by Mary A. Palmer
APOPKA, Fla. - The Florida Walking and Racking Horse Association in conjunction with the Walking Horse Owners’ Association hosted a versatility show at Clarcona Horseman’s Park on Sept. 22. Joe Campbell made the trip from Tennessee to do the honors, assisted by Donna Fellers of Winter Haven, Fla. Chelsea Palmer of Orlando, Fla., presented the awards and Darren Gray of Montverde, Fla., did a wonderful job announcing the classes.
Leading the ribbon tally was Darby Oaks Stables and trainer Wayne Conkle with an impressive nine blues. The team of Regal Rebel and Tracy Pinson for owner Bernie Duncan took home six of those blues with wins in the Model, English Trail Pleasure Specialty, Trail Pleasure to Canter, Western Trail Pleasure Specialty, Adult Water Glass and the Egg and Spoon divisions. Coin’s Time Out and owner Joan Birdsall claimed the blue streamer in the English Park Pleasure Specialty division, as well as in the Park Pleasure to Canter division with Tracy Pinson in the irons. Kathleen Heatherman and Skyjacker’s Busting Loose made a nice ride to claim the Junior Trail Pleasure Four and Under Specialty Championship.
Wayne Carrecker left with three blues with Coin’s Lady Rachel and Mary Connor taking top honors in the English Country Pleasure. This team would also win the large Country Pleasure Western Specialty Championship. Coin’s Lady Rachel also claimed the Youth 17 and Under Country Pleasure Championship with Brittany Smith in the irons.
Taking home dual blues were Hard Rock Farm and the Brush family. Hard Rock Farm’s wins included trainer Sheryl Skala-Carl and Miss Magic Money winning the English Lite-Shod Championship for owner Kathy Anderson. A Highlander came out on top in the Youth 17 and Under Trail Pleasure division with owner Carson Wells aboard. The Brush family’s wins came with Olympian and Heather Brush making the victory lap in the Western Lite-Shod Specialty division, and Natalie Brush and Ultra Finesse winning the Youth Water Glass Championship.
Taking home individual blues were Carol Worsham and My Scarlett winning the Amateur Owned and Trained Trail Pleasure Specialty Championship, Jamie Ellison and RSVP taking top honors in the Youth 11 and Under Easy Gait division, Laurie Wilson and Magic Over The Top in the Amateur Owned and Trained Country Pleasure Specialty division and Shadow On The Mountain and Weldon Vineyard for wife Flo Vineyard making a nice ride in the large Amateur Easy Gait Specialty division to claim the blue.
Complete results follow and may be viewed, searched or printed at www.walkinghorsereport.com.