Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse

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Scott Barker
95

“We can do this. You and me, as one.”Owned by Trained by
Clear Springs Ranch
HBarK Equine Enterprises LLC Nicole Carswell Tolle
Jacque Kasselman
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock Ill
in How To Train Your Dragon 2

Farrier: Jeff Frantz Fountain, CO

5XRWC

AND SHERYL CRAWFORD
TWHBEA Summer Sizzler
Amateur Mares & Geldings

CHAMPION

Premier Stables champions
are groomed with

AND SHERYL CRAWFORD
2022 Amateur 15.2 and Under

WORLD GRAND CHAMPION
CONTENDERS

And Cassi Slagle

Red Carpet
Amateur Two-Year-Old

Mares & Geldings

CHAMPION

WGC

Owned by Christmas In July Shod by Mike Umberger & Co.
The Johnson Family
Shelbyville, TN Amateur All Day Pleasure Champion
UNANIMOUSLY

Shane Shiflet photo by Nat • unretouched

THE
CELEBRATION
FLAG HORSE

A TRADITION OF PRIDE
By Kristi Payne, with contributions from Betty Sain

Celebration is upon us once again, and one of its most highly an- White Diamond Dollar
ticipated moments each year is the opening of the Big Oval gates
for a white Tennessee Walking Horse who valiantly carries the
American flag around the ring to the delight of the fans.
It’s impossible not to feel great pride in our country, our com-
munity or our breed as the nation’s colors stream behind his bold
running walk, signaling the commencement of the year’s evening
classes in Celebration Arena.
Since 2017, that spectacle has featured White Diamond Dollar, an
eight-year-old mare by Out on Parole and out of Dollar’s Easter
Bonnet, owned by Curtis McCloy of Norman, OK.
But do you know where this tradition began?
The first year a flag ceremony was incorporated into the show was
1951, thanks to Leland Fritzsche who had been attending the Cel-
ebration since its inception in 1939. The son of German and En-
glish immigrant parents, Leland was known for being exception-
ally patriotic and took great pride in his American citizenship. His
family was close with Fred Walker, who was the trainer of Mid-
night Sun, and as the Celebration increased in popularity, Leland
had made all the necessary connections for promoting the addition
of a flag presentation to the festivities.
A few years earlier, Leland, inspired by the love he had devel-
oped for the Tennessee Walking Horse via the time he spent at
Fred’s barn and at the Celebration each year, had bought two

100

ICONIC CELEBRATION FLAG HORSES Ajax

White Wilson (1951-?)
Ajax
White Lightning (1975-1990)
Snow on the Mountain (1991-2002)
Counterfeit Dollar (2003-2015)
White Diamond Dollar (2017-present)

walking horses. One was a quirky mare named Merry Easter and the other White Lightning
was a handsome white yearling colt by the name of White Wilson. Wilson
was stabled with Bedford County Extension Agent and horse trainer Stan Counterfeit Dollar
Stanfill, who broke him to ride and found him to be gentle, sensible and
highly trainable.
Leland never showed Wilson, opting instead to ride him on trails and fre-
quently into town, where the pair was known to stop and give rides to chil-
dren who couldn’t take their eyes off of the stout, white stallion. Wilson
became an ambassador for the breed, offering countless children the oppor-
tunity to ride to ride who may have otherwise never had the chance. Over
time, his perfect manners manifested themselves time and time again, and
Wilson proved to be as steady with children aboard as he was while being
ridden around mares, geldings and ponies on neighboring farms.
So as the idea of a flag ceremony took shape, it was clear that Wilson was the
horse for the job. He was striking, honest and beautiful and Leland could just
picture him bearing the red, white and blue to the delight of the ever-grow-
ing Celebration crowd.
It was not a difficult sell, especially since Leland offered to train the stallion
for the job himself. In the summer of 1951, it was not uncommon to see
Leland aboard Wilson in the Celebration arena, carrying a makeshift flag
fashioned from a Purina feed sack atop a pole.
And when the Celebration rolled around, White Wilson set in motion what
would become an iconic show ring tradition as he made the first-ever Cel-
ebration presentation of colors with champion rider Carl Edwards aboard.
He also opened the show the following four nights with Steve Hill, Winston
Wiser, Fred Walker and Urban S. Small, Jr.
The crowd in attendance that night had no idea they were witnessing the
charter edition of a beloved tradition that would go on to grace more than 70
Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebrations, and counting.
So the next time you watch the stars and stripes carried around the big oval
by a solid white Tennessee Walking Horse, you can thank Leland Fritzsche’s
patriotism and pride in his country, his state, his town and our beloved breed.

