Handshaker’s Delight A.: 1972 World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse

Handshaker’s Delight A., a stunning seven-year-old stallion, achieved the pinnacle of success in the Tennessee Walking Horse world by being crowned the 1972 World’s Grand Champion at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. His journey to the championship was marked by perseverance, exceptional training, and the unwavering belief of his owner, Dr. C.L. Sexton, and trainer, Donald Paschal.

Pedigree and Early Life

Handshaker’s Delight A. was foaled on March 9, 1965, in Henderson, Tennessee. He was bred by King and Newman and registered as Handshaker Delight A. with registration number #650897. His pedigree combined some of the finest bloodlines in the Tennessee Walking Horse breed:

Sire: Mack K’s Handshaker
Dam: May’s Maiden K-N, by Johnson’s Jim Allen

This lineage provided Handshaker’s Delight with the foundation for his natural talent and show-ring presence.

Ownership and Early Career

Handshaker’s Delight first came to the attention of Dr. C.L. Sexton and trainer Donald Paschal when he was a three-year-old in training with Doug Wolaver in Cornersville, Tennessee. On November 28, 1968, Dr. Sexton purchased the horse from Frank Parnell of Newbern, Tennessee. This marked the beginning of a partnership that would lead to remarkable success.

Junior Years (1969)

In his four-year-old season, Donald began working and showing Handshaker’s Delight in junior competition.
The pair had a stellar season, winning the Junior Stallion Class at the Celebration as well as the Junior World’s Grand Championship.

Progression to Open Competition

1970 Season

Handshaker’s Delight transitioned to open competition, where he continued to excel.
In his first year competing against aged horses, he tied third in the World’s Grand Championship, a promising start for the young stallion.

1971 Season

The 1971 season began with significant victories, including wins at the Alabama Jubilee and the Trainers’ Show, positioning Handshaker’s Delight as a top contender for the Celebration.
However, the Celebration brought unexpected challenges when the pair failed to place in the Aged Stallion Class, a major disappointment to their supporters.

Despite this setback, Donald and Dr. Sexton remained confident in their horse’s abilities. Their perseverance paid off when they returned to the ring for the Grand Championship Stake, where they delivered a stunning performance to earn the title of Reserve World’s Grand Champion. This remarkable comeback solidified their reputation as a resilient and determined team.

1972: The Championship Year

The 1972 season was a turning point for Handshaker’s Delight and Donald Paschal. The pair focused on intense preparation, spending significant time together to fine-tune their performance for the Celebration.

Early 1972 Season

Their first test came at the Spring Celebration Fun Show in May, where they delivered what Donald described as the horse’s best show ever, earning their first blue ribbon of the season.
They competed one more time before the Celebration, winning at Belfast, Tennessee, further solidifying their status as top contenders.

The 1972 Celebration

Aged Stallion Class: On Wednesday night, Handshaker’s Delight swept the judges’ cards and captured the crowd’s support, winning the blue ribbon in dominant fashion.
Grand Championship Stake: On Saturday night, the pair once again delivered an electrifying performance, earning the title of 1972 World’s Grand Champion.

Their perfect record at the Celebration—three appearances and three blue ribbons—cemented their place in Tennessee Walking Horse history.

Legacy

Handshaker’s Delight A.’s journey to the top was a testament to perseverance, skillful training, and the unshakable belief of his owner and trainer. His victory in 1972 marked the second World’s Grand Championship for the Paschal-Sexton team, as Donald had previously ridden Go Boy’s Royal Heir to the 1968 World’s Grand Championship for Dr. Sexton.

Key Takeaways

Impressive Pedigree: Descended from Mack K’s Handshaker and Johnson’s Jim Allen, Handshaker’s Delight had the bloodlines of a champion.
Resilience: Overcame setbacks, including the disappointment of 1971, to achieve ultimate success.
Historic Victory: His perfect record at the 1972 Celebration remains a testament to his talent and preparation.

Handshaker’s Delight A.’s story is one of perseverance, dedication, and triumph, embodying the spirit of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed.