Mike Floyd Columbia, TN OWNED BY: & Jimmy McConnell Three-Year-Old Stallions Contender 41 The Voice • August 2023
& Jeff Laughlin & Jannie Chapman & Jeff Laughlin Windermere Farm Jannie Chapman Memphis, TN OWNED BY: Amateur Park Performance Amateur Show Pleasure Show Pleasure 5 & Under Photos by Shane Shifflet Walking for Angels Christmas in July Christmas in July 4G Champion Champion Reserve Champion The Voice • August 2023 42
Jannie Chapman Memphis, TN OWNED BY: & Jannie Chapman MONEY TREE CLASSIC Amateur Park Performance Champion 43 The Voice • August 2023
& Jannie Chapman & Jannie Chapman Jannie Chapman Memphis, TN OWNED BY: Amateur Classic Park Performance PARK PERFORMANCE Christmas in July Champion Contender The Voice • August 2023 44
& Jannie Chapman Jannie Chapman Memphis, TN OWNED BY: Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallions Contender 45 The Voice • August 2023
Arab Summer Classic Horse Show On June 17, 2023, the Arab City Park was filled with almost 600 spectators coming out to support the Arab Summer Classic. This show and the profit of $8,100 earned goes to support the Arab Knights football team at Arab High School. The money raised at the gate goes to purchase new equipment among other essentials the team may need. It will also help pay for the team meals when they travel for away games. The crowd seemed to enjoy the horses and the food trucks that were on-site for the show. Show Manager Jamie Bradshaw says the food trucks are a draw for the local community. “It brings the community out to the show not only to support the industry but also the kids.” He went on to thank all of the sponsors and everyone who supported the show. John Allan Callaway made the trip from Shelbyville, Tennessee to judge the show, which culminated with a father-daughter duo winning the final two classes. Mackenzie Lawrence rode I C Ritz to the Specialty Action Racking Horse Championship title and her dad, Jamie Lawrence, rode Holyfields My Papa (Holyfield x Pasadoble) to the Walking Horse Championship title. Holyfields My Papa is owned by Tim Tucker of Cullman, Alabama. Claiming the reserve ribbon in the class was He’s Pushing the Dollar (Pusher’s Next Generation x Silver Dollars Hi Head), ridden by Steve Beam for Bob and Roxy Cole, and Bourbon Street I (The Titleist x Lady Josanna) with Blaise Broccard rounded out the top three for Duke Ingram. Mackenzie and Jamie Lawrence were all smiles in Arab after Mackenzie claimed the Specialty Action Racking Horse title with I C Ritz, and Jamie won the Walking Horse Championship class aboard Holyfields My Papa. The Voice • August 2023 46
I’m Charles In Charge and fans after winning the Four-Year-Old class Senior members of the Arab Knights football team McKenzie Lawrence celebrates her win Photo By Marty Barr 47 The Voice • August 2023
Nora Alexander Jackson, TN Mickey McCormick, Chad Way, Alfonso Acosta, & Chavesz Ferdinand OWNED BY: Amateur Show Pleasure 4x Consecutive Blue Ribbons Unanimous! Champion 2x Watch for this horse with Nora Alexander in Amateur Show Pleasure and with Mickey McCormick in Open Show Pleasure & Nora Alexander Team work makes Dreams work
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NOVEMBER Paul Battle Arena TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI Judg e s: Derek Bonner, Ross Campbell, Jamie Hankins For more information and to join our email list, visit our website www.twhbea.com/united Dee Cantrell 706-366-1011 [email protected] Sarah Smith 931-580-5085 [email protected] Show Co-Chairs: Produced through the combined efforts of: 16-18, 2023 The Voice • August 2023 52
Owned by Shane & Veronica Porterfield Murfreesboro, TN WEANLING CONTENDER Look for this team at the Celebration! & Robert Nelms 53 The Voice • August 2023
