The Sixteenth Annual Fall World Grand Championship Show started the New Millennium off in grand style. Each year, entries climb steadily higher and higher. Entries for 2000 were up 66 from 1999, and 1,260 head passed through the gates of Calsonic Arena. Even more impressive was the quality of horse that was presented at our fall championship.

It was the first year in the new stable areas on the grounds. The continued pride of our Spotted Horse exhibitors' flowed through the barn area, with each making their home away from home the very best for the six day event.

The hard working Ladies Auxiliary provided the fall theme in center ring. Each year they come up with a fantastic center ring setting and this year was no exception. Mr. Arlie Weddington, took command of the center ring announcing, providing his personalized comments and color over the speaker. Brian "Can you understand that" Perry left no doubt with his superb upbeat organ music that he's become one of the very best in the business. The Show Chairman was Boyd Melton. Masterful Jack Greene was again in center ring, providing exhibitors with those Kodak moments they all will cherish for years to come. The team of Gary and Sharon Leverette recorded both the video and group silver, capturing still more memories. Bo Adams was the official farrier. The five-judge panel for the event was Carol Wakefield, Terry Stone, Cordell Hobby, Roy Franklin and Stephen D. Tidwell. The show employed the hi-low judging system. Executive Secretary Janice Prince & Beverly Brown, along with SSHBEA volunteers, kept the show office running in A-1 shape. Sharon "Super Sales Lady" King was in charge of the SSHBEA promotional booth, reporting exceptional sales. Mary Ann Dobson, the keeper and designer of the SSHBEA's web page, was again a welcomed addition to the SSHBEA promotional booth. For those unable to attend, she kept each night's winners posted nationwide.

The Corporate Sponsors have become the much-appreciated backbone of the championship event. In the first year of Corporate Sponsorship (1998), there were 34. In 1999, they rose to 63, and in 2000, a record topping 88. As the sponsorships grow, so do the vendor booths around the top of the Calsonic Arena, adding exciting displays and spotted saddle horse shopping excitement nightly. It is with sincere appreciation, that SSHBEA thanks this generous group for the support they give this association. 

The invocations were given by Rev. Larry Cornet, Hilltop Nazarene (Monday); Rev. Jon Bell, First Methodist (Tuesday); Rev. Michael Welch, First Christian (Wednesday); Rev. Mark Ashley, Cannon Methodist (Thursday); Rev. Bryan Nerren, United Pentecostal (Friday); and Rev. Glenn Forsee, First Assembly of God (Saturday).

The National Anthem was sung by: Monday Vocalist - Miss Amber Wood; Tuesday Vocalist - Craig Gannon; Wednesday Vocalist - Lynna Miller; Thursday Vocalist - Cassie Hassler; Friday Vocalist - Ryan Poole; Saturday Vocalist - Dr. Nate Schott.

The State Flags represented were: Alabama - Mark O'Neal, Sylacauga, AL and Blade; Arkansas - Becky Munn, Searcy AR and Knight Of The Narrow Gate; Colorado - Robin Newsome Suitts, Boulder, CO and Prides Pushing Joy; Florida - James Conkle, Dade City, FL and Kitty's Fantasy; Georgia - Sharon Staten, Dalton GA; Whiskeys Lightening Rod; Illinois - Dan Myers, Lincoln, IL and Cobra; Kentucky - Bill Perkins, Providence, KY and Wildcard Man; Mississippi - Britt Hufstattler, Ponotoc, MS and Smoke In Your Eyes; Missouri - Tammy Coffman, Oak Ridge, MO and Paints Idaho Kid; North Carolina - Chris Jackson, Fuquay-Varina,NC; Ohio - Rick Coyle For Pat Webber, Hamilton,OH and Premium Blend; Pennsylvania - Karla Kellerman, Ambler, PA and Red Eye Whiskey; South Carolina - Wayne Mathis, Manning,SC and Dan Marino; Texas - Lori Beattie, Houston,TX and Weapons Total Package; Virginia - Karen Airey, Dayton, VA and Avenger's Clarabelle.

