Oakwood’s City Girl: The 1944 World Grand Champion
The 1944 Celebration saw another mare rise to the pinnacle of the Tennessee Walking Horse world. Oakwood’s City Girl, a five-year-old chestnut mare with near hind and fore coronets, claimed the prestigious World Grand Championship Stake, showcasing her elegance and talent in one of the most thrilling competitions in Celebration history.
Pedigree and Breeding
City Girl was bred by L. W. Starnes of Decherd, Tennessee, and was later owned by Frank Rambo’s Oakwood Acres Stable in Fayetteville, Tennessee. Her pedigree was impeccable, tracing back to some of the most influential bloodlines in the breed:
- Sire: Wilson’s Allen 350075, a son of Roan Allen F-38, who was sired by the foundation stallion Allan F-1. Wilson’s Allen’s dam, Birdie Messick F-86, was also by Allan F-1, further strengthening City Girl’s lineage.
- Dam: Una Starnes 440979, a renowned broodmare of her time, was sired by Hill’s Allen, another son of Roan Allen F-38. Una Starnes’ second dam, Nell Starnes, was by Willie R., who traced back to Bob Robertson.
City Girl’s pedigree combined the best of the Roan Allen and Allan F-1 bloodlines, making her a formidable competitor in the show ring.
Rise to Stardom
City Girl had already made a name for herself before her Grand Championship win. In the 1943 show season, she achieved an impressive feat by winning Championships in four states within four weeks. She was also crowned Grand Champion at the prestigious LeBonheur Horse Show in Memphis for two consecutive years, 1943 and 1944.
At the 1943 Celebration, City Girl, ridden by Floyd Carothers, placed third in the preliminary event for horses four years old and over. In the Grand Championship Stake that year, she was tied for seventh place with Urban Small, Jr. riding her, while Floyd Carothers rode Strolling Jim to a second-place finish behind Black Angel.
The 1944 Celebration Victory
In 1944, City Girl returned to the Celebration under the guidance of Urban Small, Jr., who trained and showed her that season. During the preliminary class for walking mares, City Girl placed fourth, but she came back stronger than ever in the Grand Championship Stake, delivering a flawless performance that earned her the title of World Grand Champion Walking Horse.
The 1944 Grand Championship Stake was one of the most exciting events in Celebration history. Many horsemen of the time had predicted that one of the outstanding stallions would claim the title, with Midnight Sun, ridden by Winston Wiser, finishing sixth in the big stake. However, City Girl and Urban Small, Jr. defied expectations with a performance that was described as “faultless”, earning her the ultimate honor.
Later Career and Retirement
On April 3, 1944, City Girl was sold by Oakwood Acres to M. J. Meyer of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Under Urban Small, Jr.’s tutelage, she continued to dominate the show ring and became one of the most celebrated horses of the mid-1940s.
After her competitive career, City Girl returned to Oakwood Acres when Frank Rambo repurchased her on September 10, 1945. She was retired to the ranks of broodmares, where she contributed to the breed’s legacy through her offspring.
Legacy
Oakwood’s City Girl holds a special place in the history of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed. As the 1944 World Grand Champion, she demonstrated the excellence of mares in a competition often dominated by stallions. Her flawless performance and impeccable pedigree made her one of the most admired horses of her time.
City Girl’s victory at the Celebration, alongside her dominance in other major shows, solidified her status as one of the greatest Tennessee Walking Horses of the 1940s.
