By Jennifer Maack-Condren
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Heart of America Walking Horse Association held the final show for the Midwest area October 25-27, 2007, at the Missouri Events and Entertainment Center located in Springfield, Mo. Entries for the three night event were down with 246 horses over last year’s 264. The Honorable Brent Grider of Columbia, Ky., judged the event. Show Manager Mae Maack was very pleased with the turnout for the show, a benefit for the charity One Missing Link. Announcer Stephen Buus did an excellent job at the microphone on Thursday and Saturday while Bob Delcour picked up the duties on Friday night. Carlyon Photography, David and James Carlyon, made the trip from Farmington, Mo., to take pictures for the proud owners and exhibitors. Karen Skopec did a great job decorating the center ring with a Halloween motif. Very cool fall temperatures caused many trainers to “tarp-up” their stalling areas but didn’t interfere with any of the evening performances.
Concluding the show was Grande’ and Brad Huffman as they captured another title for this fine black stallion. This was their 6th blue ribbon this season. Dark Rage and Don Bills earned the reserve title for David and Marcia Turner.
Leading the blue ribbon tally was 4-J Land and Cattle Co. from Waynesville, Mo., with 17 wins, all from flat-shod classes. Don Bills Stables of Fair Grove, Mo., earned nine blue ribbons, as did the Hickman-Manes Stables of Stoutland. Jim Huffman Stables earned eight blues. The Patterson family from Osborn won four classes as well as Brad Huffman Stables of Billings.
Thursday
Summer Night’s Dream and Margaret Hickman kicked off the show in blue ribbon fashion in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class for Tony and Jackie McKnight. Hot Carmel and Jim Huffman received the reserve tie in the class for Dr. Glenn and Beverly DeGraffenreid. Scarlet O’Hara and Jeff Laughlin walked their way to the winner’s circle for the first time in the Park Pleasure Two-Gait class for 4-J Land and Cattle Co. Jim Laughlin and Encore’s Shakin’ Lady made the reserve ride, also for 4-J.
Watch Spot Walk and Andrea Patterson received the judge’s approval and the blue ribbon in the Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty class for the Patterson family. This was a repeat performance of the 2006 Fall Championship show for “Spot” except this time Paul Patterson coached from the rail while Andrea made the blue ribbon ride. Delightful Romeo and Glenda Nichols was reserve in the class for Mrs. Glen Campbell. The Pro-Am class is always very exciting to watch both amateur riders and trainers compete together. Mollie Turner-Wells and Trigger Cash, along with trainer Don Bills made a winning debut performance in the class. Harold Roberts and Anne Hardin directed City General to the red ribbon in the class for Mr. and Mrs. Harold Roberts.
In the Juvenile Lite-Shod class, Jesse Laughlin and JFK’s Royal Dreamer took top honors for 4-J Land and Cattle Co. Austin Rhoads and Magic Bomb H made the good ride for the second place ribbon in the class for David and Jane Turner. Public Enemy Number One and Don Bills captured the Two-Year-Old Stallion class for Lisa Beninati and Niangua River Farms. This win comes on the heels of two blues at the MWHTA Fall Show. Reserve in the class went to Macho’s Golden Coin and Brad Huffman for Dave Barton.
Diamonds And Cash was victorious in the Men’s Amateur class with Richard Mitch in the irons for Richard and Sarah Mitch. This team is prepared by Wade and Margaret Hickman. Brian Nichols and Ritz’s Heart Of Ice received the reserve tie for Mrs. Glenda Nichols. In the Park Performance class Kristen Buddemeyer directed Severe Storm Warning to the winner’s circle for Jack Buddemeyer, trained by Mike Maack. Coin’s Smooth Operator and Brad Nichols heated up the competition for the reserve tie in the class for Mrs. Glen Campbell.
Jeff Laughlin and WC Aspen Gold took the blue ribbon home to Waynesville, Mo., with their performance in the Amateur Owned and Trained Lite-Shod class. Jim Laughlin and Legend Of Stan The Man were reserve, also for 4-J. Competition was fierce in the Men’s Amateur Specialty class. Royal And Famous received the judge’s nod in the class with Larry Carriger in the irons for Lynn Davis under the Hickman Stables banner. This blue was also a repeat from the 2006 show. Magic Impression and Dr. Glenn DeGraffenreid received the reserve ribbon in the class for Dr. Glenn and Beverly DeGraffenreid under the training of Jim Huffman.