101

AND SAMANTHA GREEN

Christmas In July
WHTA Auxiliary

CHAMPION

Owned by
Evergreen Walking Horse Farm

Shelbyville, TN

AND EMMA BLACK

Wartrace
YOUTH 12-17
CHAMPION

Owned by
Evergreen Walking Horse Farm

Shelbyville, TN

AND JENNIFER PENDLETON

Wartrace
Amateur Show Pleasure

CHAMPION

Owned by
Evergreen Walking Horse Farm

Shelbyville, TN

WC
And Stephanie White

Last year’s Amateur Two-Year-Old Mare World
Championship team is striving for the Amateur
Three-Year-Old Mare World Championship this year!

Red Carpet
Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings

CHAMPION

Owned by Three-Year-Old Amateur Trained by
Toni and Stephanie White Carl Edwards & Sons Stables
Eatonton, GA & Shelbyville, TN WORLD GRAND CHAMPION
Dawson, GA
Contender

4XWC & 2XRWGC

& Robert Deutsch

Owned by Watch for Georgia Florida Line
Robert Deutsch in the Men’s Amateur Show Pleasure with Robert &
Greensboro, NC
with Knox Blackburn in Open Show Pleasure

Owned by & Robert Deutsch
Robert Deutsch
Greensboro, NC Watch for Kid Can Do
in the Amateur Three Year Old Maries & Geldings

with Robert & with Tyler Baucom in the
Three Year Old Geldings

Announcing the recent selection of. . .

WC

Owned by & Laci Mathews Ad Sponsored by
Gary Mathews Automotive Group
Greg Mathews Marshall County Horseman’s
Clarksville, TN Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallions 931-552-7100

CHAMPION

& Laci Mathews

Owned by Laci Mathews Ad Sponsored by
Clarksville, TN Gary Mathews Automotive Group

Marshall County Horseman’s 931-552-7100
Youth 12-17

CHAMPION

CKhyrlies

And Jake Jeffers

Youth 12-14 Novice
World Champion
Contenders

Ozark

And April Jeffers

Amateur
Novice Ladies on
Novice Stallions
World Champion

Contenders

©Luka

Owned by
The Jeffers Family

Hotty Toddy ©Barr Studios
Gosh A
Mighty

And Greg Kiser

Amateur
Two-Year-Old
World Champion
Contenders

Owned by
The Greg Kiser

SWmGC oky
Mountain

Strong

And Lexi Stinnett

Amateur
Five-Year-Old

Stallions
World Champion

Contenders

Owned by
Conner & Stinnett

And Nathan Rymer

Owned by Horse Play Kids
Karen Gaither
Liberty Township, OH OPEN SPECIALTY
CHAMPION

And Karen Gaither

Owned by Cornersville Lions Club
Karen Gaither Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares & Geldings
Liberty Township, OH
CHAMPION

And John Allan Callaway

Christmas In July
Two-Year-Old Mares & Geldings

EXTRAVAGANZA CHAMPION

And BiBi Beasley

Woodbury Lions Club
Youth 17 & Under

CHAMPION

Owned by
The Beth Beasley Family
Athens, AL

AND JEFF LAUGHLIN

Open Park Pleasure

CONTENDER

Owned by AND JEFF LAUGHLIN
Doris Penick
Walterboro, SC Marshall County Horseman’s
Park Pleasure

CHAMPION

Yearlings For Sale

GERONIMO JOE SAPPHIRE N TONIC
Sire: Jose’ Jose’ Sire: Jose’ Jose’
Dam: Nashville Cash Dam: First Time Offender (Dam is a
full sister to WC/WGC Prime Country

Marty Warren | [email protected] | 615-218-6923

Visit us online at www.Ravenswoodfarmtn.com

Breeder Of World Champions

TWIN SISTER VIVIAN

Sire: Lined With Cash Sire: Jose’Jose’
Dam: Miracles Sister, 2nd Dam: WC/ Dam: Million Dollar Miracle 2nd
Dam: WC/WGC Miracle At The Ritz
WGC (HOF) Miss Walking Miracle

Owned by Denise and Steve Smith | Brentwood, TN

Visit us online at www.Ravenswoodfarmtn.com

TWHBEA TWHBEA

hip World
Versatility

Worl nship Champion
N d Versatility Champio

The TWHBEA World Versatility Show was held each division. Linda Starnes claimed the Elite and
Overall awards, Kimberly White took home the Adult
TRIPLE POINT SHOWJuly 21-22, 2022 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in buckle, and Claire Winstead was high point winner
for the youth.
on – AdMuulrtfr(eCesabnotreor,)Tennessee. The versatility show offers
on – Yocluatshse1s 7su&ch aUsnddreesrsa(gCe,awnetestre)rn riding, trail obstacle, Congratulations to all the winners at the TWH-
on – Yoequuthita1ti1on&, bUarnredlerarc(iNngoanCdamntoerre). 422 entries com- BEA World Versatility Championship show.

peted for Overall, Elitte, Adult and Youth high point
awards.

