Gen’s Armed and Dangerous: A Champion Among Champions

### Gen’s Armed and Dangerous: A Champion Among Champions

In the world of Tennessee Walking Horses, few names resonate as powerfully as **Gen’s Armed and Dangerous**, a horse whose legacy was cemented with a World Grand Championship title in 1994. Owned by Susan Arthur Gordon of Orange County, California, and trained by Russ Thompson, Gen’s Armed and Dangerous is a testament to exceptional breeding, dedicated training, and unwavering determination.

#### A Promising Beginning

Bred by B.G. Alford, Jr. of Oxford, Mississippi, Gen’s Armed and Dangerous was destined for greatness from the start. Sired by Pride’s Generator and out of Melana Ebony, his lineage traces back to the foundation stock of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed, including three World Grand Champions—Ebony Masterpiece, Merry Go Boy, and Midnight Sun. This impeccable bloodline provided a solid foundation for the horse’s future success.

The journey began when Claude Crowley first owned the colt. It was at the Walking Horse Trainers’ Auxiliary Show on the Celebration Grounds that Russ Thompson first laid eyes on him. Recognizing the colt’s immense potential, Thompson purchased him and later sold him to the Gordons. Despite the risks inherent in investing in an unproven prospect, Thompson saw no limitations in what the colt could achieve under proper training.

#### Russ Thompson: The Trainer Behind the Champion

Russ Thompson’s path to becoming a celebrated trainer was far from conventional. A native of Hartsville, Alabama, Thompson grew up in Woodbine, Tennessee. Though his family frequently attended horse shows and encouraged his participation, his early interests lay elsewhere—namely, in cars. At just 17, he moved to California and opened an automotive shop. However, fate intervened when he traded his motorcycle for a Tennessee Walking Horse named My Midnight Melody. That trade marked the beginning of a lifelong passion for Walking Horses.

In 1973, Thompson embarked on his training career, which would eventually lead him back to Tennessee and to Gen’s Armed and Dangerous—a sorrel colt with extraordinary potential. Reflecting on his experience, Thompson described Gen’s as “about the most natural horse I’ve ever seen,” a sentiment that would prove prophetic.

#### Early Achievements

Gen’s Armed and Dangerous wasted no time making his mark in the show ring. As a two-year-old, he claimed the National Futurity Championship and was named reserve two-year-old World Grand Champion. The following year, he achieved the coveted title of World Grand Champion as a three-year-old. In 1993, he narrowly missed the Four-Year-Old World Grand Championship title, earning reserve honors instead.

Thompson admitted that Gen’s was not fully prepared for the 1993 Celebration showing but remained confident in the horse’s potential. By June 1994, he knew that with focus and determination, Gen’s Armed and Dangerous was ready to claim his rightful place among the elite.

#### The Road to Victory

The stage was set at the 56th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee. More than 28,000 fans gathered under a star-strewn sky to witness the pinnacle event of the season. Gen’s Armed and Dangerous and Russ Thompson were the first pair to enter the show ring for the final class, a position that carried both pressure and promise.

As 17 other contenders entered one by one to raucous cheers from the crowd, Thompson watched closely, assessing each horse and trainer. The competition was fierce—these were some of the best horses and trainers in the world. Yet Thompson remained confident in his partner’s ability to rise above.

When the moment of truth arrived, the spotlight stopped on number 34—Russ Thompson and Gen’s Armed and Dangerous. The pair had not only claimed victory but had also made history.

#### A Historic Win

The 1994 World Grand Championship win was groundbreaking for several reasons. It marked the first time that a horse from California—and trained in California—had achieved this prestigious title. For Russ Thompson, it was a personal milestone as well, representing his first World Grand Championship victory.

The triumph was a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and an unshakable belief in the potential of Gen’s Armed and Dangerous. As they exited the ring that night with roses in hand and heads held high, they joined an elite group of champions whose names are etched into the annals of Tennessee Walking Horse history.

#### Legacy of Excellence

Gen’s Armed and Dangerous remains a symbol of excellence in the Tennessee Walking Horse community. His natural talent, combined with Thompson’s expert training and the Gordons’ unwavering support, created a legacy that continues to inspire breeders, trainers, and enthusiasts alike.

For Russ Thompson, the journey from automotive shop owner to World Grand Champion trainer is a testament to following one’s passion and recognizing potential where others might not see it. For Gen’s Armed and Dangerous, it is a legacy of greatness—a champion among champions who will forever be remembered for his remarkable achievements in 1994.