by Linda Scrivner
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) held its annual awards banquet Thursday evening, Dec. 4, at the Cool Springs Marriott.
Executive director Charles Hulsey welcomed the crowd by saying, “Tonight begins a weekend of activities devoted to this horse we love so dearly, and it is an opportunity for us to recognize the outstanding achievements of some of the most dedicated people and top horses within our Tennessee Walking Horse industry.” After dinner was served, John Hood began the special presentations.
The names of the outgoing board members were read and they were given plaques
The TWHBEA recognized the 2003 Executive Committee, and the committee members each received a framed portrait of the “perfect Tennessee Walking Horse.” Those recognized included Member at Large for Youth Paula Sanders of Missouri; Member at Large for Bylaws Sid Baucom of Utah; Vice President for Training David Landrum of Tennessee; Vice President for Pleasure Horse Ann Kuykendall of Oklahoma; Vice President for Performance Show Horse Spencer Benedict of Kentucky; Vice President for Owners/Exhibitors Nicole Carswell of Kentucky; Vice President for Horse Show Bill Stricklend of Alabama; Vice President for Enforcement Melvin Belcher of Virginia; Vice President for Breeders Nancy Lynn Beech of Tennessee; Vice President for Administrative/Fiscal Charles Wharton of Tennessee; Immediate Past President Jim Welch of Tennessee; Senior Vice President Jerrold Pedigo of Tennessee; President Robert Thomas of Mississippi and Secretary
reasurer Sharon Brandon of Tennessee.
The winners of the regional futurities were also recognized. (A complete list of these sires and dams accompanies this article.)
This year marked the third year for the Youth Medallion classes, which were designed by the Performance Show Committee to encourage youth riders to show in three-gaited performance classes. For the second year in a row, the Youth Medallion High Point Champion for 2003 was Erica Hartlein of Petersburg, Tenn. Hartlein received a trophy, a $1,000 scholarship and several other awards. She earned the majority of her points riding Solid Silver, who is trained by Justin Jenne’.
The reserve youth medallion high-point award was claimed by Kathryn Ramsbottom of Norris, Tenn. Ramsbottom earned her points riding Beam’s Eclipse, who is trained by Link Webb.
“The Performance Show Horse division wishes to commend all the trainers who supported this important program throughout the year. It takes true commitment to encourage and teach the canter to our youth riders, but the rewards, we feel, are worth it. And, we would certainly encourage any trainer to urge their youth riders to take advantage of these classes next year. There’s good money to be earned, but preserving our wonderful canter gait is the true reward,” John Hood said after the presentations were made.
The TWHBEA announced the outgoing 2003 Youth Board of Directors. They were President Erica Hartlein, Vice President Erika Mann, Secretary Catherine Simpson, Treasurer Paula Gambill and Parliamentarian Sarah Nichols.
“These young women are so full of enthusiasm, energy, and ideas that the inaugural Youth Board was destined to be successful....” Hood said. “No one will ever forget The Challenge 2003 when you flogged the Trainers’ Association at softball and raised over $2,600 for the Great Strides Therapeutic Riding Program!”
The other senior board members present were Leslie Ann Birk, Luke Carswell, Blake Everett and Meredith Newberry.
The 2004 TWHBEA Youth Board consists of 41 members representing 19 states, Europe and Canada. Their mission is to have a positive impact on our industry, to serve as ambassadors of our breed, and to introduce the great Tennessee Walking Horse to new equestrians.
The Youth board members recognized included President Catherine Simpson, daughter of Cathy and Jon Simpson of Crossville, Tenn.; Vice President Kathryn Ramsbottom, daughter of Linda and Bob Ramsbottom of Norris, Tenn.; Secretary MiKenzie Brown, daughter of Bonnie and Michael Brown of Manchester, Tenn.; and Parliamentarian Joel Johnson, son of Suzy and Keith Johnson of Shelbyville, Tenn.
