By Linda Scrivner

DECATUR, Ala. - The 4th annual Alabama Walking Horse Ladies’ Auxiliary Horse Show kicked off the Alabama show season April 3, 2004, at the Racking Horse Breeders’ Association Arena. The 2004 edition of the show continued its tradition of excellence with 283 entries compared to 267 last year.

Exhibitors and spectators alike were treated to world class competition in the 32 classes. The honorable Vicki Self judged the event.

This year six strong entries made their way to the ring in the championship stake with a single goal in mind - capturing the ultimate title. After a hard-fought battle, which included a second running walk, the tricolor ribbon and floral horseshoe were awarded to the team of Cash’s Amber Waves and trainer Dick Peebles. This chestnut stallion is owned by Ed Smith of Pidgeon Forge, Tenn, and opened the season with a stake win at the Louisiana Jubilee in Monroe, La.

Steppin, under the direction of trainer Tim Smith, claimed the reserve honors in the division. Steppin is owned by the Dr. George Wright family of Old Hickory, Tenn. Pay Check By M.G., another formidable competitor, won the yellow ribbon in the class. Trainer Nathan Clark was in the irons for Steve and Shelia Clark of Arab, Ala.

Dick Peebles Stables led the blue ribbon tally with five Decatur blues. Black Hawk Stables and Five Way Farm proudly claimed three blues apiece. Dual blues were won by Bud Dunn & Son Stables, Fairview Stables and Swingin Gate Stables.

The always adorable Stick Horse class began the evening featuring 12 stuffed mounts with their energetic riders. Many were coaxed or accompanied by their parents. The blue ribbons awarded were momentarily forgotten as the young riders delved into their buckets filled with goodies and a dollar bill.

Dynamite and Kelly Smith stole the judge’s heart in the Lead line Ponies class and rode away with top honors. Just Jacob and Preston Moore were equally precious to collect the reserve win in this class.

In its third year, the TWHBEA Youth Medallion class continued to see growth and popularity. Claiming their second ribbon of the year was the experienced team of Pancho Impact and Kaitlin Fields Byrom. They won the same division last week at the National Trainers’ Show in Shelbyville, Tenn. Finish Line Farms prepared and coached this team. Another excellent team earned the reserve award. Watch For Glory and Marie Derickson made an impressive performance for Derickson Stables.

Next on the agenda was the 17-entry Open Specialty class. Elvis Pusher once again found himself in the winner’s circle with trainer Brock Tillman aboard. Jennifer Dunn guided Downtown Pusher to the red award.

John Glen expertly guided Dillon’s Big Bad John to the top spot in the Country Pleasure class. Generator’s Big Time Jack and Joyce Smith were reserve.

My Major Cash and Ray Fincher celebrated their win in the 12-entry Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class. Five-Way Farms proudly trains this team. Gen’s Super Stroke and James Vernon were reserve for the training staff of Webb Stables.

From Murfreesboro, Tenn., Cash Gordon walked away with the 11-entry Amateur Owned and Trained honors with Shane Porterfield in the irons. Another Dumas and Roger Latham earned the reserve tie.

Chris Zahnd of Trinity, Ala., made the trip to Decatur a blue ribbon affair by winning the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class with Stolen Gem. This was this flashy mare’s second blue of the season. Buster’s Terry and trainer Chad Williams were named the reserve winners.

Black Hawk Farm claimed their second blue of the evening as former world champion The Key To My Heart and Jaclyn Tillman took command of the 13-entry Ladies Amateur Specialty class. The elegant Brenda Carlon made the reserve ride aboard current world champion An American Outlaw. This champion is trained by Derickson Training Facility.

Eight talented teams entered the ring for the Juvenile 11 and Under event, always one of the strongest competitions at any show. Mistress and Elizabeth Lawrence made a flawless performance culminating in a well-deserve victory pass. They are under the direction of Dick Peebles Stables. Earning the reserve award were The Skylite and hard-riding Emily Zahnd. Dad Chris Zahnd of Swingin Gate Stables trains the entry.

Flashy Masquerade and Allyson Parker made an award winning ride in the Four-Year-Old and Under Amateur Park Pleasure Specialty class. Duck’s Jewel and Jeff Fizer collected the reserve award in the class for Buck Williams Stables.

One of the most talked about colts of the show debuted in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class. P.G.A., sired by Seve, carried John Allan Callaway to the win in Decatur. In the reserve spot were Another Santana and Chad Williams.

Pride’s Pickle was the judge’s favorite in the 10-entry Amateur Specialty class. Kathy Graves made the winning ride, and Dick Peebles Stables expertly prepared the entry. You’re In Command gave a strong reserve ride with Bruce MacDonald up. Bud Dunn and Son Stables trains the entry.

