(Check back often for additions.)
Personal Wow Moment
The Tennessee Reining Horse Association created a new award this year-Hall of Fame. I was extremely honored and grateful to be the first person inducted into the TNRHA Hall of Fame. Thank you so much TNRHA!
Paul Harvey. Farmers.
How can there be a more wow moment. At least for me.
August 29, 1995
My sister-in-law Bridget gave birth to my nephew Colton Rhett Sledge. The wow moment (other than having a new nephew)? Being there to watch his birth. Wow.
1941 Pearl Harbor
The main reason my Dad joined the Navy in WWII. So proud of him....never a greater man.....
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| China WWII-I've always wondered where this was and who the kids were. Always curious about what Daddy was thinking and feeling at the moment when his pic was snapped. |
Secretariat 1973 Belmont Stakes-
Incredible
After death Secretariat's autopsy showed his heart was about two and three quarters times larger than an average horse. Perhaps physiologically Secretariat was an equine machine unlike any other. I'm sure that a perfectly sound, however, abnormal heart played a part in the phenom. But that isn't all that makes a champion, especially a supreme champion. A different kind of heart is needed for the desire to be more than the best. And this horse had it. He was a champion. He wanted to be a champion. He performed as a champion. You cannot create that. You cannot force it through physical demands even with a body created to excel. The "want to" has to be there. The "want to" inside the individual, human or animal.
Even with all the modern veterinary care, sports medicine, nutrition and feed supplements, there has not been nor will there be another race horse like Secretariat. His records are set. An amazing horse that even those with the most advanced care for mind, body and knowledge for success cannot surpass.
Incredible
After death Secretariat's autopsy showed his heart was about two and three quarters times larger than an average horse. Perhaps physiologically Secretariat was an equine machine unlike any other. I'm sure that a perfectly sound, however, abnormal heart played a part in the phenom. But that isn't all that makes a champion, especially a supreme champion. A different kind of heart is needed for the desire to be more than the best. And this horse had it. He was a champion. He wanted to be a champion. He performed as a champion. You cannot create that. You cannot force it through physical demands even with a body created to excel. The "want to" has to be there. The "want to" inside the individual, human or animal.
Even with all the modern veterinary care, sports medicine, nutrition and feed supplements, there has not been nor will there be another race horse like Secretariat. His records are set. An amazing horse that even those with the most advanced care for mind, body and knowledge for success cannot surpass.
1980 USA Olympic Gold Hockey
Always a sports fan I never missed watching the Olympics while growing up. Ice hockey in Tennessee? Not a hotbed. But I remember watching the USA play in the 1980 Olympics. I never missed hockey again.
Georges St Pierre vs Matt Hughes in UFC 50
Georges St Pierre was young and Matt Hughes was experienced in the Octagon. At the end of the fight GSP was not the winner. GSP wanted a re-matched against Matt Hughes and made one of the most passionate pleas I've witnessed.
Following the fight GSP fell to his knees inside the ring saying:
"I'm going to go on my knees, like that, and ask the UFC Management to give me a World Title Shot, PLEASE, I WANT THE BELT SO BAD! GIVE IT TO ME!
Such passion in his eyes, voice, gestures. It was obvious how important it was for this fighter to reach the goal of a career within the UFC. And not just a career but to be a champion. I really didn't know who he was. The plea he made and the sound of his voice, containing desperation and turmoil, moved me. Lots of athletes ask for chances or second changes. But not like this. Perhaps on reason GSP received a second shot was the impassioned plea which contained such raw honesty and integrity.
This is my Favorite Sports WOW moment. And I soooo wish I had a video of it to share......
Shawn Flarida riding Wimpys Little Step to the NRHA
Futurity Open Championship.
2002 Oklahoma City. What a trainer. What a ride. What a horse.
What an impact of all three to the sport of reining....
This great little horse won the first place prize of $150,000 for the ride in the video. But he has done
so much more as a sire after finishing his show career. Wimpy is owned by Xtra Quarter Horses in Purcell, OK. Wimpy is a $4 million sire for progeny earnings! One of his daughters, Wimpys Lil Chic, has been an incredible reiner, earning over $500,000 during her short career in the reining pen. In 2011, Wimpy was inducted into the National Reining Horse Association Hall of Fame.
This great little horse won the first place prize of $150,000 for the ride in the video. But he has done
so much more as a sire after finishing his show career. Wimpy is owned by Xtra Quarter Horses in Purcell, OK. Wimpy is a $4 million sire for progeny earnings! One of his daughters, Wimpys Lil Chic, has been an incredible reiner, earning over $500,000 during her short career in the reining pen. In 2011, Wimpy was inducted into the National Reining Horse Association Hall of Fame.
Link to more info on Wimpy:
When I read this I can hear President Reagan as he spoke them on TV. I think I was a sophomore in high school. It was a moment I'll never forget, a very proud to be an American moment.
"We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that world be unmistakeable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and easter Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr Gorbachev, Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! - President Ronald Reagan
I graduated TN Wesleyan College in winter of 1995 but TWC didn't have
a winter graduation ceremony. Couldn't walk until May 1996. This is me and my Daddy.
My longing for the day? Momma. She had passed on Mother's Day in 1990.
Most these days would say-graduating college is a wow moment?
For me. Yes. Once I find a ghostwriter
the topic of school will be my fifth book. The biggest cliffhanger of all!
The Script......"Hall of Fame"
Yeah, you could be the greatest, you can be the best, you can be the king kong banging on your chest..
You could beat the world, you could beat the war, you could talk to God, go banging on his door...
You can throw your hands up, you can be the clock, you can move a mountain, you can break the
rocks, you can be the master, don't wait for luck, dedicate yourself and you can find yourself...
Standing in the hall of fame, and the world's gonna know your name, cause you burn the brightest
flame, and the world's gonna know your name, and you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame....
You could go the distance, you could run the mile, you could walk straight through hell with a smile....
You could be the hero, you could get the gold, breaking all the records that never could be broke....
Do it for your people, do it for your pride, never gonna know if you never try...
Do it for you country, do it for your name, cause there's gonna be a day....
When your, standing in the hall of fame, and the world's gonna know your name, cause you burn the
brightest flame, and the world's gonna know your name, and you'll be on the walls of the hall of
fame....
Be a champion, be a champion, be a champion, be a champion....
On the wall of the hall of fame....
Be students, be teachers, be politicians, be preachers, be believers, be leaders, be astronauts, be champions, be true seekers....
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