The Black Night Shade Reigns Supreme in Gallatin

By Elizabeth Miller

GALLATIN, Tenn. - The 46th annual Gallatin Lions Club Charity Horse Show lived up to its reputation as one of the most prestigious events of the Spring show schedule. Held at the Sumner County Fairgrounds, this year’s edition featured 234 entries from across Tennessee and Kentucky and included some of the top horses and riders in the industry.

Show Chairman Martin Spears was extremely pleased with the show. “We had a great show that drew horses from all over, not just Middle Tennessee, and addition of the MASCUP classes has increased the quality as well as the number of entries at our show,” said Spears.

The honorable Jamie Hankins of Paris, Ky., expertly handled the huge task of judging the 30 class event. Announcer Bobby Sands celebrated his 20th anniversary at the microphone as the master of ceremonies for the Gallatin show. Brian Peery entertained the large crowd from behind the keyboard with his music, and Jack Greene captured the official photographs from center ring.

The eagerly-awaited Walking Horse Championship class was an exciting finale for the evening. Although the number of entries was small, the talented field of competitors did not disappoint the remaining horse show fans. The Black Night Shade and Jimmy McConnell were awarded the championship tricolor and floral horseshoe after an outstanding performance. This marked the first stake win for the five-year-old black stallion this year. He claimed grand championship titles at the International and the Dixie Jubilee last fall. He is campaigned from Formac Stables for delighted owners Tom and Judy Waite.

Earning the reserve win were Prism Sky and Justin Jenne’. The handsome gray stallion is owned by McJunkin Farms and is prepared by the team at Black Hawk Farm. Collecting the third place award was Superior Generator Threat. Tommy Loid directed the entry for owner L. E. Walton.

Opening the competition at Gallatin was the nine entry Country Pleasure class. Owner and trainer Connie Waldo earned top honors aboard Friday Night Mercedes. In the reserve position were Sunfire’s Hi-Tech and Kathy Owen. Double Springs Farm owns the entry and Russell Keyser serves as the trainer.

Next, the Yearling Filly class entered the ring. After previously walking away with the Trainer’s Show and Manchester titles in this division, Encore’s Magic Lady and Nathan Mills earned another blue ribbon. The striking black filly is owned and raised by Hoyte and Jane Eakes of Hidden Acres Farm. The second place award went to Jose’s Glamour Girl and Chris Richards for owners Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brantley.

In the Lite-Shod Open Plantation Pleasure Specialty class, Miss Patsy Cline and elated owner Donna Sprouse made their second victory pass in as many weeks. They previously earned top honors at the Winchester Rotary Club Horse Show. Larry Patton prepared the entry. Reserve honors were awarded to Gen’s Morning Miracle and Connie Holbrook for owner Vicki Carter.

Twelve talented competitors answered the gate call for the Three-Year-Old and Under Park Pleasure Specialty class. Following up his debut blue ribbon at the Gulf Coast Charity last month, Hermano Gold once again earned top honors in the division. Trainer Doug Barnes of Blue Ribbon Stables was in the irons for proud owners Bob Lawrence and Carroll Hutto. Baby Face Nelson and trainer Jerry Woodlee were the reserve winners for owner Belinda Wenzel.

In the Yearling Colts division, The Texas Lexus and Lynn Womack walked away with the blue ribbon honors. Owner Andy Womack was delighted with the performance of his young stallion. Liberty’s Pride and Chris Richards collected the reserve award. The solid white colt is owned by Don Collins and Bobby Richards.

The first performance class of the evening was the Walking Pony, Riders 17 and Under, Specialty division. Making the victory pass ride was Wesley Hendrick aboard Half Dollar. The Kenny Hendrick family owns the entry that is prepared by trainer Scotty Brooks. My Major Heartache and Erica Derickson claimed the reserve honors for Mr. and Mrs. Don Barnett. They are under the direction of Derickson Training and Breeding Facility.

The world championship team of Silver’s Spinal Tap and Jared Carrier continued their winning ways in the Amateur Owned and Trained Lite-Shod Plantation Specialty class. This duo recently earned blue ribbon acclaim at the Gulf Coast Charity Horse Show. Terry Vaught made the reserve ride aboard Armed With Beauty.

