The TWHBEA held its annual awards banquet Thursday evening December 2 at the Cool Springs Marriott. Charles Hulsey of the TWHBEA welcomed everyone to the event while Stan Butt of the Voice magazine gave the invocation. After a delicious meal of old south spinach salad and chicken marsala the presentations began with Chip Walters of the National Celebration as the announcer.

The 2004 Board of Directors were recognized by being asked to stand as their name was called. There were 36 retiring directors for 2004. Those in attendance were awarded a plaque recognizing them for their service on the board.

The winners of the TWHBEA Regional Futurities were also recognized. The Premier Sire for the Alabama Regional Futurity was, for the second straight year, Generator’s Man Of Magic. Marty Irby accepted the award on behalf of Waterfall Farm. The Premier Dam for the Alabama Regional Futurity was Fire’s Misfire. The champion is owned by Michael Brown and Joan Kemp.

In the Atlantic Regional Futurity, the Premier Sire was the late Dr. Elmer, owned by Nickie Wall and Ruth Brake. Nickie and Richard Wall accepted the award. The Premier Dam in the Atlantic Regional Futurity award went to Elegant Copy. Owner Ella Kline along with Mike Janeway made their way to the stage to accept the honors.

The Premier Sire for the Bi-State Regional Futurity was Pusher’s Big Score. Owner Skid Montgomery accepted the award. The Premier Dam for the Bi-State Regional Futurity was Rose’s Golden Hi Lite for Debby J. Raup.

For an impressive fourth consecutive year, the Premier Sire for the Midwest Regional Futurity was Generator’s Gold Edition. Owners Michael and Connie Young came up to claim the award. In the Premier Dam category for the Midwest Regional Futurity the award went to Threat’s Kagen Queen. Hansel and Paula Andrews own the champion.

In the Ohio Regional Futurity, the Premier Sire, for the second consecutive year was Genius Grand Eagle. Sherri Szucs accepted the award on behalf of owners Joyce and Terry Moyer. Impressively, the Moyer’s late stallion Genius Boy Pride earned this same award three years ago while their other stallion Sun’s Country Delight claimed the award two years ago.

Also for the second year in a row, the Premier Dam in the Ohio Regional Futurity was Ebonite’s Beauty. This champion was owned by Ella Kline of Kline Farms.

The Premier Sire for the Southwest Regional Futurity was Coin's Bad News Intimidator. Hobert Shelton owns the award winner. The Premier Dam for the Southwest Regional Futurity was Arousing Delight for owner James T. Doyle.

The Premier Sire for the Upper Cumberland Regional Futurity was once again, Dr. Elmer. Although, Dr. Elmer passed away earlier in the year his legacy continues to live on through his winning offspring. The Premier Dam for the Upper Cumberland Regional Futurity, for the second consecutive year, was Fashionable Fling which was accepted by owners Dr. Tom and Martha Willis.

The Premier Sire for the Western Canadian Regional Futurity, also for the second consecutive year, was High Class Cash. Russ Keyser accepted the award on behalf of owner Lyla Goin. For the third straight year, the Premier Dam for the Western Canadian Regional Futurity was Carolina Delight. Russ Keyser also accepted this award for owner Leah Janssen.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Premier Sire for the Western International Walking Horse Association Regional Futurity was Gold Coin Exchange. Alice Rae Nelson owns the champion. The Premier Dam for the Walking Horse Association Regional Futurity was, also a Alice Rae Nelson owned entry, Beam’s Joy Pride.

The Youth Medallion class was introduced four years ago to encourage the canter in the industry’s youth as well as preserving the breed’s third gait. Approximately 24 young riders participated in this year’s medallion competition. The year’s high point winner was Kathryn Ramsbottom. All of Ramsbottom’s points were accumulated with one horse, Beam’s Eclipse. In addition, Kathryn was the reserve champion in the Medallion Championship class at the National Futurity. Not only did Kathryn receive a beautiful trophy but also a $1,000 scholarship. The reserve high point award winner was Maria Derickson.

