CULLMAN, Ala. - The sixteenth annual Fairview Lions Club Horse Show was held in Cullman, Alabama on April 13, 2002 with the starting time of 5:00p.m. Mike Hilley, Atoka, Tenn., judged the Walking classes of the thirty four class event. Charlie Brown had Racking Horse judging duties. Organist Diane Beaver kept the crowd entertained while announcer Jim Talbert called the horses to the gate.
The Walking Horse Stake held eleven entries. Luck Of The Doc and Winky Groover had the good fortune of riding to the Fairview Lions Club Walking Horse Stake title for Hurt, Hurt, and Groover. The chrome-splashed stallion, Kodachrome and Rollie Beard took reserve for Cathy Baird.
The show began with the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty, which embraced twenty one entries. Creating a lot of talk was Candy Green aboard Gossip, who rode their way to the top honor, for Carol Whitehead. Pride’s Touch Tone and Jack Littrell were dialed for reserve for Brenda Fann. Cash’s Big Red Pusher and Lauren Roberson cashed in on the big blue in the Walking Ponies Specialty division for Charles Bullard. My Major Heritage and Catherine Britt claimed reserve for Don and Barbara Barnett.
Another considerably large class of the night was the Three-Year-Old Walking Stallion class with twenty one entries answering the call. Dumas Star Walker and Jerry Collier soared above the competition for Clark Farms.
Litigator and Kenny Lawrence walked away with reserve for Associated Concrete. Nine entries answered the call for the 15.2 and Under Walking ranks. My Grand Illusion and Rollie Beard were no illusion as they captured the top spot for SWS, LLC. Tough As Nails and Brandye Mills were tough enough for reserve for Barbara Moore.
Express’s Black Sunset and Larry Massey shone brightly through the seven entries as they rose to the blue in the Four-Year-Old Open class for James and Marjorie Watson. Wham Bam Mountain Man and Charlie Green whammed their way to reserve for Gary McDowell. Twelve teams entered the ring for the Show Pleasure Specialty Amateur division. Editorial Page and June Hawkins, owner/exhibitor, were on the top of the judge’s card for first. Silver Swing and Vicki Pennick, owner/exhibitor, were reserve.
Of fourteen duos in the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings Open division, Push N Heart Attack and Kenny Lawrence pushed their way to the blue for Sue Ann Dowell. Making the good ride for the reserve spot were Ten Tucky Blue Chip and Carl Johnson for Larry McLaughlin. Counselor’s Centerfold and Katie Baker were chosen as the top team of ten in the Juvenile Specialty 17 and Under class for Randall Baker. Bubba Can Walk and Andy Adkins, owner/exhibitor, finished second.
With seventeen entries making the gate call in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Walking, Dumas Dandy Dan and Nathan Clark made the victory pass for the second week in a row! Dumas Dandy Dan is owned by Stewart and Clark. Suzanne Keplinger owner/exhibitor and Silver's Black ghost were called to the reserve spot. Another Dumas Walker baby found his way to the winner's circle in the Two-Year-Old Amateur, it was Dumas Walkers Spotlight and Roger Latham making the good show for Roger and Sylvia Latham. Reserve honors in the class went to Pusher's Anna and Nathan Clark for Clark Farms. The Alabama Ladies Auxiliary Specialty was next on the list. Eleven nice entries rode hard for the blue. Taking home the top award was Stroker's Vanilla Ice and a very excited Alison Weeks, who was presented her very first blue ribbon. "Vanilla Ice" is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cornelius. Second place went to Hard Coladeral and Andrea Zahnd for Roy Zahnd.
Scoring the blue in the Two-Year-Old Stallions was Free To Score and Charlie Green for Randy and Lisa Cash. Pride Of The Street and Carl Johnson claimed the red ribbon for Dillingham and Moore. A tough class of young riders entered the ring next. When all was said and done Generator's No U and Trevor Collier rode to the blue for Collier and Hale. Reserve honors went to Dark Storm Warning and Bo Beam for Harold Bentley.
The Open Walking Specialty held seventeen fine entries. Cashing in on the blue was Jazz Cash and Jimmy Martin for Steve and Lisa Howard. Me Kan Do and Benjie Wagoner finished second for Don and Nancy Manning. Making a wonderful performance and pushing their way to the blue was Push Me Bold and Donald Stephens. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Stephens recently purchased the gray stallion. Pushin' Midnight and Catherine Britt claimed the reserve tie for the George Britt family.
Winning the Aged Mares and Geldings was Hard To Lose and Gwain Wilson for Lisa Kapavick. Power Of The Dark won the red ribbon with Tim Smith in the irons for Mr. and Mrs. Jamie 'Red' Etheredge. Steve Clark made the victory pass in the Show Pleasure Open Specialty aboard The Secret Senator for Clark Farms. In command of reserve honors were Absolute Command and David Latham, owner/exhibitor. The Lite-Shod Plantation Specialty Walking found Shady Encounter and Annette Statham in the winner's circle for Kathy Statham. Coin's Flip Side and Suzanne Keplinger were called to the reserve spot, Keplinger owns the entry.
Sixteen good Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings entered the gate next. Making the victory pass was Bustin Loose and Gwain Wilson for Ed Broughton. Showgirl At The Ritz and Brandye Mills took home the red ribbon for George Britt. Capturing the blue in the Open Park Pleasure Specialty were Captive Heart and Ross Campbell for Bill, Kay and Katelyn Strickland. Reserve honors were awarded to I've Been Skyjacked and Steve Beam for Joel Johnson.
The Fairview Lions Club would like to express their appreciation to everyone who came to enjoy and participate in this year's show and they were very pleased with the talent and performance of all the riders and trainers.
For the complete show story, see the printed edition of Walking Horse Report dated April 22, 2002.