Trainers of the Year

HISTORY Chad Way won the World Grand Championship prestigious title in 1993 aboard the Touch. Following the Touch he is most
well known for his titles with top selling Tennessee Walking Horse, Jose’ Jose’. Chad was the 1990 Assistant Trainer of the
W ith the Trainers Show here it’s time to get to Year and the 1998 Trainer of the Year. In 1999 Chad directed Generator’s Champion to the National Trainers Show Cham-
pionship title. Chad is engaged to Jacquelyn Elliott who also shows with her daughter Jayden. Chad owns and operates
know some of the Trainers a little better and appreciate their Chad Way Stables on Highway 41-A in Shelbyville, TN. His current photo is from winning the 2012 World Championship
history. Many of the trainers still showing today have been Show Pleasure class aboard World Grand Champion Ironwork’s Tin Man for Ray Jones Trucking.
involved in training for the past several decades. The Scoop is
featuring several ads this week in our issue of riders showing David Polk is one of the top Carolina horse trainers. His Then photo Is with Choice Glory a top mount he showed.
their THEN and NOW photos. So it seemed fitting to include David has been a major trainer for years and has so many accomplishments. David is married to Dee Dee Polk who
the Trainers. Many trainers have come and gone, but several use to show for years. David’s daughter, Jada is following in her father’s footsteps and is enjoying showing in the Youth
have made their lifelong career in the Walking Horse Industry. 11 & Under divisions. His current photo is winning on Chance of Cash at the Tazewell, Virginia horse show. David
There are so many good memories of trainers from the good operates David Polk Stables in Midland, NC.
ole days as they would say, but they have worked very hard to
modernized their training techniques and style and have over- Larry Edwards was the 1988 Trainer of the Year. This Then photo he was riding Choice Glory. Larry is married to
come so much negative publicity over the years. The trainers Florence and they are both very involved and both show. Larry’s the son of Carl who was a top trainer and his brother
today are uniting as one and striving to put a natural gaited Gary is also a well known horse trainer. Larry and Gary own and operate Edwards and Son Stables out of Georgia. In
horse in the show ring for Amateur and Youth rider’s weekend 1987 Larry Edwards won the big stake aboard Coin’s Hard Cash for owner Bonnie Cady. In 1990 he directed Perfect
after weekend. They are presenting a positive image for our Cut to the National Trainers Show Championship title and in 2002 on Cash’s All Star.Larry’s now photo is of him exit-
breed to the public. ing the ring on Four Year Old World Grand Champion Honors.

We thought you would enjoy seeing some THEN
photos of your horse trainer or of some of the trainers you
cheer for on Saturday nights. Many trainers that are compet-
ing today have accomplishments and World Championship
titles from years ago that are worth sharing. Some of the guys
have been around for a long time and have won all there is to
win. When you see these guys make sure to mention to them
you saw some oldie Goldie photos in THE SCOOP and that
might just make them confess their ages.

Our industry has come so far over the years and it’s a
wonderful outlook on our breed to look back on our THEN
photos and reminisce over the old days. THE SCOOP is hon-
ored to be a part of such a wonderful breed and great group
of people. We are proud to have served you for the past 16
years and look forward to publishing our current photos one
day in our THEN section of the publication. Also in this ar-
ticle you will see the past Trainer of the Year recipients’, past
Assistant Trainer of The Year winners and the past Walking
Horse Trainers Association Grand Champion winners. Today
we have four trainers that were voted Trainer of the Year from
the 70’s that are still involved with our industry as a trainer,
owner, judge or ground man. There are eight Trainers of the
Year winners from the eighties that are still involved.

A few NOW facts about The Walking Horse trainers
Association is last year they moved their show to White Pine,
Tennessee. This year they are moving back home. The Cal-
sonic arena in Shelbyville, TN will host the 2013 show. This
year the Trainers have taken on another horse show and that
is the Panama City Horse Show in Florida. The show dates
for it are April 25-27. The show will be called the Gulf Coast
Charity Trainers Show. So make plans to attend this event and
support the trainers.

The trainer’s association office is headquartered in
the Walking Horse Capital of the World in Shelbyville, TN.
Their office, directly across the street from Kroger’s, cannot
be missed by anyone driving through Shelbyville. Marcie Al-
lison is always ready to greet visitors at the office. Serving as
the WHTA President for 2012 is Mickey McCormick. A fun
THEN and NOW fact about Mickey is that he was in 1985
The Assistant Trainer of the Year. Today they have reached an
astonishing 850 members to make the Trainers Association.

