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Tennessee Walking Horse On Line Congratulates 2001 Adult Supreme Champion Gen's Sir Charles |
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Owned, Ridden & Shown By Betty Rugman - Camden, SC |
Finally….a Supreme Versatility Championship! I was beginning to think this would never be a reality for me.
I started work on a championship in 1989 with Springtime’s Ravine. This wonderful gelding taught me so much about showing. I showed Ravine for 5 years (with a break from showing for a while to ride endurance). Ravine did anything I asked him to do, unfortunately he had enough age on him that I could not seem to get the needed Model points to finish a championship with him.
In 1993 I started showing my husband’s two year old mare, Generator’s Whisper in the 2 gait classes while I was still showing Ravine in the canter classes and versatility. In 1995 Whisper was ready to show in the canter classes so Ravine became “the wonderful trail horse that anyone could ride”. Once again, I showed Whisper for 5 years and in May of 1998 she suddenly became ill. This was terrifying for George and I because we were so afraid we would lose this wonderful mare. We treated her and continued to try to work her trying to keep her in shape.
During this time, late in December of 1998, I was talking to Marietta Gambrell and she told me she had a horse in training that was for sale. Marietta said that I should come see him, but I told her I really didn't think I would have time during the holidays. I told my husband about it and he said “you should go look at him….besides it will give you a chance to visit with Marietta”. I was not at all interested in another horse at that point, but George kept pushing me to go so I finally made plans to drive up there. When I got to Marietta’s I absolutely fell in love with Gen’s Sir Charles. He was a coming 5 year old stallion by Prides Generator out of a Pusher daughter. “Charlie” was beautiful and a dream to ride, as well as a very well-behaved stallion. I couldn’t believe what a natural walk he had and his canter was awesome. I drove home that night and told George that I wanted to buy him. I started riding Charlie but didn’t get really serious about showing him. I had planned on trying to finish Whisper’s Supreme Championship before I started showing him, but that was not in the cards. She was not able to show when show season started and she only lacked a few points…so I started once again on the road to a versatility championship with yet another horse…Gen’s Sir Charles.
Marietta had done a great job in training Charlie. He had all the basics even though she had only shown him twice (during the previous year). He started right off earning points in English and Western rail classes. Soon I started working on the versatility events like trail obstacle, water glass (he was great at that!), dressage, driving, western riding and reining. It just seemed so easy with him! In 1999 Charlie received several high point awards from the SC Walking Horse Association as well as the Lite-Shod Horse of the Year Award. Charlie completed the requirements for his Adult Versatility Championship early in 2000…only the second year of showing. At the end of the 2000 show season he only lacked points in Basic Reining or Western Riding to complete his Supreme. At the end of 2000, Charlie also received the National Walking Horse Association Gold Showcase Award. We worked hard that winter trying to be ready for the early shows. I was so anxious to finish because we were so close! At the Tar Heel Plantation Classic in May, 2001 he received the last 2 points that he needed in Western Riding. This was a great show for Charlie and I. Not only did he finish his Supreme Versatility Championship, but he won all three of the Dressage Tests at that show. Even though dressage does not count toward a Championship yet, it is one of my favorite classes. I believe it will do a lot to improve the quality of the horses in the versatility programs.
I owe so much to Blanchard and Debbie Poole who have worked with me and my various “mounts”. Without our riding lessons I don’t think I would ever have made it! I would also like to thank Marietta Gambrell for the wonderful early training she did with Charlie and Ben Downing for breeding such a marvelous stallion.
During that first year of showing Charlie, Whisper made a miraculous recovery and she returned to the show ring with George at the reins! Early in 2001 George and Whisper finished her Supreme Versatility Championship.
Stop by Generator's Whispers page to view their 3 foals
I would like to thank Betty for contributing Gen's Sir Charles photograph & story, giving us the opportunity to know this extraordinary Champion Tennessee Walking Horse. More information on this Champion Stallion can be found at Gen's Sir Charles Stallion Showcase page.
