by Linda Scrivner

CARTHAGE, Tenn. - One hundred and three top contenders, compared to 95 last year, vied for top honors at the 45th annual Smith County Walking Horse Show. The 2009 edition was held on Friday evening, June 12, at the new Ag Center on Highway 53 in Carthage, Tenn. The South Carthage Civitan Club sponsored the event. The club contributes to college scholarships awarded to Smith County students, little league baseball and girls’ softball, Carthage and Gordonsville bands and other charitable organizations.

Tracy Boyd of Shelbyville, Tenn., judged the 24 classes. Several talented and exciting contenders made the gate call for the Walking Horse Stake and the crowd cheered wildly for their favorites. When announcer John Hood called the winning number, it was Kevin Gower and World Grand Champion Jose’s All Pro who claimed the title for Dan and Janice Rowsick. Making the good reserve ride were Scott Beaty and Joe Hand for the Lewis Kenney family. Last season, this team won four-year-old classes at Lancaster, Ky., and Pikeville, Tenn. Jeff Givens and Incredible were third for Jo Ann Dowell in their season debut.

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