By Elizabeth Miller

ARAB, Ala. - The Walking Horse Association of Alabama hosted its annual Summer Classic Horse Show on Saturday night, June 21, 2003. Always a popular and well-respected show, this year’s event was no exception. Over 230 entries graced the show ring and vyed for top honors at the beautiful Arab City Park.

The honorable Mickey McCormick of Shelbyville, Tenn., was on hand to mark the cards and make the difficult decisions in each of the 27 classes. Sherry Oxford also made the trip from Shelbyville to capture the evening’s memories with her camera. Tommy Williams kept the show on track from behind the microphone in his role as announcer.

In a true showing of the hometown spirit, each of the six entries in the Walking Horse Stake were owned by Alabama residents. For the second consecutive week, Kodachrome and Rollie Beard were crowd favorites as well as blue ribbon winners. They earned the grand championship for owner Cathy Baird of Mobile, Ala. Last week they were crowned the 15.2 and Under Open Champions at the Grinder’s Switch Walking Horse Classic in Centerville, Tenn.

Claiming the reserve tie was the impressive team of Darkest Sunrise and Glen Crowe. Proud owner Ray Solley of Decatur, Ala., was on hand to enjoy this fine performance. The third award went to Pride’s Touch Tone and Philip Trimble for Brenda Fann of Anderson, Ala.

Another crowd favorite under the direction of Rollie Beard Stables made a winning performance at the Summer Classic. The elegant team of June Hawkins and her beloved “Eddie”, better known as Editorial Page, earned another victory pass ride in show pleasure competition. This team also won top honors at the Grinder’s Switch Walking Horse Classic last week.

The horses and riders representing Bud Dunn and Son Stables earned three blue ribbons at the Summer Classic. The hard riding Andy Adkins made two flawless blue ribbon performances. He piloted former World Champion Dumas to the winner’s circle in the Walking Ponies, Riders 17 and Under class. Adkins shares ownership of his mount with Keith and Renee Carlton.

In the Youth Riders 17 and Under class, Adkins retuned aboard You’re In Command to make his second victory pass of the evening. He owns this talented gelding along with Mike Young.

The third top prize for Bud Dunn and Son Stables was accumulated by Karen Inman and Generator’s Cashin In. The Deuce, as he is affectionately known, carried Inman to victory lane in the Alabama Ladies Auxiliary Specialty class. The champion is owned by Mike and Karen Inman.

Entries from the Clark Farms were well represented in their hometown of Arab, Ala. Steve Clark and All Night were the Open Lite-Shod Specialty class winners. Later in the evening, Nathan Clark rode to victory lane aboard Spirit’s Black Coin in the Open Amateur division. Both top horses are owned by Clark Farms.

Another resident of Arab, Ala., had a successful evening at the Summer Classic. Steve Beam proudly exhibited Wired & Walkin’ to top honors in the large Three-Year-Old Stallion class. The entry of the Jeff Bryant family beat twelve other competitors to earn his title.

Another Beam trained entry earned blue ribbon acclaim in the Youth 11 and under division. Bo Beam directed Dark Storm Warning into victory lane for Bo and Blake Beam.

Entries representing Allan Callaway Stables earned two blue ribbon awards at the Summer Classic. Bill Callaway made an outstanding performance with Pushin Up The Mountain in the Open Specialty division. The stallion is the property of Edd Stuckey. Their second blue ribbon was claimed by expert exhibitor Ed Breedlove aboard his flashy gelding Bound And Determined. They captured the top award in the Amateur Specialty division.

Another Middle Tennessee based training operation also claimed dual blue ribbon success in Alabama. Link Webb won the Aged Mares and Geldings title with Swoosh. The sorrel gelding is the property of Steve Mozeley. Webb returned in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class and rode away with the blue aboard Back At The Ritz. Owner James Vernon was on hand to congratulate the winning team.

Mistress and Robin MacDonald were the judge’s choice in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class. This was the first of two victories for horses under the direction of Dick Peebles Stables. The current Four-Year-Old Mare World Champion is proudly owned by Bruce and Robin MacDonald. Debbie Williams made the winning ride aboard Taboo in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class for Mark and Debbie Williams.

Among the numerous single blue ribbon winners, Melanie Eifling and Sweepstakes Sweetheart walked away with the Open Weanlings and Yearlings title. Delighted owner Holly Thrasher was overjoyed with the blue ribbon performance of her lovely filly.

Charlie Green and O.M.G. got their new partnership off to a wonderful start as they took the top honors in the 15.2 and Under Open division. Proud owners Ford and Jane Gates were very pleased following their performance.

Earning their sixth blue ribbon of the year, The Rising Sun and Ray Solley captured the Open Park Pleasure Walking Specialty title. This talented team is under the direction of Glen Crowe of Fairview Stables. The adorable Jordan Dempsey was in the saddle as grandfather Charles Gleghorn led her into the winner’s circle in the Leadline class aboard Shaker’s Little Midnight.

In the 12-entry Three-Year-Old Amateur class, Dan Stewart made a championship ride aboard Pushbutton Omen. Stewart is the proud owner and Chris Zahnd of Swingin’ Gate Stables is the trainer. The Four-Year-Old Amateur class was equally impressive with 13 outstanding entries. Jeff Best and Push To Touch were chosen as the winners. The champion is under the direction of Philip Trimble Stables.

Steppin’ earned a trip into victory lane following the Open Four-Year-Old class with trainer Tim Smith in the irons. Dr. George Wright and son own the entry. Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding champion John Mack’s Merry Delight and Larry Massey are no strangers to the winner’s circle. They claimed their third blue ribbon of the year for owners Bob and Carol Johnston.

Erica Hartlein and Solid Silver made a flawless performance to earn another TWHBEA Youth Medallion title. The Gingerbread Farms entry is under the direction of Black Hawk Farm. Ralph Folks and Rebel’s Dunn Deal won the Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty class topping a field of 12 tough competitors.

Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings Champion Sweeping and Jerry Collier earned their first trip into the winner’s circle at the Summer Classic. The fine young filly is owned by Brian and Tammy Anderton. Finally, the Country Pleasure champions were It’ Your Choice and Patty O’Bryan.

This highlights the Alabama Summer Classic Horse Show. Complete results follow and can be seen, searched or printed from our web site at www.walkinghorsereport.com.