By Lisa Cummings

MONROE, Ga. - The 40th annual Walton County Horse Show was held May 1, 2004. Charles Knowles, show manager said, "We had a great show." The weather turned out beautifully. The judging by Mike Carpenter was excellent, with entries up from 159 in 2003 to 175 this year. The exhibitors and spectators seemed to really enjoy themselves. Knowles also stated that the crew that puts this show on did an outstanding job assembling and disassembling the show, comparing them to the professionals that set up the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Walking Horse Championship called five of Georgia's finest to the gate for competition. The American General and Larry Edwards charged forward to the winner’s circle to collect their prize. The American General is owned by the Dan McSwain family of Atlanta, Ga. Claiming the reserve title was Pusher's Backstreet and Vickie Self for Gene Davis of Wadley, Ga.

Carl Edwards and Sons Stables claimed five more blue ribbons. Keith McSwain and The Golden Sovereign took home the blue in the Amateur Open class. The Two-Year-Old Open Champion was the team of The High Dollar and Larry Edwards, riding for the Dan McSwain family. Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hawkersmith's entry Hosanna and Larry Edwards made the victory pass in the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. The Gentleman’s Amateur Specialty Champion was A Special Ultra Copy with Bobby Mixon in the irons. This entry is owned by Bobby and Linda Mixon. Jane Meredith, owner and exhibitor, directed Hard Mountain Cash to the winner’s circle in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty.

Allen Forman Stables took home four blues. Love That Magic and Jerry Cole claimed victory in the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty. Love That Magic is owned by Jerry and Vicki Cole. The Three-Year-Old Stallion Champion was An American Idol, ridden by Allen Forman for Bobby Mullinax and the Richard Wood family. Jack Pirkle directed A Major High to the win in the Walking Pony Amateur 18 & Over class for Anna and Holly Avrett. Jerry Cole returned to the ring in the Amateur Riders 50 & Over Specialty to take the blue aboard Mark’s Magic Man.

Ken Moore Stables also claimed four blue ribbons at the Walton County show. Danny Rylee directed his entry Cash and Carry Little Girl to the win in the Three-Year-Old Amateur class. Star Of Dumas and Ken Moore took home the blue in the Four-Year-Old Open class for Kline and Dot Wheless. Another Wheless entry, Virginia Hill claimed victory in the Open Specialty class with Ken Moore. Christy Cain guided the C & C Stables entry Gen's Secret Warrior to the win in the Ladies Amateur Specialty.

Findley Farms had an outstanding night taking home three blues. Black Rain Drops and Guy Findley made the victory pass in the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Specialty. Black Rain Drops is owned by Robert Findley. Robert Findley and Generator's Destroyer claimed victory in the Plantation Pleasure Open Specialty for Guy Findley. The Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Western Specialty Champion was Generator's Dark Side ridden by Kathy Malone. This entry is owned by Pat and Kathy Malone.

Corey Clay Stables at Windmill Farm received two blues. Casey Morris, making his debut in the ring, directed Gen's Spirit Of Magic to the winner’s circle in the Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty for Kenneth and Janet Herringdine. Spotted Horse Specialty Champions Reactor's Prime Time and Corey Clay made the victory pass for Ken Gullalt.

Colonel Walker and Sawtooth Stables also claimed two blue ribbons. Stan Lindsey's entry Dude’s Pride Man and Ashley Lindsey made the victory pass in the WHTA Youth Council 11 and Under class. Jubliee's Dandy's Spirit and Joy Geske, owner and exhibitor, rode to the blue in the Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty.

Allen Price Stables, Hollin Farm and the Horse House all claimed individual ribbons.

I'm A Big Time Star and Nick Price made the victory pass in the Walking Ponies 17& Under class. The entry is owned by Nick Price.

GWHEA Ladies Auxiliary Specialty Champions Spontaneous Choice and Mary Mack Hall claimed victory and took home the blue to Hollin Farm. This entry is owned by Jack and Mary Mack Hall.

Laney Bledsoe, owner and exhibitor, directed her entry Visa Gold Card to the win in the Park Pleasure Youth Council 17 & Under class.

Also taking home individual blues were: She's Bustin With Pride and Mandy McFay in the Weanlings and Yearlings class for Tommy Jowers.

Linda Smith directed Rain's Autumn Mist to the winner’s circle in the Park Pleasure Specialty for Linda Mixon.

Tim Burks made the victory pass in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class aboard Threat Of Gen's Memory for Willard Burks.

Novice Amateur Specialty Champions I'm Unretouched and owner and exhibitor Sydney Simonton made an outstanding ride.

Johnny and Susan Paul's entry Messenger Last Chance claimed the blue in the Park Pleasure Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty with Susan Paul in the irons.

The Amateur Owned and Trained Champion was Favorite Walking Dude with owner/exhibitor Candy Tollison in the irons.

The 40th annual Walton County Horse Show was a complete success. The weather was nice; the talent was great; and the competition was at an all time high. This concludes the highlights of the Walton County Horse Show.