Each year, the MWHA recognizes a horse as an exemplary representative of the breed. MWHA members are encouraged to nominate horses they feel have shown in the show ring, in versatility activities, on the trail, as sires or dams, or promoting the Tennessee Walking Horse in other ways.  

Nominate for 2023 here. Deadline is December 20, 2023.

horse of the year recipients

2022 - Springs Sky Dancer

Submitted by Becky Scott

I’d like to nominate Springs Sky Dancer, aka “Sam” for Horse of the Year. Sam has many of the good qualities of the breed including his friendly temperament and smooth ride. Sam came to us 10 years ago as I was looking for a horse that would be a suitable trail mount for my husband Harlan. He more than fit the bill. He’s proven himself to be a trustworthy and confident trail horse but little did we know that he was capable of so much more!

When I was between horses I took some time to work with Sam to see if he could succeed as a show horse. He did not disappoint. He was willing to try what I asked and he was immediately in the ribbons and winning many of his classes. I also decided to use him as a mounted posse horse. He has consistently passed annual sensory with perfect scores and in addition to being my most reliable mount for parades, SAR, patrols and security details he has also carried our local Sheriff in parades and on patrol.

Sam has traveled to Kentucky and Ontario to train and compete in mounted police horse competitions. He won equitation in our second year and placed in the trophies in obstacles and team competition. We learned to jump a gym row (who knew that a TWH could jump?) and learned to overcome some very scary obstacles.

I never worry about letting others ride Sam. He is always a gentleman and looks out for his rider. Sam genuinely likes people and looks forward to greeting the public at Horse Expo and the State Fair each year. Harlan is now retired from riding so Sam is being ridden by a youth rider. They have a great partnership and she is looking forward to competing in 2023.

Sam is 20 this year but, I continue to use him for our local posse duties, especially when I need a “steady” horse. Sam has also been a mentor to other less experienced horses in posse training sessions. Our family has been truly blessed to have such a wonderful, reliable horse like Sam.

2021 - Kodak's Little Bo Peep

Submitted by Candace Thompson

Kodak's Little Bo Peep is a foundation bred Spotted Saddle Horse. She has been "Easy" to work with since the day I picked her up in Tennessee at 2 and half with maybe 45 days on her back. She has been shown successfully in 2 and 3 gaited English and Western classes , trail obstacle, breed demos, trail rides, cattle work, skilled versatility and speed events not only competing against other gaited breeds as well as stock horses. She has attended MN horse Expo every year since I have owned her as well as state and county fairs. She has won high points and year end awards for MWHA, WWHA, NWHA, SSHBEA WHR, WSCA state qualifier, Tri State Horseman's association. I thank you for considering EASY for horse of the year.

2020 Co-Recipient - Shakers Raindancer

Submitted by Abbie Schramm

Shakers Raindancer is a 2004 Tennessee Walking Horse gelding by Time Slips Away, out of A Splash of Rain. He is currently owned and loved by Abbie Schramm and her family. He was born and started at Tanglewood Walkers in Crosslake, MN. Abbie purchased him from Gail and Larry Smith in 2007.

I have hesitated to nominate my own horse for MWHA Horse of the Year in the past. Though, when I scroll through photos, its easy to see that "Rain" is one of those horses that makes an impression on your heart. And he has made that impression on the hearts of many - not just mine. So, with gratitude to this remarkable partner, I nominate him for 2020 MWHA Horse of the Year.

Rain's willing personality and good temperament have helped him and his humans to enjoy many adventures. One of my friends has endearingly nick named him, "Mufasa".

Rain was a MWHA futurity champion as a 2 and 3 year old competing in halter, trail in hand, and under saddle. While he never continued to competitively show, he still carries the kids in shows every once in a while and takes good care of his precious cargo.

At one show, a spectator noticed how slow and careful Rain was with my son, Brak, aboard and said, "That horse is so sweet, how old is he?" When I replied that he was only 13, she gasped and admitted she thought he was much older because of how cautious he was. He has gone on to win three limited distance (25 mile) endurance rides with Brak over the last three years. The pair are very competitive in that atmosphere and it's fun for me to watch them eating up ground ahead of me.

Rain represented the Walking Horse at the 2012 Minnesota Horse Expo and loved the attention he got throughout the weekend from visitors in the horse barn. He has always been one to meet you in the pasture and start hunting for whatever treats might be hiding in pockets.

