By: K.C. Hensley

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The 31st annual Upper Cumberland Walking Horse Show was held Saturday, April 3 at the Hyder-Burks pavilion. The 265 entry, 30-class event was judged by Donnie May of Richmond, Ky. Many exhibitors chose Cookeville as their debut for the 2004 season.

Robert Nelms got everything started with a blue in the Model class for Leslie Callaway of Dawsonville, Ga., with beautiful the liver chestnut The Executive Decision. A Spot At The Ritz and Jeff Givens claimed the reserve ribbon for Liz Hestle-Gassaway of Wartrace, Tenn.

The Aged Mare And Gelding Champions, Pushover’s Magic Lady and Bill Bilbrey, are not strangers to the winner's circle. Jean Brock of Sparta, Tenn., owns the entry. A newcomer to open classes, Brent Grider took a strong reserve with Sundust Generator for the Travis Coomer family of Columbia, Ky.

In Vogue and Caroline Edwards were in stride to capture the Yearling class for Dr. Roger Richards of Hendersonville, Tenn. Scratch My Back and Carla Hurley took the reserve honors for Dude and Anita Crowder of Shelbyville, Tenn.

The youngest champions of the show, the Youth 11 and Under class, were next to enter the ring. Jessica Popp was greeted with a warm welcome of applause as she made her way to the winner's circle aboard I’m Crankin’ Frank. Reserve was received by Turbo Limited and Lane Thomas.

A Mystery Man and Jeff Givens made their debut in the 2003 season in championship style. Their 2004 has started off just as well with a blue in the Two and Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure class for Joe and Rina Daniek of Nixa, Mo. Command On Parade and Marshall Tinch claimed the reserve ribbon for Barbara Tetreault of Cookeville.

The crowd welcomed the juveniles to the arena again as the 10-entry Youth 12-17 class made the gate call. Big Al and Janie Stokes claimed the top position. Reserve went to Pride Man In Black and Britney Smith for B & S Farm of Livingston, Tenn.

The future show ring champions thrilled the audience during the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. Hometown favorite J.B. Buchanan raised the roof with his performance aboard the talented gray filly She’s Artistic. The entry is owned by Buchanan and Wilsford both of Cookeville. Reserve was received by Threat’s Winter Storm and Justin Jenne’ for the Gray Barker family of Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Pusher’s Jubilee Lady and Jeff Givens made an impressive ride to win the Two and Three-Year Old Lite-Shod class for Clanton and Sandra DeBose of Vernan, Ala. Generator’s Double Mint and Sharon Yarbrough claimed the reserve honors.

In their debut, Heidi McWilliams and her new mount Jose’s Magical Lady knew how to begin the season. The duo acquired the blue in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class. Reserve honors went to Joyce Marie Green aboard Made From The Heart. The entry is owned by Green’s children, Samantha and Corey Green of Shelbyville, Tenn.

Typically at a one night horse show the Country Pleasure class is the largest class of the show. Upper Cumberland proved to be no different. Seventeen graceful entries made the gate call for judge May. Claiming top honors in the large class were Bumin’ Around With My Papa and Charles Howard for Howard and Taylor of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Lacy Cash and Kathy Owen were a strong reserve for the well-known Double Springs Farm also of Murfreesboro.

He’s Cash’s Masterpiece and Jeff Green took the Open Show Pleasure blue home to Shelbyville, Tenn., for Wilhelm and Riddle of Manchester and Shelbyville. Claiming a reserve after his previous victory pass was Charles Howard; this time he was aboard Gen’s Block Attraction for Howard and Taylor of Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Olympic’s Secret and Allison Scott of Rock Island, Tenn., made a powerful statement as they claimed the victory in the Youth Park Pleasure Specialty class. Another Olympic horse received reserve; Olympic’s Black Music with Erick Medley aboard for Kevin and Wanda Green made the good ride.

The crowd was in for a real treat as the Amateur Specialty class entered the ring. Returning to their winning ways were I’m Platinum and Sabrina Young. Young and I’m Platinum made one of the most discussed performances of the show with their high stepping head shaking action. Pusher’s Spellbinder and Mike Thomas of Louisville, Tenn., also made an impressive ride for reserve in the class.

Class 14 was the first three-gaited class of the evening. There were two horses that commanded attention in this competitive class. Well-known champions Command’s Wild Card and Abby Fox made another winning ride for the Quentin Fox family of Cookeville. I’m In Command and Steve Branam, also of Cookeville, claimed the reserve ribbon.

The Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class marked the halfway point of the show. The flashy Watch Me Generate with Sue Dean aboard made the winning ride for Billy and Sue Dean of Bell Buckle, Tenn. Rocky Mountain Sky and Rhonda Clendenon of Sparta, Tenn., came in as a strong reserve in the class.