A little THEN facts about the The Walking Horse Trainers
Association, Inc. is it was established in 1968 under the first
President Mr. Vic Thompson. The purpose of forming this
non-profit organization was to promote and develop activities
on behalf of and in interest of the protection of the members
of their Association. The Walking Horse Trainers Association
began with approximately only 200 members in their general
membership. This Association concentrates on the positive
aspects of the Walking Horse Industry and offers its support
to many worthwhile projects.

Page 14 / The Scoop

Prior Trainers of the Year

1968 - Vic Thompson , Shelbyville, Tennessee

1969 - C. A. Bobo , Shelbyville, Tennessee

1970-Wink Groover , Shelbyville, Tennessee

1971-Bob Cherry , Centerville, Tennessee

1972-Billy Gray , Shelbyville, Tennessee

1973-Ronnie Spears , Tullahoma, Tennessee

1974-Buddy Kirby , Shelbyville, Tennessee

1975-Joe Fleming , Shelbyville, Tennessee

1976-Judy Martin , Shelbyville, Tennessee

1977-David Mason , Rockvale, Tennessee

1978-Joe Webb , Searcy, Arkansas Rodney Dick is pictured with Pride Clutch in his oldie photo. Rodney runs Finish Line Farms on Hwy. 41 –A in Unionville, TN. He is assisted in training by his father
1979-Bud Seaton , Milton, Tennessee Buddy Dick. Rodney’s better half is Susan Coleman who is also very involved in the Walking Horse Industry and the Walking Horse Trainers Ladies Auxiliary. She is
1980-Sammy Day , Shelbyville, Tennessee a World Champion rider herself and shows a top show horse in the Lite Shod division named 2 times the Magic. Rodney is a top trainer that puts Amateur and Youth
1981-Bob McQuerry , Harrodsburg, Kentucky in the winners’ circle as well as makes many blue ribbon rides himself. Rodney is pictured with The Indy 500 in his current photo. He is a World Grand Champion that
Rodney has trained for years and been very successful with for The Dowell family.

1982-Billy Gray, Shelbyville, Tennessee

1983-Ramsey Bullington, Franklin, Tennessee

1984-Steve Aymett, Lewisburg, Tennessee

1985-Jimmy McConnell, Rives, Tennessee

1986-Jackie McConnell, Union City, Tennessee

1987-David Landrum, Franklin, Tennessee

1988-Larry Edwards, Dawson, Georgia

1989-Bill Bobo, Shelbyville, Tennessee

1990-Ramsey Bullington, Franklin, Tennessee

1991-Bud Dunn, Florence, Alabama

1992-Wink Groover, Shelbyville, Tennessee

1993-Bill Bobo, Shelbyville, Tennessee

1994-Bill Cantrell, Phenix City, Alabama

1995-Sammy Day, Shelbyville, Tennessee Knox Blackburn was the 1989 Assistant Trainer of the Year as well as the 1999 Trainer of the Year. Knox has been involved and in the saddle since
1996-Tim Gray, Shelbyville, Tennessee he was a kid. He is the owner and trainer of Knox Blackburn Stables in Franklin, TN. He is married to Stacy who was formerly Stacy McConnell
1997-Wallace Brandon, Franklin, Tennessee daughter of well known horse trainer Jimmy McConnell. Stacy and Knox have two children Alex and Evan and Alex loves to show just like her par-
1998-Chad Way, Franklin, Tennessee ents. Knox is known for his World Grand Championship ride in 1998 on Masquerading. His now photo is from the 2011 Gulf Coast Charity Horse
show in Panama City, Florida winning the Walking Horse Stake class on World Grand Champion Copperfield.

1999-Knox Blackburn, Franklin, Tennessee

2000-Allen Callaway, Shelbyville, Tennessee

2001-Rodney Dick, Columbia, Tennessee

2002-Joe Cotten, Franklin, Tennessee

2003-Bill Bobo, Shelbyville, Tennessee

2004-Jimmy McConnell, Union City, Tennessee

2005-Link Webb, Lewisburg, Tennessee

2006-Joel Weaver, Shelbyville, Tennessee

2007-Charlie Green, Shelbyville, Tennessee

2008-Jeff Green, Shelbyville, Tennessee

2009-Justin Harris, Shelbyville, Tennessee

2010-Jimmy McConnell, Shelbyville, Tennessee

2011-Chad Baucom, Monroe, North Carolina Joe Fleming is pictured in the past with Delights Aristocrat. Joe was the 1975 Trainer of the Year. Joe won the World Grand Cham-
2012-Tim Smith, Shelbyville, Tennessee pionship on Ebony’s Bold Courier. Joe is the son of the late Preach Fleming who was also a well known trainer. Joe and his wife
Debbie passed on to their daughter Slayden and their two grand children Little Joe and Addie their love for horses. Joe owns and
Operates Joe Fleming Stables in Shelbyville, Tennessee and his son in law Justin Harris work with him. His recent photo comes from
a win shot after his granddaughter Addie won a World Championship at the SSHBEA show.

