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World Grand Champion in
1997 |
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Generator's Santana #917608/BL |
Sired by Pride's
Generator and out of Santana Woman, Generator's Santana was bred and
raised by Betty Freeman of Lebanon, Tenn. Started under saddle
by Brian Kiddy of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., he was then moved to Allan
Callaway Stables in Shelbyville. A phone call from
Callaway to Jackie McConnell prompted McConnell to bring customers
Floyd and Beverly Sherman of Murchison, Texas, to look at the
promising colt. The Shermans liked what they saw and
Santana was added to their string of show horses.
When asked what Jackie, who has trained Santana since he was coming
two, first liked about the horse, he responded, "It was his way of
going. He had a great pedigree and he's beautiful.
With his natural rhythm and his ability to elevate better than any
young horse I had ever seen, I knew he'd be great."
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The young Santana
was shown by Kelly Sherman to the titles of: 1994 World Champion
Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion, Div. A; 1996 World Champion
Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion, Div. A; and 1996 World Grand Champion
Four-Year-Old Amateur.
Bob Kilgore of Tuscaloosa, Ala., also a customer of Jackie's at
Whitter Stables in Collierville, Tenn., had been keeping an eye on
Santana through the years. In November of 1996, Kilgore was
attending an Alabama-LSU football game in Baton Rouge. The Baton
Rouge Horse Show was taking place that same weekend, and Kilgore went
to see Kelly show Santana. It was there that the purchase was
finalized.
In January of 1997 Kilgore sold one half interest of Santana to Donald
L. Castleman of Rolla, Missouri.
"I've owned many great horses," said Kilgore, "but, without a doubt,
Santana is the greatest pure walking horse I've ever seen.
His shaking and his showing are just the best -- along with his deep
natural back end."
The year started for Santana at the Trainers' Show in March which saw
one of the most hotly contested big stake classes in its history.
"We thought we could compete," said Kilgore, "but you're just not sure
when a horse leaves the amateur division and goes to the open
division." He went on to say, "A show horse has many good
shows but very few great shows." After the win at the
Trainers' Show, Santana was definitely one of the favorites to win the
Celebration. The Collierville Horse Show followed with another
ride to the roses. The next two rides, one at Belfast, the
other, preliminary night at the Celebration, brought him reserve
honors. |
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Celebration
1997 was blessed with balmy days and cool evenings until the
final Saturday night. On that hot August evening, humidity
hung over the packed arena of 30,945 excited fans as they
anticipated the big championship class. The weather
wasn't the only thing hot on that memorable night. A
rivalry that has endured for more than 25 years was facing the
ultimate test. Brothers, Jackie and Jimmy McConnell, were vying
for the championship. |
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They called in the
class, the work outs took place, and it was time to face the music.
As the spotlight danced over the field of nine of the best walking
horse stallions in the nation, it was the first time in Celebration
history that the finish turned out as it did. Jackie
McConnell won the Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Championship on
Santana with brother Jimmy taking reserve honors. |
The team of
Jackie and Santana was ready for that last Saturday night in
Shelbyville and Santana made another great showing. Jackie
McConnell, who has been working horses since 1970, was ready for
the win. "It was a great feeling," said Jackie. "It was a long
time coming. I've always wanted to win the World Grand
Championship and it finally happened." Jackie said he was
not nervous, and that Santana gave his best showing ever. "Santana
has such a good attitude, and he loves the crowd," said Jackie. |
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Photo courtesy of
David Williams of Waterfall
Farms |
The black
stallion joins an elite group of horses who have made the
transition from the four-year-old amateur horse ranks to open
competition and been named World Grand Champions as five year
olds. According to old timers in the industry, Santana is indeed
an impressive horse.
Generator's Santana currently
stands at
Waterfall Farms
in Tennessee. He is the sire of the 2008 World Grand
Champion,
Santana's El Nino. |
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Career Wins |
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1997 World
Grand Champion
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1996 World
Grand Champion 4 Year Old Amateur
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1996 World
Champion 4 Year Old Amateur Stallion
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1994 World
Champion 2 Year Old Amateur Stallion
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1997 National
Trainers Show Grand Champion
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1997 Cotton
Classic Grand Champion
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1996 Big D
Charity 4 Year Old Amateur Grand Champion
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1996 Big D
Charity 4 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1996 Dixie
Jubilee 4 Year Old Amateur Grand Champion
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1996 Dixie
Jubilee 4 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1996 Mid South
4 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1996 Germantown
Charity 4 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1996 Cotton
Classic 4 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1996 Magnolia
Classic 4 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1995
Mississippi State Charity 3 Year Old Amateur Grand Champion
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1995
Mississippi State Charity 3 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1995 Germantown
Charity 3 Year Old Amateur Grand Champion
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1995 Germantown
Charity 3 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1995 National
Trainer’s Show 3 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1995
Collierville Cotton Classic 3 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1995 With Oak
Classic 3 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1995 National
Futurity Reserve 3 Year Old Stallion Champion
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1994 Germantown
Charity 2 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1994
Mississippi State Charity 2 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1994 Mid South
2 Year Old Amateur Stallion Champion
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1994 Belfast
Lions Club 2 Year Old Amateur Champion
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1994 Cotton
Classic 2 Year Old Amateur Champion
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1994 White Oak
Classic 2 Year Old Amateur Champion
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1994 Big D 2
Year Old Amateur Champion
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1994 National
Futurity Reserve 2 Year Old Stallion Champion
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If you wish to print off
this pedigree, click
HERE
to load a black and white copy. |
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If you have a story or photos of Generator's Santana
that you would like added to this page, please forward them to
Walkers West.
<==1996 1998==>
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