The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association has announced two Youth Medallion Championship winners.
   The Youth Medallion class was introduced four years ago to encourage young riders to learn and become proficient at the canter. Twenty-four riders participated in the class this year, according to Joni Jenne, youth/performance show horse coordinator for TWHBEA.
   The prestigious program offers two distinct honors--the championship held annually at the TWHBEA National Futurity (this year the night of Wednesday, Aug. 25), and the High Point Award presented to the rider accumulating the most points during the year. Jeren Guthrie, of Christiana, Tenn., won the 2004 Youth Medallion Championship, receiving the trophy, floral horseshoe and medallion. The 2004 trophy was sponsored by American National Insurance Co. and was presented by Sam Bajza, field sales manager, and Linda Hellenbeck, senior underwriter. Guthrie was riding Ali Ali owned by David Pruett and trained by Brock Tillman of Blackhawk Farm.
   Kathryn Ramsbottom of Norris,Tenn., was reserve in the championship. She was named Youth Medallion High Point Rider and will be honored at the TWHBEA banquet in December. While many riders use multiple horses throughout the show season, all of Ramsbottom’s points were earned aboard her gelding, Beam’s Eclipse, who is trained by Link Webb.