Main Power - The Resume Of A Champion

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By Sarah Gee
© Voice, September 2005

Q: What are the qualifications
of a champion?

A: A Tested Lineage, a Proven Record, Talent, and Heart!

One look at Main Power’s resume and it becomes abundantly clear that he is a Champion is every sense of the term. A product of the legendary Harlinsdale Farms breeding program, his lineage is that of a champion. He is by Gold Power (a full brother to Coin’s Hard Cash) and out of Main Mans Spirit. His bloodlines combine the best of Pride, Ebony, Delight, and even Go Boy. He was bred for championship potential and has more than lived up to that potential.

The Raymond Pedigo family purchased Main Power as a yearling. He was started under saddle by Heath Denny and shown to a number of two-year-old amateur blue ribbons by Jerrold Pedigo. His two-year-old victories included Belfast, Great Strides, and Walking For The Children. Add to those a top ten placing at the Celebration and you have a rock steady foundation for further success.

At the start of his three-year-old year, Main Power was moved to David Landrum Stables and put under the direction of one of the finest young horse trainers in the industry, Joe Cotten. Shortly thereafter, he was sold to long-time, knowledgeable walking horse enthusiasts Dr. Jim and Kay Green. It was under this new trainer/owner team that Main Power truly came into his own as a show horse. During his three-year-old season, he excelled in both amateur and open competition. His blues that year came at the Trainers’ Show, Mississippi State Charity Show, Gulf Coast Charity Show, Money Tree, Germantown, Tony Rice, Wartrace, International, Dixie Jubilee, and the Celebration where he claimed both the open and amateur three-year-old world championships and the Owner/Amateur Three-Year-Old World Grand Championship. In 17 show ring appearances as a three-year-old, Main Power walked away with 16 first place ties and 1 second place tie. By the close of 2002, Main Power had firmly established himself as a champion. The question at that point was whether or not he had the heart and willingness to maintain that level of performance. The answer was ABSOLUTELY!

Focusing solely on open competition, Main Power and Joe Cotten put together a completely undefeated four-year-old season in 2003. Showing a total of seven times, they strolled down victory lane at the Mississippi State Charity Show, Gallatin, the Spring Fun Show, and Woodbury before storming the Big Oval and laying siege to the Four-Year-Old Stallions World Championship and the Four-Year-Old World Grand Championship. Those two illustrious awards were presented to Main Power’s new ownership team of Neal Holland, Jr., Gus King, and Bob Kilgore. These three industry veterans, recognizing a horse possessing both talent and a big heart when they saw one, purchased Main Power prior to the 2003 Celebration with the goal of campaigning him to the ultimate prize – The Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Championship.

Main Power’s march toward World Grand Championship honors began at the 2004 Mississippi State Charity Show where he won his preliminary before being crowned Walking Horse Champion. Stake wins followed at Woodbury and Lewisburg. By the time the Celebration rolled around, Main Power was primed. Competing against several veterans of aged competition on the big oval, Main Power walked away with the Reserve World Grand Championship. He concluded his 2005 campaign in impressive fashion by winning the 2004 International Grand Championship Stake.

Main Power’s quest for the Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Championship has continued in 2005. So far, he and Joe Cotten have put together three impressive blue ribbon winning performances in Trainers’ Show Championship, the Spring Fun Show Championship, and Woodbury Lions Club Championship. As the Celebration approaches, it could be said that Main Power has one of the most impressive resumes for that final spotlight ride. His lineage, his record, his talent, and, perhaps most of all, his big heart make him more than worthy to wear the roses.