by Bobbie Jo Koger

WHITE PINE, Tenn. -- With a chill in the air, the first annual ETWHA Ladies Auxiliary and Trainers show got under way. The show was held at the Walter State Expo Center on Oct. 28-29, 2005. This date was moved up from April due to bad weather.

The Ladies Auxiliary and East Tennessee Trainers Association combined forces to bring East Tennessee one last show for the year. Their efforts paid off as 469 entries competed in the 60-class event. Since Halloween was approaching, many in attendance got into the spirit of Halloween by competing in the carving contest and the costume class.

"The show turned out excellent with great horses and cooperative weather,” said show manager Lisa Anderson. “We want to thank all the volunteers that helped with the show. Without them we could not have done it. Brock Wampler deserves a big thanks for all the center ring decorations. And last but not least, we thank the trainers, exhibitors, and fans and hope to see you back next year."

The honorable Mike Hilley of Shelbyville,Tenn., and Gary Snodgrass of Morristown, Tenn., judged the show. Farrier services were provided by Doug Trent, and Jo Simerly kept the music flowing nicely all evening. Dana Doyle caught all the winning moments on film and the announcer was Bill Daugherty.

The competition began with the Two-Year-Old Walking Mares and Geldings. She's A Penny Pusher and Steve Hankins pushed their way to the winner’s circle for Melvin and Mary Belcher of New Kent, Va. Reserve went to Our American Hero and Mike Carter for Stony Brook Farms.

JFK’s Rare Form and Maggie Strausbaugh were thrilled with their blue in the Walking Show Pleasure Open Specialty for Greg and Maggie Strausbaugh.Taking the red streamers was This Spirits in command and Chris Pickel for Patty Rogers.

Walking 15.2 and Under Open saw General Stock and Tommy Howell taking the winning ride for Charles Garner. Gens Drop of Sun and Chris Pickel took second for Fred Randolph.

Southern Command and Tracey Fuller took command of the blue in the Walking Trail Pleasure Open Specialty for the Fuller family. Prime Fashion and Casey Calkin took home reserve.

Sky Dolls Cash and Paul Livingston put in the winning ride in the Walking Two-Year-Old Stallion Open class for Brack and Rosemary Slate. Hot on there heels for second was The Whole Enchilada and Chris Pickel for Robin Cook.

In the Walking Men's Amateur Specialty Jack Morgan and The Star of Sundance out shined their competitors for Jack and Betty Morgan. Flashy Collectors Pride and Mark Wisecarver put forth a strong reserve effort for Cody Wisecarver.

Cash Buster and Mark Snodgrass took the winning ride in the Walking Lite Shod Open Specialty for Nathan Snodgrass. Wired 440 and Mike Conley were reserve for Larkin Turner.

Victory was sweet for Latitha Oran and A Sweet Splash of Jose in the Three-Year-Old Amateur for the Melton Oran family. She's A Kennedy Too and John Cox wore the reserve streamers out of the ring for Becky Cox and Randy Dyer.

The Walking Park Performance Amateur Specialty was next and Delta's Hot Flash and Travis Thompson made the perfect ride to take the blue. Reserve went to Pushers Cat Can Do and Angie Couch.

Blinded By the Sky and Robert Kirkpatrick were thrilled after their win in the Walking Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty for Robert and Tina Kirkpatrick.  Skyline and Mavis Campbell earned the reserve ribbon for the Nat Campbell family.

Hugh Griffen made the winning ride on A Self Made Man in the Walking 50 and Over class for the Griffen family. Reserve went to Rains Renegade and Sam Kite.

Walking Four-Year-Old Amateur entries answered the gate call next. Sweeping In Style and Brandon Derrick swept up the blue for Rodney Koger. Sky Dazed and Doug Brown happily walked away with the red ribbon.

Next the gate was open for the Walking Park Pleasure Four Years and Under. Armed and Dangerous Vanguard and Paul Livingston were a dangerous duo and took home the blue for Angie Nicholson. Prides Mr.Cash and Rachel Snodderly took home the red streamers for Lonnie Strunk.

The ever popular Walking Pro/Am class followed. I'm Willie The Kid and Amanda Wilkerson along with  trainer Chris Pickel carried home the roses for Nat and Martha Neff. Taking reserve was Pushover On Q with Keisha Ashe and Wayne Conley riding.

Ashley Duncan and Sweeping Up The Cash entered the ring with novice status and came out winners in the Walking Amateur Novice class for Brock, Duncan and Wheelon. Reserve in the class was Extra Sharp and Bill Spivey for Brad Spivey.

B.H.Hodge and Barcilona took home all the bragging rights in the ETWHA Members Amateur Specialty class. Prides Prime Star and Rusty Carlton were second for Mike and Jamie Holbrook. Bound and Determined and Bryan Barnhill were determined to come out winners in the Walking Open Specialty for Robert Dadds. Cash Can Do and Stephen Hankins garnered the red for the Luther Fuller family.

Walking Western Pleasure Lite Shod Open saw Apollos Mr.Warlock and Rick Rouse in the spotlight for George Allen.

Julia Livingston and Ritzy were overjoyed to make the victory pass in the ETWHA Ladies Auxiliary Specialty. My American Hero and Theresia Gwinn were reserve.   Saturday

The show got off to a great start on Saturday. The crowd was enthusiastic and everyone had great anticipation of the competition to come.