West Virginia Summer Classic Above: Tennessee Walking Horse Stake Champions, Belmont Park and Keith Becknell greeted by fans The West Virginia Summer Classic was held June 16th & 17th at the Winfield Riding Club arena in Winfield. Trailers and campers began to roll in on the 15th. A sense of excitement was in the air! The show was a huge success. Exhibitors, trainers and spectators filled the arena for the two night show. A variety of performance and pleasure classes were offered for both walking and racking horse entires. Nine states were represented at the show that boasted 377 entries! The sounds of children playing, the smell of the famous restaurant on the grounds and the view of horses during morning workouts took you back to horse show days gone by. It also lets us know that the Tennessee Walking Horse industry is ALIVE and WELL! Jason Joseph, Evan Alexander and Jeff Scott, were in center ring marking the cards for this years show. Show management is already making plans for next year. Their goal is to support and advance the Tennessee Walking Horse Show Industry, and they are doing just that. The Voice • August 2023 54
Silver Exploit Pusher and Camryn White, Racking Country Pleasure Championship I’m Johnny Cash and Brandy Tackett, Classic Park Pleasure Champions Macy Norwood with Bryant and Line Up Nine Black Roses and Scott Good, Amateur Specialty Champion 55 The Voice • August 2023
Owned by Show Pleasure CONTENDER & Jeremy Williams The Voice • August 2023 56
& Samantha Green Amateur Specialty CONTENDER 57 The Voice • August 2023
Upper Cumberland OPEN SPECIALTY CHAMPION & Jeremy Williams The Voice • August 2023 58
Christmas In July Youth Extravaganza GRAND CHAMPION Owned by Morehead, KY Owingsville Lions Club Youth CHAMPION Novice Youth Celebration CONTENDER 59 The Voice • August 2023
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MONEY TREE CLASSIC AMATEUR FOUR-YEAR-OLD MARES & GELDINGS CHAMPION & Elese Lewis OWNED BY SALT LICK FARM & ELESE LEWIS SALT LICK, KY 2XWC The Voice • August 2023 62
OWNED BY LISA TEEL AND MODEL CONTENDER & Robert Nelms 63 The Voice • August 2023
Walking for the Angels Show Justin & Walker Mannis with Amanda Manis, Sweet As Strawberry Wine & Jill Derrickson Lilly Riddley and friends with Charlie’s Time & Nick Plafcan. Amidst the approaching holiday, the enthusiasm for showcasing the magnificent Tennessee Walking Horse remained high. The event that marked the beginning of an exciting week was the two-day Walking for the Angels show, held on June 23rd and 24th at the Bedford County Agricultural Center. Volunteers at the entry gate accepted donations, resulting in an impressive fundraising achievement of nearly $10,000. The proceeds from this successful show are dedicated to supporting underprivileged children, ensuring they have essential items like coats, jackets, hats, and other necessities during the colder months. Additionally, the funds were allocated to provide these children with heartwarming gifts during the upcoming holiday season, spreading joy and cheer to those in need. Kimberly & Perry Walden The Voice • August 2023 64
Janice Fostek & Laura Brandon enjoying the show Jannie Chapman & Susan Coleman Chavigny Beasley & A Great Honor with friends Alena Boyce & Cooper Callaway Over the course of the two evenings, the panel of judges, including Mike Hilley, Jason Hughes, and Ryne Parker, attentively marked the cards, evaluating the performances of the talented riders and their horses. Capturing the top honors in the Stallions Championship class were Philip Trimble and the impressive We Will Rock You, proudly representing owners Chris and Edwin Hutchinson. A well-deserved reserve position in the class was secured by An Executive Privilege, guided by Lake Weaver on behalf of Ronnie Logsdon. Nino’s Category Five, ridden by John Allan Callaway for Dr. Barbara Moersch, rounded out the top three positions in a competitive field of seven entries. Emily Kiser-Jackson with Colter enjoying her win 65 The Voice • August 2023
Owned by Lee & Carole Baxter Alexandria, LA 2xRWC & RWGCForm A Line & Carole Baxter Amateur 15.2 & Under Stallion Contenders The Voice • August 2023 66
Trained by Dale Watts Stables Summit, MS WCJimmer’s Country Girl & Carole Baxter Amateur Three-Year-Old Mare & Gelding Contenders 67 The Voice • August 2023
