By Linda Scrivner

MINOR HILL, Tenn. - MASCUP classes and $1,000 in prize money in the Stake brought top quality horses to the 11th annual walking horse show held May 31 at the Minor Hill City Park. Attendance at this show, sponsored by the Minor Hill Saddle Club, was down slightly with 132 entries compared to 138 in 2002.

Bill Young handled the judging duties expertly and quickly as the hot afternoon turned into a crisp, cool evening with breezes chilling those in attendance. Connie Dunlap entertained with her organ while Bobby Sands announced. Sherry Oxford preserved the evening on film, and Jerry Collier borrowed his son Trevor’s horse Generator’s No U to carry old glory during the opening ceremony.

Five outstanding stake horses entered the ring for judge Young’s consideration, but Gen’s Thundermaker and Knox Blackburn were chosen to wear the floral horse shoe from the ring. The Paul Bryan family proudly owns this black stallion who is entering aged ranks this season. The duo of Mike Hilley and Solar Generated for Dr. and Mrs. John Brundige was the judge’s choice for second place. Third in this excellent class went to Stormin Norman and Joel Weaver for Kevin Parton.

Steve Dunn of Bud Dunn & Son Stables of Florence, Ala., led the blue ribbon tally with six blue ribbons. Knox Blackburn Stables returned home to Franklin, Tenn., with four blues and Joel Weaver of Rising Star Ranch claimed three Minor Hill blues. Dual blues were won by Steve Aymett Stables, Blue Ribbon Stables, Jerry Collier Stables, Chris Messick of Full Moon Farm and Nelms Training Facility.

Bill and Sandra Johnson’s horses claimed dual blues under the Dunn Stables banner. The Titleist and Steve Dunn topped an 11 horse MASCUP Three-Year-Old Stallions class with an inspiring performance. Bill Johnson and A Big Time Pusher carried the blue ribbon from the show ring in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty.

Andy Adkins won two blues under Steve Dunn’s guidance. First, he and Dumas captured a strong Walking Pony class victory. Then, Adkins claimed the Junior Riders 12-17 Years class blue aboard You’re In Command, who also claimed a victory at Minor Hill in 2002.

Fortune Fool and Steve Dunn walked to the blue ribbon in the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings MASCUP class. Motown Motion and Toby Scarbrough added another Open Amateur blue to their lengthy resume.

In addition to the Championship Stake, Knox Blackburn Stables claimed three more blues. Erin Graf proudly exited the ring with two Minor Hill blues repeating her Jackson, Miss., wins with both of her horses in the same classes. First, Graf directed her Silverado Spirit to the victory pass in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class. After exiting the ring, she jumped onto her three-year-old amateur stallion mount Real Bad Score to win the very next class. Needless to say, Graf was grinning ear to ear with joy. Knox Blackburn Stables’ fourth blue came in the MASCUP Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings as Blackburn was in the irons to win aboard Precious Little Dumas.

Edition’s Power Pusher strolled down victory lane with Joel Weaver in the irons in the MASCUP Two-Year-Old Stallions class to win the first of three Rising Star Ranch blues. Next was a very happy Pam Ingraham, who rode from the ring with the blue ribbon flying from the bridle of Pure Tribute in the Amateur Riders 15.2 & Under Specialty. Gen’s Master Pusher carried Joe Christmas to the first place tie in the Amateur Stallions Specialty division.

Winning the first of the two blues for Steve Aymett Stables was granddaughter Stratton Weaver. This tiny rider skillfully directed I’m A Majorette to win the Junior Riders 11 and Under class.

One of the highlights of the show was the Groom’s class. Much whooping and yelling from ringside encouraged these hard riding teams on toward victory. Adding to the delight of the spectators was Salvador Fernandez coaching several of the riders loudly in Spanish from the rail. The judge’s choice was Pablo Rodriguez aboard Gen’s Sharp Dressed Man.

Doug Barnes rode the elegant palomino Trip Of A Life Time to claim the blue ribbon in the Park Pleasure Specialty class. Winning the second blue for Blue Ribbon Stables was the team of Dinero and Jeff Byrom in the Western Park Specialty class.

The first of Jerry Collier’s two blues was in the Four-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class on I’m Well Armed. He also won the Four-Year-Old Stallions class aboard Dark Express.

The Grand Calamity carried Chris Messick to victory in the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Specialty to win the first of two blues for Full Moon Farm. How Grand I Am and Messick carried out the blue in the Park Pleasure Two And Three-Year-Old class.

Robert Nelms led the winners in both the Yearling Colts and the Yearling Fillies classes. Nelms led Ambassador For RFK to the winner’s circle to accept the blue in the Yearling Colts class and Touchy Me to the Fillies win in the yearling division.

The remaining single blues were won by Tropicana Grand and Bobby Richards in the Weanling class; Dazzling Jewel and Tex Dillingham in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallions class under trainer Tony Palomino’s tutelage; Beam’s Eclipse and Kathryn Ramsbottom in the TWHBEA Medallion class from Webb Stables; Collector’s Mr. Twister and Tim Wheelon in the 15.2 & Under class; Showboat’s Dixie Belle and Erica Hartlein in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings class from Black Hawk Farm; Beam’s High Tide and Brandon Stout in the Show Pleasure Specialty from Bobo Stables; and Mama Rose and Patty Marek in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings class from Derickson Training Facility.

This concludes the highlights from the Minor Hill Saddle Club Horse Show. Complete results follow and may also be viewed, searched and printed from our website at www.walkinghorsereport.com.