by Debbie Graham

            HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. - The Holly Springs Charity Walking Horse Classic was held on March 15, 2008, at the Marshall County Agri Center in Holly Springs, Miss. The event was sponsored the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce and co-sponsored by the Holly Springs Tourism Bureau. Proceeds for the 2008 edition benefit the Holly Springs Rotary Club Scholarship Fund and will go toward providing scholarships for deserving youth in Marshall County.

            Weather has been a major factor in the Mid-South in recent weeks and the days prior to the Holly Springs show were no exception. Six days prior to the show date, the area was blanketed with five inches of snow. On the night before the show, severe thunderstorms brought hail and heavy rainfall to the show grounds. Despite the threatening weather, show officials worked collectively to produce another successful show that drew a large tally of 223 entries. Trainers, exhibitors and walking horse enthusiasts packed the show grounds and the spacious indoor facility was nearly filled to capacity with spectators.

            Perry Thomas was master of ceremonies, while Joel Weaver judged the 32 classes. Summer Crest Farms provided the flag horse, Olympic’s Godfather, with Donnie Jones presenting the colors.

            In the final class of the evening, the Walking Horse Stake class, Justin Harris brought Aristotle Onasiss to the Holly Springs tricolor for owner Jeanne Harrison.     Complete results follow and can be viewed, printed and searched at www.walkinghorsereport.com.