Sarah Akin Wins National Championship Sarah Akin, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mark A. Akin of Collierville, TN, was awarded the title of World Champion at this year’s Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, TN. Sarah and her horse, “THE GREAT ESCAPE” a.k.a. “Andy”, a black, 11 year old, Show Pleasure, Tennessee Walking Horse, Gelding, made a spectacular ride against 16 of the finest horses and riders in the nation. Sarah has been showing Tennessee Walking Horses since she was age 8 years old. Although she has won many titles since that time, the World Championship title remained just out of reach. For two years she remained World Reserve Champion in the 11 and under Mares and Geldings division on a mare, “REGAL BY GENERATOR”, at previous Celebrations and was World Reserve Champion in the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 12-17 Show Pleasure division at last year’s Celebration. Sarah and “Andy” made a performance of a life time. It was extra special due to the fact that this is Sarah’s last year to show in any juvenile class in the future. Among other championship titles that Sarah was awarded this year’s includes the Tupelo, Miss.’s Faith Haven Horse Show, Byhalia, Miss.’s White Oak Classic, Germantown, Tenn.‘s Charity Horse Show, Jackson, Tenn.‘s Mid-South Horse Show, Corinth, Miss.’s Magnolia Classic Horse Show. Sarah is currently attending Mississippi College in Clinton, MS where she is a freshman cheerleader. She would like to thank her trainer and staff, Whitter Stables of Collierville, Tenn., her horse’s blacksmith, Red Umberger of Olive Branch, Miss., Paula Sanders, who sold “Andy” to her, and last but not least her dad, Mark A. Akin, DVM, who takes care of all of “Andy’s” medical needs, for making her dream come true.