Walking Into History: Cavender Crowned 2024 WHTA Horse of the Year in Star-Studded Gala”
Franklin’s Embassy Suites Hosts 56th Annual Celebration of Tennessee Walking Horse Excellence
by Tommy Williams
February 15, 2025 | FRANKLIN, Tenn.
Love wasn’t just in the air this Valentine’s weekend—it was stomping, walkin, and dazzling under chandeliers. The 56th annual WHTA Awards Banquet transformed Franklin’s Embassy Suites into a equestrian epicenter Saturday night, where over 400 enthusiasts toasted the Tennessee Walking Horse’s brightest stars.
A Night of Firsts and Legacy
The evening blended tradition with fresh milestones:
- Historic Handoff: After 31 years, Frank and Shirley Neal passed the iconic green blazer ceremony—a tribute to 1992 legend Dark Spirit’s Rebel—to The Celebration organization. Marsha’s on the Square crafted this year’s sleek new design, presented to Tim Smith for his World Grand Champion win with Cavender.
- Rookie Revelry: Debuting the Three-Year-Old Rookie class, WHTA crowned Salute Miss Charlie (Premier & Company) and firebrand stallion The Red Dragon (Thornridge South) as breakout stars.
Where Bidders and Legends Collided
Guests dueled not just for trophies but in a blockbuster silent auction featuring:
🔥 A Scag Liberty Z lawn mower
🔥 Luxury hunting trips
🔥 Stud fees from top sires
🔥 A Lovett & Ricketts show saddle
“This isn’t just fundraising—it’s fuel for our future,” said emcee Mark Farrar, as proceeds rolled into the WHTA Legal Fund.
Spotlight Stealers
- Lifetime Legends: Larry & Gary Edwards and Judy Martin received tear-inducing Living Legend awards.
- Next Gen: Scholarship winners Harper Grider and Peyton Nelms shared the stage with youth champions like 11-year-old phenom Coy Sanderson (Lead Line winner).
- Fashion Meets Function: Trainer Tim Smith snagged a bespoke saddle-riding suit from Marsha’s on the Square—perfect for future victory laps.
By the Numbers 💰
- $24,346.08 – Total Riders’ Cup prizes claimed by Dan Waddell (Performance) and Joe Lester (Pleasure)
- 54 – Horse of the Year categories decided
- 1 Unforgettable Tie: Hannah Myatt and Joe Lester split Pleasure Trainer honors
🏆 2024 WHTA Horse of the Year Highlights 🏆
Performance Trainer of the Year
Tim Smith [Cavender’s maestro]
Groom of the Year
Daniel Cazares [The unsung hero behind the gloss]
Most Whimsical Names
- Ah Ah Ah Choo (Weanling Winner)
- I’m Rick James (Adult Pony Reserve)
- Google.com (Amateur 5YO Mare/Gelding Reserve)
Crowd-Pleasers
- Open Specialty: Warbird edged Broadway Honors in a photo finish
- 15.2 & Over Stallion: Cavender defended his throne against Justified Honors
- Trail Pleasure Tie: Blacklist and Machete split judges’ hearts
As Farrar signed off, he captured the night’s spirit: “We’re not just honoring horses—we’re celebrating family. The kind that whinnies, wins, and occasionally bids $5k on a stud fee.”
WHTA Horse of the Year Recipients
Performance Trainer of the Year
Tim Smith
Pleasure Trainer of the Year (tie)
Joe Lester
Hannah Myatt
Assistant Performance Trainer of the Year
Cody Wofford
Assistant Pleasure Trainer of the Year
Mackenzie Morgan
Groom of the Year
Daniel Cazares
Performance Youth of the Year
Ally Jo Jacobs
Pleasure Youth of the Year
Caroline Stanley
Performance Amateur of the Year
Allyson Armstrong
Pleasure Amateur of the Year
Kelly Querrey
Best One-Night Show
Money Tree Classic
Best Multi-Night Show
ETWHA Fall Classic
Lead Line
Winner – Can Do 2 and Coy Sanderson
Reserve – Hide And Seek and Calli Johnson
Amateur Two-Year-Old Mare or Gelding
Winner – Ultra Pink Pistol
Reserve – Commanding The Legacy
Weanling
Winner – Ah Ah Ah Choo
Reserve – Clarabel Chugga Choo Choo
Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallion
Winner – Hurrah!