Eleven entries answered the gate call for the Open Show Pleasure Specialty class. After a tough competition, Coin’s Black Stroke was called into victory lane to collect top honors. Trainer Johnny Puckett was in the irons for owner Ashley Compton. Reigning Reserve World Champion Storm Threat Too took home the red award with trainer Kurt Kovalick. Dr. and Mrs. Raphael Rigual own the entry.

Sunrise Heartbeat and Josh Mosley made an outstanding show in the Youth Riders 11 and Under class. They earned the blue ribbon honors under the direction of Highland Stables and trainer Keith Becknell. Keely Sale made the reserve ride aboard Design’s Masterpiece. This was the first of two reserves claimed by horses under the McJunkin Farm banner. Black Hawk Farm and trainer Justin Jenne’ prepared the gelding for competition.

Eleven two-year-old mares and geldings competed for recognition in Gallatin. The Chip Carrier family and their Gobbler’s Knob Farm entries collected their second win of the night with She’s J-Lo. Trainer Tommy Loid made the winning ride. Earning the reserve honors were Groovy Chick and Johnny Puckett for owner Kathy Potter.

Metro Grand and Wayne Hall made a flawless performance to claim the blue ribbon award in the Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty division. Hall owns the champion entry, and trainer Chris Messick of Full Moon Farm handles his preparation. Silver’s Long Shot and Mose Jobe rode away with the reserve ribbon. Howard Adkinson trains the Albert Lutz owned entry.

Kathryn Ramsbottom was absolutely ecstatic following her first win with her new mount, Pusher’s Special Design. They captured the top honors in the Youth Riders 12-17 Specialty class. Proud father, Bob Ramsbottom, owns the World Champion mare that is under the direction of Link and Larry Webb of Webb Stables. Justin Mosley made the reserve ride aboard his Pegasus Magna Man, trained by Keith Becknell of Highland Stables.

The Sky Command made an exciting debut in the Two-Year-Old Stallions class. The Tommy Grider family was delighted with the outstanding performance of their newest young star. Trainer Kurt Kovalick made the winning ride. Jimmy McConnell collected the reserve honors with Lynn and Kay Barnes’ entry Our Chance By JFK.

Sabrina Young won blue ribbon acclaim for the second consecutive year in Gallatin. She and The Top Dollar rode into the winner’s circle following the Two-Year-Old Amateur class. Young owns the talented black stallion with her husband, Rodney. Justin Jenne’ of Black Hawk Farm handles the training responsibilities of the colt. Just Jazz and Chris Mosley were rewarded with the red ribbon for their fine performance. The entry of Charles and Betty Mosley is trained by Keith Becknell of Highland Stables.

Justin Jenne’ saddled back to back winners as Taking Command took home top honors in the TWHBEA Youth Medallion class with Erica Hartlein in the irons. This was the second blue ribbon of the weekend for the Gingerbread Farm entry. He won the 15.2 and Under Amateur class at the Children’s Classic on Friday night with mom Ginger Hartlein aboard. Reserve went to Sarah Nichols and her roan gelding Himself. Tim Smith of Joe Fleming Stables trains the entry.

In the Open Park Pleasure Specialty event, Doug Barnes made his second victory pass of the night with Captive Heart. Del and Bridget Rush proudly own the talented performer. Scott’s Even and trainer Mark West earned the reserve award for Jerry Stephens.

The 2000 15.2 and Under World Grand Champion, Steel Connection, returned to the show ring in blue ribbon style. He and Rodney Dick received the top award in the Open 15.2 and Under class. Owners Dan and Janice Rowsick were delighted with the strong performance of their stallion. Silver Dollar Make Me Holler and Knox Blackburn were the reserve champions. Abby Graves owns the gray stallion.

For the second consecutive year Glynn Young made the victory pass ride in the Novice Horse Amateur Specialty class. This year he directed Bomar’s Ultimate Reality to the blue ribbon honors for owner Evan Alexander and trainer Donnie May. Pushover’s Homegrown and Barbara Corbett were reserve. The Ridgemont Farm entry is trained by Joel Weaver of Rising Star Ranch.

