The road to the 2002 World Grand Championship has not been an easy one for Cashius Clay, but because of a child's love for horses and her excitement, Cashius was in the
Championship spotlight as a six year old.

The journey began when Jay Dickey purchased Cashius from Nathan Curtis in 1998 after seeing him show as a two year old. As a three year old in 1999, he earned the National
World Grand Championship with Howard Hamilton; this is an achievement no other three year old has made.

The year 2000 was a frightening one for the Dickeys. Cashius was stricken with a life threatening illness, forcing him to miss most of the show season. "Nathan Curtis deserves the credit for saving his life and nursing him back to good health," Mitzi Dickey stated.

During the summer of 2001, the Dickeys took Cashius Clay to Phil Dunivan Stables in Petersburg, and under Phil's direction, the 2001 show season was a great one. After
showing in the 4-year-old Open & Amateur Classes, Phil was confident the Dickeys' daughter, Mary Jane, could handle the reins. The decision was made to geld Cashius and give him to Mary Jane to show in the 11 & Under Division. That year, he won the 11 & Under World Championship, as well as the 11 & Under World Grand Championship.

2002 has been just as good to the Dickeys, Dunivan and Cashius. The season opened with Mary Jane asking Lonnie "Roach" Pittman to show Cashius at the Trainers Show in the
Grooms Class. "We all had fun watching Roach make his first ever show and first victory pass," Mitzi smiled. Throughout the year, Cashius was shown by both Mary Jane and Phil
Dunivan in various classes. Mary Jane's PaPaw Cletis qualified him at the Alabama State Championship in the 50 & Over Class; never having ridden him before, Cashius carried
PaPaw to victory. Mary Jane took the Kentucky State 12-17 Championship and received Reserve in the 14.2 & Under Youth and Amateur Class at the Fall Show.

It was after winning the Alabama State Championship that Phil thought it might be fun to compete in the big stake, and nothing made Mary Jane happier than to think she would
see her horse show in the Championship Class. He chose to qualify Cashius in the men's and ladies canter class. Phil, the Dickeys, and Phil's co-worker Dickie Gardner had long
discussions about whether or not to show Cashius in the Championship class. A fortune cookie was the deciding factor. After finishing lunch at a Chinese restaurant on the Saturday of the big class, Phil opened the fortune cookie; inside it read: "You are a lover of horses, gambling and sports but not to excess." The decision was made. That night, Phil and
Cashius rode under the spotlight as SSHBEA 2002 World Grand Champion.

This is Phil Dunivan's second ride to the World Grand Champion status. He also won in 1991 on Famous Amos. He opened his barn in 1987 after working for several walking
horse trainers. He gives credit to taking in his first Spotted Horse to Bobby McNatt. From that moment on, the stalls began to fill with Spots.

He took his first spotlight ride on Battle Colors in 1989 in the 5 Year Old & Over World Grand Championship. In 1993, Phil teamed up with his friend, Dickie Gardner, and soon the
trainers will celebrate 10 years working together at Phil Dunivan Stables.

While the duo of Dunivan and Gardner has produced numerous champions, they are most proud when the victory goes to one of their amateurs or youth riders. And Mary Jane, who is a frequent overnight visitor at the Dunivan home, is one of those riders.

Phil and Dickie's main goal is for the customers or customers' horses to go in the ring looking good and doing their best, but most importantly, just having fun. If you were to ask any customer of Phil Dunivan Stables, they would have to agree.