by Lynn Raciti-Shost LEWISBURG, Tenn. - The 29th annual Marshall County Horseman's Association Performance Horse Show was held Friday, July 22, 2005 at the Marshall County Exposition Center in Lewisburg, Tennessee. The show is cosponsored by the Marshall County Horseman's Association, Inc. and the Lewisburg Lions Club.

Despite the fairly intense heat and blazing sun, quite a crowd of spectators had arrived on the show grounds, ready for some good food and excellent competition, in time for the 6:30 p.m. start. Ronnie Campbell and Pusher's Bustin Special presented our national colors. The invocation was given by Stan Butts and David Roberts of Mt. Pleasant, Tenn. sang our national anthem.

The judging was handled by three judges; Wayne Abee of Shelbyville, Tenn., Jerry Collier of Rogersville, Ala., and Rick Sullivan of Shelbyville, Tenn. With the exception of the stake class, the three gentlemen alternated classes with judge Collier starting the rotation.

The weather was clear for most of the show but as class 22 rolled around, the sound of thunder became louder and flashes of lightning could be seen in the skies. Spectators scattered for shelter as the heavens opened and the downpour began. The track was well saturated when announcer Bobby Sands gave the gate call for the Bumpus Harley Davidson/Buell WHTA Rider's Cup Walking Horse Stake class. Seven very wet but hardy souls and their horses took the rail to be viewed and scored by all three judges. Despite soggy manes, tails and Rider's, all seven horses gave their best at the three gaits in both directions.

When the judges cards were tallied the unanimious choice for show grand champion was The Pusher's Renaissance and Knox Blackburn. Owned and raised by the Don Beatty family of Franklin, Tenn., this would be Pusher's Renaissance's second blue in as many shows, having worn the roses at the Cornersville Lions Club show on July 8. Pusher's Renaissance was also the 2004 Trainers' Show Four-Year-Old Stallions Champion and the 2004 International Grand Championship MASCUP Four-Year-Old Stallions and Geldings Champion. The reserve champion was I'm Unarmed and Joe Cotten, owned by Mr.. and Mrs.. Jerry Jones of Dillon, South Carolina.

The evening started with Lead Line, where young Rider's get their start in the show ring. Judge Collier awarded the blue ribbon and the victory pass to Dalton Puckett and Ace, with Holly Puckett assisting. Ace is owned by the James Bailey family of Lynchburg, Tenn. and trained by Puckett Stables of Shelbyville, Tenn. Reserve in the class went to Rascal Flatts and owner and exhibitor Chandler Byrom with dad Jeff as handler.

Five horses and buggies took the rail for the Open Fine Harness competition. Major Miss Understood and a very elegantly attired Lynn Womack claimed the victory for owners Neill, Hazewell, West and Womack of Savannah, Manchester and Murfreesboro, Tenn. Sundust With Attitude with Josh Taylor in the driver's seat earned the red ribbon for Taylor's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Sapp of Hartsburg, Mo.

Intense competition marked the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class. She's Over The Line and Robin MacDonald rose to the challenge and were rewarded with the blue ribbon by judge Abee. She's Over the Line is owned by Bruce and Robin MacDonald of Atlanta, Ga., and Shelbyville, Tenn., and trained by Dick Peebles Stables of Shelbyville, Tenn. Owner and exhibitor Kay Dennis and Encore's Hurricane Lili swept up the reserve honors under the Allan Callaway Stables banner.

Next up was the James Corlew Chevrolet Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings WHTA Rider's Cup class. Magic Pocket with Dick Peebles in the irons was the winning entry. Magic Pocket was bred, raised and is owned by Waterfall Farms of Shelbyville, Tenn. Ritzy Angel and Link Webb won the red ribbon for owner Rolling Hills Farm of Jacksonville, Ala.

Nine young people and their horses answered the gate call for the Youth 11 & Under class. Sanman and Benjamin Bowen claimed the victory and added another blue ribbon to the four they've already won this season (not including Sanman's Grinder's Switch Stake Championship with Link Webb). Sanman is owned by Bowen's understandably proud grandparents, Larry and Pam Russell of Ponotoc, Miss. Armed to Show and Maise McSwain won reserve honors for the Dan McSwain family of Atlanta, Ga.