Classes NoFoClloawnitnegr)the show on Friday was a high point
Horse 5 a&waUrdncdeerremmoanxy 3w/i8thxbe3l/t4buAckmleastaenudr$500 given in
x 3/8 x 3/4 Open
x 3/8 x 3/4 Amateur
x 3/8 x 3/4 Youth 17 & Under

Open
pen

ginner 1st or 2nd year horse
ult
uth 12-17
uth 11 & Under
vanced

t Kathie Crellin and Lyn Montgomery
ult
uhth121-21-7L1i7nda Starnes, Kimberly White and Claire Winstead 118
h 11 & Under
uth 11 & Under

es cannot compete in multiple pairs

Lexi Nelms Sarah Beth Arnold

Dressage in progress. Chris and Georgia Hazelwood.

Stephanie Richardson Ruth Collins

Thank You To Our Sponsors

GOLD SPONSORS TROPHY & RIBBON SPONSORS
American National Insurance Carol Camp
Epiphany Foam Insulation, LLC John Fikes
Jacobs Construction Freeman Foals, in memory of Betty & John Freeman
Dr. Joe Leith & Family Ty Irby, Realtor with Crye-Leike Realty
SILVER SPONSORS Tom Kakassy
Backward S Ranch, Mark Clark Dr. Carol Lamberson
Sheree Bollinger Limestone Auction Company, Brandon Tate
Christmas Creek Farm, the Kesselring Family Debbie Marbry
GEN A’ MIGHTY, Mike Floyd MASTER OF JAZZ
Anne Piet McGovern’s Walk, DA McGovern
CLASS SPONSORS Thom Meek
Gary Jennifer Batts Lyn Montgomery, in memory of King of Tijuana and
Wilson Blaylock Family
Dr. Randall Bryden, Wyldwood Walkers in honor of Whiskey Tango Farms
David Sisk
of Southern California Sherrie Szucs, in honor of Paul Szucs
Ivie Burns, Morgan Stanley Financial Consultant Show Pony Bling, Julie Carlson
Edwards Feeds The Starnes Family, in memory of TRAVELING
Four Beats for Pleasure
Kevin Gilliam TIME, TRAVELIN VICTORY ANN,
Darlene Harris and Eliza DeKleyn and Reggie McElroy
Chris Hazelwood Jim Tyree
Illinois Walking Horse Association Vivere Chocolates, Robert Bowden
Sherry Kessler & BLACKLIST Walk N Style, Nicole Tolle
Terry & Melanie Lawrence Brad Woodruff
Diane McMurtrey
Middle TN Hearth & Home
L.M. & Debbie Murphy
Plantation Pleasure Walking Horse Association of NC
Tracy Pinson
Spencer Benedict Stables

120

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AUGUST
24-31 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration - Celebration Grounds, Shelbyville, TN (IHP)
27 Highway 43 Auction Company Celebration Super Sale - Wiser Farms, Shelbyville, TN
28 Lunch with the Legends (Open to all Youth) - Hall of Fame Club, Calsonic Arena, Shelbyville, TN

SEPTEMBER
1-3 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration - Celebration Grounds, Shelbyville, TN
2 Prestige Horse Sales, Pleasant Valley Farms, Shelbyville, TN
3 6th Annual WHTA Blue Ribbon Yearling Sale - Wiser Farm, Shelbyville, TN
5 Edmonson County 4-H Pony Express Fun Horse Show - Brownsville, KY (IHP/WS/YM)
8-10 UABHA Championships Show - South Jordan, UT (IHP)
10 PPWHANC Summer Sizzler Fun Show - Johnston County Livestock Arena, Smithfield, NC (IHP/WS)
15-18 European Championship - Mönchengladbach, Germany
16 Kentucky Celebration - Mercer County Fairgrounds, Harrodsburg, KY (IHP)
16 VWRHOA Show - Chatham, VA (IHP)
19 TWHBEA Members Online Forum (Bylaws)
23 WHAO Buckeye Fall Classic - Henderson Arena, Jackson, OH (IHP)
23 VOICE deadline for September/October Issue
30 Final Day to Earn Points/Hours for 2022 Programs
30 Deadline to Nominate 2022 Weanlings for National Futurity
30 The Appalachian Championships - Winfield, WV (IHP)