The Scoop / Page 15

Prior Assistant Trainers
of the Year

1981-Ernest Upton , Shelbyville, Tennessee

1982-Eddie Barclay, South Fulton, Tennessee

1983-Paul Watlington, Shelbyville, Tennessee

1984-Ronnie Stephens, Shelbyville, Tennessee

1985-Mickey McCormick, Shelbyville, Tennessee

1986-Winky Groover, Franklin, Tennessee

1987-Winky Groover, Franklin, Tennessee

Terry Davis, Tignell, Georgia

Jimmy McConnell is the 1985 and 2004 Trainer of The Year. After being named Trainer of the Year in 1985 they passed 1988-Winky Groover, Franklin, Tennessee
the title in 1986 to his brother Jackie. Jimmy is pictured in his past photo with Pride’s Hurricane. In 2010 Jimmy won the 1989-Knox Blackburn, Franklin, Tennessee
National Trainers Show title on Sky miles, 2006 on Master Of Jazz and in 2004 on The Black Night Shade and in 1996 on 1990-Chad Way, Franklin, Tennessee
Pusher’s Twist About. Jimmy is the successful owner and trainer of 4-Mac Stables in Union City, TN. Jimmy current photo is 1991-Danny Wooten, Chino, California
winning with Dark And Shady a top horse owned by Molly Walters.

1992-Dan Waddell, Rives, Tennessee

1993-Dan Waddell, Rives, Tennessee

1994-Greg Bryant, Chino, California

1995-Link Webb, Franklin, Tennessee

1996-Link Webb, Franklin, Tennessee

1997-Joel Weaver, Lewisburg, Tennessee

1998-Marvin North, Franklin, Tennessee

Lee Upton, Shelbyville, Tennessee

1999-Brad Davis, Collierville, Tennessee

Ronald Young in his past photo is riding ET’s Professor to the World Grand Championship 4 year old title at the 1993 Cel- 2000-John Allen Callaway, Shelbyville, Tennessee
ebration. Ronald is married to Judy Young known in the old days as Judy Tillet a well known showman herself. Ronalds’ 2001-Jason Hughes, Monroe, North Carolina
love for horses passed onto his daughter, Beth and his grandchildren Jess and Jonathan. Jess herself made a victory lap 2002-Dan Waddell, Rives, Tennessee
ride in that very same ring her grandfather did this year by winning the Youth 11 & under Novice class. Ronald works at 2003-Bill Callaway, Shelbyville, Tennessee
Mike McCormick Stables in Shelbyville, TN. His now photo is following Jess’s win at the Celebration.

Sam Martin, Leesville, South Carolina

2004-Dan Waddell, Union City, Tennessee

2005-Dan Waddell, Union City, Tennessee

2006-Adam Pickel, Lewisburg, Tennessee

2007-Dan Waddell, Union City, Tennessee

2008-Jakie Smith, Shelbyville, Tennessee

2009-Aaron Self, Shelbyville, Tenneessee

2010-Chris Thompson, Unionville, Tennessee

2011-Brock Tilman, Shelbyville, Tennessee

2012-Clay Sanderson, Pulaski, Tennessee

David Landrum was the 1987 Trainer of the Year. David won the World Grand Championship title aboard Pride’s Sun-
dance Star and that is who he is pictured within the Then photos. David is married to Karla and they both are involved
heavily in the business and their love for horses has been passed down to their daughter Lindsey. David is the owner of
David Landrum Stables in Franklin, Tennessee and is one of the prestigious barns in the Industry. His now photo is aboard
World Grand Champion, The Golden Sovereign this horse he shared the reins with his daughter and recently won the
Tunica Mississippi Pro-Am class.

Page 16 / The Scoop

Prior National Walking Horse

Trainers Show Champions

1969-Go Boy’s Black Angel, C. A. Bobo

1970-Ace’s Sensation, Wink Groover

1971-Handshaker’s Delight, Donald Pascal

1972-Ebony’s Black Market, Wink Groover

1973-Super Stock, David Mason

1974-Another Masterpiece, Ronnie Spears

1975-Threat’s Black Power, Billy Gray

1976-The Majority Leader, Wink Groover

Billy Gray was the 1972 and the 1982 Trainer of The Year. Delight of Pride was the old photo of 1977-Delight’s Cold Ice, Larry Edwards
Billy showing and winning. Billy and his son Tim Co-own Southern Comfort Farm in Shelbyville, 1978-Delight’s Cold Ice, Larry Edwards
TN. Billy is well known for showing some top horses in the breed over the years including Pride’s 1979-Pride’s Gold Coin, Bill Bobo
Secret Threat, He’s Puttin On The Ritz and JFK. Billy won the World Grand Championship re- 1980-The Pusher, Bob McQuerry
cently on The Coach in 2010.

