Going The Whole Nine Yards in 2003 - What a prophetic slogan and a truly prophetic name for a truly great horse!   When The Whole Nine Yards and Bill Bobo were crowned the 2003 World Grand Champions, it was the climax of a spectacular show ring career.

Owned by Luanne Sigman, and trained by Bill Bobo, 'Nine' was destined to be a champion. He is by the 1994 World Grand Champion, Gen's Armed and Dangerous, and out of Cash's Blossom, by the 1987 World Grand Champion, Coin's Hard Cash. Other greats appearing on his papers include Prides Generator, Ebony Masterpiece, Pride's Gold Coin, Pride of Midnight HF, Midnight Sun and Merry Go Boy. With ancestors like that, greatness is definitely in the stars.

Bob and Luanne Sigman have owned Nine since he was a yearling and it was their son, Rob, who gave him his fitting name. Purchased initially as an amateur mount for Luanne, it soon became apparent that Nine's future lay in a higher realm. He proved to be phenomenally gifted in both ability and personality.

When Greg stopped training in 2002, Nine was moved to Bill Bobo's stables. Bill recalls, "When I got the call from Luanne, I really was so excited and I felt he was a blessing from the Lord. I'm just tickled to death to have been chosen to ride him". To say the decision to place Nine with Bill was a good one is a big understatement.

In 2002, they won both the Four-Year-Old Stallion World Championship and the Four-Year-Old World Grand Championship. Nine was then named Four-Year-Old Horse of the Year by the Walking Horse Trainers' Association and voted Walking Horse Report Readers' Choice Four-Year-Old Horse of the Year.

In 2003, they racked up victories at the Trainers' Show and the Columbia Spring Jubilee before winning the Aged Stallions World Championship and the World Grand Championship.

Discussing Nine after the Celebration, Bill states, "He's just one of those horses that people want to see, like a great athlete. That kind of horse just doesn't come along but once, maybe twice, in a lifetime. The first one I had was Pride's Gold Coin. I think, like Gold Coin, Nine will go on to put a mark on the breed. Everybody that's been connected to him so far has benefited in countless ways, and whoever ends up standing him will be very fortunate. His class of horses - those born the same year as him, is outstanding - many just dominated as five-year-olds. For Nine to come out at the top of that class really says something about him. He made us all look good and I give all the glory to God for creating such an incredible animal and placing him in my hands."

Nine was indeed the magic number in 2003, from the back number worn by Bill, to the nine show ring appearances and nine blue ribbons, to the nine years that have passed since Nine's sire, Gen's Armed And Dangerous won the World Grand Championship.  It was indeed The Whole Nine Yard's year!!!

Plans for Nine's future include standing at stud at Womack Stables at Glen Oaks Farms. As for where he will be exhibited over the next year, Luanne says they'll leave those decisions up to Bill Bobo. There is no doubt, however, that Nine and Bill will be a significant presence over the next year, and that the University of Tennessee home coming crowd better be ready for one heck of a show.

Original Message -----
From: connie bobo
To: walkerswest@walkerswest.com
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 5:56 AM

I have just read your beautiful tribute to 9. It was so beautiful! I am sitting here with tears streaming down as much of this night I do not remember because of a concussion. So, thank you for this wonderful page. I usually look at your web site ......... I don't know how I missed this. I am extremely sentimental this morning as we have just had our first "9" baby born alive ( we lost our first two). I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated this story and how much it meant to me. If its alright with you I would like to print it out for Bill's scrap book..
Thanks Again,
Connie Bobo
Bobo Farms Inc

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