FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association held its annual awards banquet on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, at the Franklin Marriott. Following a welcome, the invocation and a delicious meal, the evening’s presentations began.
Distinguished guests were recognized, including former United States Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Tennessee Senator Jim Tracy, Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton and President of Tennessee Farm Bureau Jeff Aiken. International guests were also introduced from Netherlands, Germany, Mexico and Canada. A special appreciation was expressed for the 2016 sponsors.
The 2016 Executive Committee was recognized for their service. Outgoing TWHBEA President Steve Smith was recognized and presented a gift. Smith has served as president for a total of five terms.
TWHBEA also recognized the 2016 Tennessee Walking Horse Youth Association officers: President Hunter Gaenslen, Vice-President Andy Hill, Parliamentarian Rachel Cowles, Secretary Kyle Majors and Treasurer Elysse Bradford.
The International High Point Awards program was revamped in 2016 to better serve all of TWHBEA’s participating members. TWHBEA presented awards to the first place horse in three categories, performance, pleasure and halter. Each had a winner from the open, amateur and youth divisions.
The 2016 TWHBEA National Futurity Horizon Awards honorees showed at the National Futurity each year they were eligible. They accumulated the best record at the show among all horses of their age group that showed those years. The Two-Year-Old Horizon Award winner was A Jazzy Gen, owned by Bobby Joe Jones and Tommy Halmontaller. The Yearling Horizon Award Champions were I Am Lolitá, owned by Bobby Joe Jones and Khemosabi’s Kokopelli, owned by Ginger Williams.
The Outstanding Sire of the Year went to Lined With Cash, owned by Five Star Stallions. This award is based on 50 percent combination of actual points and percentage points as well as several other statistical categories presented each year in TWHBEA’s Sire Summary.
The TWHYA Outstanding Youth Member of the Year was Kyle Majors. Several years ago an award was named in honor of the late Lizzie Umberger. The recipient of the Lizzie Umberger Sportsmanship Award was voted on by TWHYA members and was Elysse Bradford.
The Ambassador awards honor those whose respective levels of dedication make them role models as they work for the betterment of our breed. Danielle Johnson was awarded the 2016 Youth Ambassador for her contributions to the youth in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.
The 2016 TWHBEA Pleasure Horse Ambassador is John Wright. This year’s Performance Horse Ambassador went to Keith McSwain.
The TWHBEA Jeff Givens Friendship Award went to Billy Young and the Member of the Year Award’s recipient was Jeffrey Howard for their many contributions to TWHBEA and the industry.
The TWHBEA Master Breeder Award, the highest and most pretigious recognition given to a breeder, recognizes those breeders whose work over an extended period of time has had a significant and long-lasting impact on the breed. One award went to a deceased breeder, Donald Franks. Another award was also presented to Dr. Andrew Sisk.
The final award of the evening went to Senator Bill Frist. He was awarded the Reese L. Smith, Jr., Distinguished Service Award for his support and efforts for the Tennessee Walking Horse.
2016 TWHBEA HONORS
National Futurity Horizon Awards
Two-Year- Old Horizon Award – A Jazzy Gen, owned by Bobby Joe Jones or Tommy Halmontaller
TWHBEA National Futurity Yearling Filly Horizon Award – I Am Lolita’, owned by Bobby Joe Jones
TWHBEA National Futurity Yearling Colt Horizon Award – Khemosabi’s Kokopelli, owned by Ginger Williams
World Versatility Show Overall High Point Champion
Victory Trip
Exhibitor: Shelby Finch
Owner: Dan Starnes
International High Point Awards
2016 TWHBEA Open Performance Horse High Point - A Pink Floyd, Owner Kathy Zeis
2016 TWHBEA Amateur Performance Horse High Point -The Royal Dollar, Owner Stacy Blackburn
2016 TWHBEA Youth Performance Horse High Point -Inception, Owner Beth Beasley
2016 TWHBEA Open Pleasure Horse High Point – Etta James By TJB, Owner Steve Zeis
2016 TWHBEA Amateur Pleasure Horse High Point – Pushin Some Black Jazz, Owner Shelli Mehaffey
2016 TWHBEA Youth Pleasure Horse High Point – A Rain Delay, Owners Charles Gleghorn and Lisa Teel
2016 TWHBEA Open Halter Horse High point – I’m King of the Ritz, Owner Kevin Guess & Co.
2016 TWHBEA Amateur Halter Horse High Point – I Walk The Line, Owner Bobby Joe Jones and Dr. Roger Richards
2016 TWHBEA Amateur Halter Horse High Point – Miss Belle Starr W., Owner Jacob Baum
2016 TWHBEA Youth Halter Horse High Point – A Cowgirl Caper, Owner Kay Flippo
TWHBEA Tennessee Walking Horse Hall of Fame
Pride of Midnight H.F.
Registration # 661459
Bred by: H.L. Worrell
Ebony Masterpiece
Registration # 560586
Bred by: H.L. Worrell
Sun’s Delight D
Registration # 592116
Bred by: Audie S. Dean
Merry Legs F-4
Registration #4
Bred by: A.M. Dement
Merry Walker
Registration # 391238
Bred by: Harold A. Earthman Sr. & Harold A. Earthman Jr.
Sire & Dam of the Year Awards
TWHBEA Dam of the Year, Total Points
Night Affair, 19900746
Debbie Smothers
Nicholasville, Kentucky
TWHBEA Dam of the Year, Percentage
Night Affair, 19900746
Debbie Smothers
Nicholasville, Kentucky
TWHBEA Sire of the Year, Percentage
A Greater Generator, 9811788
Leo R. & Mary Martin
Eldon, Missouri
TWHBEA Sire of the Year, Total Points
Jose’ Jose’, 969202
Five Star Stallions
Wartrace, Tennessee
TWHBEA Outstanding Sire of the Year
Lined With Cash, 960381
Five Star Stallions
Wartrace, Tennessee
World Grand Champion - owners, breeder, trainer
Honors
Owners: Dan & Keith McSwain
Trainer: Carl Edwards & Sons Stables
Breeder: Bryan Anderton
Outstanding Youth Member of the Year – Kyle Majors
Lizzie Umberger Sportsmanship Award – Elysse Bradford
Youth Ambassador – Danielle Johnson
Pleasure Horse Ambassador – Mr. John Wright
Performance Horse Ambassador – Keith McSwain
TWHBEA Jeff Givens Friendship Award – Billy Young
Member of the Year – Jeffrey Howard
Master Breeder Award – Deceased –
Donald Franks, Booneville, Mississippi
Master Breeder Award – Living –
Dr. Andrew Sisk, Columbia, Tennessee
Reese L. Smith, Jr., Distinguished Service Award – Senator Bill Frist