OCTOBER
1 The Appalachian Championships (IHP)
6-8 NCCWHS - WNC Ag Center, Fletcher, NC (IHP)
8 WHOA Fall Gallatin Classic - Sumner County Fairgrounds, Gallatin, TN (IHP/WS)
14-15 MOWHA Fall Round-Up - Champions Expo Center, Springfield, OH (IHP/YM)
14-16 Four Beats For Pleasure Fall Classic - South Carolina Equine Park, Camden, SC (IHP/WS/YM)
15 Postmark Deadline for Distance Hours, Go Gelding, Motivated Mare, and Versatility Point Books
15 MWHTA - Bolivar Saddle Club, Bolivar, MO (IHP/YM)
21-22 Alabama Jubilee - Morgan County Celebration Arena, Decatur, AL (IHP)
22 PWHAT Jamboree - MTSU Livestock Center, Murfreesboro, TN (IHP/WS/YM)
29 WHOA Halloween Show - Harlinsdale Farm, Franklin, TN (IHP/WS)
29 Pine Rock Farm Show Series - Kittrell, NC (IHP/WS/YM)

NOVEMBER
3-5 Celebration Fall Classic - Calsonic Arena, Shelbyville, TN (IHP)
5 Palmetto Saddle Club Horse Show - Sumter, SC (IHP)
10-12 United Walking Horse Fall Finale - Tunica, MS (IHP)
11 VOICE Deadline for November/December Issue
13 BPWHA Liberty - Central KY AG/Expo Park (IHP/WS)

DECEMBER
2 TWHBEA General Membership Meeting - TWHBEA Headquarters, Lewisburg, TN
2 TWHBEA Awards Banquet - TWHBEA Headquarters, Lewisburg, TN
3 TWHBEA International Board of Directors Meeting - TWHBEA Headquarters, Lewisburg, TN
3 Walking Horse Trainers’ Horse of the Year Awards - Calsonic Arena, Shelbyville, TN

*Denotes IHP-International High Point Program, WS-World Series Double Point Program, YM-Youth Medallion
Program
121

CRIMSON PLAYMATE:

A RENAISSANCE MARE

By Kristi Payne

“I love the look on people’s faces when I tell them she’s a Tennessee Walking Horse,”
says 16-year-old Claire Winstead of Leasburg, North Carolina.

She’s talking about Crimson Playmate, her five-year-old Ten- “Originally, I started doing versatility exercises like flat walk-
nessee Walking Horse mare. Because in addition to having ing around the barrels, jumping over one-foot jumps and
been undefeated in barrel racing at TWHBEA shows over the performing rollbacks to strengthen my Walking Horses,” says
past three years, “Lola,” as the mare is known, is also proving Claire. “But along with that strengthening, we began to see
unbeatable at local, open-breed shows and holding the cur- improvement in their movement and timing as the exercises
rent record time for Nationals. helped them lift their shoulders and shift weight to their hind
Claire purchased Lola as a two-year-old by Crimson Clas- legs, as well as become softer in the bridle and more flexible.”
sic and out of Teddy’s Playmate and initially employed some With that in mind, she started Lola lightly on the barrel pat-
timed event training with her as a way to encourage the filly tern when the filly was three years old -- and got more than
to engage her backend. she bargained for.
By the time Claire had been introduced to Walking Horses “Not only did it help her gait,” says Claire, “She LOVED it!
by friends in her early teens, she already had ample experi- I have never seen a horse more passionate about running.”
ence in barrel racing on Quarter Horses, as well as in various And this year, in their second year of competition at the
other disciplines like hunter jumper competitions and even TWHBEA World Versatility Championship (WVC), Lola
polo. And she’d seen the benefits of applying the training and proved that passion by logging the fastest time in any bar-
skills necessary for those disciplines to the Walking Horses rel racing division and earning Claire her second consecutive
she was developing.

122

WVC Youth High Point Award – all after of will bring more interest to the breed.
having shown throughout the day in oth- “I was always told that Tennessee Walk-
er classes. ers were not capable of both doing ver-
“I was incredibly proud of her for still satility and being good on the rail,” says
having the energy to run that way,” says Claire. “But I don’t find that to be true at
Claire. “We had actually taken a break all. They’re not all built to run 16 second
from barrel racing this year to focus on cow barrel patterns, but that does not mean
work and reining, but as soon as the gate was they’re only built for rail work.”
open and Lola saw the barrels, she knew exactly Claire is doing her part to bring as much
what to do!” awareness to that fact as possible, and
In addition to their barrel racing domination at the WVC, Claire and Lola have she’s racking up some pretty big acco-
gone undefeated in Hunter Hack and TWH Over Fences in both years at the lades in the process.
show.
“The World Versatility Championship has quickly become my favorite event,” I am so grateful
says Claire. “I enjoy seeing the many talents of this breed and watching people for all the great
do other things with their walking horses.”
In addition to barrels and hunter jumper competition, Lola also does dressage, opportunities
helps work cows on the family farm and Claire has toyed with her in polo and and incentives
mounted archery. TWHBEA has to
Claire’s other two show horses – My Ravina and Limelight and Roses – are com- offer. They truly
petitive in rail classes at the International and the Celebration, but also do timed help exhibitors
events. And Claire credits their success on the rail to their versatile foundation. demonstrate
“I believe that all walking horses can benefit from some versatility work,” she how versatile
says. “Even trail obstacle or just flat walking around the barrel pattern – anything and amazing our
other than just going in a circle -- helps them mentally by keeping their minds
busy and teaches them to use their bodies more effectively.” breed is!
Claire hopes that other Tennessee Walking Horse owners young and old will be
inspired and encouraged by seeing all the things their horses are capable of at
shows like the WVC. And that perhaps seeing what Walking Horses are capable

