by Linda Scrivner and Stephanie Rose

DECATUR, Ala. - The 42nd annual Alabama Jubilee Charity Horse Show was held Oct. 22-24, 2009, at the Racking Horse Celebration Arena in Decatur, Ala. The show started at 6 p.m. each night. The proceeds benefited Camp Smile-A-Mile, a camp for children suffering from cancer. The event was affiliated with the Walking Horse Association of Alabama and the SHOW judges for this year’s show were Joel Weaver of Shelbyville, Tenn., Rodney Dick of Unionville, Tenn., and Larry Edwards of Dawson, Ga.

The classes had big numbers and lots of talent in each one. Many world champions at this year’s Celebration made their first outing since at the Jubilee. One of those was two-time World Champions Absolute Proof and Meg Callaway, the Amateur Specialty Stake Champions. The Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty Grand Champions were The American Choice and Dr. Linda Garrard. This team won the Owner-Amateur Novice Show Pleasure World Championship, then the International Grand Championship Amateur Show Pleasure Stallions & Geldings class before carrying out the roses at the Alabama Jubilee. 2009 World Champions Lilly Waites and A Private Benjamin were victorious in the Youth Specialty Stake class. Waites also won on Prime Poison in the Youth Pony class.

The Grooms’ class was held before the last of the championships. Wesley Stapler and World Champion New York New York brought the crowd to their feet after a thrilling performance and took home the blue for owners Larry and Terry Lowman. The Walking Horse Stake was called to the arena after Stapler’s victory pass. A full ring of contenders competed for top honors. Following wins at Woodbury and the Lady Azules Soccer show, Ozone’s Cut Above All and John Allan Callaway walked away with another unanimous blue for Mark and Sharon Thomas. Jazz Country and Tim Smith were reserve in the good class for Beverly McNeill. Command Again and Knox Blackburn rounded out the top three for What A Blessing Farm.

Complete results may be viewed by clicking here.