Another repeat Gallatin winner was They Call Me Sir. Last year he carried owner Bill Barnett, Jr. to victory lane in the Three-Year-Old Amateur class. This year he topped the Open Specialty division under the direction of Jimmy McConnell of Formac Stables. The reserve honors went to I’m Splashed and Marvin North of David Landrum Stables. The roan stallion is the property of Hillview Promotions and Lindsey Landrum.

Ten outstanding entries answered the gate call for the Three-Year-Old Amateur class. The reigning World Champion Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion, I’m Richie Rich, made his 2003 debut a blue ribbon affair. Karen Marriott was in the irons of the striking sorrel stallion which she owns along with her husband, Rich. Finish Line Farms trains the young star. Jaclyn Harney directed Step Right Up to the reserve honors. The John Harney family’s Stonewall Farm owns and trains the entry.

The Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings event was another large class rich with talent. My First Dollar won her first blue ribbon for new owners Don and George Ann Pratt. They were absolutely delighted with the outstanding performance turned in by their young mare and her trainer Allan Callaway. Spring Loaded Santana and Knox Blackburn earned the reserve honors for the Bill Clayton family.

John F.K.’s Delight and Sandra Johnson added a Gallatin title to their lengthy resume’. The current World Champion Four-Year-Old Stallion won the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class under the direction of David Landrum Stables. William B. and Sandra Johnson own the champion. Dr. Ray Caughman rode to the reserve tie aboard Ample Cash. Allan Callaway Stables assumes the training duties of the C and C Stables entry.

The Amateur Lady Riders on Mares and Geldings Specialty class was filled with 13 world class talents. After one of the most competitive classes of the evening, Pushin That Jazz and Sarah Dunn followed up their recent win at the Gulf Coast Charity Horse Show with another award winning performance. Derickson Training and Breeding Facility prepared the black gelding. Summer Passion and Pam Ingraham were reserve under the direction of Rising Star Ranch. Ingraham Management owns the World Champion mare.

William B. and Sandra Johnson collected their second Gallatin prize in the Three-Year-Old Stallion class. Jazz’s Master made an outstanding performance to capture top honors. This was one of three victory pass rides for trainer Jimmy McConnell in Gallatin. Reserve went to NYPD and Tim Gray for owner Gus King.

Debbie Eichler was elated following her win in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty class. Her mount, Rumble At The Ritz, is both owned and trained by Rising Star Ranch. Party At Sunrise was awarded the red ribbon in the class. Charlie Carr rode and trained the entry of the Carr Brothers.

In a stunning performance, the reigning Three-Year-Old Amateur World Grand Champion, Main Power, captured the Open Four-Year-Old title. Joe Cotten made the outstanding ride for Dr. Jim and Kay Green. David Landrum Stables prepared the black stallion. Larry and Pam Russell’s entry, Sanman, was reserve with Link Webb in the irons.

Robin MacDonald and John F.K.’s Pusher added a Gallatin title to their 2003 resume’ which already included a Trainers’ Show win. They walked away with the blue ribbon in the Open Amateur Specialty class. The sorrel stallion is owned by Bruce and Robin MacDonald and trained by Dick Peebles Stables. Reserve honors went to New York, New York and Terry Mann. Mann Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep owns the entry that is trained by David Landrum Stables.

The Prime Suspect and John Allan Callaway are another team that followed up their Trainers’ Show win with a Gallatin blue ribbon. They topped the Aged Mare and Gelding class for owners Terry, Terry, and Conners. Allan Callaway Stables trains the talented gelding. Gen’s Thundermaker and Knox Blackburn were rewarded with the red ribbon. The Paul Bryan family owns the entry.

Larry Lowman and Cheatin’ Danger made a blue ribbon debut in Open Amateur competition. It marked the third trip to the winner’s circle for horses trained by David Landrum Stables. Judith Burgess proudly owns the powerful black stallion. Steve Mozeley rode Swoosh to the reserve award under the direction of Webb Stables.

This highlights the 46th annual Gallatin Lions Club Charity Horse Show. Complete results follow and can be seen, searched, and printed from our web site www.walkinghorsereport.com.