Santana's El Niņo named World Grand Champion

Link Webb Guided Santana's El Nino to the Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Championship at the 70th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tenn. Also in the photo are owners Michael and Ann Jones of Lafayette, GA (closest to the horse) and Lee Wall and Mike McGartland, owners of the 2007 WGC, Master of Jazz. (TWHNC photo)

It wasn't Bill Bobo or Jamie Bradshaw making the victory lap, as many had predicted. It was Link Webb on Santana's El Niņo -- who had a pretty big shout following him around, too.

There was a brief hush when the name was called -- then the El Niņo fans in the crowd overwhelmed the silence with their cheers.

"I said there were more than two horses in this race," said one spectator, grinning and walking away, pulling his El Niņo cap down farther on his head.

Of the 14 horses qualifying for Saturday night's World Grand Championship, only nine were entered in the class and only eight entered the ring. The five that opted out were Moab, Moody Star, Missed the Boat, He's a Weekend Warrior and Private Charter. Star did not show.

With eight left, there were eight camps of fans in the stands, which began filling as soon as the gates opened.

Owned by Michael and Ann Jones of Lafayette, Ga., Santana's El Niņo qualified for the championship class by placing second to Jose's Intimidator's first in the Section A preliminary. That was reversed Saturday night, When El Niņo claimed the top spot and Jose's Intimidator with Jamie Bradshaw up won the Reserve World Grand Champion position.

Rowdy Rev and Bill Bob came in third, with Justin Harris on Gen on the Run took fourth. Fifth went to A Strong Dollar with Joel weaver riding, and sixth went to Busting Special with Jimmy McConnell.

Seventh and eight places were claimed by Blue Blooded Bandit and Knox Blackburn and King of the Jungle and Charlie Green, respectively.

The weather was close to perfect on the closing night of the Celebration. With many visitors here from the Gulf Coast, Celebration officials posted information on Hurricane Gustav's progress toward their homes, but there was only light wind -- and no rain -- in the skies over Shelbyville.

The traditional "Patriotic Night" was observed, with the Shelbyville Fire Department's Honor Guard presenting the colors and the Boy Scouts bringing in the giant American flag. The heads of local first responder units were present to represent their teams, which were honored by Dr. Doyle Meadows.

According the Chip Walters, director of media relations at the Celebration, there were 22,156 in actual attendance for the show's finale, and more than 215,000 attending throughout the 11-day show.

In 2008, Santana's El Niņo won firsts at Belfast, the East Tennessee Classic in White Pine and the Money Tree Classic in Shelbyville.

In 2007, he won first place in the 15.2 and under canter, and was fourth in the World Grand Championship.

TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE

WORLD GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

1. SANTANAS EL NINO, Link Webb for Michael/Ann Jones

2. JOSES INTIMIDATOR, Jamie Bradshaw for Randall Ferguson

3. ROWDY REV, Bill Bobo for Harlinsdale Farm

4. GEN ON THE RUN, Justin Harris for Michael/Ty Hart

5. A STRONG DOLLAR, Joel Weaver for Curtice McCloy

6. BUSTING SPECIAL, Jimmy McConnell for Larry/Farrah McAlexander

7. BLUE BLOODED BANDIT, Knox Blackburn for Raymond Pedigo

8. KING OF THE JUNGLE, Charlie Green for Nestor Stewart Family