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July 22, 2008

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Minnesota Walking Horse Association

2007 Horse of the Year Award

Each year the MWHA seeks nominations of a member-owned walking horse they feel deserves the prestigious honor of being MWHA Horse of the Year.  All horses must exemplify and exhibit the true qualities of the Tennessee Walking Horse.  The winner will be selected by a committee of three past horse of the year winners. These individuals will review the nominations and decide who should be awarded the Horse of the Year award.  Areas of consideration are:

  • Trail Riding Experience
  • Versatility (Example: Mounted Patrol, Speed Events, Egg & Spoon, Parades, Carts, Etc)
  • Show Ring Experience
  • Ambassador of the Breed
  • Sire or Dam of Futurity Foals

This award of appreciation is announced annually at the MWHA Awards Banquet held each January. We would like to personally thank everyone that submitted nominations for the year 2007. It is never an easy choice. 

We are proud to announce the 2007 MWHA Horse Of The Year Award!!!
JUST CALL ME CASH
Proudly Owned by Larry & Gail Smith - Tangelwood Farms
 
Just Call Me Cash Nomination was submitted by
MWHA Member, Gail Smith
When I made a list of things that I would want in the perfect horse, it included being a true gaited walking horse, a big heart and had to be black (too many Black Stallion books were read in my childhood).  He needed to be that one special horse that could replace my lifelong companion, Ace, a walking horse who had been with me for 20 years.  Through a series of fortunate circumstances and a pure blessing, I was able to find that special horse, Just Call Me Cash.
 
Nancy Lennon had enjoyed Cash for many years, riding him in many blue ribbon and champion rides and was generous enough to let him come to my barn. A son of Coin's Hard Cash, he is royally bred, trained and raised in the heart of walking horse country and has done so many more things since his arrival at Tanglewood Farms 6 years ago.
New_JustCallMeCash1
On my checklist of life, I had always wanted a horse nice enough to be able to be in a horse show and Cash has enabled me to achieve that lifelong dream. He patiently put up with me learning about show gaits, head shake, collection, attire, grooming as well as the work that goes into going to shows.  He learned to canter on the correct lead and although we probably set the time record for speed in the ring, I was able to show in 3 gait classes.  We have cleared jumps, done barrels in a respectable 21 seconds, been decorated as a squad car and been in tandem and single bareback classes. We are the 2005 Lite Shod Rookie Champion pair and he has carried other rookies from our barn to blues and year-end awards since then. 
 
Cash has also helped me check off another thing on my life's list of being in a parade on horseback. As we demonstrated the glide ride to many spectators in several parades, he seemed to understand that he represented the most wonderful breed of horse and that applause said it all. When visitors come to the farm to look at our horses, they are instant converts as they experience the true walking horse gait on his back.  Cash loves our trail rides behind our farm and we have logged many miles together. 
New_JustCallMeCash2
Despite his gelding status, he is the herd stallion and is the first to have his head into the birthing stall. He greets the new foals and is the one who teaches the weanlings their horse manners. His most recent adventure was to carry Abbie, our adopted horse daughter, into her wedding reception as she rode up into her parents yard in full bridal attire including her long wedding gown and a bow on his tail. The tents, the band, the crowd and the flashing cameras were quite a distraction, but he was wonderful and it was the most magical moment that you can imagine.
 
Most of all, Cash has taught me so much about myself.  How to slow down, be in the moment, to be physically and mentally disciplined and reminded me how important my connection with horses can be.  All this he has done with love, energy and willingness to be everything I wish for and I am reminded daily of how lucky I am to have him as a part of my life.
Thank you in advance for considering my horse for the 2007 Horse of the Year.  He is already that for me.

If you know of a horse that deserves to be nominated for the 2008 Horse of the Year Award please submit your nomination no later than November 1, 2008.  For complete rules and entry form click here Horse of the Year Award Form or go to our download forms page.