El Niño named horse of year

Santana's El Niño is tended by Rae Ellen Webb, wife of trainer Link Webb, at Thomas Intermediate School as part of El Niño's 2008 tour. (T-G File Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"Showy and consistent, our final honoree proved to be the perfect storm in 2008," said Bobby Sands, who served as emcee for the annual event. Sands was recently pegged to become the next "Voice of the Celebration" and often provides commentary for walking horse shows. "His winning form brought home blues from the East Tennessee Classic, Money Tree Classic, Belfast and the Celebration."

Sands referred to the current champ, owned by Michael and Ann Jones and trained by Link Webb, as "a crowd favorite and a great breed ambassador."

Webb himself was recognized for his service as the WHTA president and was re-elected to the same position for 2009, as were Mickey McCormick, first vice president, and David Landrum, second vice president. Outgoing board members Bill Bobo, Jeff Givens and Billy Gray were honored and the new board members, Rollie Beard, Chris Bobo and John Allan Callaway, were welcomed.

Webb was presented with a customized saddle-riding suit in appreciation for his work with the association, donated by Marsha's on the Square. Marcia Allison, WHTA executive secretary, was also honored with a gift.

Bill Bobo, trainer of Rowdy Rev, and the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Harlin, were recognized for Rowdy's big win at the Trainers' Show in the spring.

Joel Weaver was the winning trainer in the Rider's Cup program, which recognizes the top 25 trainers capturing the most Rider Cup points throughout the show season. Weaver, who received a check for $14,223, was the winner for the third year in a row, with Justin Harris, Link Webb, and Charlie Green, coming in second, third and fourth respectively.

Others in the top 25 included Jimmy McConnell, Knox Blackburn, Herbert Derickson, Chris Zahnd, Edgar Abernathy, Tim Smith, Brock Tillman, Ray Gilmer, Winky Groover, Chad Williams, Mickey McCormick, Bill Bobo, Jerry Collier, John Allan Callaway, Bill Cantrell, Joe Cotton, Robert Stivers, Jamie Bradshaw, Steve Dunn, Scott Beatty and Philip Trimble.

Jeff Green was named Trainer of the Year.

"Working alongside his best friend and brother, Charlie, they both helped their father with the daily barn duties," said Sands. "It all began with his first horse, Scotch. In his late teens, he made a lifelong dream come true. He has had the honor of directing several horses, both pleasure and performance, to Amateur World Championship titles."

Edward Jacob "Jakie" Smith, who works for Phillip Trimble Stables, was named Assistant Trainer of the Year.

"At a very young age, it was quite evident to his parents that Jakie was gong to be a horse person," said Sands. "He owned his first walking horse, Pro's First Lady, at the tender age of 10. That same year, he attended his first Celebration."

Smith went on to start training professionally at 18. At this year's Celebration, he won the Reserve Two- and Three-year-old Park Pleasure World Championship on Moonshine Man.

Frank Neal, president of the Walking Horse Owners Association, and his wife, Shirley, continued their tradition of presenting the WGC rider with a green blazer with the Celebration logo and the winning year on the pocket. This year, the jacket went to Link Webb for his wining ride on Santana's El Niño.

Auxiliary winners included Stacy Blackburn, riding He's Wild Eyed and Wicked, who won the Celebration Award. The Gold, Silver and bronze Hi-Point member winners were, respectively, Megan Peebles, Dru McCormick, and Sarah Smith.

Billie Nipper and Dr. Michael and Becky Coleman were also recognized for their contributions to the walking horse industry.

For the second year in a row, the Money Tree Classic won the One Night Horse Show of the Year award, and the Mulit-Night Horse Show of the Year (which does not include the Trainers' Show or the Celebration) went to the Gulf Coast Charity Show.

The Riders Cup winners were:

Two-year-old Winner and Owner -- Dangerous Dollar, owned by Richard Greer, shown by Justin Harris

Three-year-old Winner and Owner -- Prissy Ritzy, owned by James and Peggy Vernon shown by Chris Zahnd

Four-year-old Winner and Owner -- José's Whole Shebang, owned by J&J Enterprises, shown by Charlie green

15'2 and Under Winner and Owner -- A Formula One, owned by Brooks Depierro, shown by Joel Weaver

Stakes Winner and Owner -- Generator's Champion, owned by Brett Jones, shown by Joel Weaver.

