Main Power - Your 2005 World Grand Champion

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By Sarah Gee
© Voice, October 2005

And your 2005 World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse is number 1826 – Main Power with Joe Cotten riding for owners Holland, King, and Kilgore of Decatur, Arab, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama!” For the connections of 2005 WGC Main Power, this sentence was the perfect culmination of an outstanding show ring career. It was also the realization of a dream.

Main Power’s road to the World Grand Championship began at Harlinsdale Farm where he was bred to wear the roses. By Gold Power (a full brother to WGC Coin’s Hard Cash) and out of Main Mans Spirit, the blood running through Main Power’s veins is that of a champion. His pedigree boasts names such as Pride Of Midnight, Sun’s Delight D., and Ebony Masterpiece.

According to David Landrum, Main Power’s potential was evident from the very beginning. He states, “Since he was a yearling he’s been a talented, energetic, appealing type horse. He’s always loved to show and loved the attention.”

In the show ring, Main Power truly came into his own as a three-year-old when he was placed under the direction of Joe Cotten at David Landrum Stables in Franklin, Tennessee. At the Celebration that year he claimed world championships with both owner Kay Green and Joe Cotten. He and Kay then came back to wear the roses as Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old World Grand Champions.

As a four-year-old, Main Power’s focus was shifted solely to open competition and he and Joe Cotten put together a completely undefeated 2003 season, a season that peaked with the Four-Year-Old Stallions World Championship and the Four-Year-Old World Grand Championship. Just prior to winning those two incomparable awards, Main Power was purchased by the partnership of Neal Holland, Jr., Gus King, and Bob Kilgore. Of these three industry veterans, Joe relates, “They are just a great bunch of guys. They’ve stuck with us and they’ve always made me feel like they had a lot of confidence in me. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity they’ve given me.”

In his debut year in aged competition, Main Power continued down the path of success claiming three major stake wins before hitting the big oval in search of the ultimate prize. In a field that included several more experienced horses, Main Power walked his way to the 2004 Reserve World Grand Championship.

2005 was to be Main Power’s year. Like his four-year-old season, Main Power’s second season in aged competition was undefeated. He came into the Celebration primed and ready to show the world just how great he could be. He did not disappoint. The first Saturday evening he and Joe Cotten put together an absolutely beautiful performance to claim the division B blue. By the second Saturday, fans were in a frenzy to get their hands on anything Main Power related. And, that evening, he and Joe stormed onto the big oval ready to win it all. They did, and in fine fashion. Reflecting on the win, Joe says, “It’s something every horse trainer dreams about. I am just really thankful to have had the opportunity to ride Main Power. He’s a great horse that has done everything we’ve ever asked him to do. I’m also grateful to the Celebration crowd. Main Power loves the attention of the crowd and their cheers definitely spurred us on.”

Discussing their performance in that final class, David Landrum states, “I thought when he came in the gate, from start to finish, he made the show that we hoped he could make. Joe did an almost flawless job of showing him. He executed all three gaits perfectly and that last running walk was just incredible.” Owner Bob Kilgore agreed wholeheartedly, “I’ve always thought he made the best show of his life as a three-year-old and I truly believe that he matched or even surpassed that performance Saturday night.”

Expressing their mutual feelings regarding the World Grand Championship, Main Power’s owners had this to say, “What an honor to be part of a team that has been crowned World Grand Champion. Thank you David Landrum Stables and congratulations to Joe Cotten for achieving the ultimate award for himself and our horse.”

So, what’s next for this champion? Well, in addition to representing the Tennessee Walking Horse at several high-profile events, he’ll be standing at stud with The Summit Stallions at Sand Creek Farm in Shelbyville, Tennessee. His owners are extremely excited to see what kind of contribution he’ll make to the gene pool of the Tennessee Walking Horse. With his bloodlines, disposition, show record, and heart, there’s little doubt that this World Grand Champion will find success in the breeding shed.