PRICEVILLE, ALA. - The third annual Alabama Ladies Auxiliary Horse Show kicked off the new Alabama show season at the Racking Horse Breeders Association Arena on April 5. After being honored as Alabama’s one night show of the year for the past two years, the 2003 edition of the show carried on the same tradition of excellence.

With 267 total entries, exhibitors and spectators alike were treated to world class competition in each of the 33 classes. Both the winning team and the reserve honorees were allowed to make a final victory pass.

The honorable Robin Edwards of Columbia, Tenn., put her experience to work as the judge for the event. Keeping the show moving along was announcer Sister Milligan of Panama City, Fla. The talented and always enjoyable Connie Dunlap of Murfreesboro, Tenn., entertained everyone with her organ music, and Jack Greene of Christiana, Tenn., was a familiar sight behind the camera as the official center ring photographer.

In keeping with one of the industry’s finest traditions, our nation’s colors were presented by a white Tennessee Walking Horse during the opening ceremonies. Former Amateur Owned and Trained World Champion Stroker’s Vanilla Ice was honored with the task of being the flag horse for the evening. He is proudly owned, bred, raised, and trained by Cornelius Farm of Rogersville, Ala. Allison Cornelius did a superb job of directing her mount while carrying our flag.

The marquis event at any show is always the Championship Stake class, and this year nine strong entries came to Priceville with the goal of capturing the ultimate title. After a hard-fought battle, Citation’s Liberty and trainer Allan Callaway were awarded the tricolor ribbon and floral horseshoe. The sorrel stallion is the entry of Don and Lucky Collins of Ft. Myers, Fla.

Although they were unable to be attend, modern convenience allowed the owners to share in the moment. Good friend Toby Scarborough called from the arena on his cell phone and let the owners listen as Sister Milligan announced his victory pass ride.

Claiming the reserve honors in the division was Spirit’s Midnight Rider under the direction of trainer Ramsey Bullington. The six-year-old black stallion is owned by Cy Williamson of Hopkinsville, Ky. Another formidable competitor, Kodachrome, won the yellow award in the class. Trainer Rollie Beard was in the irons for Cathy Baird of Mobile, Ala.

Starting off the evening was the adorable Stick Horse class, featuring eight energetic youngsters and their stuffed mounts. Each child was presented with a blue ribbon and a bucket of treats and assorted snacks. Melanie Collier was responsible for supplying the gifts for each child.

In the Leadline Ponies, Riders Six Years and Under class, Hannah Schultz from Lawrenceburg, Tenn., rode away with top honors with Little Rascal. Equally as precious, Brant Collier and Clutch’s Tumble Weed collected the reserve win in the class. This duo calls Rogersville, Ala., home.

Following a strong introductory year in 2002, the TWHBEA Youth Medallion class continued to see growth in entry numbers and quality in its second season. Claiming their first blue ribbon of the year was the experienced team of Almost Indecent and Jamie Waddell of Clanton, Ala. Hugh Taylor prepared the entry and coached the rider. Sarah Nichols of Shelbyville, Tenn., guided Himself to the red award under the guidance of Tim Smith.

Next on the agenda was the Open Walking Specialty class. Former Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion World Champion Coin’s Signature Edition once again found himself in the winner’s circle with trainer Jack Way aboard. The talented entry is owned by Clanton and Humphrey of Pell City, Ala., and Lewisburg, Tenn. Another former world champion earned the reserve award. Dang My Time and David Landrum made an impressive performance for Jeffcoat Stables of Oakland, Tenn.

Eagle’s Lady Sue and Karla Massey celebrated their win in the Country Pleasure Lite-Shod Open class. James Nichols of Oxford, Miss., proudly claims ownership of the entry. Collector’s Big Time Jack and Joyce Smith of Hollywood, Ala., were reserve in the class.

In the first of her two blue ribbon rides of the evening, Meghan Reidy expertly guided Finally Armed to the top spot in the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class. Sammy Day Stables directed the pair for owners Mike and Cheryl Reidy of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. In a rather large class with 11 entries, Master Of Pride and Meg Young of Boaz, Ala., were reserve for owner Ricky Young and the training staff of Pate Stables.

Chris Coffey of Shelbyville, Tenn., made the trip to Decatur a blue ribbon affair by winning the Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty class with Rebel’s Regal Dream. Spirit’s Black Coin and Nicholas Clark earned the reserve tie for the Clark Farms of nearby Arab, Ala.

Also from Shelbyville, Bill and Joni Jenne’s recent acquisition, Showboat’s Dixie Belle, proved to be a wise investment as she walked away with the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding honors with Justin Harris in the irons. The outstanding filly is trained by Black Hawk Farm. Slam’s Wild Nite and trainer Steve Beam were named the reserve winners for Chris and Renae Barnett of Fultondale, Ala.