123

Maiden Heaven

Jessica Mast and Kyle Elliot

How a When the gates opened for the fourth
Revolutionary consecutive International Maiden
Championship a few weeks ago and
Concept Is announcer Travis Richardson called for
Reshaping what has become the most highly an-
the Industry ticipated class of the WHOA Interna-
tional Grand Championship Walking
By Kristi Payne Horse Show each year, everyone on the
grounds at Miller Coliseum was either
in the stands, at the rail or waiting to
enter the ring to compete for a portion
of payouts totaling more than $50,000.

Amidst the buzz, however, one rider was dog 2019 Maiden Winner
walking his colt around the warmup, lost in his Twenty Four Carrots ML
thoughts with tears in his eyes. and Kyle Elliott
That rider was Kyle Elliott, who, along with
friend and business partner Jessica Hlebak, were by jumping right on board to offer that first big sponsorship to get us
the brainchild for the inauguration and astro- started.”
nomical success of the Maiden The idea that had become a goal was now a reality, and trainers were
“The Maiden is a major point of pride,” says paying attention. When trainer Laurie Toone called Kyle to let him know
Kyle. “This wasn’t ever expected to be where it she planned to enter two colts in the inaugural Maiden class, Kyle says
is, and the fact that it’s grown the way it has still it was the first time he’d even considered the notion of multiple entries
floors me.” from the same barn.
The idea was born when Kyle and Jessica at- And more entries meant bigger payouts. The Maiden not only collects
tended the American Quarter Horse Congress sponsorship monies to boost payouts, every dime of every entry fee also
in 2018 and took note of everything the AQHA goes directly into the jackpot, which is distributed among the top ten
was doing to promote their young horses, and entries from the championship class.
how much excitement those initiatives added to Still, Kyle and Jessica tried to check their expectations. They decided
their flagship show. that if they just got seven or eight entries for the first Maiden class, they
“We began to wonder why our breed doesn’t have would be happy.
any programs like that,” says Jessica. “And the They got 15 – and $7,200.00 in sponsorships.
conversation quickly turned from ‘Why can’t we
have that?’ to “Why can’t we do that?’” 125
What they wanted to do was offer a class for two-
year-old Walking Horses who had never been
shown under saddle – a means to showcase the
up-and-coming talent that no one has ever seen
in the ring before and find out which were the
ones to watch at the Celebration, which takes
place just four weeks after the International.
“We came to the conclusion,” says Kyle,
“That if we wanted this done, we were going
to have to do it ourselves.”
They began to circulate the concept among
their peers and approached the Internation-
al show committee about adding the class,
but initial reactions included a lot of skepticism,
and the show committee was slow to take them
seriously.
“We had one barn that just told us the idea was
stupid and they didn’t want to support it,” laughs
Kyle. “But once we got the approval to proceed
with offering the class and the announcement
was made in 2019, we began to get mostly pos-
itive feedback from the trainers and the initial
promises of sponsorships and entries significantly
exceeded what we expected at that early point.”
“We knew we could prove to everyone that it
could work, but we also knew we had to get
something bigger than usual to get attention,”
says Jessica. “And American National delivered

2020 Maiden Winner Jessica calls it a “big relief.” Kyle, howev-
Jose’s Twist of Gin and BJ Richards er, remembers the two of them getting the
news from Tommy Hall, Executive Direc-
2021 Maiden Winner tor of WHOA, and “calling Jessica scream-
The Maiden and Laurie Toone ing.”
Kyle took that exuberance into the class,
earning the first-ever Maiden Champion-
ship victory aboard Twenty Four Carrots
ML for owners Maggie Moore and Jim
Leek in a moment he will never forget be-
cause it couldn’t have meant more.
“It was a strange feeling to win, because I
had just experienced the fruition of our pet
project from the viewpoint of exhibitor as
opposed to planner,” says Kyle. “So I got
to the winners’ presentation and saw the
owners and my mother crying, but it was
later that night, just before bed, that the
emotions – and the tears – hit me.”
Armed with the success of the charter
Maiden class and the constructive feedback
they’d received from participants, specta-
tors and show management, they immedi-
ately set to work on making the sophomore
edition bigger and better.
The class had invigorated the pleasure
horse industry and trainers, suddenly being
bombarded with requests by customers to
develop horses for the 2020 Maiden, found
themselves in need of a way to exhibit mul-
tiple entries.
After meeting with several trainers to quan-
tify that demand, the idea of having two
preliminary splits to qualify for a champi-
onship class was developed, and in 2020,
the class drew 35 entries and $16,000 in
payouts.
The momentum didn’t stop, and the 2021
iteration was comprised of 44 entries that
qualified in three splits for $23,000 in
payout, and the 2022 Maiden necessitat-
ed four splits to accommodate 60 entries
who were riding for a shot at more than
$50,000 in payout.
“I think every year we’ve gotten a little clos-
er to figuring this whole thing out,” says
Kyle. “Procedurally, we’ve always stayed
pretty close to the initial plan, making only
minor adjustments to facilitate its growth.
But we’re always planning new ways to in-

