MANCHESTER, Tenn. - The Manchester Horse Show has been around for more than 75 years. It was taken over by the Lions Club a half of a century ago and remains a strong show today. Numbers were only down slightly from 2004, with 284 entries showing up for this year's edition. With the quantity and the quality running high, judge Tex Smith had his hands full and spectators took a deep seat as they prepared for quite an evening of competition. Despite the cold temperatures, everyone at the show seemed upbeat and ready to compete for the blues.

Thirteen yearling fillies made the gate call for the first class of the evening. Brian Wright led Stone’s Throw to the blue for the George Wright family of Mt. Juliet, Tenn. Hurricane Georgia with Roger Richards of Hendersonville, Tenn., finished with a strong reserve.

The Open Lite Shod Specialty class welcomed Humongous Score and Doug Barnes to the winner’s circle for a hometown blue for Jerry Stephens of Manchester, Tenn. They Call Me Junior and Kerry Fann picked up reserve for Mr. and Mrs. John Smith of Woodbury, Tenn.

The youngsters were called forth next in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. Of the 10 talented entries, Hello Dali and Herbert Derickson caught the judge’s eye for the blue for Nales, Pou and Zamora of Normandy and Shelbyville, Tenn. Bright Sky and Chad Williams earned reserve for Ed Broughton of Prudue Hill, Ala.

Stone Jones and Wendy Boyd captured the Yearling Colts class for Lisa and James Washburn of Hazel Green, Ala., and Fayetteville, Tenn. I’ve Got Grand and Bobby Richards took home the reserve ribbon for Ray and Nancy Fincher of Pell City, Ala.

The next class welcomed the WHTA Riders' Cup Two-Year-Old Stallions class to the ring with its 10 classes. Gwain Wilson and Magic Spook received the top honors for the Donald Judge family of Chesapeake, Va. Kazaam and John Allan Callaway took home a strong reserve in the class for Donn Pratt of Shawnee Mission, Kan., and Shelbyville, Tenn.

The class that followed, the Trail Pleasure class, was an addition to the program and 14 entries made the gate call. Fearless and Joanne Davis of Lebanon, Tenn., made the winning ride while Drop The Hammer and Connie Waldo came in reserve.

Riverbend Stables’ own Michael Daniel took the next victory pass aboard The Sportin’ Man in the Open Park Performance class. Bold Scream and Jeff Givens were on the winner's heels for reserve.

During the Youth 11 and Under class little Robert Cortner enjoyed a repeat win aboard Pushover The Top for the Jim Cortner family of Winchester, Tenn. Star Of The Year and Annalisa Cooper made a strong reserve performance.

Multi-champion Pure Tribute and Pam Ingraham of Brentwood, Tenn., took home the blue in the Amateur Specialty class. Rhythm N Rain carried Sam Kite to the reserve honors.

The Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class welcomed 11 top entries to the ring. Tim Gray made the winning ride aboard Still Connected for Charles and Carol Ann Gavin of Wartrace, Tenn. Pardon and John Allan Callaway were next in line for reserve for Carlos Treat of Springdale, Ark.

He’s Pushin The Button and Bruce Hankins received the top honors in the Open Two and Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure class much to the crowd's approval for Joe and Jeff Fizer of Charlotte, Tenn. Reserve in this top class went to Tex-R-Us and Doug Barnes for Barnes and Reid of Wartrace and Shelbyville, Tenn.

Linda Brown of Bell Buckle, Tenn., was absolutely tickled with her winning ride aboard Of Midnight in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class. Reserve in this 10-entry class was awarded to A Sweeping Beauty and Tricia Timmons of Reidyville, S.C.

The eight-entry WHTA Riders' Cup Four-Year-Old Stallions class was next on the agenda. Empire Maker and Ronnie Spears enjoyed a repeat win in this class. In 2004, the talented team got their start in Manchester with a blue in the three-year-old ranks. Mr. Busting Loose with Brock Tillman in the irons happily accepted reserve for Wayne and Sandra Barnes of Springfield, Tenn.

