By Linda Fox
NOLENSVILLE, Tenn. - One of the last major stepping stones leading to Celebration Championships was held Saturday evening, August 9 as the fourth annual Nolensville Lions Club Show got underway at the recreational park.
The 27-class event was capably presided over by the honorable Knox Blackburn of Franklin, Tenn., and apprentice judge Phillip Trimble. They evaluated a total of 182 talented entries. About half way through the show a heavy rain and electrical storm settled over the show ground but subsided after about 30 minutes. The classes were not interrupted and the show went on without missing a beat. A few soaked horses and riders and riding suits were the only casualties of the storm.
The beautiful black stallion I’m All Fired Up and trainer Link Webb drew the event to a close as they let their “walkin’ do their talking” to claim the Stake title for proud owners James and Betty Corlew of Adams, Tenn. Joe Cotten and Brother Splash delivered an exciting performance for the reserve tie for Dr. and Mrs. Rigual of Oklahoma City. Gone and Done It and John Puckett made a top show to round out the third position for owners Bud and Fran Varnador of Lenoir City, Tenn.
The Webb Stables crew accounted for two other blue ribbon rides as Dr. Jim Baum and Pusher’s Ultra Secret swept the Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallion division to take the title, and Betty Corlew directed her fancy My Lady Push to the Ladies Amateur Specialty win.
Bill Bobo and his team accounted for three Nolensville blues. The first came with Katie Dempsey and Overload in the Novice Amateur Rider Specialty division. Next, Bobo directed the sharp Absolutely Armed to the Three-Year-Old Stallions, Mares and Geldings win over a class of 14 top contenders. Bill Harlin and Revelation added their blue when they made a top performance to take the Open Amateur Specialty title.
William Keith and Patti Pollack had a good evening as they gathered two titles. The first came when Patti and Benny’s Ben There topped a field of eight to win the Amateur Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding division. Their next blue came as Patti and the exciting Final’s Eb Tide rode to the Amateur 15.2 and Under Specialty winner’s circle.
Two Layne Leverette trained properties claimed blue ribbons in Nolensville this year. The first came in the Junior 12-17 competition when Blake Everette directed Sunday Morning to the title for Mr. and Mrs. John Gowan of Belfast, Tenn. Next, Layne Leverette directed the talented A Winning Candidate to the 15.2 and Under Stallions, Mares and Geldings win. This fine property is also owned by the Gowans.
Lots of fine halter contenders made the trip to Nolensville. Topping the 14 deep Weanling division was Chris Hazelwood and the Jacoby farms entry Edge’s Third Time’s A Charm for Betty and Chris Hazelwood. Eisenhower and Robert Nelms took the red ribbon for Ray and Sheila Warren of Brentwood, Tenn. The Yearling Filly division found Nathan Mills and his talented Encore’s Magic Lady in the winner’s circle. Dangerous Diva and Caroline Edwards were reserve for Allen Curtis of Hendersonville, Tenn. The handsome High Altitude and Chris Richards made the blue ribbon walk for Dr. Roger Richards of Hendersonville, Tenn. Power Of Success and Robert Nelms took the red ribbon for Everett and Doris Penick.
The Youth Country Pleasure competition was an added class and had eight talented contenders. The Bobby Richards trained teams of Casper and Sarah Keenan took the title for Dr. Don Headrick of Franklin, Tenn., while son Bradley Richards and Sadie rode to reserve for Rhonda Martocci.
Star Lit Dollar and Jackie Byrom walked their way to the blue ribbon in the Two and Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure Specialty division for Julia Cole of Shelbyville, Tenn. Tennessee Silver and Kyle Insell were reserve. Insell returned in the Open Park Pleasure Specialty class aboard Hez Got Night Moves to make the winning ride for Equitech Labs of Shelbyville, Tenn. Trip Of A Lifetime and Craig Baggerly were reserve in the class.
Tina Singleton and Mr. Pacesetter took the Local Pleasure Horse class over nine other talents. Sadie and B.J. Richards were reserve.
Flashy Sky and Linda Brown delivered an outstanding performance to win the Four-Year-Old Amateur competition. This team is readied by Kurt Kovalick. Without Command and Kim Bailey made the red ribbon ride.
The Chester Marbry trained team of Spun Gold Generator and Jennifer Pendleton topped nine other contenders to be named the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion champions for owner Debbie Marbry. Bellagio and Robin McDonald made the good reserve ride.
The Two-Year-Old Open Class saw Fact Of The Matter and Chad Williams make the victory pass for Chad Hannah of Brookville, Pa. Ritz and Impressive and Clay Thompson were reserve in the class.
She’s Got Winning Ways and Tamara Gavin Kasser rode to victory in a downpour of rain to claim the Amateur Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding Class for mom Carol Ann Gavin. Rebecca directed Grave Danger to the reserve slot.
The Jeff Green directed team of Joyce Marie Green and Score Card rode to the Auxiliary Members Specialty winner’s circle for Huckaby & Sadler of Columbia, Tenn., and Nashville, Tenn. Dru McCormick and Designed 2BA Playboy took reserve.
The Four-Year-Old Open class found trainer Jeff Willis and Portrait Of Art claiming the blue for the Jim Redd family of Brentwood, Tenn. Mike House and She’s All that Jazz made the reserve ride.
Pusher’s Time To Bust carried trainer Ronnie Campbell to the Open Novice Horse Specialty title for Christy Brown of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Joe Cotton and Texas General made a good show to the reserve title for the Gene Jordan family also of Murfreesboro.
The Junior Riders 11 and Under on Mares and Geldings found hard riding Leslie Mott and Show Me Jubilantly for Everette Clamp and Brad McCall taking the blue. A Royal Command and owner Hailey Puckett made the good reserve ride.
Ten top competitors entered the ring for the Open Show Pleasure competition. When all was said and done the walking talent of Command With Class and Craig Baggerly were undeniable. Wayne Hall of Fairview, Tenn., owns this fine property. Tim Thompson and the hard walking Gen’s Mark Of Pride made an exciting ride to reserve for Mr. and Mrs. Bill Berger of Murfreesboro, Tenn.
This concludes the highlights from the Nolensville Lions Club Horse Show. Complete results follow and may also be found by visiting our web site at www.walkinghorsereport.com.