by Stephanie Rose

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - At the Tony Rice Center Horse Show, 329 entries came through the gate. It was held on July 4, 2008, at the Ag Center following the Money Tree Horse Show for the string of Fourth of July weekend horse shows. The Tony Rice Center Horse Show was cancelled in 2007, but came back with a bang in 2008. The show benefited the Tony Rice Center, Inc. and is a United Way Funded Agency. Judge Judy Martin marked the cards for the 35 classes. Horses, trainers and owners came from all over the United States from such states as North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Maryland, California, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and many from West Tennessee to attend the Fourth of July shows.

The spectators filled the stands and waited for the finale, the Riders’ Cup Walking Horse Stake class. There were four top entries that made the gate call for the good class. Gen On The Run and Justin Harris came out with their first set of roses in a Championship Stake class for owners Michael and Ty Hart of Corbin, Ky. Busting Special and Jimmy McConnell rode out with the reserve honors for Larry and Farrah McAlexander of Oxford, Miss. Busting Special won dual blues at Germantown, a blue at the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival and a win at the Mississippi Charity. PGA and Joel Weaver left with the yellow streamer for the Lanier family of Atlanta, Ga. Star and Brock Tillman rounded out the top four for Opal Moody of Batesville, Ark.

Show Manager Julie Lambert was very pleased with the success of the show considering the weather and thought that Judge Martin did an outstanding job judging. Lambert is already looking forward to showing next year.

Complete results can be seen by clicking here.