ASHEVILLE, N.C. - For the final evening of the North Carolina State Championships they started earlier to welcome the “babies” of the show ring before the opening ceremonies.

The talented handler Ella Kline was at the lead for three out of four of the leading classes. Kline captured the Weanling Fillies with She’s Got Angel Eyes, the Yearling Fillies with She’s Pusher In Command and the Yearling Stallions with The General Command. C.L. Kline Farms of Robbins, Tenn., owned all of the champions. Tommy Halmontaller won the other at lead title of Weanling Stallion champion with I’m All Lined Up for Sam Kite of Telford, Tenn.

The reserve winners in these classes were also well deserving of recognition. In the 10 entry Weanling Fillies Clutch Me I’m Dreaming and Jamie Lee Wycoff took the red ribbon for Kenridge Farms of Paris, Ky. Ten eager youngsters also made the gate call for the Weanling Stallions class where Major Magic Man and Don Robinson of Cookeville, Tenn., received reserve. Denise Calhoun of Waco, Ky., was pleased with her second place finish in the Yearling Fillies with Wicked Moon. And then in the last class before the opening ceremonies Scott Helton guided Ultra Danger to a prestigious reserve ribbon amongst six other competitors for Anne Piet of Mint Hill, S.C.

The ever popular stick horse class was be far the largest class of the show with 32 young riders making the gate call! Parents, grandparents and spectators alike were thrilled with cameras in hand for the event.

Talented equitation rider, Alex Bumpus performed a solo ride in the Youth Walking Seat Equitation class aboard Settle The Score. Tom Bumpus of Murfreesboro, Tenn., owns the winning entry.

In the next two classes the in hand classes returned to the ring for their championship classes. In the Weanling Championship Tommy Halmontaller and I’m All Lined Up defended their previous blue with flying colors. Reserve in the first championship class of the night went to She’s Got Angel Eyes and Ella Kline.

Ella Kline was back at the top of her game in the Yearling Championship with The General Command. While Roman’s 10:9 and Vickie Hughes-Grindstaff received the reserve title in the class for Farrell Hughes of Burnsville, N.C.

The Youth 11 and Under Championship the crowd was on their feet practically the entire class. There were two extreme top competitors amongst the other 13 talented entries. The world championship team of Bold Stroke’s Attraction and Hailey Puckett could not be denied the blue once again. This team captured the Youth 11 and Under preliminary class with a unanimous decision as well. The crowd equally roared for the reserve tie which was awarded to Miss Dumas Ebony and Lindsey Hess.

The first under saddle pleasure class of the night was the Lite Shod Specialty Championship where 17 head shaking entries made their way to the arena. Little Dumas and Mike Klutz made the winning ride for C.B. Daughtridge of Rocky Mount, N.C. The well known team of Wired 440 and Wayne Conley rode the reserve finish in the class for Larkin Turner of Clintwood, Va.

In the A division of the Amateur Specialty Novice Rider class tears of joy streamed down not only Deborah Perry’s face after winning aboard The Diamond Broker, but also Alicia Perry-McDaniel’s face as she made her way to center ring to help her mother with her winnings. Reserve in this top class of competitors went to Dazzling Dumas and Barbara Corbett for Ridgemont Farms of Blacksburg, Va.

The B division found Susie Carter and Choice Cuts Bandit in the winner’s circle for Carter and Parrish of Indianapolis, Ind. Mozart and Brad Rogers of Owingsville, Ky., took the red ribbon in the class.

Brandon Derrick made a winning ride for Rodney Koger aboard Sweeping In Style in the A division of the Youth Walking Pony class. Reserve in this seven entry class went to Sure Threat’s Masterpiece with tiny Samantha Gaddy in the irons.

In the B division of the Youth Walking Pony class Mandie Napier and Gen All On The Way made a unanimous winning ride for Mandie Napier of Union, Ky. Rudy Rudiger and Alexandria Holland came in as a close reserve in the class.

Ed Breedlove snagged another blue at Asheville this time in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class with By Reservation Only. I’m Dan Proud with Derek Monahan rode to the reserve finish for Rom Folger of Dobson, N.C.

The NCWHA Members Only class was also split due to the large number of entries at the show. Kenny Compton and Stormy Walks took the A division by storm by walking away with the blue unanimously! Major Stretch and Lori Riddley made a good ride for the reserve honors for the Alan Riddley family of Cherryville, N.C.

Fantazmic Cash and Vickie Hughes-Grindstaff found their way to the winner’s circle in the B division. While Extra Ebony and Clay Mills came in as a strong reserve in the class.

Keeper’s Prince and Chad Baucom became kings of the ring in the Three-Year-Old Stallion class for John Weihl and Yvonna Matthis of Kings Mountain, N.C. Bravado and Joe Cotten took the reserve honors in the class for Jimmy and Carol Lackey of Forest, Miss.

Eleven talented young riders came out to make a ride for the roses in the Youth Specialty Championship. Madison Holloway and I’m An Evil Rebel took the unanimous blue home to Kannapolis, N.C. Swoosh and Megan Mozeley swooped in to snag the red ribbon in the class for Steve Mozeley of Charlotte, N.C.

Alicia Perry-McDaniel and her Muddy Buddy also received a unanimous blue in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class. Amanda Hankins guided Bad Man Jose to the second place tie for Gerald Buckland of Roanoke, Va.

Ed Breedlove captured his final blue of the show in the Amateur Specialty Championship with Jazz King. The well known team of Electrifying and Dona Griffin came in as a close reserve in the 13 entry class.

Sabrina Young could not have been more thrilled with her unanimous blue aboard Ultra Prime Mover in the Amateur Show Pleasure class. This class was also one of the largest of the entire show with 23 making the gate call. World champions San Juan and Eric Lackey captured the prestigious reserve place tie.

Chance Of Cash and David Polk had their chance to win in the Four-Year-Old Stallion Specialty class for Reana Manis of Laurinburg, N.C. Sweeping Up The Cash and Larry Wheelon came in as a close reserve in the 8 entry class for Brock, Duncan and Wheelon of Maryville and Clinton, Tenn.

The Plantation Amateur Specialty Championship class was the final pleasure class of the show. Twenty talented entries made the gate call to vie for the top honors. World Champion Fully Armed carried Jerri Anne Williams of Eden, N.C., to the blue, roses and the title. Reserve in this top class was awarded to another celebration champion. The Cash Collector and Amanda Dickerson received the red ribbon in the class.

Wes Hendrick of Bowling Green, Ky., was pleased with his new set of roses from the Amateur Championship with Half Dollar. The well know team of Generator’s Old Gold and Hunter Rouse came in as a close reserve in the class for Doug Rouse of Morristown, Tenn.

Then it was time for the moment that everyone had been waiting for...The North Carolina State Grand Championship. Seven well known top competitors made the gate call one by one as the spectators picked out the favorite and began to cheer. In their hometown state of North Carolina MG Above The Rest and Allen Abee took the competition, crowd and judges alike by storm as a wave of cheers poured out as they called out #590! Really and Joel Weaver also had an intense fan club as they collected their reserve grand championship honors for McJunkin Farms of Shelbyville, Tenn. Backstreet Boy and Chad Baucom finished out the top three position in the class for Bonnie Davis of Louisville, Ga.

Complete results may be viewed, searched and printed at www.walkinghorsereport.com. In our latest edition to the web site you may also be able to view judges cards from the North Carolina State Championships. Congratulations to all of the winners, reserves and the overall good rides!