The nine entries in the 15.2 and Under division were the next class called to the ring. Brett Boyd made the winning ride aboard a flashy flax maned and tailed standout stallion. A Bolt of Rain was responsible for this much talked about win. Old Federal Pride and Gwain Wilson joined forces to capture the reserve honors.

In the Lite-Shod Specialty competition, Mr. Walk-A-Way Joe and Boyan Flora were awarded top honors. Iron’s Power Stroke and Monica Powell sported the reserve honors. They are prepared by Swingin Gate Stables.

The always popular team of Boomer In Command and Andy Adkins earned the victory in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class. Bud Dunn and Son Stables proudly trains this winning team. Claiming the reserve honors were Pushover The Blue and Jack Littrell. Jerry Collier Stables directs this entry.

Rebecca Dempsey made the trip from Oliver Springs, Tenn., to take home the blue ribbon with High Tide At The Ritz in the 13-entry Amateur Four-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. They are prepared for the ring by Robby Black Stables. Lee Walls earned the reserve tie with Dance At The Ritz. They hail from Bud Dunn and Son Stables.

In the 15-entry Show Pleasure Specialty division, Sabatier and Chad Williams were the ultimate victors. Tim Smith and Fashion’s Midnight Threat walked away with the reserve ribbon.

Reigning world grand champion Silver Design once again made his way to the winner’s circle in the walking pony division. Alex Way made his debut on the little gray horse trained by 5-Way Farms. The formidable team of The Nasdaq and Maria Derickson collected the reserve honors in the class. They are under the direction of Derickson Training Facility.

In the Western Plantation event, Pusher’s Minor Man and Leslie Moore were the victors for Fairview Stables. Rhonda Braton earned the reserve win with Miss Dixie Rebel.

Winning their third blue for the 2004 campaign, Dumas and Renee Carlton were the champions in the 12-entry 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class. They are under the direction of Bud Dunn and Son Stables. The Skywish and Erica Derickson earned the reserve honors. The Skywish is prepared by Derickson Training Facility.

The 16-entry Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class found Chris Zahnd making the trip down victory lane in Decatur. He and It’s My Watch took the blue ribbon honors back home to Trinity, Ala. Santana’s Pusher Man and Jamie Bradshaw made the reserve victory pass.

In the Amateur Two-Year-Old class, Motown Sky was awarded the top honors. Kathy Graves received her second blue of the evening under the guidance of Dick Peebles Stables. Erica Derickson made the reserve ride aboard The Golden Cobra. He is prepared by Derickson Training and carried the blue home to Shelbyville, Tenn.

General MacArthur was simply wonderful in the competitive Four-Year-Old class. Brock Tillman was in the irons to make the victory pass. Reserve went to Watch My Dust and Justin Harris.

Ray Solley celebrated The Rising Sun’s victory in the Park Pleasure Specialty class. Fairview Stables readied the entry for his outstanding performance. Landon Denney and Reflection’s Little Man earned the reserve honors.

In a thrilling performance, veteran exhibitor Robin MacDonald made another blue ribbon ride aboard It’s Taboo in the 11-entry Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class. They are under the direction of Dick Peebles Stables. Jack Littrell accepted the reserve award with Sweeping for the training team of Jerry Collier Stables.

Always a competitive division, the 14-entry Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class did not disappoint the spectators. Carolyn Thomas and Senor Jose were named the winners. Tommy Fitzgerald trains this talented entry that Thomas raised from her world champion mare Black Jack Cash. In the reserve position, High Jacked and Lisa Baum made the good ride. They were prepared by Webb Stables.

The Flashlight and Katlyn Stricklend were the champions in the 10-entry Juvenile Specialty class. They were popular winners under the tutelage of Clark Stables. Capturing the reserve win was the team of This Generator’s A Lady and Jacob Baum.

In the 16-entry Three-Year-Old Stallion class, the great Sky Command was named the champion. Joe Cotten was in the irons. Jazzed Up and John Allan Callaway garnered the reserve win.

The Open Amateur class was next on the agenda. Solar Generated and Maria Derickson made the coveted victory pass to the delight of the Derickson Training Facility crew. Chuck Cheek rode Ultra Copy’s Dark Shadow to the reserve tie. Bud Dunn and Son Stables accepted the training responsibilities of this entry.

Moments Of Jazz and Carolyn Rutner were crowned champions in the 14-entry Alabama Ladies Auxiliary class. Once again, 5 Way Farm was responsible for training a winner. Generator’s Cashin’ In and Karen Inman rode away with the reserve tie. Bud Dunn and Son Stables prepared the entry.

This highlights the fourth annual Alabama Ladies’ Auxiliary Horse Show.