Four Generations And Still Walking On The Adcock Family at the Quentin, Pennsylvania horse show A passion for horses and an enthusiasm for the car business are the threads that have woven the fabric of four generations of the Adcock family. Their involvement with the Tennessee Walking Horse goes all the way back to the beginnings of the registry. Robert Thomas Adcock, father of Odie and grandfather of Bob, owned Colonel Allen who was one of the stallions in the very first stud book of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders Association. Odie shared his father’s love of the breed and eventually became a horse trainer. His first job came in the 1940s when he was hired to train with Winston Wiser. Odie learned a great deal during this job which eventually led him to a training position in Ohio. There, he met his wife, Carmella. The two started their family during these years and eventually raised five boys, Bob, Scott, Rusty, Jody and David. The family later moved to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for Odie to become one of the first auctioneers at the prestigious Manheim Auto Auction, where he would work for 47 years. In 1972, the family formed a wholesale automotive company called Adcock Bros Inc. All of the brothers worked in the family business until four of them decided to pursue their talent for auctioneering. The talent was unending! At one point, the family had 8 auctioneers working in the automobile industry. In 1991, Scott became the first auctioneer to win a perfect score at the World Automobile Auctioneering Championships. Scott was mentor to many auctioneers in the car and horse business. His sons and many of his protégés have even gone on to win world championships themselves. By Mary Beth Pruett Odie and Carmie celebrating Raven’s Touch of Class’s 1986 World Grand Championship The Voice • August 2023 68
The Adcock Family after Odie’s World Grand Championship win on Raven’s Touch of Class in 1986 Odie and Raven’s Touch of Class In 1982, Bob became the sole owner of Adcock Brothers and has since built it to be one of the largest wholesale automotive companies in the world. Bob and his wife, Deb, still own and run the company today. Their daughters, Brandy, Danielle and Ashley have all had or still have involvement in the business. Adcock Bros has a team of over 20 car buyers that buy mostly one-owner new car trades. After purchase, the cars get reconditioned by Adcock Bros reconditioning company, AAA Recon. They are then presented for sale at Manheim Auto Auction in both Manheim, Pennsylvania and Nashville, Tennessee. On average, Adcock Bros sells over 25,000 cars a year. A true visionary, Bob saw the need to complete his car process by being able to transport them after sale. So, in 1994, Bob formed Adcock Transport and has since grown it to be a major transport company for the automotive business. The company has over 60 car haulers running nationwide. Although the automotive industry became their careers, the family always kept their passion for horses alive. Bred and raised by Odie and his boys, Ravens Touch of Class was the families first World Grand Champion. Raven began as Odie’s personal pleasure horse until the horse’s talent led him to the show ring. In 1986, Odie and Ravens Touch of Class won the Plantation World Grand Championship. For their successes, Odie and Raven were invited to put on numerous exhibitions including one at the prestigious Washington International Horse Show. Raven would later become one of the most successful plantation horses of that era. Odie was a member of the TWHBEA Board of Directors and a licensed judge. In addition 69 The Voice • August 2023
Bob and brother, Scott, giving a fist bump after his first World Championship on A King Thing in 2018 After his short break from the business, Bib came back in 2018 with a bank! Here he is with his brother Scott and World Champions, A Kingpin and A King Thing Scott, Bob, Deb, Ashley, and Chris celebrating Bob’s two World Championships that night at The Celebration in 2018 to their automotive auctioneering, Odie and his sons formed their own horse auction business named, Odie Adcock and Sons. They ran many major sales for the industry. “We were around horses all our lives. When we were kids, we would come home from school or car auctions and train our horses. So, it was fun to be able to combine both worlds with horse sales,” said Bob. Although all the brothers enjoyed the horses, Bob has had the most involvement in the walking horse industry. “Other than a short break a few years ago, I’ve been attending