By Linda Scrivner

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - The second annual Fellowship Halter Show, which provides Bibles to be distributed at horse shows from its proceeds, showed an entry increase of 155%. Bibles and horses went hand in hand as Midland Heights Baptist Church awarded a bible in each class to the winners.

The Fellowship Halter Show was for the benefit of the Fellowship of Christian Horse Lovers and was held Thursday, July 17, 2003. Bonnie Cady judged the 12-class event. In 2002, 70 entries entered the show, but the Fellowship was thrilled with the 109 entries this year.

Show managers Jill Derickson and Tim Gray were thrilled with the increase both in attendance and entries. Gray stated that in 2004 they may have a later show time due to the heat and the amount of walking involved. The sun and the temperature didn’t seem to prevent anyone from enjoying the 2003 event, however.

The first class of the evening was the 10-entry Weanling Stallions class. Stoned To The Bone and Jesse Dotson were selected for the victory pass. Claiming the Weanling Filly division was the team of The Rosetta Stone and Robert Nelms from Nelms Training Facility. Both of these weanlings were sired by The Stonecutter.

Bobby Richards proudly led Double Buckle down victory land in the Yearling Stallion class. Thirteen yearling fillies answered the gate call next. Judge Cady selected Dangerous Diva to wear the blue from the ring led by Andrea Nelson.

Sheryl Crawford traveled from Carrollton, Ga., to claim the blue in the Mare and Foal class. She and Jeremy Carlton lead Godiva In Command and Miss Major Command to the blue in this event.

The Rosetta Stone won her second blue of the show in the 13-entry Amateur Weanlings class. Lisa Washburn led her to this victory. Double Buckle claimed his second blue as he and B.J. Richards topped the Youth Yearlings class.

Dangerous Diva added another blue to her resume in the 19-entry Amateur Yearling. Connie Waldo was at the lead in this class.

Stoned To The Bone also claimed a second blue in the Youth Weanling class with 12 entries. Jessie Dotson III made the victory lap this time. Reba’s Black Angel and Robert Nelms were chosen to wear the blue in the Model Weanling and Yearling class.

As the evening cooled off and the show came to a close, the championship classes were held. Stoned To The Bone was awarded the Weanling Championship with Jesse Dotson leading. Reserve was Lucy’s Encore and Stan Thomas while the third place streamer went to the team of Undeniably Grand and Carlyle Johnson.

Extra Banknote and Beverly Lamp were awarded the Yearling Championship with the reserve streamer going to Dangerous Diva and Connie Waldo. The third spot was awarded to Copy’s Turbo and Robert Nelms.

For an enjoyable, relaxing evening with lots of audience cheering for their favorites, plan to attend next year’s Fellowship Halter Show.