By Linda Scrivner
IRVING, Texas - The Big D Charity Horse Show always tries to make everyone welcome Texas style and 2003 was no exception. Exhibitors were treated to hospitality coffee and continental breakfast from April 30-May 4, a Junior Exhibitor Luncheon on Saturday afternoon and a retirement ceremony and exhibitor party on Saturday evening after the show.
Show manager Russ Walther stated, “This Virginia boy showed Texas how to do a real barbecue.” This year’s barbecue and meal was the treat of Nancy Lassiter in honor of the retirement of her two American Saddlebred horses CH Alvin’s Mr. America and CH Fashion’s Spring Moon. Their retirement was held during the Saturday evening performance.
The 34th annual Big D Charity Show was held May 1-4, 2003, at the Los Colinas Equestrian Center. With 153 classes, the above hospitality and an Amateur Judging Contest, exhibitors and spectators were entertained throughout the event.
Russ Walther managed the show, with Maryann Meiners acting as show secretary. The Board of Directors for the 2003 show included Torri Hansen, president, Becky Taggart and Ken Wright, vice-presidents, Sharon Seiler, secretary, Nancy Lassiter, treasurer, Janie Hamilton, Beverly Sherman, Ann King, Margo Urad and Deborah Williams, board members. Gene Smokey Carswell from Moorehead, Ky., judged the walking horses, racking horses, equitation, walking academy and country pleasure horses. The Big D Show was MASCUP affiliated for American Saddlebreds and Tennessee Walking Horses. Before the show began, management expected larger numbers than in the past few years, judging by the number of stalls sold and several new barns entering their horses.
On Thursday evening, however, expectations fell. Following the arrival of five USDA officials to inspect horses in addition to NHSC DQP Earl Melton, many plans were changed. Earnest Johnson, DVM; Jeanne Kios, DVM; Alexandra Andricos, VMO; David Green, senior investigator, and Kevin McLaughlin, investigator, for Investigative and Enforcement Services comprised the team to view each and every walking, racking and country pleasure entry before they showed. Several stables exited the grounds after viewing the first night’s inspection procedures. Other exhibitors chose to not show all of their horses, but remained to show some entries. Consequently many of the classes had no entries and others had only a few.
Show Chairman Russ Walther had this to say, “Entries were good, enthusiasm was high, horses were great and the barbecue was excellent. As far as the horse industry, we must add the USDA to our life, just as taxes and death. Therefore, both the horse industry and our federal government must worked harder to understand both sides.”
On the bright side of the situation, youth and equitation classes were large.
There were no entries in the Grand Championship Walking Stake, nor the preliminary Mare and Gelding or Stallion classes. The final championship of the show was the Lite-Shod Championship held on Sunday afternoon. John Feltner, Jr. directed Gen’s Gold Investment to the blue in this championship for Dr. James and Mary Fuller. Gen’s Gold Investment had two earlier Big D blues. He won the six entry Lite-Shod with Feltner up, as well as the five entry Lite-Shod Adult Amateur Specialty title with Dr. Jim Fuller in the irons. Reserve in this championship was awarded to the team of Barbara Civils and Trashadeous for Jimmy Civils. In 2002, this multi-titled world champion won four Big D blues. This season he also captured the Lite-Shod Amateur Specialty Championship with Jimmy Civils directing. Reserve in this grand championship was awarded to the team of Rambo’s Velvet Shadow and Phil Peters for Judy Peters.
The Racking Built Up Championship win by Jazz Attack and Stan Urad brought tears to the eyes of owner Laura Taylor as everyone congratulated her. On Thursday they laid claim to the Racking Built Up Only class. Sheila Denny directed Gen’s Beauty and Grace to the reserve position for Larry and Sheila Denny.
Eight entries answered the gate call for the Amateur Trail Pleasure Youth Championship and Judge Carswell selected Copper Gen’s Elegant Lady to make the victory pass with Brandon Urad up for Mr. and Mrs. John Feltner, Sr. On Saturday afternoon this team also claimed the nine entry Trail Pleasure Youth Specialty title. Reserve grand champions were Madeline McCluer aboard Eb’s 5 Star General.
