The North Carolina State Horse Show was held at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center October 7-9. This three day event was judged by Sam Hamilton, David Finger, and B.M. Bullis who had the difficult job judging over 820 horses.

One aspect of this show that makes it so wonderful is how everyone rides in the main ring in the morning. It is always full of great horses and an enthusiastic crowd. This year however was extra special. North Carolina was thrilled to have the exhibition of the 2004 World Grand Champion The Black Night Shade and Jimmy McConnell. They were unbelievable. Tom and Judy Waite have always been proud of this team but now they consider it an even greater honor to be connected to such a talented animal and great people like Jimmy McConnell and Dan Waddell. A World Grand Champion is a combination of many talents and The Black Night Shade has every one of them.

Jimmy McConnell thrilled us once again as he directed Dragonfly to the Walking Stake victory. Dragonfly was recently reserve at the International Grand Championship Stake. This team is owned by Bob and Mary Medina of Skillman, New Jersey. Olympic Pusher and Ronald Mosley were reserve for Mosley and Alexander.

Baucom Stables topped the ribbon tally with eleven North Carolina blues. It’s Only A Game and Chad Baucom won the talented class of Two-Year-Old Stallions. With a workout and a unanimous tie owners Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark were very pleased.

Sure Threat’s Masterpiece started and finished on a great note. On Thursday Kayla Baucom rode her former pony mount to the Trainer’s Family class, then on Saturday owner Samantha Gaddy won the Walking Pony for the Sim Gaddy Family.

Young rider Lindsay Hess got a great return on her investment with her recent purchase of Miss Dumas Ebony from Winky and Sheila Groover.  After winning the Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class at the International, they showed in a new division and have already made huge impact claiming the 11 & Under Champion division A.  

   Continuing the strong juvenile string was world champion Pushin The Limits and Madison Holloway. This team went on to claim the 12-17 Juvenile class, and the Juvenile Stake Championship. With the decision by Madison’s parents Tom and Teresa Kincaid and grandparents Bill and Peggy Overcash to start producing Pushin’s world champion offspring, it was a fitting end to a successful career. Pushin The Limits will be missed in the show ring, but the family is excited to see what the future holds.

I’m Game and Clay Mills took a strong Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class by storm. With success as both Two and Three-Year-Old this talented team has a predictable future for the upcoming Four-Year-Old season.

Multi-World Grand Champion Electrifying and Dona Griffin are always a treat to watch. This team once again thrilled the North Carolina crowd with a wonderful performance in the 15.2 & Under Amateur Specialty. World Champion My Bright Star and Yvonna Mathis were named NCWHA Members Only Amateur Specialty Champions Division A. and bright they were. This talented animal is owned by Yvonna Mathis and John Weihl.

Cujo’s Mo Jo and Rhonda Warren claimed a strong class of Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallions.

I’m An Evil Rebel and Chad Baucom made the strong ride for Carolina Equine Investors to claim the Four-Year-Old Stallions Open Specialty Championship.

Steve Hankins Stables went back to Virginia with five blue ribbons starting with Amanda Wilkerson’s debut ride on the The Raffle. This team won the Amateur Specialty Geldings class for the Jim Wilkerson family. Newlywed husband Kurt got there just in time to jump into a well- deserved victory photo.

World Champion Generator’s Old Gold and Hunter Rouse claimed the Amateur 15.2 & Under class. This team also came back to win the Amateur Walking Stake for proud father Doug Rouse.

Sandy Senator and Lane Atwell claimed the 11 & Under Stake Championship Class for the second year in a row for owners Carl and Evelyn Krippendorf.

Gen’s Triple Pride and Kenny Compton claimed the ETWHA member only class for the Rick Compton Family.

Charlie Green Stables camp left the showground with four blue ribbon moments. On the first night He’s A Rebel and Whitey Whitehead won the Open Specialty class for proud owner Joyce Myers. Myers went on to claim the reserve ribbon in the Amateur 15.2 & Under.

World Champion Jazz King and Ed Breedlove claimed the Men’s 18 & Over Amateur Specialty. This great team went on to win one of the most exciting classes of the night, the Amateur Specialty Stake Championship.

Music In The Sky and Charlie Green topped the Open Show Pleasure Specialty class division B for the John Eldridge Family. To the crowds delight WhitLei Green made the victory pass for dad Charlie.

Rising Star Ranch also had four blues to take back to Shelbyville, Tenn. World Champion Generator's Double Coin started the winning streak off by claiming the Pro-Am Specialty class with Joel Weaver and Kevin Parton. Keeping the blues in motion was Joel Weaver and Motown Motion.  This duo was the Aged Stallion champion.  Dazzling Dumas won dual blues in Asheville with Joel Weaver for the Four-Year-Old Mares and Gelding and Lynn Hickok winning the Amateur Four-Year-Old Mares and Geldings. This mare is undefeated this fall season!

Scott Beaty Stables had three blues for the weekend. Wild and Woolly and Heidi McWilliams were the Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings Champions for McWilliams Reality. Pop A Top Papa won the strong class of Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallions. This team is owned by Franklin Beaty. Command's Wild Card and Abby fox were named Amateur 15.2 & Over. This team is owned by the Quentin Fox Family.

Black Hawk Frams brought all their leading ladies. The Lady Hawk won the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class with Mike Hilley and the Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings with Jaclyn Tillman. Hilley was also victorious in the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class with Jose's Miss Copy.

Kathy Jamison and Jackie Fisher had a busy weekend. They started the show off with a blue streamer in the very first class with Grandy Garcia and Jackie Fisher winning the plantation Pleasure Four-Year-Old & Under Specialty. Grandy Garcia also went on to win the Amateur Plantation Pleasure Stake with Kathy Jamison. Dollars & Sense won the Performance Pleasure Open Specialty with Jackie Fisher in the irons.

Kevin Luttrell Stables had three blues all in the same night. Copy's Colors won the 50 & Over Specialty for proud owner Delores Griffin. Kevin Luttrell and Black Chip won the Open, Aged Geldings Champion for owner Beverly Spangler. On the tail wind of his recent Kentucky Celebration win was Major Player carrying Kevin Luttrell to the Open Show Pleasure Specialty blue.

Wheelon Stables also won three blues. The Final Score won both mother and daughter blues at North Carolina. Crystal Letterman won the Ladies 18 & Over Amateur Specialty, and Vikie Hughes Grindstaff won the NCWHA Members Only Specialty. Fantazmic Cash took Vikie Hughes Grindstaff to winners circle in the Amateur Specialty Stallions. Both entries are owned by the Farrell Hughes Family.

Ronald Mosley Stables had dual blues in Asheville. Olympic Pusher and Ronald Mosley won the 15.2 & Under Open. This talented team was also reserve in the Walking Horse Stake. Number One Commander and Fay Witcher II walked straight to the winners circle in the Amateur Novice Specialty.

Kenny Compton and Generator's Big Ticket led the Amateur-Owned and Trained to the winner’s circle.

Miss Jenny Vining made a good show to earn the blue with Hallelujah's It's Time in the Amateur Specialty class. Vining also owns the entry.

Lizzie Borden and Scotty Brooks rode to a blue ribbon victory early in the week to claim the Aged Mares and Geldings class. Jim Ed Stewart owners this entry.

Hidden Acres and Nathan Mills won the Yearling Fillies for proud owner Ed Alderson.

Sweet Revenge Stables made the trip home to Mt. Sterling, Ky. carrying the blue ribbon for Amateur Show Pleasure class with Ultra's Prime Mover and Rodney Young making the good ride.