Nine talented teams entered the ring for the Ladies Amateur Specialty event, always one of the strongest competitions at any show. Long-time teammates, Gen On The Rocks and George Ann Pratt, made another flawless performance culminating in a well-deserved victory pass ride. They are backed by Don Pratt of Kansas City, Mo., and under the direction of Allan Callaway Stables. The elegant Jaclyn Harney made the reserve ride aboard Good Evening. This former world champion is owned and trained by the John Harney family of Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Black Hawk Farm claimed their second blue ribbon of the evening as Design’s Masterpiece and Keely Sale took command of the Juvenile 11 and Under class. They are proudly supported by McJunkin Farms of Shelbyville, Tenn. Earning the reserve award were Dark Storm Warning and the hard-riding Bo Beam of Arab, Ala. Dad, Steve Beam, trains the entry.

Our Favorite Attraction was also the judge’s favorite in the Four-Year-Old and Under Park Pleasure Open Amateur Specialty class. Jeff Daniels made the winning ride for Jeff and Mary Daniels of Oxford, N.C. Fairview Stables expertly prepared the entry. In the reserve spot were May Sunrise and Megan Thomas for Ray Solley of Decatur, Ala., also from Fairview Stables.

Fred Astaire and trainer Joe Fleming made an award winning debut in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class. The flashy colt is owned by Donald and Gladys Stephens of Shelbyville, Tenn. Claiming the reserve honors was Dollar’s Direct Deposit and Marvin North. David Landrum Stables directs the entry of the Harold Daniels family from Lewisburg, Tenn.

Terry Mann made the trip from Mt. Sterling, Ky., to take home the blue ribbon with New York, New York in the Amateur Specialty class. This was the first of two winning rides for Mann Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and David Landrum Stables. Push Me Bold and Donald Stephens collected the reserve award in the class. The silver stallion is owned by Donald and Gladys Stephens of Shelbyville, Tenn., and trained by Joe Fleming Stables.

In the Open 15.2 and Under Stallions, Mares, and Geldings event, Skywarning and trainer Sammy Day were the ultimate victors for owners Harliss and Lowman of Gilbert, W.Va., and Bell Buckle, Tenn. Steve Beam earned the reserve tie with Brad and June Posey’s entry Excalibur’s Jazz. They hail from Arab, Ala.

Magic Illusionist carried the delighted Meghan Reidy to her second win in Priceville. They were named the Open Lite-Shod Specialty champions under the direction of Sammy Day Stables. Mike and Cheryl Reidy of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., proudly own the multi-titled champion. Charged By JFK and Dr. Amy McCurdy sported the reserve honors for Mary Ann Morgan of Cedartown, Ga. They are prepared by Pate Stables.

Tommy and Vicki Hale of Hillsboro, Ala., celebrated the victory of Bustin With A Bang in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallions class. Tommy Hale was in the irons, and Jerry Collier readied the entry for his outstanding performance. Midnight At Motown gave a strong reserve performance with owner Greg Cass of Florence, Ala., up. Swingin’ Gate Stables trains the entry.

In the Pro-Am class, amateur exhibitors guided their mounts during the first half of the class. The professional trainers climbed aboard as the horses were asked to reverse. After the class was completed, the great mare Sunrise At Midnight was named the champion. Carolyn Joseph and Jason Day shared the reigns for owner Susie Harmon of Wartrace, Tenn. Tommy Hale and Jerry Collier joined forces to capture the reserve honors with The Golden Clutch. Tommy and Vicki Hale of Hillsboro, Ala., own the entry.

Generator’s Dry Gin and Andrea Zahnd were crowned champions in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings class. Haynes and Zahnd of Albertville and Trinity, Ala., own the Swingin’ Gate Stables trained entry. The formidable team of You’re In Command and Ginger Young collected the reserve honors in the large class. They are under the direction of Bud Dunn and Son Stables and owned by Mike and Ginger Young of Arab, Ala.

The Show Pleasure Open Specialty class was next on the agenda. Silver Swing and trainer Buck Williams made the coveted victory pass for delighted owner Vickie Penick of Marietta, Ga. Steve Beam collected another reserve win with Mr. and Mrs. Morris Anderson’s A Pretty Pusher. The Andersons call Huntsville, Ala., home.

Kicking off their 2003 campaign, I’m Bond, James Bond and Erika Mann were the recipients of the blue in the Walking Ponies, Riders 17 and Under Specialty class. This was the second title earned by horses owned by Mann Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep of Mt. Sterling, Ky. They are under the direction of David Landrum Stables. Andy Adkins made the reserve victory pass aboard Keith and Renee Carlton’s Dumas. He is prepared by Bud Dunn and Son Stables and carries his award home to Corinth, Miss.