crease the pageantry and the excitement sur- 2022 Maiden Winner
rounding the class.” Imagine Dragons
Jessica agrees, noting that it’s been key to re-
main flexible and handle the inevitable grow- and Hannah Myatt
ing pains.
“It’s just gotten so big so quickly,” says Jessica. who were initially tried as performance horses but breeding and sales man-
“Our plan is to just continue to evolve with the ager David Williams of Sugar Creek has reported a marked uptick in both
program and strive to keep the magic going! the volume and value of young stock – especially fillies-- purchased yet-un-
That strategy has had its merits. At this point, started by pleasure horse training facilities and is seeing more and more
the class is considerably bigger than the QH breeders come to him with the goal of producing foals specifically suited
Congress division after which it was modeled, for flatshod divisions.
and its payout now the largest in the Tennessee Notably, both the 2022 Maiden champion, Imagine Dragons, trained and
Walking Horse industry. exhibited by Hannah Myatt for the Howell family, and reserve champion,
Tommy Hall, who is retiring later this year Quesadilla, trained and shown by Joe Lester for Kimberly Walden, were
after 46 years as the Executive Director of specifically bred to be pleasure horses.
WHOA, lists the International Maiden class “I was blessed to begin with our impeccably bred stallion, the late RWC
as one of the association’s major accomplish- Wicked Gold, who was a two-time TWHBEA Outstanding Sire of the
ments during his tenure. year that produced many WC and WGC pleasure horses, including WGC
“WHOA has a history of forward-thinking Wicked Image, the sire of Imagine Dragons” says Hannah. “Bred and raised
board members whose ideas have helped move by my mother, Dr. Jana Anderson, Imagine Dragons carries the blood of
the industry forward,” says Tommy. “Because greatness via Prides Gold Coin, Prides Royal Master, Prides Generator,
of them, we have been able to implement a Coins Hard Cash, and, naturally, behind it all is a whopping dose of Sun’s
number of progressive initiatives such as allow- Delight D. Imagine Dragons was bred to walk and walk well, and thus was
ing trainers to show pleasure horses, adding a destined for greatness.”
youth 11-under division, splitting the ama- And David doesn’t see the flatshod-specific breeding and buying focus
teur classes into age divisions and instating the shifting any time soon.
Olympic High-Low Five Judge System, which
is still used today by The Celebration.” 127
The popularity of the Maiden Championship
has also had a big impact on the pleasure horse
colt breeding and purchasing industry, as cus-
tomers get hungrier for their shot at owning a
Maiden contender.
Historically, any given crop of young pleasure
horse contenders is largely comprised of colts