The Celebration for the last 50 years. One of the first Celebrations I attended was when Betty Sain won the world championship with Shaker’s Shocker,” said Bob. In 1991, Bob won his first world championship aboard his horse, Gold Dancer. Since then, he has had many successful horses enter the ring. Bob has won numerous world championships and reserve world championships. However, when asked one of his favorite Celebration moments he said it came in 2021. At the time, his brother, Scott, was nearing the end of his battle with cancer. One of Scott’s final wishes was for his brother to go to the Celebration and compete. Unfortunately, Bob became positive with Covid just a day before The Celebration began. Bob was unable to ride and also unable to fly home to be with his brother during his final days. “We were around horses all our lives.” The Voice • August 2023 70
Bob and his daughter, Ashley, after her first World Championship with Guaranteed Delight in 2001 Ashley is full of excitement as she rides to receive her World Championship honors on A King Thing “It was such a big, shocking moment.” That is when he decided to ask his daughter, Ashley, to fill in for him. “We just wanted her to be in the top ten so, hopefully, I could come back for the championships. We had zero expectations,” said Bob. Ashley has ridden since she was 8 years old but, at that time, she had not ridden a horse in 12 years. It was evident that her skills for riding were not lost. Ashley went on to win the 2021 Amateur 15.2 and Under Stallions class aboard A King Thing. “It was an extremely emotional time for our family. Ashley was able to help me fulfill my brothers wishes. Scott was even able to listen to the class that night via livestream. I know my brother was very proud…we all were! Unfortunately, we lost Scott the very next day,” said Bob. Like father like daughter, Ashley began competing in the juvenile ranks. Her first world championship ride happened a lot like her most recent. In 2001, Ashley’s Show Pleasure horse, Guaranteed Delight, had been undefeated in the Show Pleasure ranks. Bob actually trained him all season until handing him over to Stephen Hankins prior to The Celebration. Bob and Stephen had their eyes set on Ashley winning the Juvenile Show Pleasure class but decided to let her practice during the Amateur Novice Show Pleasure class. It was a very full class of 30 and Ashley was the youngest by far but that didn’t matter much to the duo. Ashley and Guaranteed Delight secured their first world championship in that class. “It was such a big, shocking moment,” said Bob. Ashley and Guaranteed Delight claimed a total of 3 world championship titles and over 30 blue ribbons in their time together. Since then, Ashley has entered the ring on many successful horses. She is excited about her new two year old, I’m the Boss Lady. 71 The Voice • August 2023
Current family-owned horses include; A King Thing, A Kingpin, Honored in Texas, Born a Maverick, Topgun Maverick, I’m the Boss Lady, Spotlight on Jose and a recently purchased two year old by I Am José. All of these horses are trained by Callaway Stables. As the 2023 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration approaches, this family and their more than 80 years of history in the business are very excited to keep the tradition alive! Bob and Deb at the 2019 Celebration Deb all smiles after Bob won his first World Championship with her favoirte horse, Born a Maverick Ashley and her trainers, Bob and Odie, prepping her for her very first show on Belfast Babe Ashley after her third World Championship title with Guaranteed Delight The Voice • August 2023 72
& Karen Bean 2xWC & RWGC Money Tree Classic Amateur Park Pleasure CHAMPION Unanimously Owned by Bill & Karen Bean Tomball, Texas 73 The Voice • August 2023
Special By Jose & John Allan Callaway Woodbury Lions Club 15.2 & Under Reserve CHAMPION Watch for the team of Jordan Golden and Special By Jose in the amateur division at the Celebration. Owned by Charles Gleghorn Petersburg, Tennessee Photo by Shane Shiflet The Voice • August 2023 74
OWNED BY THE CHARLES GLEGHORN FAMILY FAYETTEVILLE & PETERSBURG, TN Belfast Lions Club AMATEUR PARK PERFORMANCE CHAMPION & Jordan Golden 75 The Voice • August 2023