Armed Lady From Dixie and Wayne Westbrook enjoyed wins at the 2003 Big D, just as they did in 2002. They claimed the Lite-Shod Four and Under Championship followed by Gen’s Silver Gambler and Elizabeth Grassie. Armed Lady From Dixie and Westbrook also enjoyed success in the five entry Lite-Shod Four and Under on Friday and the six entry Lite-Shod Four and Under Amateur Specialty class on Saturday.
Pushin The Spotlight and Terry Haus laid claim to the Park Pleasure Three Years and Under Grand Championship and the Park Pleasure English Amateur Specialty Grand Championship for Haus and Landford. Their third blue came in the Park Pleasure Four and Under Amateur Specialty class. Dangerous Intersection and Lindsey Jordan were the reserve team in the Park Pleasure English Amateur Championship class.
Caprice’s Lady Gen, a 2002 blue ribbon winner, captured the 2003 Park Pleasure English Grand Championship with Barbara Civils aboard for father, Berry Coffey. Label’s Indiana Gold and Lisa Wolgamott claimed the reserve grand championship title after winning both the Park Pleasure Western Amateur Specialty class and the Park Pleasure Western class. Caprice’s Lady Gen also claimed two earlier Big D titles - the Park Pleasure English and the Park Pleasure English Amateur.
Wayne Westbrook has a new star in her showstring this season, Bright Star’s Forecast. They claimed the Show Pleasure Championship for Robert Westbrook following their win in the Show Pleasure Amateur Adult Specialty class.
The newly purchased mount, Watch Me Cash, carried new owner Tim Plafcan to dual blues at Dallas. They won the Amateur Specialty Championship and the preliminary Amateur Specialty Class. This was their debut following their purchase from Backward S Ranch.
Alyssa Langer laid claim to the eight entry Country Pleasure Racking Championship with her Delight’s Fancy Chance. The reserve team was Copy’s Midnight Diamond and Jean Smith for Robert and Jean Smith.
The Equitation Specialty Class 12-17 years of age had seven hard riding youth, but Jimmy Civils rode to the top of the class. The Racking Flat-Shod Grand Championship was won by the team of Margo Urad aboard her Mean Maudine in a flawless performance. Mean Maudine also carried Urad to the top of the Racking Flat- Shod preliminary class.
One of the larger classes of the show was the 11 entry Amateur Country Pleasure Youth Championship. Rising to the top was the team of Michael Kirkton and Extra Rave, winners earlier this season in Conroe, Texas. Hallelujahs Touch with Brandon Urad up carried the red streamer from the ring. Hallelujah’s Touch also carried another youngster, Jack Bell, to the blue in the Academy Pleasure 17 and Under Specialty for Laura Taylor and Bruce Hallmark.
Another large class was the ten entry Amateur Trail Pleasure Adult Championship. Logsdon’s Rocket and owner/exhibitor Diana Spalding received the judge’s approval in this class as well as the eight entry Amateur Trail Pleasure Specialty on Friday. The reserve team in the grand championship was Money Maker’s Son and Aleyne Zumwalt.
Leann Rimes and Joe Dickerson were the grand champions in the Youth Specialty Championship after they also won the Youth 12-17 Specialty blue. They also laid claim to this class at Big D in 2002.
Another 2002 Big D winner, Copy’s Dark Stranger, claimed the ten entry Amateur Country Pleasure Championship with Lisa Weaver in the saddle for Fred and Lisa Weaver. Hallelujah’s Touch and Bruce Hallmark won the reserve position. Hallelujah’s Touch and Laura Taylor were crowned in the Amateur Country Pleasure Adult English Ladies class. Copy’s Dark Stranger and Amanda Weaver repeated their 2002 win by winning the 12 entry Amateur Country Pleasure 17 and Under title once again.
Seduced By Citation and Sue Maze won the Amateur Grand Championship and the preliminary Amateur class at Big D for the second year in a row.
