By K.C. Hensley
WINCHESTER, Tenn. - The Winchester Rotary Club opened their gates to a spectacular Friday night with over 240 entries in 25 classes. The prediction of rain did not dampen the spirits of the exhibitors and spectators. John Puckett of Shelbyville, Tenn., was the judge for the event.
The Country Pleasure class winners Ruby Who and owner/rider Connie Waldo, got things off to a great start. Next, Stolen Gem, with Chris Zahnd aboard, claimed the victory in the Two-Year-Old Mares & Geldings class for Ray and Betty Warren of Trinity, Ala. Polished Silver and Chad Williams took the reserve ribbon for Hunter Wilhelm of Shelbyville, Tenn.
Casey Caldwell and Dilemma did not delay when their number was called out for the first place honors in the Youth 11 & Under class for Sullivan and Caldwell of Shelbyville, Tenn. Generator’s Collect Call and Sydney Shortridge received reserve for Slayden Fleming of Shelbyville, Tenn.
Scratch My Back and Carla Hurley claimed top honors in the Yearling Colts and Fillies class for Anita and Dude Crowder of Shelbyville, Tenn. Reserve honors went to I’m Shania Twain and Roger Richards Jr., for Dr. Roger Richards of Hendersonville, Tenn.
Even though Adonis' Royal Deuce and Amanda Wood were the only entries in the Amateur Plantation Pleasure class, the duo still made a great show for Jeff and Kim Dean of Tullahoma, Tenn.
Shock Jock made another outstanding performance at the Winchester show. This time it was with owner/rider Becky Coleman aboard in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class. The Golden Cobra and Maria Derickson received the reserve honors for Dr. Harv and Brenda Carlon of Lowell, Mich., and Flat Creek, Tenn.
Joe Cotten received the first blue claimed by Landrum Stables in the Three-Year-Old Mares & Geldings class with Dollar's Direct Deposit for Harold Daniels of Lewisburg, Tenn. General Judy and Dick Peebles received the reserve honors for S & P Farms of Saratoga, Calif.
Lucky Collins claimed her first blue of the night on Color-N-Book in the Four-Year-Old Amateur class for Don and Lucky Collins of Fort Myers, Fla. The American Idol and Jeanine Gullett came in as a strong reserve for Ronnie Gullett of Duluth, Ga.
High Point Report champion, Pushin' Backatcha claimed the top honors in the Open Show Pleasure class with Ronnie Campbell. The well-known Editorial Page and owner/rider June Hawkins took the reserve honors in the 19-entry class.
In the Ladies Amateur Mares & Geldings class Pushin For A Heart Attack took the top honors with owner/rider Sue Ann Dowell in the irons. Fudpucker and Becky Coleman received the reserve ribbon.
A Sensational Dumas and Winky Groover made an outstanding blue ribbon debut in the Two-Year-Old Stallions class for Don Collins of Fort Myers, Fla. Jose's Strider and Bobby Hugh took reserve for 4-J Land & Cattle Company.
In the Youth Council 12-17 Canter class the new team of Gen's Thundermaker and Aaron Bertrand made a flawless ride for the Bob Parks family of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Bumin' A Little Cash and Maria Holland also made a good ride for the reserve ribbon for Stewart Stables of McMinnville, Tenn.
In the Lite-Shod Plantation Pleasure class Strike It Gold and owner/rider Sharon Higginbotham of Lewisburg, Tenn., took the top honors. The well-known champion Sailin' Man took reserve with Jeff Givens aboard for Donald Knight.
Rankin' County and Kelly Weaver made a good ride for the Floyd Sherman family of Dallas, Texas in the Walking Horse Trainers' Auxiliary class. Spring's Starmaker and Joyce Marie Green claimed the reserve ribbon for Samantha and Corey Green of Shelbyville, Tenn.
S & P Farms received another great tie, but this time it was with Dick Peebles aboard Jose's Rare Gold Coin in the Open Three-Year-Old Stallion class. General Quarters and Tim Wheelon came as a strong reserve for Pat Sandlin of Cordova, Tenn.
Gen's Major Motion and Beth Sims returned to the winner's circle one more time. This time victory came in the Amateur Riders on Mares, Stallions & Geldings class for the Mike Chiaparri family of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Bell Buckle, Tenn. Magic's Sweet Victory and owner/rider Charles Wharton of Poplar Creek Farm received the reserve honors in the class.
In the Park Pleasure Open class owner/rider Wayne Hall made another winning ride aboard his mount Metro Grand. Reserve in the class went to Trip Of A Lifetime and Jeff Givens for Janis and Evan Plyler of Matthews, N.C.
Well-known champion Gads O' Cash claimed the 15.2 & Under Canter class with Philip Trimble in the irons for Jerry and Donna Cash. Reserve in the class went to Live and Learn with Chad Wiliams aboard for Consolidated Freight of Shelbyville, Tenn.
One of the most impressive little horses of the show was Nasdaq with Maria Derickson in the irons for Mike and Connie May of Shelbyville, Tenn. They claimed the Youth Walking Pony class. Another Smooth Operator and Marie Holland took the reserve ribbon for Stewart Stables of McMinnville, Tenn.
Peyton Manning and Gail Walling made another touchdown ride in the Three-Year-Old Amateur class for Judy McDonald of Tullahoma, Tenn. Watts Up and owner/rider Charles Gavin claimed the reserve honors for Carol Ann Gavin of Wartrace, Tenn.
Well-known champion Pushover & Lookout claimed the top honors in the 15.2 & Under Amateur Specialty class with owner/rider Lucky Collins in the irons. In the Mares & Geldings 5 Years & Over Canter class Freak Design and Mickey McCormick made a great ride for Michael and Becky Coleman of Corinth, Miss., to claim the blue Main Majorette and Jeff Willis claimed the reserve honors for Twin Willow Equine Center and Carolyn Thomas of Shelbyville, Tenn.
Even the Groom's class had six entries make the gate call. Angel In O'Skies and Dusty Wilder of Bobby Hugh Stables made the good ride for Gene Brown of Denver, Col. The reserve honors went to Pablo Rodriguez of Steve Aymett Stables aboard Major Limits.
Nine entries made their way to the ring for the final class of the night, the Walking Horse Championship. Charles Terry's Armoral with John Allan Callaway in the irons made the outstanding championship ride. Coming in as a strong reserve were A Major Masterpiece and Robby Black for Black Gold Farm of Normandy, Tenn.
This concludes our coverage of the Winchester Rotary Club Horse Show.