RIPLEY, Tenn.- Walking horse trainers, exhibitors and a large crowd of fans traveled to Ripley, Tennessee on June 21, 2002 to attend the Ripley Walking Horse Classic.
The event is sponsored by the Ripley Boy Scout Troop 63. The show has proven to be a success through the hard work of the local Scouts as well as the dedication of volunteers in the community. Proceeds from the show benefit Troop 63 and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital located in Memphis, Tennessee. St. Jude is one of the world’s premiere biomedical research centers. The institution’s mission is to find cures for children with catastrophic diseases through research treatment.
Robin Edwards of Columbia, Tennessee judged the twenty-seven classes. John Hood was master of ceremonies for the evening. Jimmy Cole served as ringmaster and Diane Beaver was the organist. Bryan Hayes provided farrier services.
Formac Stables led the blue ribbon tally with five Ripley Classic titles. The first of these was awarded to Mary Pritchett in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class aboard Watch The Night for owner, Dianne Donner. Jimmy McConnell earned three trips to the winner’s circle at Ripley.
Black Danger claimed top honors in the Three-Year-Old Open division for Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Tanner. I’m A Five Star General was Four-Year-Old Open champion for Mr. and Mrs. Odell McConnell. In the walking horse stake class, McConnell rode Barracuda to the Ripley tricolor for Mary Medina. The fifth blue ribbon performance was by another Medina owned contender, Grandy's Rhythm Lady in the TWHBEA Youth Medallion class with Lee Lunsford in the irons.
Entries prepared by Ray Gilmer Stables at Falcon Ridge Farm were the recipients of four Ripley blues. Gen's Good As Gold and Brittney Bridgers were crowned Youth 11 and Under champions for Mr. and Mrs. L.H. Gaines. Brittany's father, Gregg Bridgers, also made a victory pass at Ripley in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class riding A Dangerous Pipedream.
Lillian Gaines and Come To Papa were at the top of the judge's card in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class. Gaines and Pride's Flapjack made the familiar trip to victory lane in the Amateur Open class.
Whitter Stables also received four Ripley titles. The first honor came in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. Written In The Stars directed by Brad Davis was awarded the blue for Floyd Sherman. Davis and Ritz's Legacy were in the spotlight in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class for O. and W. Moody, Ltd. Wilsene Moody and Pushover's Titan are having a successful 2002 season with another Four-Year-Old Amateur title to add to their list of blue ribbon accomplishments. Twist About's Hero and Rhonda East topped the highly competitive Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class.
Four West Tennessee barns claimed dual blues at Ripley. Jenna Hamilton and Olympic Angel continue to blaze a blue ribbon trail in the Amateur Country Pleasure class for owner, Marilyn Staley Friedman. Quickly acquiring a list of blue ribbon performances in the Spotted Saddle Horse Division, Pusher's Bustin' Time and Billy Crockett added a Ripley title for owner, Wayne Crockett. Southern Serenity Ranch prepares both entries for show ring competition.
Wade Crum Stables captured two titles at the Ripley show. Katie Moore and Dangerous Mudslide were champions in the Youth Show Pleasure class for owner, Candace Lex, followed by an impressive win in the Amateur Specialty class aboard Extra's Bad Boy for Bill and Rhonda Moore.
Summer Crest Farms had two contenders owned by the Barry Carter family that walked away with blue ribbons. The Three-Year-Old Amateur division was led by Olympic's Godfather and Phillip Carter. Stephanie Carter and I'm A Ritz were crowned Youth 12-17 Specialty champions.
Shea Woods emerged victorious in the Open Walking Specialty class riding Just So You'll Know for Bill Williams. Tyler Herndon took up the reins of Black Sails to claim the victory in the Walking Pony Specialty class for Tim Herndon. Woods Stables prepares both of the champions.
Emerging victorious in the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class riding under the White Oak Stables banner was Pushover's Eclipse and Karla Mitchell. Claiming their fifth title in Yearling competition was From Dawn To Dusk and David Smith for Hughes and Smith.