“The Maiden Championship has become the marquee event Hannah echoes the sentiment that the Maiden has unified
for flat shod enthusiasts and increased an already established the pleasure horse community on both a personal and pro-
awareness of the talent of our young horses,” says David. “It’s fessional level.
become the Daytona 500, The Kentucky Derby and the Su- “Knowing pleasure horse people have this wonderful and
per Bowl for the flat shod Tennessee Walking Horse enthu- unique event to aim for can only help the horse, the breed
siast, all rolled into one. I see it continuing to grow in purse and the industry as a whole,” she says. “Watching it grow
and participation at a rate that we only imagined when it exponentially in numbers, popularity and sponsorships is
began.” truly a miracle and to have ridden out crowned as the 2022
Kyle and Jessica say that since the Maiden’s inception in Maiden Grand Champion was to live the greatest of dreams
2019, they have not had a single owner bring a coming two- coming true!”
year-old to them for training with-
out asking if it can be shown in the Kyle and Jessica have taken feedback
Maiden, and that it’s been gratifying and notes from the 2022 Maiden
to see an ever-increasing number of and are approaching next year with
horses for sale online that are adver- a mindset of continued growth and
tised as Maiden-eligible. operational efficiency,
And for good reason. Every win- Other than that, they’re a bit hush-
ner of the Maiden Championship hush about some vaguely referenced
to date – Twenty Four Carrots ML “exciting” changes, but they assert
with Kyle for Maggie Moore and that owners and trainers can look
Jim Leek, Jose’s Twist of Gin with forward to the 2023 Maiden with
B.J. Richards for S&P, LLC and optimism.
aptly-named filly The Maiden with “Jessica and I work tirelessly all year
Laurie Toone for Dale Steinmetz – on this and our friendship has only
has gone on to win, at least, a World grown stronger as a result,” says Kyle.
Championship at the Celebration in “We’ve been astonished at the kind
the same year. of money and support we’ve received
Hannah is looking to continue that trend, as she and Imagine – especially this quickly – and we can’t wait to see where it
Dragons turn their focus to competing for top honors at the goes from here.”
2022 Celebration for new owners, the Jordan Howell family. Jessica concurs.
Evolution in breeding, purchasing, competition and prize “This has taken off more than we ever imagined and the in-
monies aside, the greatest phenomenon the class has fostered, dustry-wide support the program has received has been over-
perhaps, is a heightened sense of camaraderie among the whelming,” she says. “It just validates what an amazing breed
various trainers and owners. The sense of unified support of of horse and group of people we’re working with and I’m just
the Maiden and a common goal of showcasing young stock very proud to have been able to be a small part of helping
seems to put a pause on single-minded competitiveness and both to excel.”
cause trainers to earnestly wish one another luck prior to the
class and offer sincere congratulations afterwards – win or
lose.
“When I won the Maiden, the owners of the second-place
horse congratulated me and shook my hand as I exited the
ring, which was a first for me,” says Kyle. “I’ve never re-
ceived so many congratulations on a victory in my life. I was
stopped over and over at the show that night and, when I was
able to check my phone later, I had 100 or so social media
notifications and missed calls and texts from people I would
have never expected to have paid attention to this. That was
when I knew we had really done something, here.”

128

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The American National Insurance Two-Year-Old Maiden Champion Imagine Dragons and Hannah Myatt joined by owners the
Jordan Howell family and friends

The 44th Annual

International Pleasure & Colt

Grand Championship
The 44th Annual International Pleasure & Colt entries qualified for the finals. The first class on Friday
Grand Championship was held at the Tennessee night was the American National Insurance Maiden
Miller Coliseum July 21-30, 2022 in Murfreesboro, Two-Year-Old Finals and after a workout 20 entries
Tennessee. During the nine days there were nearly remained. 15 places were awarded in reverse order
1,900 entries in 300 classes. Shannon Gibbs, Shelli with Imagine Dragons and Hannah Myatt claiming
MeHaffey and Ronnie Sapp served as judges for this top honors and the $25,000 in prize money for own-
years event. Travis Richardson announced the show ers The Jordan Howell Family. Habanero Quesadilla
this year and Barr Studios was the official photogra- and Joe Lestern took reserve and $10,000 for owners
pher, who also hosted a party on Wednesday evening Kimberly and Perry Walden.
after the show.
Saturday night the show was closed out the 3 Best
The first day of the show was classes for hunter Of Show classes. Tennessee Walking Horse Pleasure
hack, Tennessee Walking Horses over fences and dres- Best Of Show Canter went to Annie’s Silver Dream
sage. Saturday brought trail classes, western riding, with B. J. Richards for Ann Johnson. Tennessee Walk-
costume class, water glass and all the fun classes along ing Horse Pleasure Youth Best Of Show went to A
with yearling competition. Sunday was model and Confession with Kylie Duvall for Phyllis Langley. And
and in hand classes with Monday having showman- last Tennessee Walking Horse Pleasure Best Of Show
ship, academy and equitation and rail classes. went to King Mojo and Hannah Myatt for owner
Kathy Anderson in a unanimous decision.
Wednesday evening started with the four splits
of the American National Insurance Maiden Two- Congratulations to all the winners and to the
Year-Old preliminaries which had 60 entries. 32 Walking Horse Owners’ Association on a great show.

130



Jean Marie and Ted Degville Kylie Duvall

Claire and Jennifer Hankins and Bruce Vaughn Madeline Cross Heaner with her grandmother, Caroline Cross, enjoy the In-
ternational. Mrs. Cross and her late husband, J.W. Cross III, were founding
members of WHOA and instrumental in the early success of the Internation-
al. Madeline and her aunt, Amy Cross Nance, carry on the family’s tradition.

All the attention was on the Maiden class finals. High On Loving You and Kaitlyn Rippey are joined by friends
and family.

Jaci Booth and Jessica Jones following their win. Kyle Elliott following his win on Devoted.

Piper Teague following her stick horse win. Large classes during the show.