A great bunch of juvenile riders hit the ring first as the 11 and under class kicked off the night. Boone Smith and Mercedes Sky had their game faces on for the win, representing proud grandparents Doug and Jean Brown. Reserve in the good class went to Prides Hard Cash and Taylor Gwinn.

Gen's Orange Lady and Ronald Mosley picked up the blue in the Walking Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings Open for Terry Mosley. A Little Dynamite and Danny Hayes pressed the winners hard and finished with reserve for Don and Sharon Broome.

One of the biggest classes of the night was the Walking Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty. It was no secret that Jana Lawson and Secret Spy wanted the blue as they turned in a stellar performance for Charles and Florence Terry. Reserve went to JFK's Rare Form and Maggie Strausbaugh for Greg and Maggie Strausbaugh.

Flashy Collectors Pride and Cody Wisecarver made flashed their winning presence and were named the Walking Juvenile 12-14 Specialty winners. Pushers Risky Business and Lukas Phillips garnered reserve honors for Koger and Wheelon.

Lucky's Cash Bonanza and Handler Pam Holt exited with the blue in the Walking Weanling Open class where She Got Angel Eyes and Mike Janeway finished reserve for C.L. Kline Farms.

Latitha Oran and Sensational Premier had another sensational ride as they made their way to the winner’s circle in the Walking 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty for the Melton Oran family. The Star of Sundance and Jack Morgan starred as the reserve winners for Jack and Betty Morgan.

Walking Lite Shod Juvenile 17 and Under was next on the Lineup. Jessica Phillips directed Southern Command to a second blue for the Fuller family. Reserve went to Fancy's Majorette and Sterling Phillips.

Our American Sensation and Terri Gwinn made the impressive ride in the Walking Two-Year-Old Amateur. Jus So You Know and Hunter Rouse came in second for Jimbo Conner and Richard Lindsey.

Walking Yearlings Open was next on the show bill. Mark Snodgrass led Max Flash to the blue for Terry Kennedy. Reserve went to She Pusher Command and Ella Kline for C.L.Kline Farms.

Flashing Neon and Steve Woody took the victory lap in the Walking Three-Year-Old Stallions Open for Lisa McKay.Not Guilty and Chris Pickel took home second for Leo and Charlotte Schmiel.

Walking Country Pleasure Open Specialty entries converged next and Miss Texas Threat and Connie Curry topped the class with Who Am I and Cindy Bryant walking away with the red ribbon flowing from the bridle.

Real Bad Pusher and Donna Skelly took home all the goodies in the Walking Ladies Amateur Specialty. Red Mark In Time and Gene Griffin collected reserve for Hugh and Gene Griffin.

Exhibitors and spectators alike had a lot of fun with the next class, the Open Specialty Costume Class. Eleven entries made the gate call but Cinderella (Abbie Taylor), her fairy Godmother (Chastity Henry) and Doblin, who pulled the coach, had a royal performance to top the class. Second was the headless horseman (Suzi Bowman) riding Dusty One Style.

Pushover On Q and Keisha Ashe captured the judge’s eye in the Walking Pony 17 and Under class. Sweeping In Style and Brandon Derrick finished reserve.

Walking Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty saw 10 Entries make the gate call, but Dangerous Command and Gabe Garren commanded the top prize for the Tom Garren family. Reserve was Oz Who and Ken Estes for Elaine Estes.

Generators Flash Point and Keisha Ashe got straight to the point in the Walking Park Pleasure Juvenile 17 and Under and were rewarded with the blue. Taking Second was Minnie Colors and Brandon Derrick for Angie Nicholson.

The Walking Juvenile 15-17 Specialty was next on the agenda and Coin Collectors Drifter and MaryBeth Blessing made the perfect duo to take home the blue. Walking Armed and Aerial Maxwell teamed up for reserve.

Marti Reel made the winning ride aboard Armed Man in the Walking NCWHA Members Amateur Specialty class.Fantazmic Cash and Vickie Hughes Grindstaff came in reserve for the Farrell Hughes family.

Eldridge Cox was thrilled to accept the blue in the Walking Park Performance Open Specialty riding The Last Of My Cash for Bill Hinegardner. Dusty Sky and John Toney graciously accepted the red streamers.

Armed and Dangerous Vanguard and Paul Livingston bested the impressive field in the Park Pleasure Open Specialty for Randy and Angie Nicholson. Skyline and Mavis Campbell were reserve.

Paul Livingston was back for another blue aboard Irresistible Cash. They paired up for the Open Four-Year-Old blue for McSpadden. Second place honors went to Spirits Texas Cash and Chris Pickel for Fred Randolph.

Beams Eclipse and Rusty Carlton made a superb ride in the Walking Amateur Canter class for Cody Slaughter. Magic's Loose Change and Ken Estes took the red.

Anticipation was at a fever pitch as the Walking Horse Stake was called to the ring. Seven entries put forth their best efforts for judge Hilley. As the crowd cheered on their favorites, Hilley called for the running walk one more time. Armorall and Steve Woody had a great performance and they were named the champions for Charles and Florence Terry of Morristown,Tenn. Pushers Phantom and Keith Ailshie earned reserve for Ron Jones of Greeneville, Tenn.