The Amateur Specialty competition for Elite Rider's took center stage next. Pushin That Jazz and Laura Brandon claimed top honors for Wallace and Laura Brandon of Franklin, Tenn. Jazz is trained by David Landrum Stables, also of Franklin, Tenn. Bob Lawrence and Razzle Dazzle walked out with the red ribbon. Razzle Dazzle is owned by Lawrence and Carroll Hutto of Thomasville, Ga., and is trained by Chad Williams Stables of Shelbyville, Tenn.

The second Rider's Cup event of the evening, the Waterfall Farms Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class and Rider's Cup points were claimed by Major Ms. Push with Dick Peebles in the saddle. Ms. Push is owned by Wayne and Joyce Meadows of Ashland City, Tenn. A cutting performance by Jose's Switchblade and Link Webb gave them the red ribbon for owner, the Paul Hessler family of Pleasant Hill, Mo.

Eleven horses took the rail in the Park Performance Open Specialty class. The Concealed Weapon and Joe Cotten earned their fifth blue ribbon of the season for Pollack's Silver Spur Ranch of Saratoga, Calif., and Shelbyville, Tenn. One of Those Things and Robbie Black of Bell Buckle, Tenn., took reserve honors for Judy Shapiro of Ashefield, Mass.

The teenaged competitors took the over the ring for the next class, Youth 12-17 Mares and Geldings Specialty. Dr. Dangerous and Jacob Baum walked out blue, and they were also the winners at Great Strides. Owned by young Baum of Shelbyville, Tenn., the Doctor is trained at Bobo Farms of Shelbyville, Tenn. Pride's Sharp Dressed Man and Gavin Kasser received the red ribbon in the class for owner Carol Ann Gavine of Dalton, Ga., and Wartrace, Tenn.

A dozen horses answered the gate call for the Amateur Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding competition. This time judge Collier's choice for the top honors was An RFK Mistress with Gayle Brandon in the irons. Owned by Thomas and Gayle Brandon of Shelbyville, Tenn., Mistress is trained by Puckett Stables. The Rising Dollar and Debbie Eichler took reserve for Rising Star Ranch of Shelbyville, Tenn.

Youth Rider's 17 and Under on Walking Ponies was the next class of the evening. It was I'm Bond, James Bond and Madeleine Cross (not Miss Moneypenny) who earned the victory pass without the help of MI5. Bond is owned by Cross and Nance of Franklin, Tenn., and trained by David Landrum Stables. Maxxed Out and Taylor Willis were reserve for owners Taylor and Judy Reece of Pikeville, Shelbyville, and Lewisburg, Tenn. Maxxed Out is trained by Twin Willows Equine Center in Shelbyville, Tenn.

Fifteen horses crowded the ring for the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class. Bethesda champions Midnight at the Ritz and Donnie Ross made it two in a row by picking up blue ribbon honors at Lewisburg. The winning entry is owned by James Sigmon and Donnie Ross of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and trained by Rising Star Ranch of Shelbyville, Tenn. Hometown exhibitor June Hawkins and Editorial Page were reserve in the class. Eddie is trained at Rollie Beard Stables, also of Lewisburg, Tenn.

The Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallions was the next class that came under judge Collier's scrutiny. Sweep's Sir Williams and Rhea Ellen Webb took home the blue for owner Franklin Beaty of Byrdstown, Tenn. Just Watch Out with Sarah Moersch claimed the red ribbon in the class for Rolling Hills Farm of Jacksonville, Ala. Link Webb Stables trains the horse.

Celebration bound, Spirit's Ramblin Man and Sarah Keenan cantered their way to the victory circle in the Open Amateur competition. Also owned by Keenan of Brentwood, Tenn., Ramblin Man is trained by Ramsey Bullington Stables of Franklin, Tenn. Completely in Command and owner and exhibitor Pam Williams took reserve under the Tan View Stables banner.

The largest class of the evening was Amateur Lady Rider on Mares or Geldings with 16 entries. Terry Mann rode the winning horse, Driving Miss Dumas. Miss Dumas is owned by Mann of Shelbyville, Tenn., and trained by David Landrum Stables. An American Outlaw and Brenda Carlon were reserve. Dr. Harv and Brenda Carlon of Lowell, Mich., own and Allan Callaway Stables trains the red ribbon entry.