The other senior board members are: Blake Everett, son of Donna Kay and Don Everett of Lewisburg, Tenn.; Brooks Everett, daughter of Donna Kay and Don Everett of Lewisburg. Tenn.; Rachel Galeski, daughter of Pam and Joe Galeski of Genevieve, Mo.; Leann Little, daughter of Karen and Lee Little of Clarkrange, Tenn.; Meredith Lovato, daughter of Ellyce and Chris Lovato of South Jordan, Utah; Jessica Marlewski, daughter of Judy and Ed Marlewski of Mackinaw, Ill.; Matthew McMurtrey, son of Diana McMurtrey of Orlando Fla., Meredith Newberry, daughter of Melissa and Louis Newberry of Wartburg, Tenn.; Hali Stokes, daughter of Bonnie and Tim Stokes of Franklin, Tenn.; and Mary Jo Williams, daughter of Lynne and Tom Williams of Pegram, Tenn.
Junior board members present were: Leslie Ann Birk, daughter of Debbie and Rob Birk of Gordonsville, Mo.; Luke Carswell, son of Nicole and Smokey Carswell of Morehead, Ky.; and Lindsey Landrum, daughter of Karla and David Landrum of Franklin, Tenn.
The TWHBEA traditionally recognizes the breeders, trainers and owners of the World Grand Champion, the Park Pleasure World Grand Champion and the Lite-Shod World Grand Champion.
The Lite-Shod World Grand Champion Double Java was ridden to the tricolor by Scott Benham and is owned by Mark and Marcy Drummond. He was bred by Charles and Julie Wharton.
The Park Pleasure World Grand Champion Lit Up’s Double Time was directed by Howard Hamilton. Lit Up’s Double Time was bred and owned by Randall and Gloria Dixon.
The 2003 World Grand Champion The Whole Nine Yards was ridden to the top honors by Bill Bobo for Bob and Luanne Sigman. He was bred by Larry Wheelon. “Bill Bobo now joins his late father, the legendary C.A. Bobo, in having saddled a World Grand Champion,” Hood said. “Bill added this well-deserved title to a long list of divisional world championships and multiple Trainer Of The Year Awards.”
Next on the agenda was the Performance Horse Ambassador Award. Vice President of the Performance Horse Division Spencer Benedict presented Jane Hardy Meredith with this award. Meredith spoke to the group concerning the Academy Program of which she has been a great supporter and promoter.
Jane Anderson was recognized as the Pleasure Horse Ambassador, and presenter Ann Kuykendall proudly proclaimed her to be most deserving for her unselfish efforts toward the betterment of the breed. Anderson has exposed countless people to the superior versatility of the pleasure Tennessee Walking Horse.
The Ambassador Awards were created in 2001 to honor the individuals who best exhibit dedication, commitment and personal involvement towards the betterment of the Tennessee Walking Horse.
Next, Bill Strickland presented the Emerald Award of Excellence in Show Management. This is the fourth year that the award has been presented. It was designed to recognize the efforts of horse show managers, and to go one step further and acknowledge outstanding achievements in this field.
In previous years, an outstanding one-night show as well as an outstanding multi-night show were honored. This year TWHBEA decided to recognize just one show, and limit those eligible for the award to be first-year shows that were assisted by the TWHBEA Horse Show Support and Development Program. In 2003, the program helped launch nine new shows. The award went to Holly Springs Charity Walking Horse Classic of Holly Springs, Miss. This year’s show manager Lisa Cole accepted the award.
“And we can’t let the evening go without at least mentioning the National Celebration,” Hood said. “The 2003 edition was perhaps the Celebration’s greatest production, and we commend the Celebration Board and its show manager Ron Thomas for providing a wonderful showcase for our breed.” The Celebration’s board of directors was on hand to receive the TWHBEA’s special thanks for their support of the breed.
One of the most touching moments of the night was the announcement of the Reese L. Smith Jr. Distinguished Service Award. This award is given to the individual who best exemplifies the same dedication, commitment and personal involvement that Smith did. David Howard was chosen as this year’s recipient.