Rain served on the Crow Wing County Mounted Patrol for 4 years. I appreciated his steady attitude and friendly personality during the events we patrolled, missing persons searches, and parades that we attended.

Above all of his other duties, we think Rain loves the trail. He has traveled with me to South Dakota, Arkansas, and all over the state of Minnesota trail riding and camping. In recent years, he has been a mount for my kids, or visitors more than me because I can count on him to take care of them. He allows anyone on his back, and continues to show them how wonderful gaited horses are. He is my "conversion partner" - converting trail riders to gaited horses.... 😉 We have succeeded in many conversions! 😉

Rain as helped me start several colts under saddle, by allowing me to pony and work them from his back. He has also done cattle work on my family's century farm.

In 2018, Rain and I started driving. Driving has always been a dream of mine and Rain's amenable attitude allowed me to learn how to do it - driving can be quite dangerous if not done right, thankfully, his forgiving nature kept us safe during the learning curve. In 2019, we started Skijoring, and again, he took his new responsibilities in stride and is now helping to teach the other horses to skijor as well.

Rain serves as an equine parter for our Soulful Horse program and as a lesson horse for North Gait. He gently allows children to experience horses and I never have to worry about what mistakes his riders might make - Rain is a patient teacher.

At the end of the day, if there is ever a task that needs done, I can count on Rain to do it. He is truly the reason I have fallen in love with the Tennessee Walking Horse, and will always hold a very special place in my heart.

2020 Co-Recipient - High Class Gift

Submitted by Katie Livingood

Once upon a time a 9-year-old kid asked her parents if she could raise a foal. Two years later he was born and two and a half decades later he's more than that 9-year-old ever would have imagined.

Most of the last 22 years this horse has been in the show ring at Walking Horse shows, county fairs, the state 4H horse show, and other open breed shows. He's shown dressage, including being the lone gaited representative at open schooling shows. He has traveled to Tennessee for the World Versatility Show bringing home some competitive placings and twice to Kentucky for the Gaited Three Phase Event where his achievements included top dressage score. He also showed off his trail obstacle skills at the Trail Trials hosted at Frones' Hobby Horse Farm.

But he didn't just stay in the ring. He has trail ridden throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin and traveled to Tennessee and South Dakota. He even took care of the non-horsey husband through the hills of South Dakota and on a Competitive Mounted Orienteering course back home in Minnesota.

Throughout his years he has shared his sweet disposition and willingness with others in a multitude of ways. He has represented the Walking Horse Breed at both Midwest Horse Fair and Minnesota Horse Expo. For two years he was a tolerant and gracious mount for a therapeutic riding program. He has taught beginner riders off and on for the last twenty years, which is now his primary occupation between being a lesson horse and having his own kiddo to take care of.

Classy is the horse that taught me more than any one other horse ever will. I made mistakes and fixed them - or at least some of them!, I learned the importance of consistency and dedication, and I have had a partner for well over half my life. Most horses are in their twilight years at 25. I suppose he is too, but after coming back from a previously undiagnosed dental issue, he is as good as ever (less a few teeth). Here's to a few more years!

Past Winners

There are some gaps in our records. If you know of a horse that should be included, contact us at mnwalkinghorse@gmail.com.

Find past winners of Horse Person of the Year here.

• 2019 - no submissions

• 2018 - no submissions

• 2017 - Nickelette

• 2015 - Secret’s Favorite Harmony

• 2014 - Bol’s Brite Stockings

• 2013 - Against Evil Forces

• 2010 - Dirty Little Secret

• 2007 - Just Call Me Cash

• 2006 - Midnite Masterpiece

• 2005 - Wolfs Walkman

• 2004 - Smoke Along the Track

• 2003 - Dark Side’s Magic Flash (Show), Magic’s Perfect Mark (Plantation), Powers Fireworks (Lite Shod)

• 2002 - Dark Side’s Magic Flash (Show), Magic’s Perfect Mark (Plantation), Powers Fireworks (Lite Shod)

• 2001 - Moonrock Candy (Show), Honey Boy’s Bit O Honey (Plantation), Secret’s Cutting Edge (Lite Shod)

• 2000 - Captain Midnight (Plantation), Hallelujah Mr. Perfect (Lite Shod)

• 1993 - Hallelujah Mr. Perfect (Plantation), Song of Delight (Lite Shod)