1981-CoCo’s Sensation, Ronnie Spears

1982-Centennial Delight, Phillip Wilson

1983-Pride’s Jubilee Star, Ramsey Bullington

1984-Delight’s Counselor, Rae Martin

1985-Delight’s Counselor, Rae Martin

1986-Pride’s Jubilee Star, Ramsey Bullington

1987-The Secret’s Out, Billy Gray

1989-Motown Magic, Steve Dunn

photo courtesy of 1990-Perfect Cut, Larry Edwards
Walking Horse Report 1991-Wired, Ramsey Bullington

Allan Callaway was pictured in his old photo with Ebony’s Cover Girl. Allan was the 2000 Trainer 1992-Jubilee’s Rising Star, Ramsey Bullington
of the Year and is well known for his World Grand Championship ride in 2001 on Pride’s Jubilee 1993-Ultra Copy, Bill Cantrell
Encore. Allan and his wife Karen both are involved in the industry and their sons, John Allan and 1994-Marker’s Red Mark, Allen McQuerry
Bill are trainers at Allan Callaway Stables. John Allan was the 2000 Assistant Trainer of The Year 1995-Eb’s Cloud Nine, Bill Bobo
and Bill won this award in 2004. Allans’ now photo is from a recent win shot.

1996-Pushers Twist About, Jimmy McConnell

1997-Santana, Jackie McConnell

1998-Generator’s Silver Dollar, Tim Gray

1999-Generator’s Champion, Chad Way

2000-Stride’s Touch of Pride, Dick Peebles

2001-Pride’s Jubilee Encore, Allan Callaway

2002-Cash’s All Star, Larry Edwards

2003-The Whole Nine Yards, Bill Bobo

2004-The Black Night Shade, Jimmy McConnell

2005-Main Power, Joe Cotten

2006-Master Of Jazz, Jimmy McConnell

2007-I’m Packin A Pistol, Jeff Hatcher

2008-Rowdy Rev, Bill Bobo

Vickie Self is one of the few women trainers to ever win the World Grand Championship. She 2009-Golden Sovereign, David Landrum
won aboard Flashy Pride in 1991 for the proud owners, Art and Frances Barnes. Vickie currently 2010-Sky Miles, Jimmy McConnell
trains for David Landrum Stables and her now photo comes from trail riding. This is something 2011-Star, Chad Baucom
Vickie likes to do when she isn’t training. 2012-Puttin Cash On The Line, Tim Smith

The Scoop / Page 17

Russ Thompson is known for his past photo with Gen’s
Armed and Dangerous and his 1994 World Grand
Championship title. Russ is also noted for training Gen’s
Fire And Ice for the Arthur Gordon Family. Russ’s son,
Jamey assist Russ and they run Russ Thompson Stables
in California, but always make the haul to Tennessee to
leave with many World Championship titles. His now
photo comes from showing It’s Billy The Kid.

Frankie Roark is pictured now with Mighty Maxx A Million
an entry of Jo Ann Dowell at the Southern Championship
horse show. Bobby Boucher is one of the major horses
he has been involved with recently. He has his judge’s
licenses as well and has judged many top horse shows
over the years.

Ronald Moseley is pictured in his old photo after a win at
the Bright Leaf Celebration. Delights Counselor is a top
show horse he is noted for having. Ronald along with his
wife Terry are heavily involved in the industry and especial-
ly the North Carolina Walking Horse Association. Ronald’s
daughters Jeanette and Rhonda both carry their dad’s love
for horses as well as his grandchildren Tyler and Kayla
Baucom both show. Ronald is the owner of Ronald Mosley
Stables in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Ronald has been
named NC trainer of the year. His now photo comes from
winning with Jazz’s Spirited Rebel.

Ramsey Bullingtons’ old photo comes from riding
Jubilee’s Rising Star. Ramsey was the 1983 and the 1990
Trainer of the Year. Ramsey won the big stake on Pride’s
Final Edition in 1985 and came back the very next year
and was crowned the 1986 World Grand Champion
with Pride’s Jubilee Star. Ramsey is married to Shelia
Bullington and they own World Champion mare Miss
Midnight Rider. Ramsey is pictured in his now photo
when he was showing in 2010 Stock the Bar for Chad
Way for owners, Jimmy Reece Family.

Page 18 / The Scoop