FRANKLIN, Tenn. - The first weekend in December is a special time for those involved in the walking horse industry. It is the time of the year friends, family and fellow horsemen gather to celebrate the holidays and the past year’s success. This is also the time when the Horse Of The Year honors are presented. These are some of the most prestigious awards in the industry, because they are voted on by fellow trainers.
Approximately 600 people attended the Annual Walking Horse Trainers’ Association Awards Banquet, held Dec. 1 at the Cool Springs Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
Bill Carrington once again served as master of ceremonies and kept the lengthy program moving at a steady pace.
The WHTA presented 44 awards for Horse Of The Year and Reserve Horse Of The Year. Special awards were presented by the association including Best One Night and Multi-Night Horse Shows Of The Year, Trainer Of The Year, Assistant Trainer Of The Year and four inductees into the WHTA’s Friendship Club, as well as special presentations by the Walking Horse Trainers’ Auxiliary and Youth Council.
One of the greatest honors bestowed upon a trainer is to be chosen Trainer Of The Year by his peers. In special recognition of the outstanding year he and his stable had during the 2000 show season, this year’s recipient is Allan Callaway. The Callaway Family’s great night continued as John Allan Callaway was recognized as Assistant Trainer Of The Year and Bill Callaway was honored as WHTA Youth Council Member Of The Year.
The Youth Council High Point Awards went to Joel Johnson and Christen Altman. The Walking Horse Trainers’ Auxiliary presented their High Point Award to Candy Green and the Man Of Pride Award, given to the winner of the Celebration Auxiliary class, to Paige Edwards. Finally, Dee Cantrell was honored for her continued hard work and dedication to the Auxiliary being honored as Auxiliary Member Of The Year.
For the first time in 2000, an Equitation High Point award was presented by the Auxiliary. In the youth division, Catherine Simpson captured top honors and Theresa Carpinito took home the award in the adult division.
The WHTA Friendship Club was created in 1991 to recognize those noted individuals who have made a significant contribution to the walking horse industry. This year’s inductees include Russell Pate, Janice Webb-Fostek, Buddy Moore and Mack Motes.
The presentation of the prestigious title of Aged Horse Of The Year capped off the exciting evening. This year’s recipient was 2000 World Grand Champion Cash For Keeps. This outstanding champion was campaigned to these honors by Ray Gilmer under the ownership of the Harrell Brawner Family.
2000-WHTA Horse of the Year Awards
December 1. 2000
Franklin, TN
WEANLING OF THE YEAR
1. DON'T TOUCH MY CASH, Pat/Jane Sandlin
2. AMARILLO TEXAS, J W Hanks
YEARLING OF THE YEAR
1. GOING TO THE RITZ, James/Peggy Vernon
2. HONKY TONK TESSIE, Roger Richards
TWO-YEAR-OLD HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. GEN'S JOHNNY WALKER RED, John Legate & Gary Legate Families
(tie)2. CHEATING DANGER, Judith Burgess
(tie)2. I'M ALL FIRED UP, James/Betty Corlew
THREE-YEAR-OLD HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. SHOUT, Keith Baker Family
2. OUT ON PAROLE, Autumn Crest Farms
FOUR-YEAR-OLD HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. ELECTRIFYING, Dona Griffin
2. LINED WITH CASH, William B/Sandra Johnson
15.2 & UNDER HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. STEEL CONNECTION, Don/Janice Rowsick
(tie)2. JUKE WALKIN, Autumn Crest Farms
(tie)2. MOTOWN DELIGHT, Eva McClure
SHOW PLEASURE HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. COIN MAKER, Paul Bryan Family
2. ANDREW JOHNSON, Charles/Florence Terry
PLANTATION PLEASURE HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. ASPEN GOLD, Gary/Carleen Redman
2. IT'S UP IN ARMS, Brack/Jana Terry
LITE-SHOD PLANTATION HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. RAINS DARLING LADY, Double Springs Farm
2. SUN'S TOP GOLD, Bruce/Nancy Lovato
JUVENILE 11 & UNDER HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. GENERATOR'S FANTASIA, Durwood Stewart Family
2. FLASHY CASH, Mike Wall Family
JUVENILE HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. GEN'S FIRE N ICE, Arthur Gordon Family
2. I'M CRUELLA DE VILL, Joel Johnson
LADIES HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. MAJOR SPLASH, Keith Baker Family
2. GENERATOR'S FLIRTIN, Floyd Sherman
TWO-YEAR-OLD AMATEUR HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. JOHN FK'S DELIGHT, William B/Sandra Johnson
2. HE'S ETCHED IN STONE, Service Granite Company
THREE-YEAR-OLD AMATEUR HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. CAPONE, Mike Hooper
2. HOWARD HUGHES, Associated Beef City
FOUR-YEAR-OLD AMATEUR HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. OLYMPIC ENERGIZER, Allen/Becky May
(tie)2. I'M WELL ARMED, McJunkin Farms
(tie)2. THE KEY TO MY HEART, Jaclyn Smith
AMATEUR SPECIALTY HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. A SPECIALIST, Arthur Gordon Family
2. PUSHER'S BLACK HAWK, Jaclyn Smith
15.2 & UNDER AMATEUR HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. GEN'S COLOR ME IN, The G R Trumble Family
2. LOOK WHO'S IN COMMAND, Jaclyn Smith
AMATEUR HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. THIS IS IT, Jaclyn Smith
WALKING PONY OF THE YEAR
1. LATE NITE JAZZ, Keith Wilson Family
2. FRIVOLOUS CHOICE, Blackgold Farms
FINE HARNESS HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. HAL'S SIX SHOOTER, Floyd & Floyd
2. GENIUS GOLD SPIRIT, Robert Keenan Family
ONE NIGHT SHOW OF THE YEAR
1. BELFAST, TN
2. WOODBURY, TN
MULTI-NIGHT SHOW OF THE YEAR
1. CELEBRATION, SHELBYVILLE, TN
2. GULF COAST CHARITY, PANAMA CITY, FL
AGED HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. CASH FOR KEEPS, Harrell Brawner Family
2. GENERATOR'S SILVER DOLLAR, Curtice McCloy