Christmas In July Horse Show Aubrey Derrickson rode He’s A Lucky Strike to close out the Christmas in July show with a win in the Ellynor Fayth Thompson Memorial Youth 17 & Under Stake Extravaganza Christmas came early for Tennessee Walking Horse fans this year. Really early. The Christmas in July Horse Show was actually held in June this year and gave fans what they were looking for – lots of horses, food, and friends. Held June 27-29, 2023 at the Bedford County Agricultural Center in Shelbyville, Tennessee, the show boasted 500 entries and benefits Bedford County school children during the holiday season. Chris Bob, Chris Zahnd, and Brent Grider served as judges for the event. As is usually the case for the trio of shows held during this week, you can expect to see multiple contenders for the World Grand Championship. That was definitely the case for the Walking Horse Championship Stake on Thursday night. Leaving with the roses was Glory JC (Honors x Outta Lines Fame) and Jeff Laughlin. The stallion is owned by Jannie Chapman of Memphis, Tennessee and has remained undefeated in the open ranks since winning the championship class in Asheville, North Carolina last Fall. The reserve championship ribbon went to Kobe 24 (Honors x Merion), ridden by Chris Helton and owned by Jimbo Conner. Walkin Mr. Charlie (Walk Tim Charlie x Par 4) and Jimmy McConnell claimed the yellow ribbon for Terry and Lisa Smith. The final class of the show was the Ellynor Fayth Thompson Youth 17 & Under Stake Extravaganza. Youth competitors are introduced individually as they enter the ring to the familiar sounds of the “Flat Walk Boogie.” Making the final victory lap of the show as the Youth Champion was He’s A Lucky Strike and Aubrey Derrickson. Last year’s Youth 12-17 Reserve World Grand Champions, Nevermore and Julia Callaway, made a strong show to claim the reserve title. Rounding out the top three in the competitive class as Jose’s Vindicator and Caroline Wesley Way. Photos by Shane Shiflet The Voice • August 2023 76
TWH Youth Association Show Clothing Closet To Be At Celebration The Tennessee Walking Horse Youth Association (TWHYA) will be bringing “The TWHYA Trunk” to the Celebration and it can be seen at the TWHBEA Satellite Office on the Celebration show grounds (daily 9am-9pm except Sunday 5pm-9pm). The Closet is stocked with gently used show clothing and accessories donated by generous individuals from within the industry and it is free to anyone who needs it. “The clothing closet is normally set up at the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) headquarters in Lewisburg, Tennessee, but we’re excited to bring it to the Celebration so that more people can find a ‘new to them’ outfit,” stated Mark Farrar, TWHBEA CEO. These items will be available for members to peruse any time during the TWHBEA Satellite Office hours while visiting the Celebration. “It’s our hope that this will make it more affordable for more youth to be able to experience the fun of showing,” says Chris Hazelwood, Youth Vice-President for TWHBEA. New and used English and Western show clothing will be accepted in donation for children and adults in the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry. Donations can be shipped or dropped off at the TWHBEA office, 250 N. Ellington Pkwy, Lewisburg, TN 37091. They can also be dropped off at the Satellite Office during the Celebration. For more information contact Jessica Ozburn at [email protected] or 931-359-0583. TWHYA members gathered at the TWHBEA Satellite Office on the Celebration show grounds to clean and organize. Then went to TWHBEA headquarters in Lewisburg, TN to organize, photograph, and publish to social media, the items that have been donated to the TWHYA Trunk. Pictures are Georgia Hazelwood, Zane Marlin, and Aubrey Schmidt. 77 The Voice • August 2023
Owned by Tucker & Tanner Johnson Classic All Day Pleasure INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL All Day Pleasure Youth CHAMPION Youth Country Pleasure BEST OF SHOW The Voice • August 2023 78
Owned by Joe Link Mt. Juliet, TN Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallion CONTENDER Trained by Jalon Foster Stables Sparta, TN 931-619-1346 Shod by Darrell Hughes 79 The Voice • August 2023
