By Linda Fox

COLUMBIA, Ky. - The Adair County Fair Horse Show was held Saturday, July 12, 2003, at the Adair County Fairgrounds. The honorable Jerry Woodlee of Shelbyville, Tenn., was the judge of the 26 walking and racking classes.

Trainer Joe Cotton made the trip up from Franklin, Tenn., to wrap up the evening competition by claiming the Walking Horse Stake victory ride aboard the exciting Judith Burgess owned property Cheatin’ Danger.

The Brent Grider Stables were responsible for four blue ribbon performers. Many Colors took the blue with Charles Tooley aboard in the Plantation Pleasure division for the Travis Coomer family of Columbia, Ky. Another Travis Coomer owned property, Spot and Charles Tooley claimed the always competitive Country Pleasure division. Next, Tooley and Have A Little Faith rode to the Amateur Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding title for the Tommy Grider family. Julie Grider took up the reins to make the blue ribbon ride in the Amateur Four-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class aboard the flashy Bella Rose.

You can always expect exciting contenders when the Tommy Loid Stables truck pulls into a show. And when you see Kent McGary and Dark Mystery enter the ring in the Amateur Show Pleasure class you can expect to see them in the winner’s circle, and this night was no exception. Natalie Beckham directed Navy to the Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallion title. And rounding out the third blue for Loid Stables was Donna Byard aboard the showy Papa’s Twilight Zone.

Trainer Spencer Benedict brought some top contenders to take three titles back to Glasgow, Ky. Their first blue came by way of pretty wife Carrie in the 15.2 Amateur Specialty aboard Prime’s Rainstorm. Next, juvenile rider Wade Brower and Spirit’s Gem rode to the 17 and Under title for the Tapocek family. Benedict rode to the Three-Year-Old Open championship aboard the fancy She’s High Falutin for Lyon Hutcherson.

Kurt Kovalick trained properties also claimed three blues. The first came when Kovalick directed Storm Threat Too to the Open Show Pleasure laurels for Dr. and Mrs. Pat Rigual. The next blue came when Julie Grider and the talented Sky Command rode to the Amateur Two-Year-Old title. Sandra Reed rode hard and made a super show aboard Sky Watches Motown Motion to make the victory pass in the Amateur Walking Specialty class for Silver Spur Ranch.

Trainer Keith Blackburn rode the fancy, Tommy Grider owned property, John FK’s Diamond Delight to the Open Two-Year-Old title bringing the Tommy Grider family blue ribbon tally to four.

The Woosley Stables trained team of Courtney Harper and General’s Glory Girl claimed the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding blue.

R.C. Gabehart made a top ride to claim the Amateur Four-Year-Old class aboard his Cash’s JR. This good team is readied for competition by Harvey Hernandez. Donnie Grider and Tell Me More made the good ride to the Four-Year-Old title.