There were 13 eager young riders ready to vie for top honors in the Youth 12-17 class. The announcer welcomed Aaron Bertrand and Millennium Masquerade into the winner's circle after their debut performance for the Bob Parks family of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Trent Patton and On Star Jazz received the reserve ribbon.

The largest class of the night was the Open Show Pleasure Specialty class with 20 entries. Jeff Givens made the winning ride aboard Major Affair for Shadow Hawk Farm of Shelbyville, Tenn. Twister's Generator and Rusty Hyneman came in second for Hy Steppin' Farm in Memphis, Tenn.

In the Four-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class, Rodney Dick of Finish Line Farm rode High Jacked to the blue for Dr. Jim and Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tenn.

The Ladies Amateur Mare and Gelding Specialty class featured quality and quantity from top to bottom. The 14-entry class concluded with Debra Coleman and Sunrise At Midnight making the trip to the winner's circle. Multi-champion Pushing For A Heart Attack and Sue Ann Dowell proudly picked up the reserve streamers.

Terry Vaught of Watertown, Tenn., rode Arm's Rising Eagle to the blue in the Park Pleasure Four-Year-Old and Over Specialty class. Reserve in the class went to Armed The American Way and Doug Barnes for the John Harney family of Murfreesboro, Tenn.

There was an outstanding response to the WHTA Riders' Cup Three-Year-Old Stallion class with 16 entries walking through the gate. The ever popular Sensation Dumas with Rodney Dick in the irons walked his way to the blue ribbon circle for Don and Lucky Collins of Ft. Myers Fla., and Shelbyville, Tenn. Reserve in this talented class went to Bustin' Special and Ronnie Campbell for Campbell and Brown of Shelbyville and Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Lisa Cash and Free To Score are no longer novices. They were happy to win the blue in the Amateur Novice Horse class. This talented team rode to the top honors for Randy and Lisa Cash of Shelbyville, Tenn. Barbara Kenehan aboard And Justice For All received reserve.

Rising Star really earned their second blue of the night in the Open 15.2 and Under Specialty class. Trainer Joel Weaver rode the beautiful grey roan named Really to the top honors in the class for McJunkin Farms of Shelbyville, Tenn. Jose's Illusion and John Allan Callaway finished reserve in this 17-entry class for Karen Callaway, also of Shelbyville.

The Three-Year-Old Amateur class was also a large class with its 16 entries vying for the top position. Ed Breedlove rode the newly acquired Royal Masque to the blue for Melissa Beedlove of Buford, Ga. Dollar General and Steve Hawkersmith made each pass count for reserve for Steve and Linda Hawkersmith of Tullahoma, Tenn.

Jeff Willis and Fifth Avenue Pusher were on easy street in the Aged Mare and Gelding class after being awarded the top ribbon for Dr. Dave and Joy Gleghorn of Fayetteville, Tenn.

Thirteen talented entries made the gate call for the Four-Year-Old Amateur class. Rhonda Cole and Bog Score Jubilee had a huge time riding to top honors in the class for the Thomas Holton family of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Multi-champion Peyton Manning and Gail Walling rode to the reserve ribbon in the class for Judy McDonald of Tullahoma, Tenn.

Next, it was time for the much anticipated main event, the Manchester Lions Club Walking Horse Grand Championship. Nine superb entries made the gate call to vie for the top position. Bill Bobo and Black Cash Delight emerged from the line up as they claimed their second blue of the long evening. Mickey McCormick and Wages Wages claimed the reserve honors in the class for John and Shane Cox. Pushers My Papa and Tim Gray rounded out the top three for Jay McLaughlin of Florence, S.C.

Complete results follow and may viewed, searched and printed at www.walkinghorsereport.com. Also, check out this horse show's impact on
High Point Report and WHTA Riders' Cup standings.




Gail Walling and Judy McDonald pose with the roses from the Walking Stake won by Bill Bobo and Black Cash Delight.


A debut blue for Aaron Bertrand and Millennium Masquerade! Newton, Bob and Marie Parks were on hand to celebrate.



Brian Wright was pleased with Stone's Throw's blue from the Yearling Fillies class.


Linda Brown was thrilled with her winning ride aboard Jazz Of Midnight in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class.