Kate Carter and Believe This Score claimed the victory in the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class for Caroline Siegal. Juice’s Sweet Victory and Don Bills was reserve for Truman and Deborah Volkart. The Patterson family made their second trip to the winner’s circle this evening, but this time with Red Ink and Andrea Patterson in the Ladies Amateur class. I’m Eli and Debbie Barnhart were reserve in the class for Rick and Debbie Barnhart under the Brad Huffman Stables direction.
Margaret Hickman directed Magnesium to the winner’s circle in the Three-Year-Old Stallion class for Dr. Lynn and Linda Bridwell. Delightfully Dumas and Brad Huffman were reserve for Dean Scott. Jesse Laughlin and JFK’s Fancy Lady Leslie caught the judge’s eye in the Juvenile Park Pleasure class for 4-J. Winning Design and Austin Rhoads made the reserve ride in the class for Manes Stables.
Don Bills and Filthy Rich took home the top award in the Four-Year-Old Open Specialty class for Jon Trimble. Coin’s Noelle and Brad Huffman received the reserve tie for their fine performance for Susie Graham. Aspen Jewel and Jeff Laughlin claimed the blue in the Lite-Shod Two-Gait class for 4-J. Generating Cash and Donna Huffman were reserve for Donna Huffman.
It was certainly nice to see Jerry Manes back in the saddle as he directed Spirit And Silver to the blue ribbon in the Aged Mare and Gelding class for Andrew and Austin Rhoads. Manes has recently had major surgery and it is definitely true that you, “can’t keep a good man down”. A Piece Of The Doc and Leland McDougal were reserve in the class for Brandon McDougal. JoAnn LeNeve and Talk Is Cheap are no strangers to the winner’s circle as they added another win to their resume in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class for the Don LeNeve and Doug Heiman families. This duo is prepared by Don Bills. Delightful Romeo and Glenda Nichols received the reserve tie in the class for Mrs. Glen Campbell.
The Classic Horse class is a tribute to the walking horse on many levels. Pusher’s Risky Business and Shelby Hill received the blue ribbon in this class. Sarah Mitch and Generator’s Lot Of Push received the reserve ribbon in the class for Richard and Sarah Mitch. Both these classic horses are trained by Wade and Margaret Hickman. Jeff Laughlin returned to the winner’s circle one last time for the night’s performances, this time with Legend’s Santana Ritz in the Amateur Park Pleasure class. Encore’s Shakin’ Lady and Jim Laughlin were putting the pressure on for the reserve tie for 4-J Land and Cattle Co.
The final class of the night was for the Aged Stallions. Jim Huffman and Victory Colors were in top form to claim this preliminary win and the HAWHA Championship title for Jim and Donna Huffman. Don Bills directed Dark Rage to the reserve tie in the class for Dave and Marcia Turner.
Friday
Friday evening’s performance was started off in style as Kerri Laughlin presented Aspen Gold to the winner’s circle in the Lite-Shod Amateur Two-Gait class for 4-J Land and Cattle Co. Legend Of Stan The Man and Jim Laughlin were reserve, also for 4-J. The Two-Year-Old Amateur class was unusually large with top entries. Steven Leonard and Now U C Me walked their way to victory lane for Steven Leonard. Just Walk Away and Coby Coffman made the reserve ride for Coby and Jane Coffman under the Hickman Stables banner.
Steve Skopec and Cutter’s Gypsy Lady earned the first of the HAWHA Futurity titles in the Two-Year-Old Park Pleasure class for Steve and Karen Skopec. In the Juvenile 11 and Under class two sisters came out on top. Leslie Ann Mott directed Show Me Silver And Blues to the blue ribbon for McCall/Clamp Stables while Lindsey Mott and Dangerous Dancer claimed the reserve ribbon for Ann McCall. Both these girls did an excellent job. Don Bills trains both these top contenders.
Kerri Laughlin made another trip to the winner’s circle, this time with Armed Scarlet O’Hara in the Ladies Park Pleasure Two-Gait class for 4-J. Twisted Cash and Kelly Heberer were reserve under the training of Anne Hardin. Cheering sections certainly came to life as the Open Specialty class entered the ring. PJ’s Pusher received the judge’s mark under the showmanship of Brad Huffman for Dean Scott. Pusher’s Lady On The Loose and Margaret Hickman were reserve in the class for Carol Middleton.
Donna Huffman and My Cash At Midnight claimed the Three-Year-Old Amateur class win for Jim and Donna Huffman. Jim Anderson made the trip from Arkansas with U Take The Cash for the reserve tie in the class under the training of Phillip Curlee. No stranger to the winner’s circle is JFK’s Fancy Lady Leslie, this time with Jay Laughlin in the Men’s Park Pleasure Two-Gait class . Jim Laughlin and Encore’s Shakin’ Lady were reserve, both for 4-J Land and Cattle Co.
