ASHAT Honors Its Champions
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
by Kelley Colvin
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn.- The Tennessee chapter of the American Saddlebred Association hosted its awards banquet April 9, 2004. The evening started with a social hour held at World Champion Horse Equipment. The event then moved to the Hall of Fame Club at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds. Master of ceremonies Mark Farrar Jr. opened the evening by welcoming all of the members in attendance. The invocation was lead by Thurman Walden. After the meal, the evening continued with a performance by the winners of the American Saddlebred Idol contest. These winners are all students at Kathy Caylor Stables in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Farrar then announced all of the sponsors for the banquet and thanked them for their support. He was then assisted by Vice-President/ Point Secretary Vicki Gillenwater in handing out all of the yearend awards as well as a few special presentations throughout the course of the evening. (See separate sidebar with a complete list of high point award winners.)
Richardson Stables was the big winner receiving several of the evening's awards. Students from Kathy Caylor Stables were honored the Youth Special Recognition Award for their achievements during the 2003 season. Two of her students gave a short speech in honor of their Caylor before the award was presented. The Special Recognition Trainer of the Year Award was given to two worthy honorees. Jacques VanNickerk of Scenic View Farm and Mike Barlow of Buffalo Creek Farm graciously accepted their honors. The Amateur Special Recognition Award was given to Kim Workman, who was not present to accept her award.
The last special presentation was to honor three extraordinary supporters of the American Saddlebred Association of Tennessee. Betty Neil, Dorothy Gillenwater and Audrea Naylor were recognized with a special award. In their honor a memorial trophy will be donated to the Tennessee affiliated horse show of their choice.
In addition to the high point awards and special presentations, the American Saddlebred Horse Association State Pleasure Awards were presented. Each winner received a wooden plaque. (See separate sidebar with a complete list of state pleasure award winners.)
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