Reserve – I Am Superman 4G
Yearling
Winner – Totally Justified
Reserve – All About Choo
Two-Year-Old Mare or Gelding
Winner – Far Above Rubies
Reserve – Trophy Girl
Lite-Shod Specialty
Winner – Space Cowboy SN
Reserve – The Master Of Ceremonies
Two-Year-Old Stallion
Winner – Shoulda Been A Cowboy
Reserve – General Thomas J Jackson
Youth Show Pleasure
Winner – Well Armed American
Reserve – Annie’s Lined With Cash
Youth Pony
Winner – I Am Big Enough
Reserve – The Ultimate Honor
Trail Pleasure
Winner (tie) – Blacklist
Machete
Reserve – Twenty Four Carrots ML
Adult Pony
Winner – I’m Charlie Black CFF
Reserve – I’m Rick James
Country Pleasure
Winner – Luciano
Reserve – Hey Charlene
Novice
Winner – He’s For Real
Reserve – Say Cash
Amateur Three-Year-Old Mare or Gelding
Winner – She’s Lined With Love 4G
Reserve – She’s Almost A Ten
Elite (50 & Over)
Winner – Good Samaritan
Reserve – Ohh Troubadour
Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallion
Winner – Country As Cornbread
Reserve – Grateful Red
Youth Flat Shod
Winner – Checkpoint Charlie
Reserve – Imagine Dragons
Three-Year-Old Mare or Gelding
Winner – Private Dixie
Reserve – Gimme A Redneck Girl
Park Pleasure
Winner – Gomez
Reserve – One Special Poison
Three-Year-Old Stallion
Winner – Ohtani
Reserve – Wilhelm
Fine Harness
Winner – In Ted’s Image
Reserve – The Blackstone
Model
Winner – Back In The Saddle Again
Reserve – My Miranda Lambert
Ladies Amateur Specialty
Winner – My Honey Bee
Reserve – The Iron Door
Men’s Amateur Specialty
Winner – A Home Run By Ted
Reserve – A King Thing
Amateur Canter
Winner – A Big Honor
Reserve – Honor My Country
Amateur Four-Year-Old Mare or Gelding
Winner – Miss Annie Rose
Reserve – Design By Dixie
Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallion
Winner – Hotty Toddy Gosh A’Mighty
Reserve – Gunsmith
Amateur Park Pleasure
Winner – Boston Bay
Reserve – Jazzed Up Lady
Amateur Lite-Shod
Winner – Roscoe Jenkins
Reserve – Space Cowboy SN
Four-Year-Old Mare or Gelding
Winner – Jimmer’s Country Girl
Reserve – Oh! My Black Betty
Four-Year-Old Stallion
Winner – I’m Choobacca
Reserve – Jura THF
Five & Under Country Pleasure
Winner – Shipwrecked
Reserve – Crypto
Amateur Park Performance
Winner – Pitbull
Reserve – Do Right
Amateur Show Pleasure
Winner – The Honor Code
Reserve – Captain Woodrow F Call
Five & Under Trail Pleasure
Winner – Jalapeño
Reserve – Sweet Walking Matilda
Professional Park Performance
Winner – Wanted THF
Reserve – I’m A Proud American
All Day Pleasure
Winner – Just A Steel Magnolia
Reserve – She’s Never Been Kissed
Amateur Five-Year-Old Stallion
Winner – Born A Maverick
Reserve – A Shade Of Jose’
Youth 11 & Under
Winner – It’s The Medalist
Reserve – The Megalodon
Two & Three-Year-Old Country Pleasure
Winner – Lady Whistledown
Reserve – Vivian
Professional Show Pleasure
Winner – Kong
Reserve – Down South In Dixie
Amateur Five-Year-Old Mare or Gelding
Winner – Smoking
Reserve – Google.com
Amateur 15.2 & Under Mare or Gelding
Winner – TN Lineman
Reserve – A Good Time Charlie
Youth 12-17
Winner – Jose’s Vindicator
Reserve – A Neon Cowboy
Amateur 15.2 & Under Stallion
Winner – I Will Honor Thy Father
Reserve – Starpower CC
Amateur Specialty
Winner – Powerstroked By Jose
Reserve – A Home Run By Ted
15.2 & Under Mare or Gelding
Winner – Pappy Van Winkle
Reserve – I Am Bold And Spicy Jose
15.2 & Under Stallion
Winner – Millionaire’s Row
Reserve – Form A Line
Open Specialty
Winner – Warbird
Reserve (tie) – Broadway Honors
TUA MCF
15.2 & Over Mare or Gelding
Winner – Cheatin’ On Charlie
Reserve – I’m Charlie Daniels
15.2 & Over Stallion
Winner – Cavender
Reserve – Justified Honors