The Youth Country Pleasure class featured an impressive 13 entries. Pitcher Of Gold and Bryan Foust made the winning ride for Moore and Foust Farm of Shelbyville, Tenn. Lacy Cash claimed another reserve tie, this time with Hailey Douglas aboard for Kathy Owen.

The family loved Nagano showed that winning spirit with trainer Allan Callaway aboard in the Four-Year-Old Open class for Jim and Debbie Myers of Flat Creek, Tenn. Hones Hy In Command and Bobby Hugh received the reserve award for Baum, Astet and Penny of Shelbyville, Tenn.

Kicking off their 2004 show season with a blue was the team of The Lone Gunman and Lauren Williams for Pam Williams of Farmington, Mo. Silver Long Shot and Mose Jobe took the red ribbon for Adkinson Farms of Spring Hill, Tenn.

The young and talented Two-Year-Old Stallions were then welcomed to the show ring for the first time. Making his way to the winner's circle this was The High Spade with Justin Jenne’ in the irons for Joe Barnes and Gatlingburg, Tenn. The reserve went to Silver Xtreme and J.B. Buchanan for Tray York of Gainesboro, Tenn.

The crowd watched intently as Miss Dumas Ebony and Shelia Groover of Bell Buckle, Tenn., made their victory pass in the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. Heidi McWilliams claimed her reserve ribbon aboard Wild and Wooly.

Sensational Premier and Latithia Oran are no strangers to the winner's circle. Saturday, the duo claimed the blue in the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class. Pushover’s Homegrown and Lynn Hickok claimed the second position for Ridgemont Farms of Blacksburg, Va.

I’m Just Jesse and Ruth Ann Tudor of Ten Mile, Tenn., were on their way to happy trails as they claimed the Western Lite-Shod Specialty class. Reserve in the class went to The Grand Calamity and Chris Messick for Lindy Holt of Cape Coral, Fla.

Making their walking pony division debut and claiming the top honors were Papa’s Lil’ Chatterbox and Jordan Kidd for Ron Kidd of Bechel, Ohio and Shelbyville, Tenn. Trainer Sammy Day celebrated his birthday at the show following Jordan's win. Reserve honors were received by Half Dollar and Wes Hendrick for the Kenny Hendrick family of Bowling Green, Ky.

The Four-Year-Old Amateur class was large with its 13 impressive entries. Savannah and Carol Lackey were greeted in the winner's circle with smiles. Coming in as a strong reserve were CC’s Sundown Generator and Rhonda Sutherland for Tommy Austin of Dunlap, Tenn.

The largest class of the night was the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class with 16 entries. Emerging from the line up to claim the top position was the talented Jose’s Illusion with Bill Callaway aboard for Karen Callaway of Shelbyville, Tenn. Reserve honors went to Lady Doctor and Eddie Tuck for John and Susie Harmon of Wartrace, Tenn.

In the Amateur Specialty 50 and Over class, B.H. Hodge of Knoxville, Tenn., and Barcelona made a flawless performance to receive the blue. Dazzling Duma,s with Barbara Corbett up claimed the red ribbon for Ridgemont Farms of Blacksburg, Va.

Bill Callaway returned to the winner's circle in the Three-Year-Old Open class, but this time it was with Cash Mark for Leblanc Enterprises of Brentwood, Tenn. The hometown favorite J.B. Buchanan was back again to claim reserve with Mr. Busting Loose for Wayne Barnes of Springfield, Tenn.

In their first performance as a team Erica Hartlien and Miss B. Haven were two ladies on a mission. The duo went on to claim the Ladies Amateur Specialty class. Whitney Davis and Five Star Rating made their presence known for the reserve ribbon in a crowd of 12 entries.

The pleasure division made its final appearance of the evening with the Lite-Shod Specialty class. Jeff Givens received his third and final blue with Sailin Man for Donald Knight of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Reserve went to Glenda Kirkland, of Berca, Ky., and Gabriel’s Glory.

As everyone prepared for the final event the announcer told just how many challengers would make the gate call to compete for the tricolor and floral horseshoe. Emerging from the lineup as the 31st annual Upper Cumberland Grand Champions were Special Alert and Justin Jenne’ for Catherine Simpson of Crossville, Tenn. Claiming that still impressive reserve title were Amorall and Allan Callaway for Charles and Florence Terry of Morristown, Tenn. The third tie went to He’s Puttin On The Cash and Scott Beaty for the Fred Allred family of Jamestown, Tenn. This concludes the highlights of the Upper Cumberland Show. Complete results to follow and may also be found on our web site at www.walkinghorsereport.com.