BETHESDA, Tenn. - There is no better way to celebrate the birth of our nation and the blessed freedom that we all experience and so many of us take for granted than to have a horse show. And what a “Star Spangled”
celebration they had at Bethesda on the 4th of July - a celebration of good friends and good horses!
Three-time World Champion, Pride's Winning Edge, and Dick Peebles presented the red, white, and blue. Jamie Hankins of Paris, Kentucky, had the honor of judging this prestigious horse show and the 313 quality entries that entered the gate to the delight of the large audience of spectators. Connie Dunlap added to the festivities with her musical talents. Mark Farrar was the announcer and Gary Leverette captured the star-spangled moments on film.
The Independence Day celebration at Bethesda was brought to its conclusion when Cash's All Star and Larry Edwards wore the floral horseshoe out of the ring for Herb Murrath. Cash's All Star is the 2002 National Trainers' Show Grand Champion. Brock Tillman and the beautiful Generator's Showboat were reserve for Stacy Beard Henderson. The Bill Harlin entry, The Revelation, and Joe Cotten were third in this thrilling stake class.
The stick horse class always brings the cheers and all the families to the railside. Each participant in this class received a blue ribbon and a two dollar bill. The Lead Line class saw last year's Bethesda champion back in the winner's circle. Debbie Gaidos lead I'm A Dandy Too and Mackenzie Gaidos to the blue. Shaker's Little Midnight and Jordan Dempsey walked to the red ribbon tie with Charles Gleghorn leading.
Lynn Marchetti, owner/exhibitor, was delighted when her number was called to take Peacock's Mr. Delight to center ring to receive her blue in the Country Pleasure class. Our Mr. Hollywood and Patti Pollack were reserve for Pollack's Silver Spur Ranch.
The Weanling Fillies class saw Lynn Womack lead Dangerous Diva to the blue for Roger Richards. The red ribbon went to Laura Lou's Coming Thru and Bobby Richards for Lisa Teel.
With previous 2002 wins at the National Trainers' Show, Bob Lawrence and Jose' Quervo Gold made the familiar ride down victory lane to receive the blue in the Amateur Lite Shod division for Lawrence and Hutto. Also, no stranger to the winner's circle, Clint Dixon and Starstruck By JFK, carried the red streamer back to Georgia for owners, Randall and Gloria Dixon.
Major Fling and Jerry Collier made the good ride for Mr. and Mrs. Perry Hastings in the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class. The Mr. and Mrs. Charles Terry entry, Grave Danger, and John Allan Callaway were the red ribbon recipients. Blues La'day and Chris Richards were the Weanling Colts winner for Curt Denton. Robert Nelms and Black Hawk Farms entry, The Alamo, were reserve.
It's always good to see Wallace Brandon in the showring and in the winner's circle. This time it was aboard Cicero for Bob Medina in the Lite Shod Pleasure Canter class. Friday Night Mercedes and Connie Waldo were on cruise control as they walked to the second place tie.
Robert Nelms and A Wind Storm blew into the ring and received the blue in the Yearling Fillies class. A Wind Storm was the Yearling Fillies champion earlier in the year at the Trainers' Show. Grand Liza Jane and Keith Reed were reserve for the Shifman family.
The 11 and Under Mares and Geldings Specialty class saw 8 outstanding entries enter the ring. This Is It and Lindsay Landrum were "it" in the eyes of Judge Hankins. Proud grandparents, Bill and Betty Landrum own the entry. Coming off a win the previous weekend at Minor Hill, Trevor Collier and his classic horse, Generator's No U, were reserve for Collier Stables.
Fifteen quality horses entered the ring to vie for the Two-Year-Old Stallions title. Thief's Delightful Man and Dick Peebles stole out of the ring with the blue streamer on their bridle for Troy Richards. Monte Cristo and Knox Blackburn were reserve for the Gilbert Miller family.
On this "all American day", All American Ritz and Marty Warren were the judge's choice for the blue in the Yearling Colts division for Steve Smith. Storm Struck Again and Robert Nelms collected the red ribbon for Bob and Becky Nelms.
Bob Lawrence and She's Breathtaking made the familiar victory pass for the Lawrence and Hutto partnership in the Amateur Park Pleasure Specialty class. She's Breathtaking has earlier 2002 wins at the Trainers' Show and the World Cup Spring Premier. Blair Campbell riding for the Perry Lacy family directed Mark Of Buck to reserve.
In an exciting class of 11 Trainers' Wives and Children Specialty, Spring's Starmaker and Joyce Marie Green were the stars for Samantha and Corey Green. Be Bopper and Patti Gray bopped to the red ribbon tie.
Texas Salsa and Nancy Groover were hot on the 4th of July as they scalded the competition to take the blue in the Owner/Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings division. Texas Salsa has earlier wins at Jackson and Columbia. Poison Ivy and Erica Derickson were reserve in this good class.
The Owner/Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallions followed the mares and geldings and saw Beverly Sherman take the Floyd Sherman entry, Don't Bust My Bubble, to the win. Twisted Arm and Erin Graf to the red streamer back to Kentucky.
Ten entries strove for the honors in the Juvenile 12-17 Mares and Geldings Specialty division. It was no secret that A Secret Agent and Celie Gandy were Judge Hankins' choice to receive the blue. The popular duo of Joel Johnson and I'm Cruella De Vil to the red ribbon back to Shelbyville.
Storm Threat Too was the major threat in the Show Pleasure Specialty class with Kurt Kovalick in the irons for Dr. and Mrs. Rafael Rigual. Eddie Tuck rode the Susie Harmon owned entry, Sabatier, to reserve.