World Grand Champion in 1972
Handshaker Delight A.
Handshaker  Delight  A.  #650897

HANDSHAKER'S DELIGHT and trainer Donald Paschal had a perfect Celebration record in 1972 making three appearances and winning three blues. Their first blue was at the Spring Celebration Fun Show in May and the other two blues came at the National Celebration, the second carrying with it the title of 1972 World's Grand Champion.
Our current World's Grand Champion is officially registered as HANDSHAKER DELIGHT A. with registration number 650897. He was bred by King and Newman of Henderson, Tennessee and was foaled March 9, 1965. He is by MACK K'S HANDSHAKER and out of MAY'S MAIDEN K-N by JOHNSONS JIM ALLEN.


HANDSHAKER'S DELIGHT came to the attention of owner Dr. C. L. Sexton and Donald when he was a three-year-old in training with Doug Wolaver in Cornersville, Tennessee.

He was, purchased from Frank Parnell of Newbern, Tennessee on November 28, 1968, as a three-year-old by Dr. Sexton. The next year Donald started working and showing the horse in four-year-old competition and had a great season winning the Junior Stallion Class at the Celebration as well as the Junior World's Grand Championship.
In 1970 Donald and his horse enjoyed another good season and in their first year of open competition tied third in the World's Grand Championship.

In 1971 Donald and his horse saw some real ups and downs. They won the Alabama Jubilee and the Trainers' Show to get the season off to a great start and came into the Celebration with high hopes. These hopes received an unbelievable jolt when they failed to get a ribbon in the Aged Stallion Class and all horsemen were waiting to see what would be the reaction of Dr. Sexton and Donald.

Donald and Dr. Sexton were discouraged but they knew they had a great horse. They did not utter any complaints and held their heads high as they got their horse ready, to bring back in the Grand Championship. Donald and his horse were equal to the challenge and from out of the money in the Stallion Class they came back to be crowned the 1971 Reserve World's Grand Champion, a truly remarkable feat.  Donald and his horse spent a great deal of time together alone in 1972 getting ready to challenge for the World's Grand Championship.

 Handshaker Delight in Action

Their first test came at the Fun Show in May and they were at their best. Donald personally believes this was the best show the horse ever made and there were not too many people who would disagree. Donald showed only one more time preparatory to the 1972 Celebration winning Belfast, Tennessee.

The Aged Stallion Class on Wednesday night saw Donald and his horse sweep the judges cards and the crowd's support winning an impressive blue. Saturday night and the Grand Championship Stake saw more of the same as they became the 1972 World's Grand Champions.

The road to the top was not easy for this seven-year-old stallion but then victory worth having never comes easy. Donald and Dr. Sexton persevered through the difficult times together and were together at the crowning moment of triumph.

This ws the second World's Grand Championship for the Paschal-Sexton team. Donald rode GO BOY'S ROYAL HEIR to the 1968 World's Grand Championship for Dr. Sexton.
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Handshaker Delight A. pedigree
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<==1971   1973==>

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