Bill Bobo and Rowdy Rev (2006 file photo) [Click to enlarge]

Will the third time be the charm for Bill Bobo and Rowdy Rev?

The Shelbyville trainer rode the big, 7-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse stallion to top honors in the recent Walking Horse Trainers Association show, held over Easter weekend at Calsonic Arena. Considered the kick-off show for the season, winners catch the public eye early and try to keep that attention going strong through The Celebration.

Of course, Rowdy Rev didn't really need to be named the Walking Horse Championship/WHTA Riders Cup to get attention. He's been a favorite for years, and many expected him to take home the World Grand Championship before now -- including Bobo.

"He's talented enough to have been World Grand Champion," said the trainer. "He could have been champion the last two years."

Rowdy Rev's bid for top honors was stymied in 2006 by the circumstances surrounding the final class of the show, in which six of nine horses did not pass controversial scar rule inspections and miscommunication and misunderstanding lead to canceling the class completely. No champion was named, but Rowdy had the distinction of being one of the three horses that did pass.

In 2007, many thought they'd see the big horse -- 16.5 hands -- bearing the main trophy out of the Celebration ring. In an informal survey taken by the Times-Gazette during The Celebration, he was pegged as an easy winner, but Master of Jazz earned the spotlight instead.

Bobo is philosophical about it.

"Usually, after a horse wins World Grand Champion, they retire him," he said. "We've been fortunate enough not to win -- we get to keep showing him."

Bobo said Rowdy Rev is an easy horse, one of the easiest-going and easiest to train he's ever worked. He sees Rowdy's win in the kick-off show as a good sign that this will be the year.

"It's a big win for us -- he's the man," said Bobo. "He's the one for this year. I think we've got a good shot at it."

There's more than professional and personal pride behind the push. There's friendship and respect.

"(Owner) Bill Harlin's had that string of horses all his life. He's 84," said Bobo. "He's had some good horses, but he's never had a World Grand Champion. I sure hope Rowdy can win it for him."

Bobo said they have plans to show Rowdy in the Fun Show and perhaps a few others, such as the Fourth of July where he won top honors in last year, but all eyes are on The Celebration.

And if they don't win this year?

Bobo laughed.

"We get to keep showing him."

Bobo, a member of the WHTA board of directors, said this year's show was very good, also a positive sign for the coming season.

"The Trainers' Show is always good," he said. "It's the biggest crowd we draw besides the Celebration."

Other contenders to keep an eye on this summer include He's a Weekend Warrior, ridden by Joe Cotten, and Gen on the Run, ridden by Justin Harris, who finished second and third in the WHTA Riders Cup Class after Rowdy Rev.