Wendy Shaw brought To Die For to the Big D to be shown by Lisa Weaver for owner Janis Brown. They proved worthy by claiming the nine entry Amateur Trail Pleasure English title on Thursday, the five entry Amateur Trail Pleasure Western on Saturday morning, and the eight entry Amateur Trail Pleasure Championship on Saturday night. Money Maker’s Son and Aleyne Zumwalk claimed the reserve position in the stake.
Flame Ember and Mary Martin claimed the six entry Pleasure Racking Championship. Pride’s Silver Prophet and Kristen Medo claimed second place.
On Thursday evening the first blue went to the Two-Year-Old Champion Jose’s Illusion and Bill Young riding for Floyd Sherman. Barbara Civils and Wicked Wanda claimed the Open Specialty title also.
Nancy Yonko, traveling from Washington state, claimed the ten entry Amateur Trail Pleasure Four and Under Specialty blue, followed by a second blue on Friday in the six entry Amateur Trail Pleasure Western Specialty.
The little, bay mare A Style File made a name for herself in 2002 at Big D by winning three blues. She returned again in 2003 and claimed two blues. Her first blue was in the Lite-Shod Western class with Jeff Givens in the irons on Thursday. Darwin James directed her to the top of the Lite-Shod Western Amateur Specialty class.
Miss Texas Cash won two blues at Big D. She and Wink Groover were the Four-Year-Old Champions on Thursday and Nancy Groover took the reins Friday and won the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty title.
Dodi Speece directed Lady Pushin’ Jazz to the blue in the Three-Year-Old Amateur on Thursday. She and trainer Dub Ivins won the Three-Year-Old Open on Friday, followed by the Three-Year-Old Stake on Saturday in three exciting performances.
Jean Smith directed Copy’s Midnight Diamond to the Pleasure Racking blue on Thursday. Following their Pin Oak victory, Doug Smiley and Blanco Buster won the Park Pleasure Four and Under English class.
Jessica Davis captured the Racking Flat-Shod Amateur with Strut’s Guilty As Sin. Generator’s Double Duty won the Racking Trail Pleasure with Alyssa Langer in the irons on Thursday and the Racking Western Pleasure on Friday.
The first blue on Thursday was won by a petite Lindsey Bever aboard Supreme’s One & Only in the 11 and Under class. Sue Maze was thrilled to win the Park Pleasure English Amateur Specialty title with Judge’s Red Alert. Nancy Yonko and A Classical Jazz were crowned Lite-Shod Three and Under Specialty champions in Dallas.
The high headed Doing Time In Texas carried Wink Groover to a blue in the Plantation Pleasure Three and Under English Specialty. Gen’s Beauty & Grace won the Racking Built Up Only Amateur class with Sheila Denny in the irons on Friday.
Barbara Civils and Miss Jazz claimed the 2003 Two-Year-Old Amateur title at Big D. Jennifer LeRay and Ebony Go Man Jr. won the TWH Academy Equitation 18 & Over Specialty class.
Maddie Jones and Collector’s Coin Operator claimed the Park Pleasure Youth English Specialty blue. Hit N’ Run and Amanda Rodriquez proudly wore the blue from the ring in the nine entry Amateur Country Pleasure Western.
The team of Debby Nebel and Gold Deals were thrilled to win the seven entry Equitation Specialty 11 and Under on Saturday afternoon. Big D’s Doll and Laura Taylor always take their share of the blues. At Dallas, they won the eight entry Racking Amateur Country Pleasure competition.
Tried & True won the five entry Amateur Country Pleasure English Adult Gentlemen title with Bill Marzinzik aboard. On Sunday morning, the team of Rambo’s Velvet Shadow and Giovanni Mastache captured the Lite-Shod Youth title.
Royal’s Vanity Fair claimed the six entry Flat-Shod Model title once again with Jeff Givens at the lead.
The Big D Charity Horse Show has become a tradition in the spring show line up and one that you need to add to your list for 2004. Highlights and results from this show follow and can be viewed, printed and searched from our newly redesigned website at www.walkinghorsereport.com.