“The 2003 award recognizes a man who has served the walking horse industry in a variety of important capacities....” Hood said. “His company has been a solid member of the Bedford County community as well as a generous member of the walking horse community, having donated thousands in advertising space, luncheons, merchandise and sponsorships to numerous industry organizations, most notably the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association.
“Personally, he has donated his time and business acumen to the walking horse breed as a former member of the TWHBEA Board of Directors and a current board member of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.”
One of the longest running awards made by the TWHBEA are the Sire and Dam of the Year Awards. The awards are given based on both actual points acquired by the progeny and the percentage points acquired.
The top dam for 2003 in both categories, total points and percentage points, was awarded to Miss Molar. Gorden and Tricia Timmons accepted the award.
The top sire for 2003 based on points was Gen’s Major General. Connie Bryant and Bill Harlin accepted the award. This marked the first time since the inception of the award 11 years ago that a stallion other than Gen’s Major General’s sire, Pride’s Generator, has earned this award for total points.
Lindy Holt was beaming as The Grand Collection was announced as the percentage point winning sire for the second straight year. The only other sire awarded this honor was Pride’s Generator. (The top 20 winning sires and dams in each category accompany this article.)
The final presentation of the evening was made to Robert Thomas, TWHBEA’s President for the last two years. Charles Hulsey presented Thomas with a certificate for a Boston rocking chair and an official Tennessee Walking Horse brass lamp for his service.
Regional Futurity Premier Sires & Dams
ALABAMA REGIONAL FUTURITY
High Point Sire:
Generator’s Man Of Magic
Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Williams B. Johnson of Waterfall Farms
Shelbyville, Tenn.
High Point Dam:
Cotton’s Petro
Owned by Dr. J Michael Brown
Arab, Ala.
ATLANTIC REGIONAL FUTURITY
High Point Sires: (six-way tie)
He’s Pushers Hall Of Fame
Owned by Joe Martin
The Entertainers’ Mighty Man
Owned by W.A. and Tanya Trent
Generator’s Pegasus’
Owned by Paul Bryan
King Of The Sky
Owned by Tony Wayne Roberts
Smokey Lonesome
Owned by Udella Blackburn
The Pusher C.G.
Tommy Grider
High Point Dams: (six-way tie)
Rebel’s Northern Light
Owned by John Vernon Jones
Playmate’s Princess
Owned by Donna Phillips
Pride’s Applause
Owned by Becci Fulks
Glow Of Generator
Owned by Judy Lee Noyes
Threat Miss Mary Delight
Owned by Donna Skelly
Delight’s My Papa
Owned by Julie Altman
BI STATE REGIONAL FUTURITY
High Point Sire:
Generator’s Gold edition
Owned by Michael D. Young
Anna, Ill.
High Point Dam:
Victory’s Gold Lady
Owned by Vonda Arvin
Eureka, Ill.
INDIANA REGIONAL FUTURITY
High Point Sire:
Generator’s Gold Edition
Owned by Michael Young
Anna, Ill.
High Point Dam:
Shadow’s Dark Crystal
Owned by Michael Young
Anna, Ill.
MIDWEST REGIONAL FUTURITY
High Point Sire:
Generator’s Gold Edition
Owned by Michael Young
Anna, Ill.
High Point Dam:
Hallelujah’s Bright Light
Owned by Marilyn M. Neal
Gordonville, Mo.
OHIO REGIONAL FUTURITY
High Point Sire:
Genius Grand Eagle
Owned by Joyce Morris Moyer
Castalia, Ohio
High Point Dam:
Ebonite’s Beauty
Owned by Ella Kline
Robbins, Tenn.
SOUTHWEST REGIONAL FUTURITY
High Point Sire:
Collector’s Pride Of Gold
Owned by Mike and Barbara Civils
Frisco, Texas
High Point Dam:
Hoosier Lotto
Owned by Mike and Barbara Civils
Frisco, Texas
UPPER CUMBERLAND REGIONAL FUTURITY
High Point Sire:
Dr. Elmer
Owned by Ruth H. Brake and Nicki Wall
Asheville, N.C. and Shelbyville, Tenn.