The Reckoning WTC & Robert Nelms Woodbury Lions Club Yearling Colt CHAMPION Yearling Contenders Owned by Joe Link Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Photo by Shane Shiflet The Voice • August 2023 80
Owned by Joe Link Vying for Championship Honors! Yearling CONTENDER 81 The Voice • August 2023
LLEGENDS EGENDS Presents Lunch with the Sunday, August 27, 2023 • 11am - 1pm Hall of Fame Club FREE and open to All Youth Would you like the opportunity to have lunch with your favorite Tennessee Walking Horse Legend? Join us and have lunch, take pictures, and get autographs from Tennessee Walking Horse Legends! Register by August 18th and receive a FREE T-Shirt! Register online at twhbea.com/legends or call TWHBEA at 931-359-1574 The Voice • August 2023 82
Kate Cowan & 3XWGC The Family Jewels Money Tree Classic TWHBEA Youth Medallion Performance Canter CHAMPION 12-17 Equitation Contenders WC Mr. Deeds & Kate Cowan All Day Pleasure Youth Contenders Owned by Kate Cowan Bowling Green, Kentucky 83 The Voice • August 2023
Yellowstone Connection Fans of the streaming series Yellowstone might never guess that there could be a connection with the Tennessee Walking Horse world, but they would be wrong. That thread runs through a Texas family and two family members who left that state and then returned. One went to Hollywood in search of a career in movies; the other found her way to Tennessee through her love for the Tennessee Walking Horse. The McNamara family, originally from Ireland, settled in Texas in the late 1800’s. All the way back to Emmitt Parnell McNamara, a long line of family members served as U.S. Marshals and sheriffs. In modern times, brothers Mike and Parnell McNamara served as marshals and then Parnell, after his retirement, was elected sheriff of McLennan County, Texas. John B. McNamara, a cousin, was a lawyer in Waco, Texas, followed by his By Mary Beth Pruett son, John, Jr., who previously had served a stint in the FBI. It was his daughter, Nancy McNamara, who eventually became Nancy Groover, well known exhibitor and wife of trainer Wink Groover. Nancy’s first horse experience was with Quarter Horses and rodeo. Her grandparents loved horses and encouraged her interest with ponies to ride and trips to horse shows. During the heyday of the Southwest Circuit, which featured multi-breed shows in San Antonio, Waco, and Pin Oak, Nancy was introduced to the Tennessee Walking Horse. Taylor Sheridan and Nancy Groover Nancy Groover: “I was in my 20’s before I knew anything about [Walking Horses]” The Voice • August 2023 84
“They had several breeds – Arabians, Saddlebreds, Walking Horses, and Waco even included a division for Welsh ponies,” she recalls. “Everyone would bring their horses and move onto the show grounds for three or four days. That’s where I saw my first Walking Horses. I was in my 20’s before I knew anything about them.” Nancy’s first ride on a Walking Horse came courtesy of Alton Gandy of Valley Mills, who trained and showed horses in Texas. Gandy’s sons Jimmy and Don also showed horses for many years, including the very popular The Shocking Blue. Gandy taught her to put on a tail set and let her help out around the barn. “I was probably more bother than help,” says Nancy, “but he was kind enough to let me.” She began showing in the late 1970’s and never looked back. Her love of Walking Horses led to her meeting Wink Groover, who she married in 1985. “We had a wonderful life together,” she says. “I loved my time living in Middle Tennessee and still love to come back.” While Nancy was making a name for herself in the Walking Horse show ring, another McNamara descendent was growing up in Ft. Worth and Waco. Steeped in the history of “Cowtown” and fascinated with horses and ranch life, Taylor Sheridan admired the McNamara cousins and their careers in law enforcement, but chose a different path. He left Texas for Hollywood, seeking a career as an actor. Along the way, he changed course and began writing for television and movies. Using his background in ranching and his deep love of Texas history, he wrote screenplays for movies such as “Sicario”, “Wind River,” and “Come Hell or High Water.” Jeff Bridges’s character in “Come Hell or High Water” is based on stories of lawmen from the Waco area, and his cousin Nancy Groover as a young girl with one of her earliest equine companions “‘Yellowstone,’ his most famous creation, encompasses his strong feelings about ranches and the drive to save them from development.” 85 The Voice • August 2023