The Horses of the Year were:

Weanling -- Skyanide, owned by Fred Benjamin, trained by Carlyle Johnson

Yearling -- Devious Don, owned by Lisa Bowman Anderson, led by Chris Richards, Keith Reed and Roger Richards

Two-year-old Amateur Mare or Gelding -- Paroled in Texas, owned by Gerald Coggin, trained by John Allan Callaway

Two-year-old Amateur Stallion -- The Dixie Lineman, owned by Judy McDonald and Gail Walling, under direction of Rodney Dick

Two-year-old Mare -- Cash's Blackjack Fantasy, owned by Deborah Adcock, under direction of Bill Callaway

Two-year-old Gelding -- Jazz's White Night, owned by Debra Coleman, trained by Charlie Green

Two-year-old Stallion -- Strait Line Cash, owned by Richard and Veda Justice, trained by Phillip Trimble

Lite Shod Specialty -- Elegance of Design, owned by Nancy Lovato, trained by Mark Lambert

Lite Shod Canter -- Calvin Klein's Obsession, owned by Donald Knight, trained by Jeff Givens

Youth Pony (tie) -- Rudy Rudiger, owned by Alexandria Holland, trained by Robby Black Stables; and I'm Uncle Kracker, owned by Dr. Linda Jones and Haley lane, trained by Bill Cantrell

Adult Pony -- The Indy 500, owned by Jo Ann Dowell, trained by Rodney Dick

Novice Horse -- Outta Line, owned by Kelly Peevy, trained by Swingin' Gate Stables

Elite -- Kid Callahan, owned by Genevieve Breedlove, trained by Charlie Green

Three-year-old Amateur Mare or Gelding -- José's Dulce, owned by Kathryn Ramsbottom, trained by Link Webb

Three-year-old Amateur Stallion -- I'm Wall Street, owned by Clay Mills, trained by Chad Baucom

Three-year-old Mare -- José's Ritzy Doll, owned by Dr. Ray Caughman and Nancy Cain, trained by John Allan Callaway

Three-year-old Gelding -- Ritz in Command, owned by Jay Kenehan, trained by Finish Line Farms

Three-year-old Stallion -- A Show of Jazz, owned by Gus King, trained by Joe Martin

Trail Pleasure -- Playin' Hooky, owned and trained by Liz Gassaway

Western Lite Shod -- Drop the Hammer, owned by Connie Waldo and James Leek

Western Park Pleasure -- Armed Red Baron W.F., owned by Joe Dixon, trained by Southern Serenity Ranch

Amateur Fine Harness -- Jazz's Master, owned by Bryce and Lisa Stasney, trained by Dave Landrum Stables

Professional Fine Harness -- Wire Transfer, owned by Wayne T. Jones, trained by Dickie Scrivner

Ladies Amateur Specialty -- My First Dollar, owned by George Ann Pratt, trained by John Allan Callaway

Men's Amateur Specialty -- Kid Callahan, owned by Genevieve Breedlove, trained by Charlie Green

Amateur Specialty -- Jazzed Up, owned by Brian and Julie Farris, trained by Allan Callaway Stables

Four-year-old Amateur Mare or Gelding -- Bella Sera at the Ritz, owned by Anthony Joseph, trained by Knox Blackburn

Four-year-old Stallion -- Palm Beach Ritz, owned by Sandra Johnson, trained by Tim Gray

Four-year-old Mare -- A Victoria Secret, owned by Chester and Lynda Stokes, trained by Carl Edwards & Sons Stables

Four-year-old Gelding -- José's Whole Shebang, owned by Joyce Meadows and Joyce Myers, trained by Charlie Green

Four-year-old Stallion -- The Coach, owned by Sherry Holland, Mary Dell Kilgore and Joséph Barnes, trained by Joel Weaver

Amateur Park Pleasure -- He's on Georgia Time, owned by Kelly Gordon, trained by Russ Thompson Stables

Professional Park Pleasure -- Fog at the Ritz, owned by Dentis Sission, trained by Southern Serenity Ranch

Amateur Park Performance -- San Juan, owned by Eric Lackey, trained by David Landrum Stables

Professional Park Performance -- The Concealed Weapon, owned by Robert Pollack, trained by David Landrum Stables

Amateur Show Pleasure -- Iron Work's Tin Man, owned by Ray Jones Trucking, trained by Chad Way

Professional Show Pleasure -- Coin's Black Stroke, owned by Jean O'Brien, trained by John Puckett

Juvenile 11 & Under -- Moonstruck Dollar, owned first by Stacy Blackburn, now by Brenda Little, trained first by Knox Blackburn, now by Paul Livingston

Juvenile 12-17 -- FDR, owned by Shannon Nesius, trained by Tim Smith

15.2 & Under Amateur mare -- Be Cool, owned by Jeanette Warr, trained by Chad Williams

15.2 & Under Amateur Stallion -- Muddy Buddy, owned by Deborah and David Perry, trained by Bonner Stables

15.2 & Under mare -- Watch for Glory, owned by Erica and Maria Derickson, trained by Herbert Derickson

15.2 & Under Gelding -- Cheatin' Danger, owned by Trish Harrison and Keith Harrison, trained by David Landrum Stables

15.2 & Under Stallion -- Shock Jock, owned by Walker Coleman, trained by Mickey McCormick

15.2 & Over mare -- Miss Hosanna, owned by Louis Hawkersmith, trained by Carl Edwards & Sons Stables

15.2 & Over gelding -- Bold Vengeance, owned by Judy McDonald, trained by Rodney Dick

15.2 & over Stallion -- Santana's El Niño, owned by Michael and Ann Jones, trained by Link Webb.