Buckardi following his win. Beth and Sarah Beth Arnold

And LeAnn Werner-Osborn

IINNTTEERRNNAATTIIOONNAALL
GGRRAANNDD CCHHAAMMPPIIOONNSSHHIIPP
AAmmaatteeuurr FFiivvee && UUnnddeerr
CCLLAASSSSIICC CCOOUUNNTTRRYY
PPLLEEAASSUURREE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN
FFiivvee && UUnnddeerr CCllaassssiicc
CCoouunnttrryy PPlleeaassuurree
RREESSEERRVVEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN
WWiitthh KKeeeeggaann MMeeaaddoowwss
YYoouutthh 1111 && UUnnddeerr WWaallkk OOnnllyy
GGRRAANNDD CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN
WWiitthhAAuubbrreeyy SSiinngglleettoonn

Owned by
LeAnn Werner-Osborn

And Brent Arrington And Robert Bowden

And Jimmy Baumgardner Amateur Stallions

Park Performance INTERNATIONAL
GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP
Amateur Five & Under
CLASSIC PARK PLEASURE
CHAMPION
Unanimously
Youth Classic
Park Pleasure
RESERVE CHAMPION
With Riley Gregory

Owned by Owned by Robert Bowden
Brent Arrington Wartrace, TN & Denville, NJ
Murfreesboro, TN

And Dr. Carol Lamberson

CELEBRATION
BOUND!

INTERNATIONAL GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

OAT Western Trail

Owned and trained by PLEASURE CHAMPION
Dr. Carol Lamberson & Michael Wallace
Ringo, NJ and Petersburg, TN OAT Western Trail Pleasure
Shod by Joseph Abernathy
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION

With Jacie Booth

INTERNATIONAL
GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

Youth Trail

PLEASURE CHAMPION

With Jacie Booth

INTERNATIONAL
GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

Youth English Lite-Shod

CHAMPION

Unanimously

With Dr. Carol Lamberson

INTERNATIONAL
GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

Amateur Two & Three-Year-Old
Lite Shod

RESERVE CHAMPION

Two & Three-Year-Old Lite Shod

RESERVE CHAMPION

With Keegan Meadows

Owned by
Dr. Carol Lamberson
Ringo, NJ

Robert Bowden has been in the Walking Horse Industry his entire
life. The Tuscaloosa native, and son of trainer Milton Bowden,
grew up in the barn. From 4-H shows to World Championships,

pleasure and performance, he’s been involved with all aspects of the
business. After a short break from competing to start his business,

Robert decided to jump back in with both feet. This has been a
dream season for him and his equine partners, Stagecoach Mary,
WC Thom Thumb and Outta Line Ritz. With wins all over the
southeastern circuit they are hoping to continue their blue ribbon

ways in the big oval.

WC THOM THUMB

UNDEFEATED IN 2022!

Owner Amateur Geldings

Contender

STAGECOACH MARY

FOUR BLUE RIBBONS IN 2022
Owner Amateur Walking Pony

Contender

OUTTA LINE RITZ
Palmetto Saddle Club
AMATEUR CANTER CHAMPION

Owner Amateur Canter
WORLD CHAMPION CONTENDER

Owned by Ad Compliments of Vivere Chocolates
Robert Bowden, Wartrace, TN & Denville, NJ

4 BLUES IN 2022

And Dr. Amy McCurdy

2022 Amateur Specialty
WORLD GRAND

CHAMPION CONTENDERS
2022 Novice Ladies
WORLD GRAND

CHAMPION CONTENDER
with Hannah Tucker

Trained by Jamie Lawrence Stables
Vinemont, AL • 256-385-0523

And Dr. Tom Morgan

2022 Amateur Five-Year-Old
WORLD GRAND

CHAMPION CONTENDERS

Trained by
Carl Edwards
& Sons Stables
Dawson, GA

Owned by
Dr. Amy McCurdy

Piedmont, AL

WC

And Beth Collins

Owned by Woodbury Lions Club Trained by
Beth Collins Amateur Ladies Scotty Brooks Stables
Pilgrim’s Knob, VA
Mares and Geldings Bowling Green, KY
270-791-1548
RESERVE CHAMPION

Amateur Ladies

CONTENDERS

In Loving Memory of

RWGC

AND KAILIN GRAVES

Owned by Trained by

Maureen Kesselring W
Wartrace, TN D
S

with Dr. Lynda Brogdon

Elite Amateur
World Champion

Contenders

Thank you
for your support!

Owned by
Dr. Lynda Brogdon
St. Augustine, FL and Shelbyville, TN

with Tam Brogdon

Amateur 4-Year-Old
Stallions World Champion

Contender

Thank you
for your support
of this new team!

Owned by
Tam Brogdon
St. Augustine, FL and Shelbyville, TN

Herro