score in both English and Western Park Pleasure competition across Tennessee and the West Coast. Other top ten champions in western park pleasure are Gen’s Bounty Hunter, Dinero, Mo Shame On Me, two-time World Champion Strike It Rich, Caprice’s Lady Gen, Wham and Captain Midnight.

Western Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod

A Common Denominator and Laurie Toone are certainly a familiar site on the West Coast in western lite-shod competition. Including their trips to Tennessee for the International and the Celebration and a trip to the Gulf Coast, this talented team has shown in 18 classes in this category to earn 257 points. Also earning a Reserve World Championship with owner Doug Toone and a Reserve World Grand Championship with Laurie, A Common Denominator is our High Point Report Western Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Champion.

Jeff Givens continued to top the High Point Report in pleasure categories. This time he directed A Style File for owners Darwin and Linda James to the reserve finish in the western lite-shod category. With 13 classes at eight shows, the reserve champions earned 203 points.

Two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Genius Dixie Chick also earned points with wins at Desert Classic, West Coast Trainers’ Show, California Celebration and the Western States Celebration. Whether owner Susan Gordon or trainer Trish Wooten was aboard, this standout western star shined bright.

Other top ten champions include Sir Giles, Silver Gold Dust, Dixie Anne In Command, All Times One To Watch, Judge’s Golden Generator, Hand Painted Lady and Nite Wind’s Bum.

Western Trail Pleasure

Another Doug Toone owned entry was at the top of the High Point Report. Royal Sparkling Gen and Joseph Abernathy won the Novice Amateur Western Trail Pleasure Riders on Novice Horses World Championship. Shown throughout the year by Rebecca Carroll, Hunter Morgan and Michelle Hodne in the western trail pleasure division, Royal Sparkling Gen earned 203 points at 12 classes at seven shows on the West Coast, at the Gulf Coast Charity and at the International and the Celebration.

Pride’s Smart Alex was at the top of the High Point Report in both the English and western trail pleasure divisions. Owner Rhonda Martocci showed Alex to the World Champion Amateur Western Trail Pleasure title. Daughter Bethany also showed the talented entry throughout the year in the division.

Kiss And Told and Keri Johnson earned third place in the High Point Report in the western trail pleasure category for owner Betty Chalfant. Competing at six shows across the Pacific Northwest and earning a reserve world championship at the Celebration, Kiss And Told earned 110 points.

Other top ten champions in the category include World Champion To Die For, Gem Sweep, Nite Wind’s Bum, Mr. Reach, Suddenly Cher, Friday Night Mercedes and World Champion He’s A Wrangler.

English Trail Pleasure

Endurance is the name of the game in trail pleasure, and Betsy Oakes and Genius Of Wall Street certainly have plenty of it. At shows across Oregon and Washington, Genius Of Wall Street competed in both English and western trail pleasure classes sometimes winning as many as six classes at one show (in all categories). Our congratulations to this outstanding team for their hard work and for being one of only a handful of teams from the upper Northwest to show often enough to be recognized in the High Point Report.

Lindy Holt has shown Pride’s Smart Alex to many blue ribbons over the years, and in 2003 she sold Alex to Rhonda Martocci for daughter Bethany to show in English and western trail pleasure competition. Mom even got in on the action with a world championship ride in the Amateur English Trail Pleasure class, Section A. Bobby Richards prepared this team for their reserve finish in both the English and the Western Trail High Point Report.

Bill and Betsy Marzinzik traveled across the country, almost from sea to shining sea, to show Tried & True in trail and lite-shod competition. With four top performances in English trail pleasure competition at the International and a third and fourth place finish at the Celebration with Shayna Shaw and Wendy Shaw respectively, this tried and true champion earned enough points to win third place in the High Point Report.

Finishing out the Top Ten High Point Champions are Copy This, Kiss And Told, Obsessed With Silver, Friday Night Mercedes, Gem Sweep, Jus Touch N Go, and Major Alibi.