Parnell McNamara advised the actor on authentically playing the part of the lawman in the movie. “Taylor and my son Carter are about the same age, or at least in the same generation of the family,” Nancy says. “And he has always been so interested in the history of the area where he grew up and just loves everything to do with ranch life.” “Yellowstone,” his most famous creation, encompasses his strong feelings about ranches and the drive to save them from development. He and his wife Nicole share their love of horseback riding with their son Gus, and Sheridan has recently purchased the famous Four Sixes Ranch in Texas, where several episodes of “Yellowstone” were filmed. A new spinoff is in the works, which will be set and filmed on Four Sixes. From her home in Texas, Nancy recalls her most well-known world grand champion, Hard Texas Cash, who carried her to the 1997 Amateur 4-Year-Old World Grand Championship. Wink and Nancy bought the stunning black stallion as a yearling. Wink showed him to a blue ribbon as a two-yearold, but he soon became Nancy’s mount. After his success in the show ring, he stood at stud at Glen Oaks Farm in Murfreesboro for the next 13 years, where he greeted his fans from his stall in the big barn. He left a legacy of world champions, several of which were campaigned by Nancy and Wink. In 2011, Tex, as he was known, came home to Texas where he lived to the age of 24, still treasured by his former rider. Nancy makes frequent trips back to Tennessee these days, showing her horse Heeza Jose and catching up with old friends. “I’ll be at the Celebration this year,” she says. “It will be my 47th time!” Owner/Amateur Four-Year-Old Grand Champion Hard Texas Cash and Nancy Groover from the 1997 National Celebration Nancy Groover and Hard Texas Cash at the 1997 National Celebration The Voice • August 2023 86
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Owned by Beth Beasley Youth 12-17 Pony CONTENDER & Maxine Beasley & BiBi Beasley Youth 17 and Under CONTENDER The Voice • August 2023 88
Owned by Beth Beasley Amateur Five-Year-Old Stallions CONTENDER Watch for this dynamic duo! & Maxine Beasley 89 The Voice • August 2023
Money Tree Classic On June 30th, at the Cooper Steele Arena, the highly anticipated Money Tree Classic, organized by the Walking Horse Trainers Ladies Auxiliary, commenced its proceedings. The event, boasting 40 classes and a remarkable 222 entries, kicked off at 6:00 in the evening. The distinguished trio of judges, Scott Beaty, Scotty Brooks, and Dale Watts, meticulously marked the cards, ensuring a fair and competitive atmosphere on the scorching summer night. The Money Tree Classic is the primary fundraiser for the Auxiliary, which spends their money to give back to the industry and equine-related charities throughout the year. Therapeutic Riding Programs, scholarship recipients, industry groups, and other charities will all benefit from the success of this year’s show, which raised almost $25,000. This financial achievement underscored the event’s significance and the collective support it garnered from participants and attendees alike. To underscore the charitable aspect of the show, Auxiliary members took the opportunity to honor two exceptional individuals for their outstanding achievements. Jessica Lawell and Braxton Waddell were recognized as the well-deserved scholarship recipients, acknowledging their dedication and talent within the equestrian community. The climax of the Money Tree Classic arrived with the highly anticipated Walking Horse Championship Canter (WHTA) RC class, featuring three formidable contenders vying for the prestigious title of Money Tree Classic Champion. With judges keenly observing the performances, it was Mr. True Blue, gracefully guided by R.M. Kellett Stake Winner Mr. True Blue and R.M. Kellett with the Jacobs Family and friends The Voice • August 2023 90