Chattanooga horse takes 2nd in Shelbyville

Sunday, September 2, 2012

photo Knox Blackburn rides I'm Copperfield, owned by Chattanoogan Mike Walden, during the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Copperfield was named Reserve Grand Champion at the event early Sunday morning.

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - The big red stallion named I'm Copperfield was a clear crowd favorite Saturday night at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.

His picture was on the front of Saturday's edition of Walking Horse Report, a trade publication published daily during the Celebration, and a billboard at the gate of the Calsonic Arena showed him off with his trainer, Knox Blackburn.

But the golden-maned 5-year-old owned by Mike Walden didn't take the title of 2012 World Grand Champion. Instead he is the 2012 Reserve World Grand Champion, coming in second to another big chestnut red stallion, Walk Time Charlie.

Walden, with family and friends at the barns behind the Calsonic early Sunday morning, was clearly disappointed but still able to joke.

"Reserve" means "first loser," he quipped, but he patted his horse affectionately.

"That's five people's opinion," he said about the judging. "I've agreed with their opinion most of the week, so I guess even though things didn't go my way, I'll still have to agree with their opinion."

See complete story in Monday's Times Free Press.