Sired by Pride's Generator and out of Santana Woman, Generator's Santana was bred and raised by Betty Freeman of Lebanon, Tenn.  Started under saddle by Brian Kiddy of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., he was then moved to Allan Callaway Stables in Shelbyville.   A phone call from Callaway to Jackie McConnell prompted McConnell to bring customers Floyd and Beverly Sherman of Murchison, Texas, to look at the promising colt.   The Shermans liked what they saw and Santana was added to their string of show horses.

When asked what Jackie, who has trained Santana since he was coming two, first liked about the horse, he responded, "It was his way of going.   He had a great pedigree and he's beautiful.  With his natural rhythm and his ability to elevate better than any young horse I had ever seen, I knew he'd be great."

The young Santana was shown by Kelly Sherman to the titles of: 1994 World Champion Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion, Div. A; 1996 World Champion Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion, Div. A; and 1996 World Grand Champion Four-Year-Old Amateur.

Bob Kilgore of Tuscaloosa, Ala., also a customer of Jackie's at Whitter Stables in Collierville, Tenn., had been keeping an eye on Santana through the years.  In November of 1996, Kilgore was attending an Alabama-LSU football game in Baton Rouge.  The Baton Rouge Horse Show was taking place that same weekend, and Kilgore went to see Kelly show Santana.  It was there that the purchase was finalized. 

In January of 1997 Kilgore sold one half interest of Santana to Donald L. Castleman of Rolla, Missouri.
"I've owned many great horses," said Kilgore, "but, without a doubt, Santana is the greatest pure walking horse I've ever seen.   His shaking and his showing are just the best -- along with his deep natural back end." 

The year started for Santana at the Trainers' Show in March which saw one of the most hotly contested big stake classes in its history.   "We thought we could compete," said Kilgore, "but you're just not sure when a horse leaves the amateur division and goes to the open division."   He went on to say, "A show horse has many good shows but very few great shows."   After the win at the Trainers' Show, Santana was definitely one of the favorites to win the Celebration.  The Collierville Horse Show followed with another ride to the roses.   The next two rides, one at Belfast, the other, preliminary night at the Celebration, brought him reserve honors.

They called in the class, the work outs took place, and it was time to face the music.   As the spotlight danced over the field of nine of the best walking horse stallions in the nation, it was the first time in Celebration history that the finish turned out as it did.   Jackie McConnell won the Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Championship on Santana with brother Jimmy taking reserve honors.

<==1996   1998==>

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