by Donell Schetter

ELKHORN, Wisc. - This two-day show sponsored by the Wisconsin Walking Horse Association, now in its 14th year, has long been associated with the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association.

The show was held May 31-June 1 at the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn, Wisc. Judging the 62 class, three performance show was the honorable Harold White of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Mr. White had his work cut out for him with 316 entries passing through the gate for competition.

High Bush Farms horses walked home with seven blues. Yearling, Ms Ansiei Hayes won her class with handler Rebecca Cox. Investments Fury won the Plantation Model also with Cox handling. Owner Laurie Johnson rode him to the blue in the Plantation Ladies English Two-Gait class. Sundrop’s Country Razen, owned by David and Laurie Johnson, displayed his winning style in the Lite-Shod Western Two-Gait, Lite-Shod Western Three-Gait, Lite-Shod English Three-Gait, Lite-Shod English Geldings and Stallions Two-Gait and the Plantation Four and Under English Three-Gait classes with Rebecca Cox in the saddle.

At the end of the show, three horses should have, along with the numerous blues they received, earned the "Energizer Bunny" award for their "walking ways". Silver Golddust, owned and shown by Brenda Erickson, and youth rider Kendel Domres, earned seven blues in the following classes: Equitation 17 and Under English Two-Gait, Lite-Shod Youth Western Two-Gait, Lite-Shod Youth English Three-Gait, ALL - Ride A Buck, Plantation Youth English Three-Gait, Plantation Youth Western Two-Gait, Plantation Youth Western Three-Gait. Domres and "Dusty" were also the Hi-Point Youth Versatility champions.

The second "bunny" was Hand Paint’D Lady. She was ridden by three generations of Kim Sizer’s family winning six blues; two for her father, Don Schetter, in Plantation Western Two-Gait and Plantation 50 & Over Two-Gait O/T, three with Sizer aboard: Lite-Shod Amateur Owned & Trained Three-Gait, Trail and ALL-Bareback Switch. This energetic horse took granddaughter Andria Madison to the blue in the Youth Barrels competition. In addition, Lady carried visitor Rita Jensen from Norway into three classes. Jensen did not receive any firsts, but did earn two seconds in the Lite-Shod English Mares Two-Gait and Lite-Shod Novice Rider Two-Gait O/T classes. When asked to comment about her first show ring experiences Jensen stated, "It was a lot of fun! And something I’ll always remember." Kim Sizer and Lady were also the Adult Hi-Point Versatility champions.

The third "bunny" award goes to That’s My Pride Jubilee, owned and shown by Beth Blessing-Foat and daughter Shelby Foat. This horse took the blue in the Youth Trail Class along with the Reserve Hi-Point Versatility award for Shelby Foat.

Another competitor in the versatility classes was the team of Lynne Levy and Ideal’s Carbon Grey. They rode to the blue in the Amateur Trail Pleasure English Two-Gait, Amateur Trail Pleasure Western Two-Gait, Western Riding and Basic Reining classes with Levy aboard and the ALL-Costume Class with youth Kenan Saeger. Levy and "Boomer" also took home the Reserve Adult Versatility trophy.

Generator’s Coal Dust won five blues for owner’s Dillon and Sue Schulz taking the Plantation Model – Youth, Lite-Shod Youth English Two-Gait, Plantation Youth English Two-Gait with Dillon Schultz in the saddle while brother Jacob Schultz rode him to wins in the Plantation Amateur Owner/Trainer English Two-Gait and Lite-Shod English Two-Gait classes.

Owner Diane Ramskugler aboard Sundrop’s Angel went home with three blues, winning the Lite-Shod English Mares Two-Gait, Lite-Shod Novice Rider Two-Gait O/T and Plantation Amateur Novice Rider Two-Gait O/T classes.

Thank you, two small words that pack a wallop of meaning and don’t quite seem like enough to say to the many volunteers that helped to make this show the success it was. Please know that without you it could not have happened. Thank you also to the many individuals that contributed to the breakfast Sunday morning. This concludes the highlights from the Wisconsin Summer Classic & TWHBEA Versatility Show. Results follow and may also be found by visiting www.walkinghorsereport.com.