High Point Dam:
Fashionable Fling
Owned by Dr. Tom Willis
Cookeville, Tenn.
WESTERN CANADIAN REGIONAL FUTURITY
High Point Sire:
High Class Cash
Owned by Lyla Goin
Millet, Alberta
High Point Dam:
Carolina Delight
Owned by Leah Janssen
Millet, Alberta
WESTERN INTERNATIONAL WALKING HORSE ASSOCIATION REGIONAL FUTURITY
High Point Sire:
Gold Coin Exchange
Owned by Alice Rae Nelson
Troutdale, Ore.
High Point Dam:
Hack’s Lady Delight
Owned by Terry Jerke
Auburn, Wash.
Sire of the Year - Total Points
1. Gen’s Major General 312.5
Hillview Limited - Connie Bryant
2. Prides Generator 309.5
Crowley Farms, Inc.
3. The Skywatch 252.0
Joe & Cena Martin, Bob Kilgore & Gus King
4. Gen’s Armed And Dangerous 251.0
Armed Partners
5. Generator’s Silver Dollar 184.5
Curtice McCloy
6. The Pusher C.G. 174.5
The Tommy Grider Family
7. Coin’s Hard Cash 160.5
Waterfall Farms & Big Valley Ranch, Inc.
8. JFK 156.5
William B. & Sandra t. Johnson
9. A Jazz Man 151.5
Gus King
10. He’s Puttin On The Ritz 139.0
William B. Johnson
11. I’m In Command 128.5
Crawford Colts, LLC - Doug Crawford
12. Pusher Busting Loose 110.0
James Ray Campbell, William B. & Sandra Johnson
13. The Pushover 99.0
Dr. J. William & Alliene Varner
14. Pusher All Color 84.0
Doug Crawford
15. Silver Design 83.0
Jack S. Way
16. Generator’s Santana 79.0
William B. Johnson
17. Masquerading 75.5
Gilbert Miller
18. Poison 73.0
Joe & Cena Martin
19. Pride’s Dark Spirit 58.0
Billy & Susan Dean & McJunkin Farm, LTD
20. I’m Dumas Walker 53.5
Sheila H. Groover
TWHBEA Sire of the Year - Percentage Point Total
1. The Grand Collection .0484
Lindy Holt
2. I’m In Command .0446
Crawford Colts, LLC - Doug Crawford
3. Gen.’s Major General .0434
Hillview Limited - Connie Bryant
4. He’s Puttin’ On The Ritz .0414
William B. Johnson
5. Powered By Generator .0361
C.H. Dennis, Jr.
6. Sweepstakes .0354
Pat Rigual
7. The Skywatch .0342
Joe & Cena Martin, Bob Kilgore & Gus King
8. Generator’s Santana .0340
William B. Johnson
9. Generator’s Silver Dollar .0312
Curtice McCloy
10. A Jazz Man .0301
Gus King
11. Pusher All Color .0261
Doug Crawford
12. Gen’s Way-High Willie .0237
Beverly Burgess Wood
13. Gen’s Armed And Dangerous .0231
Armed Partners
14. Masquerading .0216
Gilbert Miller
15. JFK .0209
William B. & Sandra T. Johnson
16. Hard Texas Cash .0204
Nancy & Wink Groover
17. Ultra Copy .0166
Lisa & Don McMahan, Steve & Katherine Zeis
18. Pusher’s Jewel Thief .0159
Gus King & Joe Martin
19. The Pushover .0151
Dr. William J. & Alliene Varner
20. Pusher Busting Loose .0149
James Ray Campbell, William B. & Sandra Johnson
Dam of the Year - Total Points
1. Miss Molar 34.0
Gorden Timmons
2. Full Carat 31.0
Gail Walling
3. Hacksaw’s Doll 29.5
John Sharp
Stormy’s Rebel Queen 29.5
Mr. & Mrs. Clinton Gribble
4. Maxie Choice 27.5
Hoyte Eakes
5. Design’s Gran Finale 25.5
Ronnie & Donnie Grider
6. Man’s Sugar Britches 24.5
Robby Biggs
7. Splash Of Gen 24.0
David Landrum
Ultra’s Best Spirit 24.0
Delores Griffith
8. Sweet Ol Fashion Girl 23.5
Kay D. Chatterton
9. Ultra’s Star Dust 22.5
Dwayne A. Alsup
Irish Tradition 22.5
Rosina Widmer
10. Black Cotton 22.0
Carol & Thomas Wakefield
Pushin Prowler 22.0
Joe Martin
11. Hack’s Bell Starr 21.5
Richard L. Beem
Mo Precious 21.5
Curtice McCloy
12. Up Tight Delight 20.0
William Ty Irby, Sr.
