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World Grand Champion in
1996 |
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He's Putting On The Ritz #910382 |
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The subject of much
conversation and speculation just prior to his two-year-old show
season in 1993, He's Puttin' On The Ritz made his ring debut at the
National Trainers' Show just months after his purchase by William B.
and Sandra Johnson of Atlanta, Ga., and Shelbyville, Tenn.
William Johnson had given Flip Cook instructions to find him a colt to
fit the name of He's Puttin' On The Ritz. "I had heard
about a colt that Billy Gray had that was real wild but real good,"
said Cook. "I went to see him, and I knew right off that
he was the one. He held his head high, and he was real
elegant looking; he was just the best I had ever seen."
After reporting his
find to the Johnson's, Cook was given the okay to purchase the colt,
but he wanted Mr. Johnson to see him first. The two flew to
Shelbyville, and Johnson was as impressed as Cook. The rest is
history. |
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Under the
direction of Shelbyville's Sand Creek Farms' father/son team of
Billy and Tim Gray, the exciting performer rose to all
expectations that year, claiming the title of Two-Year-Old World
Grand Champion, and the Walking Horse Trainers' Association and
Walking Horse Report's Two-Year-Old Horse of the Year honors.
The Stallion maintained impressive acclaim in his three-year-old
competition season, much like the second verse of the victory
song. Having won various one-night horse shows, He's
Puttin' On The Ritz remained undefeated in his show ring career. |
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Tim Gray took the
reins at the 1994 Celebration, due to rider Billy Gray being sidelined
with health problems, and captured both the Three-Year-Old Stallion
title and the Three-Year-Old World Grand Championship. Later
that year, no one was surprised when Ritz was named Horse of the Year. |
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four-year-old contender, he was selectively shown during the
summer show season with sites set on the Four-Year-Old World
Grand Championship. Unfortunately, a foot injury sidelined
the athlete, preventing him from participating in the final
event. Ritz was moved to the newly constructed Waterfall
Farms facility located in Shelbyville, Tenn., in October of his
four-year-old year. There he became partners with his new
trainer Sammy Day and began his first season as a breeding
stallion. |
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A victory pass
at the World Cup Spring Premier horse show in Calsonic Arena
headlined their 1996 campaign for the World Grand Championship
title. Wins at Owingsville, Ky., and Belfast, Tenn.,
followed.
A crowd pleaser since his show ring debut, Ritz entered the ring
on August 24, 1996, to a roaring crowd. As the "A" division of
the aged stallion class came to an end, Ritz continued to thrill
the crowd with his high-headed show ring charisma.
The once wild colt, now a gentle chestnut, successfully
concluded his preliminary Celebration performance with a
unanimous tie of the judges. |
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captivated by Ritz during the week that followed, and would drop
by the barn to catch a glimpse of him or try to grab on to a
souvenir that bore his name. They were equally enamored with
rider/trainer Sammy Day who can hold a crowd in the palm of his
hand with his big smile, his friendly disposition, and his
showmanship appeal. |
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To a
record-breaking crowd of 30,081 people, He's Puttin' On The Ritz
came into the show ring to a standing ovation and left the same
way-only this time it was with the title of World Grand
Champion.
He's Puttin' On The Ritz
stands at Waterfall Farms in Shelbyville. Sired by Command
Performance and out of a
Pride's Generator
mare, he offers distinctive conformation and size in addition to
his coloring. |
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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 He's Putting On The Ritz
that you would like added to this page, please forward them to
Walkers West.
<==1995 1997==>
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