The leader in Rider's Cup points, Link Webb picked up more valuable points when he won the James Corlew Chevrolet Two-Year-Old Stallions class on Cesar Ritz. James and Peggy Vernon of Boonesville, Miss. own Cesar Ritz. Robby Black and Mysterious Masterpiece claimed reserve honors for Black Gold Farm of Normandy, Tenn.

The Four-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings class saw 12 entries take the rail. Jackie O' All Over and Margaret Anne Elias claimed the victory for the Ray Beech family of Belfast, Tenn. Hulen Humphrey of Lewisburg, Tenn. trains Jackie. Heidi McWilliams and Wild and Wooley came in second for owner McWilliams Realty of Cookeville, Tenn., and trainer Scott Beaty Stables of Byrdstown, Tenn.

I'm Infamous and Rhea Ellen Webb earned the victory pass in theTrainers family Specialty competition for owner Phil Havens of Freemont, Ohio. Owner and exhibitor Stacy Blackburn and Pushover's Infiniti took the red ribbon representing Knox Blackburn Stables.

Another Rider's Cup class, the Tape & Technical Solutions Four-Year-Olds and more points for Link Webb. This time Webb was awarded the blue ribbon for his ride on Santana's El Nino, owned by Michael and Ann Jones of Lafayette, Ga. The Clark Farms entry, Jose Rojo and Nathan Clark of Arab, Ala., were reserve.

As the sound of thunder could be heard in the distance, 10 horses answered the gate call for the Open Specialty class to be judged by Judge Sullivan. Dick Peebles of Shelbyville, Tenn., picked up his third victory of the evening aboard Jazz's Master for owners Dr. Arthur and Susan Gordon of Stone Gait Farm, Orange, Calif. Winky Groover and Command and Control took home the red ribbon to Crawford Colts of Carrollton, Ga.

As the rain started to fall, entries for the Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallions class dominated the show ring. Judge Abee's choice for the blue ribbon went to More Of The Major and Kay Green. The Major is owned by Jim and Kay Green of Meridian, Miss. and trained by David Landrum Stables. Heather Walling aboard Bold Vengeance were reserve in the class. Judy McDonald of Tullahoma, Tenn., owns and Bobo Farms of Shelbyville, Tenn.,trains Bold Vengeance.

The steadily falling rain was no threat to I'm Mr.Threat and Bruce Vaughn as they took blue ribbon honors in the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty competition. Mr.. Threat is owned by Linda Vaughn of Valley City, Ohio and trained by Hankins Stables of Paris, Ky. Gone and Done It and owner and exhibitor Becky Woodruff earned the red ribbon. The reserve horse is trained by Charlie Green Stables.

The Waterfall Farms Three-Year-Old Stallion WHTA Rider's Cup victory went to the winner at Walking For Education, Armed With An Alibi and Ronal Young. Alibi is owned by Judy Young and trained by Kurt Kovalick Stables, both of Bell Buckle, Tenn. Santana's Crowning Touch and John Allan Callaway were reserve for owners Phillip and Susan Cobb of Cedartown, Ga.

The rain was coming down so hard for the Open Amateur Specialty class that photographer Jack Greene was unable to take pictures and no victory passes were made. The rain and wet track didn't keep Big Dog Dumas from strutting his stuff as he and Sarah Hastings claimed the soggy blue ribbon. Owned by Shane Hastings of Shelbyville, Tenn., the Big Dog is trained at Rising Star Ranch, also in Shelbyville, Tenn. Lisa Cash and Free To Score took the red ribbon for Randy and Lisa Cash of Shelbyville, Tenn., representing Allan Callaway Stables.

Eight undaunted competitors took the rail for the Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallions class. When the lineup was called, the very wet horses and their Rider's took their places. Judge Collier awarded the blue ribbon to Jose' Grande and Gail Walling, their third this show season. Owned by Judy McDonald, Jose' is trained at Bobo Farms. Back For Gin and Sheryl Crawford were second for Crawford Colts of Carrollton, Ga. ,and trainer Dude Crowder of Shelbyville, Tenn.

This concludes our coverage of the 29th annual Marshall County Horsemen's Association Performance Horse Show. Complete results follow and may be reviewed, searched, and printed on www.walkinghorsereport.com.