By Sarah Gee
©Voice, October 2006

Pushing Hard Cash was picture perfect.

The premier showcase for our breed’s youngsters, the 68th annual TWHBEA^SM National Futurity was held the evening of August 23, 2006, at the Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville, Tennessee. As has become custom over the past several years, the event was produced by the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association^SM and staged by officials from the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. The 2006 judging panel, identical to that of the Celebration, consisted of Jamie Bradshaw, Wink Groover, Tommy Loid, Huck Moss, and Ronnie Spears. Celebration CEO Ron Thomas served as show manager while the always-capable trio of Sharon Brandon, Gloria Rambo, and Annette Rodgers efficiently coordinated National Futurity nominations and entries. Boasting the largest purse of any one-night show in the industry, the National Futurity is known for top-notch competition. The 2006 edition definitely lived up to all expectations with quality competitors in all divisions.

The evening’s competition began with the TWHBEA^SM Youth Medallion Championship. Introduced in 2001, the Youth Medallion Program is designed to encourage young riders to learn and become proficient at the canter. Riders must qualify for the Medallion Championship by showing in at least one Youth Medallion class during the current year. Eight talented entries vied for the title of 2006 Youth Medallion Champion and when it was all said and done Matt McMurtrey, riding You’re In Command, emerged victorious.

In weanling competition, one filly and one colt proved they were the cream of the crop. Among the fillies it was Whoopin’ It On Command owned by Nathan and April Mills of Nashville, Tennessee. Whoopin’ It On Command is by Back In Command and out of Mikasa. The Rookie In Command proved he was ready to compete, as he took blue in the weanling colts class. By Without Command and out of Queen Of The Hollow, Kim Bailey of Lynchburg, Tennessee owns The Rookie In Command.

Two-time National Futurity Champion Stormy’s Silky Sue with Robert and Amanda Nelms.

2005 Weanling Filly Champion Stormy’s Silky Sue stormed the competition once again to claim the 2006 Yearling Filly title. By Stormy Night Of Pride RW and out of Make Over, Stormy’s Silky Sue is owned by J.T. and Martha Nelms of College Grove, Tennessee. The Roger Richards, Angie Bumpus, and Jane Pirolo entry Jazzed And Steppin stepped his way right into the Yearling Colts winner’s circle. He is by A Jazz Man and out of Uh! Oh! Command.

Two-Year-Old Trail Pleasure winners Lion King and Marty Irby.

Five two-year-olds left Shelbyville as National Futurity Champions. Taking the blue in the trail pleasure division was Lion King owned by Marty Irby and Kristen Williams of Shelbyville, Tennessee. Walking to the lite shod win was The Armed Cashier owned by Pedigo and 4-J Land & Cattle Company, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Not Your Average JFK proved he was anything but average as he strolled to the park pleasure win for owner Nancy Lovato of West Jordan, Utah. Topping a fine class of mares and geldings, Victoria’s Secret held nothing back as she walked her way down victory lane for owners Chester and Linda Stokes of Jacksonville, Florida. Last but certainly not least, The Coach proved he had all the right moves to take the win in the stallion class. Sherry Holland and Mary Dell Kilgore of Decatur and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, own The Coach.

The three-year-olds also strutted their stuff in five divisions. The trail pleasure blue was claimed by 2005 WGC Gold Coin In Dixie for owners Dr. Judith Moore and Ed Foust of Shelbyville, Tennessee. 2005 Two-Year-Old Lite Shod National Futurity Champion Muchacha Grande walked away with the three-year-old lite shod win for owner Kelly Sherman of Dallas, Texas. Shaking her way to a park pleasure victory was Encore’s Shakin Lady owned by Jerry Laughlin of Waynesville, Missouri. Elmore made owners Rodger and Harolene Willis of Wartrace, Tennessee, proud when he came out on top in the mares and geldings class. Finally, All In definitely had it all as he topped a fine class of three-year old stallions for owner Michael Inman of Hoover, Alabama.

As if the excitement of the competition wasn’t enough, National Futurity spectators were also treated to special exhibitions by a number of our industry’s top stallions. Several stallions and their owners served as class sponsors and many of these impressed the crowd with a unique display. This year’s sponsoring stallions were A Specialist, Cash’s Blackjack, Generator’s Silver Dollar, Gen’s Armed And Dangerous, He’s Puttin On The Ritz, JFK, John FK’s Delight, Lined With Cash, Main Power, Mighty Maxx, Motown Motion, Out On Parole, Pushing Hard Cash, Pushover Blues, and The Black Night Shade.

One of the most highly anticipated events in our industry, the TWHBEA^SM National Futurity serves as both the foremost showcase for young Tennessee Walking Horses and the premier venue for our industry’s breeding programs. Speaking to the quality of breeding-stock in our industry, at this year’s National Futurity offspring by 14 different sires collected blue ribbons. If quality begets quality, the Tennessee Walking Horse will indeed stride boldly into the future.