It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!
Trainers' Show Hosts 886 Entries
by Jeffrey Howard
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - We're back! The National Walking
Horse Trainers' Show enjoyed its best show in recent memory and served as a
notice to everyone in attendance that this is going to be a great year for
the Tennessee Walking Horse. Summing up the intense competition was Show
Manager Benny Johnson, who has served in this capacity for 35 years. "The
more they (trainers) show their horses against each other, the better the
show will be and the better the year will be."
With the previous years' industry conflict over, this year
the unity between industry groups was evident with the attitude surrounding
the show. For the first time since 1983 the USDA did not attend the show to
assist with the inspection process. Johnson addressed the condition of the
horses. "The trainers had their horses in good shape, brought the numbers
and we had a great show." Show Co-Manager Buist Carr said, "We need to
commend the trainers for how they presented their horses. This show is a
tribute to the hard work they have put in to presenting good horses."
As for the inspection by NHSC DQPs, it couldn't have gone
much better. All in all, 851 horses were inspected and only two pre-show
violations were handed out by the DQPs. David Finger, who is head of the DQP
program, summed up the inspection. "It was just an unbelievable job by the
trainers. No time since I have been involved with the walking horse have I
seen them in better shape. No question we were prepared for any scrutiny by
any group. I asked my DQPs when there were minimal violations if they were
checking them thoroughly or letting some slide, to which they replied
absolutely not, they are just this good."
It should also be noted that for the first time in
Trainers' Show history veterinarians and DQPs were patrolling the grounds
during every performance to further enhance the inspection process. Finger
summed up this year's show by saying, "It was an amazing turnaround from
last year's Trainers' Show. Great performances, great horses and great
compliance."
The competition was fierce during the entire show as some
of the best horses in the industry came out to perform. No class was more
evident of this than the Championship Stake class on Saturday night. In a
rare occurrence the judges agreed unanimously on the top three places in the
class. Rowdy Rev and Bill Bobo captured the roses for Harlinsdale Farm, He's
A Weekend Warrior and Joe Cotten were reserve for Jones and McLaughlin and
Gen On The Run and Justin Harris were third for Michael and Ty Hart.
Bobo and Rowdy Rev put on a performance that had everyone
talking. You can bet this team will be a contender that last Saturday night
of August. However, Benny Johnson summed it up best when describing the
outstanding competition. "Any horse that was top three in any class will be
a contender come Celebration and that might be top five in some of the
classes we had."
Bobo talked about his stud after the show. "It was like
another day at the office for him. He is good everyday and loves what he
does. He has gotten bigger and stronger. We want to dedicate this win to
Bill Harlin who was unable to be here because of recent surgery. He was
thrilled when we called and said this was going to get him out of the
house." Bobo's son, Chris, summed up the championship performance. "I have
always believed in the talent and heart of Rowdy Rev and know and believe in
the talent and heart of my dad."
Bill Callaway came out of the gates fast at this year's
show winning both the Two-Year-Old Stallion class and Two-Year-Old Mare &
Gelding class. Callaway directed Encore's Pandemonium to the stud class win
for Bill Hill and took Black Jack Fantasy to the mare class win for The
Stables at Alpha Place. "It was unbelievable," said Callaway. "I feel very
fortunate to show these two great horses, but to win on both, it was just
more than I could have imagined."
This year's show like past years had two three-year-old
classes. Winning the first of the two were Electric Gold and Mickey
McCormick for Michael and Becky Coleman. Taking top honors in the
Three-Year-Old Classic class were Lebron James and Joel Weaver for Brett and
Lisa Jones.
The Four-Year-Old Open class was one that again featured
intense competition between two of the industry's brightest stars. Jimmy
McConnell directed Cadillac's Bum to a crowd-pleasing first place
performance for owner Pam Betts. Finishing in a reserve tie were Ozone's Cut
Above All and John Allan Callaway for Mark and Sharon Thomas. "We want to
come out early and make a good performance and set the tone for the year and
I think we did just that," said Mark Thomas of his horse's performance.
The amateur competition was just as competitive if not
more so during the week. Several top performances were made during the week
and no one had the kind of week that Clay Mills had. He won four blue
ribbons during the week and guided both of his new horses to blues: Wall
Street in the Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallions and Tommy Lee Jones in the
Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallions. Mills took Royal Luck and I'm The Gambler to
blues as well during the week.
First wins were also in order during the week. Virginia
Stewart took her new horse, The Golden Sovereign, to the blue in the Francis
C.. Gentry Ladies Specialty Championship class. Stewart purchased the horse
this winter from Keith McSwain. "I am thrilled beyond words. I was scared to
death because I felt so much pressure to do well with such a great horse. It
was a great thrill to do it for the horse and for David (Landrum), because I
know this win meant a lot to him," Stewart said.
Debbie Eichler decided to get the year off to a quick
start as well, winning two blues the first night. Eichler directed 2005
World Grand Champion Main Power to her first win with him in the Amateur
Adult Pony class. Her second win of the night was aboard Jazz After Hours in
the Amateur Three-Year-Old Mare & Gelding class. "I am thrilled and humbled
by these wins," Eichler said. "I am so happy for Frank (Eichler). He has
always supported me and I am glad to win for him."
The juvenile division also saw Lilly Waites take her new
horse, Prime Poison, to the blue in the Youth Ponies class. Waites said
after her performance, "This is my biggest accomplishment, it was a great
feeling. I have been that person who came out of the ring without a ribbon,
so to be the one that got called out first was a thrill. I want to thank
Mrs. Brenda Carlon for her help as well as Rising Star and the Callaways."
Another first for the show this year was the WHTA Past
Presidents' class. This class offered a couple notable past presidents who
showed off their skills. Jimmy McConnell took first in the class with BeeBee
King for Bob and Mary Medina and David Landrum took home reserve with
Brother Splash for Evergreen Walking Horse Farms.
As is also tradition, the Walking Horse Report dedicated
their Year in Walking Horses book to its recipients during the Trainers'
Show. The youth honoree was Samantha Green, Jim and Lisa Baum were
recognized as the owners, Bill Bobo as trainer, I'm Packin' A Pistol as the
performance horse, Drop The Hammer as the pleasure horse and Gen's Armed And
Dangerous as the stallion. All of these recipients have been key to the
success of the Tennessee Walking Horse.
To conclude what all described as a great Trainers' Show,
Link Webb, WHTA President said, "It was a great show. The horses were
presented in the manner we want and that is what allowed us to have a great
show.." He continued, "Everybody tried hard, from the trainers to the DQPs
to the owners, and what came from that was a great show."
Judy
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