Doc's High Tribute was born on the Bedford County farm of Richard and Nicki Wall and, according to Nicki's parents, Dr. and Mrs. E. K. Brake of Asheville, N.C., was the product of a union of their best two horses, Dr. Elmer and Anne's Mystery.

Anne's Mystery, sired by Keene's Go Boy and out of a Go Boy's Souvenir mare, had been the Brakes' property since 1966. Although she had produced many top show ring performers, High Tribute was her first foal by Dr. Elmer, a top performer in his own right. High Tribute, the grandson of the late, great Ebony Masterpiece, was foaled during the Trainers' Show of 1983.

Showing potential from the very beginning, High Tribute was started under saddle by Richard Wall at Sonny Holt's Twin Springs Ranch near Shelbyville. Described by many as having plenty of heart and gameness, the swingy young High Tribute progressed quickly. Shown only twice as a two-year-old, the colt caught the eye of, Cookeville, Tennessee's Janice Cass, who soon purchased High Tribute as an amateur mount for her son, Greg.

Although as a young horse, High Tribute had already made a name for himself prior to the 1988 show by frequenting winner's circles throughout the circuit and claiming many notable awards in both open and amateur events.  He had headlined nearly every Show, Columbia Spring Jubilee, Midwest Trainers' Show, and Montgomery as well as several other prestigious mid-summer shows. The eager black stallion had also laid claim to the 1987 Amateur Four Year-Old Stallion World Champion title during the 49th Annual Celebration.

"He just kept on getting better and better, and, although we did not know exactly how well he was going to do, we knew he was a force to be reckoned with," Steve said. Obviously, the judges and fans of the Celebration agreed.

The 1988 World Grand Championship victory marked a first for Doc's trainer, Steve Aymett of Lewisburg. Although he had already guided High Tribute to blue ribbon honors in Division B of the Walking Stallions, Over 15.2 competition a week earlier, the taste of victory had never been sweeter than it was that final Saturday night.

By comparison to his competition, Doc's High Tribute was a newcomer to the aged stallion and championship ranks.  In fact, he was the youngest entry in the 1988 stake. But, when it was all over, it was not his age, but his great heart and powerful motor that propelled him past 17 of the breed's top aged performers in a class and workout that lasted 40 minutes.

Sharing the summits of success from the sidelines was the D. L. Putman family of Huntsville, Alabama, who, obviously impressed with his show ring record, had purchased the horse almost a year earlier following the 1987 Celebration.

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