By Amanda Campbell
©Voice, March 2007

Master Of Jazz, Overall Horse of the Year and Aged Stallion of the Year

The Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse™ magazine, the official breed journal, inserted the People’s Voice tear-out ballot in the December issue. Readers were invited to vote for their favorite horses and riders.

The People’s Voice poll was designed to give the 18,000 plus members of TWHBEA^SM a voice. The results are very informative and very interesting.

An undefeated show season led Master Of Jazz and trainer Jimmy McConnell to this year’s 2006 People’s Voice Overall Horse Of The Year and Aged Stallion Of The Year. Master Of Jazz is owned by Contender Farms, Lee Wall and Mike McGartland of Jackson, Mississippi and Fort Worth, Texas. Trainer Jimmy McConnell of Formac Stables directed Master of Jazz to victories at the National Trainers Show, Mississippi Charity, Spring Fun Show, the National Celebration and the Delta Fall Classic.

I’m Causin’ Commotion was voted for the second year in a row as the Aged Mare Of The Year. I’m Causin’ Commotion is owned by Jim and Debbie Myers and is trained by Allan Callaway Stables.

The Aged Gelding Division was won for the second year in a row by Cheatin’ Danger and Joe Cotten. Cheatin’ Danger also collected the first place vote, for the second year, in the Amateur Specialty Gelding Division with owner and rider Trish Harrison. Cheatin’ Danger won blue ribbons in 2006 at Columbia, Gallatin, and dual blues at the National Celebration in both the open and amateur divisions.

Santana’s El Nino, Overall 15.2 & Under Horse of the Year
and 15.2 & Under Stallion of the Year

Santana’s El Nino, the People’s Voice Overall 15.2 and Under Horse Of The Year and the 15.2 and Under Stallion Of The Year, was undefeated in 2006. He is owned by Michael and Ann Jones and is shown under the direction of Webb Stables. Link Webb directed the black stallion to this year’s 15.2 and Under stallion World Championship title and came back on championship night to claim the roses in the 15.2 and Under World Grand Championship.

The People’s Voice 15.2 and Under Gelding Horse Of The Year went to Tex’s Dinero. Tex’s Dinero is the property of Kelly Sherman and shown by Steve Aymett.

Bruce and Robin MacDonald had an unforgettable year in 2006. Robin claimed four World Championship titles and one World Grand Championship at this year’s National Celebration. Her blue ribbon lineup includes John FK’s Pusher, the 2004-2005-2006 Amateur Elite World and World Grand Champion, It’s Taboo, a three time World Champion, and Jose’s Special Edition, already a World Champion with her first year in the show ring. The People voted It’s Taboo as this year’s15.2 and Under Amateur Mare. John FK’s Pusher claimed title to the People’s Voice Overall Amateur Specialty Horse Of The Year, Overall Amateur Elite Horse Of The Year and also Amateur Elite Ladies Horse Of The Year. The Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding award went to Jose’s Special Edition. Robin MacDonald rode each of these to their title and she was voted this year’s People’s Voice Amateur Rider of the Year.

Highway Robbery and Betty Corlew, won the People’s Voice 15.2 & Under Amateur Stallion and was reserve Overall 15.2 & Under Horse Of The Year.

Star, Overall Four-Year-Old of the Year
and Four-Year-Old Stallion of the Year

Star was the selection for the Overall Four-Year-Old Horse Of The Year and the Four-Year-Old Stallion. Star is owned by Opal Moody of Batesville, Arkansas and is trained by Whitter Stables, Jackie McConnell, trainer. Jackie and Star were this year’s Four-Year-Old World Grand Champions.
Clay Mills and Royal Luck were not only this year’s Four-Year-Old Mare and Gelding World Champions, but they were also voted as People’s Voice Four-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding winners. Clay Mills also received the People’s Voice Award for Amateur Owned And Trained Specialty with Five-Time World Champion Extra Ebony.

The Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion award went to Shock Jock and Becky Coleman. Shock Jock and Becky have been voted the “favorite” for the past two years in their respective age division. Shock Jock is owned by Dr. Michael and Becky Coleman and is trained by Mickey McCormick Stables.
In the spotlight for the Overall Three-Year-Old Horse of the Year and for Three-Year-Old Stallion of the Year was the talented entry owned by Michael and Ty Hart of Harland Farms, Gen On The Run. Gen On The Run is the current Three-Year-Old World Grand Champion and is trained by Justin Harris at Joe Fleming Stables.

The People’s Voice award for Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding and Amateur Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding went to the reigning two-time World Champion, Witch Revival. Julie Grider and cousin/trainer, Brent Grider rode Witch Revival to a World Championship title at the 2006 Celebration. Witch Revival is owned by The Tommy Grider Family and is trained by Brent Grider.

Muddy Buddy, Three-Year-Old Stallion of the Year
and Reserve Overall Three-Year-Old Horse of the Year

Everyone has heard of “The Little Engine That Could” but the next winner of our People’s Voice Awards is “The Little Horse That Could”. This little horse is Muddy Buddy, the Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallion Reader’s favorite. Muddy Buddy is shown by Alicia Perry-McDaniel and is trained by Derek Bonner Stables.

The Coach is this year’s Two-Year-Old Horse of the Year and the Two-Year-Old Stallion of the Year. He is the current Two-Year-Old World Grand Champion, shown by Joe Cotten of David Landrum Stables and owned by Holland and Kilgore.

Ten blue ribbons, with two being World Championship ribbons, Miss Annika is the 2006 People’s Voice Weanling of the Year. She is owned by Larry Mesimer and Terry Bradford.