Comands Taking Charge 20.0
Don Bridges
13. Mark Me Bewitched 19.5
Gus King
Pusher’s Tu Pence 19.5
Tommy Loid & Suel Houchens
14. Haze Black Angel 19.0
Jimmy D. Shew
Rock’s Miss Song 19.0
William Mangas
15. ET’s Darling, Darling 18.0
Joe & David Ragan
Beaming With Pride 18.0
Dwight David & Diane L. Hasty
Coin’s Rain Check 18.0
Phil Snodgrass
Lady's Delight Of Midnight 18.0
David L. Daniel
16. Main Mans Spirit 17.5
Harlinsdale Farm
17. Butter’s Sweet Suzy 17.0
Billy & Susan Dean
18. Aces Jeanne 16.5
Cynthia J. Edmonds
19. Pearl’s Magic 16.0
Cynthia S. Womack
Eb’s Nancy 16.0
John Doherty
Hit’s Party Two 16.0
Robby Biggs
Push’s Scattered Showers 16.0
James Vernon
E.T.’s Gypsy Serenade 16.0
Deborah D. or James A. Myers
Pusher’s Time Square 16.0
E. Scot Potter
20. The Pedal Pusher 15.5
Caroline H. Barnett
Casey’s Crystal 15.5
Jim Singleton
Prime Fable 15.5
Carroll S. Benedict
Dam of the Year - Percentage Point Total
1. Miss Molar 7.5556
Gorden Timmons
2. Push’s Scattered Showers 5.3333
James Vernon
3. Stormy’s Rebel Queen 3.2778
Mr. & Mrs. Clinton Gribble
4. She’s Real Bad 3.1111
Martin Cox
5. Splash Of Gen 2.9388
David Landrum
6. Pusher’s Touch Of Gen 2.4444
Stanley Enfinger
7. Maxie Choice 2.2000
Hoyte Eakes
8. Ebony’s Operator Delight 2.1111
Sheila H. Groover
9. Pride’s Perfect Pusher 2.0625
Bart Gilmer
10. Pusher Painted Me 2.0000
Janice & William Anderson
Generator’s Get’N Better 2.0000
Sherry Duriga
Pusher’s Time Square 2.000
E. Scot Potter
11. The Pedal Pusher 1.9375
Caroline H. Barnett
12. Courier’s Lady Ann 1.8333
Ray & Mary Ellen Gilmer
Aces Jeanne 1.8333
Cynthia J. Edmonds
13. Hit’s Party Two 1.7778
Robby Biggs
14. Iron Eagle’s Revelation 1.6667
Pat Stout
Noon’s Spring Fling 1.666
Mr. & Mrs. James M. Hawkins
15. Charming Sara 1.5600
Frankie Ditto
16. Music Of The Knight 1.5556
Gene Eaton Owens
Miss Perfect Touch 1.5556
Bob Arnold, Jr.
Pusher’s Lady Clutch 1.5556
Mann Chrysler P.D.J.E.
17. Fashion’s Cajun Lady 1.4444
Dr. Harry & Mary Woodall
18. Just Early Dawn 1.4375
Mary Anne Huges & David or Shirley Smith
19. Irish Tradition 1.4063
Rosina Widmer
20. Gens Black Lady Pusher 1.3889
Ronnie W. Rummage