Ace’s Sensation: 1970 World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse
Ace’s Sensation, an extraordinary stallion, achieved the pinnacle of success in the Tennessee Walking Horse world by being crowned 1970 World Grand Champion at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. His victory was the result of exceptional breeding, dedicated training, and a remarkable comeback from injury, making his championship story one of inspiration and triumph.
Pedigree and Early Life
Ace’s Sensation was bred by Carmage Walls of Lakeside Farms in Guntersville, Alabama. His pedigree was a blend of some of the most prominent bloodlines in the Tennessee Walking Horse breed:
- Sire: Sun’s Ace of Spades, by Midnight Sun, the legendary two-time World Grand Champion (1945 and 1946).
- Dam of Sun’s Ace of Spades: Lady Brooks, by Sir Charles Allen, a son of the foundation sire Ed Nowlin F-8.
- Second dam: Lady Brooks, by Major Allen.
- Dam: Nancy Wilson C., by Top Wilson, a son of the famous Wilson’s Allen, one of the breed’s foundation sires.
- Dam of Nancy Wilson C.: Nancy Warrior, by Faulkner’s Warrior (a son of Red Warrior).
- Second dam: Nancy Giovanni, by Giovanni.
This strong pedigree made Ace’s Sensation a standout prospect from the beginning.
Early Career and Development
Ace’s Sensation was purchased as a weanling in 1964 by Roy Davis of Calhoun, Georgia, for the modest sum of $250. He began his training under saddle at Davis’ Bel Aire Stables, where he was started by Billy Hiles.
Two-Year-Old Season
- Shown only twice as a two-year-old, with Harold Kennedy riding, Ace won two blue ribbons.
Transition to Wink Groover Stables
In the fall of his two-year-old season, Ace was moved to Wink Groover Stables, where he was purchased by Wink Groover and Buddy Black. This move marked the beginning of Ace’s journey to greatness.
Notable Achievements
1967 (Three-Year-Old Season)
- First Win: Ace won his first show of the season in Centerville, Tennessee. At this show, he was purchased by S.W. Beech, Jr. of Belfast, Tennessee, and Billy Hale of Gallatin, Tennessee.
- 1967 Celebration:
- Winner of the Three-Year-Old Stallion Class.
- Winner of the Three-Year-Old Championship Stake.
- Although entered, Ace did not compete in the Grand Championship that year.
1968 (Four-Year-Old Season)
- Junior Champion:
- Champion Junior Stallion at the 1968 Celebration.
- Winner of the Junior Stake at the Celebration.
- Grand Championship: Just prior to the Grand Championship Stake, Ace was purchased by Randall Rollins. Despite being a junior horse, Ace tied third in the Grand Championship Stake.
1969
- For the first time, aged horses were divided by height at the 1969 Celebration:
- Reserve in the class for Stallions Over 15.2 Hands.
- Tied fourth in the Grand Championship Stake.
1970: The Year of Triumph
The 1970 Celebration was Ace’s Sensation’s crowning moment. However, his path to the championship was not without challenges.
Overcoming Injury
In the early summer of 1970, Ace suffered bowed tendons, a potentially career-ending injury. Through months of systematic treatment, which included thirty minutes of swimming twice daily, Ace made a full recovery and was ready to compete by Celebration time.
Grand Championship Victory
On September 5, 1970, Ace’s Sensation was crowned World Grand Champion Walking Horse before the largest crowd ever assembled at the Celebration grounds—nearly 28,000 spectators. Under the spotlight, Ace circled the big Celebration ring, earning the Founder’s Challenge Trophy, the Musgrave Challenge Trophy, the David Williams Trophy, and the gold and silver tricolor ribbon.
Legacy
Ace’s Sensation’s victory in 1970 was a testament to his resilience, exceptional training, and natural talent. His trainer and rider, Wink Groover, guided him to success from the fall of 1966 until his crowning moment as World Grand Champion. The partnership between horse and trainer was a key factor in Ace’s success.
Key Takeaways
- Impressive Pedigree: Descended from Midnight Sun, Wilson’s Allen, and other foundation bloodlines.
- Perseverance: Overcame injury through dedicated care and training.
- Historic Victory: His 1970 championship was witnessed by a record-breaking crowd and remains a highlight in Celebration history.
Ace’s Sensation’s journey from a $250 weanling to World Grand Champion is a story of determination, skill, and the enduring legacy of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed.