In the Western Plantation Pleasure Specialty class, Coin’s Flip Side was awarded the top honors. Suzanne Keplinger of Warrior, Ala., served as owner, rider, and trainer of the entry. Charged By JFK returned to garner another reserve win. This time it was owner Mary Ann Morgan’s turn in the saddle of the Pate Stables trained horse.

Simply Dangerous was simply wonderful in the Amateur 15.2 and Under class. Owner Toby Scarbrough of Florence, Ala., was in the irons to make the victory pass aboard the Bud Dunn and Sons trained entry. Heart Failure and Billy Haire earned the reserve honors. The Verner Smith family from Jackson, Tenn., owns the horse and it is prepared by Holley Stables.

The 12 entries in the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings division were the next class called to the ring. Sammy Day made his second winning ride of the evening and increased the total blue ribbon tally to four for his training facility. Pushin My Pride was responsible for this win. Jack Bolosky of St. Louis, Mo., is the owner of the fine entry. Reserve went to Dancing For Cash and Allan Callaway for proud owner and breeder Jackie Whatley of Tampa, Fla.

In the Amateur Two-Year-Old competition, Armed and Casee Crocker were awarded top honors. The Armed Group of Murfreesboro, Tenn., owns the entry and enlists Campbell Stables as the trainer. Aimee Barker and Silver Dollar’s Intimidator walked away with the reserve ribbon for owner H. E. Barker of Arab, Ala., and trainer Jamie Lawrence.

Pusher’s Last Citation and trainer Allan Callaway earned the victory in the Four-Year-Old Open Walking class. Mike and Ginger Young of Boaz, Ala., are the proud owners of the talented stallion. Ramsey Bullington accepted the reserve award with Spirit’s Rambling Man for the Robert Keenan family of Franklin, Tenn.

The Rising Sun and owner Ray Solley were the champions in the Park Pleasure Walking Specialty class. They were popular hometown winners in Priceville under the tutelage of Fairview Stables. Chris Pate and 9-Iron earned the reserve honors for the Hulsey family of Decatur and Hartselle, Ala., and the training team of Pate Stables.

In a thrilling performance, veteran exhibitor Carolyn Joseph made another blue ribbon ride aboard Ritzy Zone in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings class. They are backed by the Anthony Joseph family of Columbiana, Ala., and under the direction of C & D Stables. Miss Glitzy Ritz and Maria Derickson made the reserve victory pass for grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. John Brundidge of Sugar Grove, Ind. Derickson Training and Breeding Facility prepares the mare.

In the stallions section of the three-year-old amateur division, I’m General Electric and Ed Breedlove were the ultimate victors. The young horse is owned by Breedlove and Harney of Buford, Ga., and Murfreesboro, Tenn., and is trained by John Harney. Bruce MacDonald rode Gen’s Pushover to the reserve tie. Dick Peebles Stables accepts the training responsibilities of the Bruce and Robin MacDonald owned entry from Birmingham, Ala.

Reigning world champions, Extra Ebony and Aaron Bertrand, once again walked their way to the winner’s circle in the Juvenile Riders 12-17 Specialty class. The Bob Parks family of Murfreesboro, Tenn., proudly owns the black gelding and Ramsey Bullington trains the horse. In the reserve position, Bonanza’s Dixie Bell and Meg Young made the good ride for owner Diana Pate of Boaz, Ala., and Pate Stables.

Always a competitive division, the Three-Year-Old Stallion class did not disappoint the spectators. Seventeen entries answered the gate call, but Bust Me Loose and Justin Jenne’ were named the winners. Black Hawk Farm trains the Joe Barnes entry from Gatlinburg, Tenn. High Tide At The Ritz earned the red ribbon with trainer Ramsey Bullington in the irons for the David Thompson family of Hopkinsville, Ky.

The Open Amateur Walking class found Toby Scarbrough making his second trip to victory lane in Priceville. He and Motown Motion, under the direction of Bud Dunn and Sons Stables, took the blue ribbon honors back home to Florence, Ala. Capturing the reserve win was the team of Design’s Lady Di and Hugh Johnson of Gadsden, Ala. Pate Stables once again saddled a red award winner.

The Alabama Ladies Auxiliary hosted a class designated solely for their members. Current world champion, Generator’s Cashin’ In, took home top honors for Mike and Karen Inman of Hoover, Ala., with Karen in the irons. Once again Bud Dunn and Son Stables was responsible for training a winner. Pushin’ Midnight and Kathryn Britt rode away with the reserve tie for the George Britt family of Birmingham, Ala. Latham Stables prepared the entry.