Each evening featured the presentation of the American, SSHBEA, and Youth Council flags. Horses and riders participating were as follows: Mon. -Power Flash & Tony Tully, Luke The Drifter & Greg Perry, Youth Council, Speck Of Trouble & Samantha Mohon. Tues. -Tatoo's, Stepping Out & Jerry Parks, Weapons Total Package & Rachael Jernigan, Youth Council, Delight's Free & Easy & Ashley Gannon. Wed. -Glo's Midnight Girl & Darrel Warren, Hytone's Unbreakable Heart & Amber Porter, Youth Council, Prime Time Ricky & Laura Legg. Thu. -Lester's Questionable Memory & Amanda Gustin, Outlaw Whiskey & Miranda East, Youth Council, My Lady Faline & Samantha Mohon. Fri. -Red Eye Whiskey & Cindy Griffy, Youth Council, Money Can't Buy Honey & Amanda Jernigan. Sat. -Outlaw Whiskey & John Boudoucies, T's Cherokee Bandit & Latasha Murray, Youth Council, Domino Dolly & Allison Smothers.

The thirty-four World Grand Championship Classes held Friday and Saturday nights played to nearly full houses. The nights were long but jam-packed with excitement from start to finish. In the wee hours on Saturday night, the 2000 World Grand Champion was crowned. Bred & raised in Tennessee but now calling Alabama home, 1999 Reserve World Grand Champion Pride of Alen Again glowed as he stepped into the biggest honor of all - 2000 World Grand Champion. The gleaming bay & white stallion was presented by Andy Clark for the Carl Price Family of Tuscaloosa, AL. Following him into the Reserve Grand Championship slot were Color's Spotted Beam and Barney Davis for Dale & Joey Brown. Purchased in mid summer and making his first World Grand Championship appearance, this former World Champion is rapidly becoming a force to reckon with.

The Lite Shod World Grand Championship class found Bum's Big Time, the 1999 reserve winner, with Barney Davis up for Martha & Dwight Parker in the winner circle. Multi World & Reserve World Champion Lite Shod contender Alen's Nite Fire and Jeff Givens were reserve for Robbie Lanier. The Trail Pleasure World Grand Championship found a member of the Wolf gang, What a Wolf, and owner/rider Tammy Sapp making the spotlight ride. Howard Hamilton and Cotton's Medicine Man made the reserve trip for daughter Lauren and Charles Lowe.

Open Shod Amateur Owned and Trained World Grand honors went to Third Rock with Dwayne Sullivan up for Rusti and Dwayne Sullivan. Commanche Moon, the Larry & Beth Keel entry, tied a good reserve with Larry in the saddle.

The Amateur Four & Over Lite Shod Grand Champion was Color's White Lightning, bringing home her second set of roses for the evening with Chris Wallace up. Earlier, she wore the roses with Reed Wallace in the Lite Shod Youth Grand Championship 11 & Under. She is owned by Chris Wallace and Britt Hufstattler. Taking second in this 11 & Under division was Pride's Magic Color's with Ethan Craft up for Tim Craft. In for reserve honors in the Amateur Four and Over Lite Shod stake was Allen's High Spade with owner/rider Don Woodson. This combo was also crowned Reserve World Grand Champion Lite Shod Amateur Owned & Trained division behind Little Rock Boogie with Dwayne Sullvan.

The Trail Pleasure 3 Year Old Grand Championship went to the husband and wife team of Ronnie & Tammy Sapp. Ronnie tied first with Avenger's Little Tramp for Ronnie & Kelly Summers, followed by Tammy on Ann Barber's Boogie Man.

Barney Davis not only earned grand championship honors with Big Time Bum, he carried home two additional sets of roses on Saturday night - the Open Shod Two and Three Year Old championships with Lojac for William Whitehead and Big Mo for Harry and Patty Kimbrell, respectively. Reserve ties in these two classes went Color's In General with Dicky Bedwell for the gracious Missouri couple, Gloria and Wayne Oliver and Alen's Hillbilly Deluxe with Dwayne Cawthon for James & Ruby Vassar.

The Open Shod Amateur 4 & Over Grand Champion saw the talented amateur rider Tamara Sullivan on Copy of Magic Color's under the spotlight for the Brian Sullivan Family. She was followed by Roger Malone and his multi winner Double Clutch.