The outgoing 2004, as well as the newcoming 2005, Youth Board of Directors were then introduced to the audience. The 2005 Youth Board of Directors were also asked to come to the stage to be welcomed and to receive their welcome packet.

As a tradition begun at the TWHBEA Banquet six years ago, not only is the World Grand Champion recognized but also the Park Pleasure World Grand Champion and the Lite Shod World Grand Champion. The owners, trainers and breeders of these champions were recognized at that time.

For the second straight year, the Lite Shod World Grand Champion is Double Java. His owners are Mike and Kathy Chiappari. His breeders were Charles and Julie Wharton. Scott Benham is the champion’s trainer.

Lit Up’s Double Time, the four-time Park Pleasure World Grand Champion, is owned by and was bred by Randall and Gloria Dixon. Howard Hamilton of Southern Serenity Ranch trains the champion.

Then it was time for the 2004 reigning World Grand Champion, The Black Night Shade. The Black Night Shade is a product of the fine breeding program conducted by Mack Chandler. Jimmy McConnell, who earned his second Trainer of the Year Award this year, added this well-deserved title to a long list of world championships. Jimmy McConnell has earned more total ribbons as a rider at the Celebration than any other rider in breed history! Then the final link to the chain, the owners of The Black Night Shade, were called to the stage, Tom and Judy Waite.

The Performance Show Horse Ambassador award was bestowed upon Bob Ramsbottom. Ramsbottom is a true supporter of the performance show horse and has been a driving force behind the TWHBEA Youth Medallion Program. He is also committed to the industry’s youth and the future of the industry.

The Pleasure Horse Ambassador award was received by Vic and Carolyn Gernt. The purpose of the TWHBEA Pleasure Horse Ambassador Award is to honor an individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to promote the pleasure horse in new and creative ways.

The Emerald Award of Excellence in Show Management is designed to recognize the efforts of horse show managers and go one step further and acknowledge outstanding achievement in this field. This year the award was also limited to those shows that were in their first year in 2004. The award was given to the Midnight Sun Memorial Horse Show which was held in Quitman, Ga., at the historical Dixie Plantation.

The Reese L. Smith, Jr. Distinguished Service Award is presented to the individual who best exemplifies the same dedication, commitment and personal involvement of Reese L. Smith Jr. This year's prestigious award went to the well deserving Ron Thomas, CEO of the National Celebration. (See separate story in this issue.)

The Dam and Sire of the Year Awards are presented in two ways, by percentage points and then by total points. The Dam of the Year Award by percentage points went to The Gen’s If Looks Could Kill. This champion is the dam of Reserve Yearling World Grand Champion Don’t Touch Me I’m Armed and Reserve Weanling World Grand Champion Look Who’s Taking Command. Carole Hargett owns the champion, and was present to accept her award.

The Dam of the Year by total points went to Dixie Bonnie, the dam of current Yearling World Champion I’m Shania Twain, which was presented to owner Bill Harlin of Harlinsdale Farm.

The Sire of the Year by percentage points went to the late Coin’s Skyjacker. Owner Tracy Pinson accepted the award. Coin’s Skyjacker currently has a total of 52 foals, of which 14 have earned ribbons and 11 have produced points in the show ring competition this year.

The Sire of the Year by total points was Gen’s Armed And Dangerous. The former World Grand Champion is owned by the partnership of George Brown, Charles Hulsey, Jim Moon, Jerrold Pedigo and Charles Terry.

Special recognition was then given to the TWHBEA’s president, Jerrold Pedigo. In Mr. Pedigo’s first term as president, he continued to demonstrate the integrity and strong leadership qualities that lead to his rise up the TWHBEA ranks. Charles Hulsey presented Pedigo with a personalized Boston Rocking Chair and a Heritage Lamp for his service.