Hal’s Six Shooter claimed People’s Voice Overall Fine Harness Horse of the Year. Owned by Floyd and Coleman and trained by Rollie Beard Stables.
The next honoree had a year to remember. Keith McSwain not only won his first World Championship this year but two, and he topped it all off with a set of roses and a World Grand Championship title aboard The Golden Sovereign. The People voted Golden Sovereign as this year’s Overall Amateur Canter Horse of the Year and Amateur Canter Stallion of the Year, and Keith is this year’s Rising Star Amateur Rider of the Year. The Overall Classic Horse of the Year goes to Mister Pushbutton. Mister Pushbutton and, Candie Butler won the Classic Horse class at the 2006 Celebration making this his sixth World Championship title. He is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Glen Crutchfield and is trained by Formac Stables.

What a year it was for Mary Morrison! Mary and Watch N Bedazzled topped the competition and were voted as this year’s Overall Youth Horse of the Year and Youth 15-17 Mare of the Year. Mary and Dazzle are the reigning Juvenile 12-17 World Grand Champions. Mary also claimed the People’s Voice Best Show Ring English Attired Youth 15-17 Female Rider and she was also voted as Reserve Youth Rider of the Year.

Rudy Rudiger, Overall Walking Pony of the Year
and Walking Pony Riders 14 & Under Horse of the Year.

The Walking Pony Horse of the Year award belongs to Rudy Rudiger. Rudy also was victorious in the People’s Voice Walking Pony 14 and Under category. He is shown by Alexandria Holland and is owned by The Children of Neal and Sherry Holland. Alexandria and Rudy captured the Pony 14 & Under World Grand Championship title this year. Alexandria was also awarded the Best Show Ring English Attired Youth 12-14 Female.

The Great Escape, shown in the Amateur division by Sarah Aikin and in the Open division by trainer, Jackie McConnell, claimed blue ribbons throughout the year, including two at the Celebration. The Great Escape was this year’s Show Pleasure Horse of the Year, Open Show Pleasure Horse of the Year and Youth Show Pleasure Horse of the Year.

All American Ritz is the overall Park Performance Horse of the Year, in addition to being voted Open and Amateur Park Performance Horse of the Year. All American Ritz is owned by Cynthia Wright and is trained by Southern Serenity Ranch. All American Ritz is now a four time World Champion in this division.

Gold Danger, Overall Park Pleasure Horse of the Year
and Open Park Performance Horse of the Year

This year’s World Champion Park Pleasure Stallions Five and Over is also this year’s People’s Voice Overall Park Pleasure Horse of the Year and Open Park Pleasure Horse of the Year. This title belongs to Gold Danger. Gold Danger is owned by Susannah Borg and is trained by Falcon Ridge Farm.
Double Java, a multi World and World Grand Champion is the winner of the People’s Voice Overall Plantation Lite Shod Horse of the Year, the Open Plantation Lite Shod Horse of the Year and the Youth Plantation Pleasure Lite Shod Horse of the Year. Double Java is owned by The Mike Chiappari Family and is trained by Golden West Farms.

The People’s Voice Overall Trail Pleasure Horse of the Year was awarded to Playin’ Hooky with owner and rider Liz Gassaway. This duo also won the Amateur Trail Pleasure Western division.

The People’s Voice Best Multi Night Show of the Year was won by the Delta Fall Classic held in Tunica, Mississippi. The Pulaski-Red Carpet Show of the South, Pulaski, Tennessee and Tony Rice Benefit in Shelbyville, Tennessee tied for the Best One-Night Show of the Year.

There are many great photographers in this business, but one stood out and claimed the People’s Voice Best Photographer award. This year’s award went to Avalon Photography and Jolene Bertrand.

Dominating the Best Show Ring Attire Clothier category for the past three years belongs to Marsha’s On The Square. Marsha’s is the clothier of many of the People’s Voice award winners.

Since the beginning of the People’s Voice Awards, David Landrum Stables has won the following categories for all three years; Overall Stable of the Year, Stable with Best Groomed Horses and Stable with Best Attired Riders. Congratulations to all at David Landrum Stables for raising the bar.

Joel Weaver, trainer of the year, and Adam Pickle, assistant trainer of the year, both were voted as People’s Voice winners in their respective categories. Joel Weaver is the head trainer at Rising Star Ranch and Adam Pickle is the assistant trainer for Link Webb at Webb Stables.

The Youth Rider of the Year was awarded to Matthew McMuttrey. Matthew also won the People’s Voice Versatility Showmanship award. Matthew’s other accolades for the year include Overall Youth Member of the Year, 2004-2006 TWHYA^SM President, 2006 TWHBEA^SM Medallion Grand Champion, 2004-2006 World Versatility Youth High Point, 2005-2006 World Versatility Overall High Point, 2006 Two-Time Youth Superior Champion and was one of the recipients of a $2000 Voice Scholarship.

Benjamin Bowen claimed two awards in the People’s Voice Awards. He was voted as the Rising Star Youth Rider of the Year and also Best Show Ring English Attired Youth 11 and Under Male. Benjamin rode Sanman to the Juvenile 11 and Under World Grand Championship this year.

Alex Bumpus was awarded Overall Equitation Rider of the Year and Equitation Rider 15-17 for the third consecutive year. Her instructor is Faye Lynn Coffey. Faye Lynn was awarded People’s Voice Equitation Instructor for the third year in a row.

This highlights the 2006 People’s Voice awards. Congratulations to all winners and reserve winners. The complete list of honorees and more candid moments follow.

Amanda Campbell
acampbell@twhbea