In the Juvenile 12-17 class, Hayley Miller and Prides Man In Black emerged victorious for their good ride for Dr. Glenn and Beverly DeGraffenreid. Jim Huffman is certainly proud of this fine pair of performers. Spirit And Silver and Austin Rhoads received the reserve tie for their flawless ride for Andrew and Austin Rhoads under the watchful eyes of parents Wade and Margaret Hickman. Jeff Laughlin and Legend’s Santana Ritz earned the top spot in the Four-Year-Old and Under Park Pleasure class for 4-J. My Cabana Boy and Jay Laughlin were reserve for 4-J.
Toxic Colors and Bill Stotler walked their way to the winner’s circle in the Walking Horse Yearling class for Bill and Mary Stotler. Whoa Baby! and Brad Huffman received the reserve mark for Brad and Starr Huffman. In the HAWHA Futurity Three –Year-Old Park Pleasure class, Bossa Nova Baby and Kristi McGregor received the blue ribbon for Kristi McGregor under the training of Caroline Siegal. Last Fax From Chyna and Brad Huffman were reserve in the class for Brad and Starr Huffman.
In the Amateur Owned and Trained Park Performance class, Andrea Patterson and Royal Night Magic were in top form to claim the title in the class for the Patterson family. Coin’s Smooth Operator and Ted Nichols were reserve for Mrs. Glen Campbell. The HAWHA Three-Year-Old Performance class was next on the docket and found Steve Skopec and Cutter’s White Knight making the victory pass for Steve and Karen Skopec under the Hickman Stables banner. Believe This Score and Marg Garner received the reserve tie for Caroline Siegal under the training of Kate Carter.
Four top entries made the gate call for the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class. Dr. Glenn DeGraffenreid and Magic Impression received the judge’s mark for their performance and sent them to the winner’s circle for Dr. Glenn and Beverly DeGraffenreid. This team is prepared by Jim Huffman. City General and Kyndra Meyers received the reserve tie in the class for trainer Anne Hardin. Congratulations are also sent out to Kyndra and Andy Meyes as they were recently married.
In the largest class of the night Tamee LeNeve-Heiman and I’m Bob Hope presented a top performance to receive the tile in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty class for the LeNeve and Heiman families, under the Don Bills Stables banner. Susie Graham and Coin’s Noelle were reserve in the class for Susie Graham and trained by Brad Huffman. JFK’s Fancy Lady Leslie received her second blue of the night, this time in the Amateur Owned and Trained Park Pleasure class with Jay Laughlin in the irons. Bossa Nova Baby and Kristi McGregor were reserve.
Kyndra Meyers and The Pusher’s Generator continue to be a winning team as they found themselves called to the winner’s circle in the Open Amateur class for Roberts and Heiney. Anne Hardin prepares this team for competition. Debbie Barnhart and I’m Eli received the reserve ribbon in the class for Rick and Debbie Barnhart under the direction of Brad Huffman. The riders donned western hats and chaps for the Western Lite-Shod Two-Gait class. Aspen Jewel and Jeff Laughlin walked their way to the winner’s circle in this tough class. Jesse Laughlin directed Big Willie Style to the reserve ribbon in the class, both for 4-J Land and Cattle Co.
Another big class of the evening was the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class. Armed And Proud and Jennifer Condren were in top form to claim the win for the Bill Maack family. Jim Huffman prepares this team for the show ring. Walkin’ Crazy and Jason Simpson were reserve in the class for Phillip and Abby Curlee. Legend’s Santana Ritz claimed his second blue of the night, this time in the Western Park Pleasure Two-Gait class with Jeff Laughlin. Encore’s Shakin’ Lady and Wendy Laughlin made the reserve ride in the class for 4-J.
The Amateur Specialty class warmed the crowd up as outside temperatures fell into the 40’s. Watch Spot Walk once again found himself in the winner’s circle under the showmanship of Andrea Patterson. Trigger Cash and Mollie Turner-Wells received the reserve tie in the class for their good ride under the coaching of Don Bills.
Saturday
Stake night always brings a sense of anticipation to the air and this night was no exception. Halle Berry and Jeff Laughlin captured another win for 4-J Land and Cattle Co. in the Open Model class. Six top contenders entered the ring for the Amateur 50 and Over class. Talk Is Cheap and JoAnn LeNeve were called out to make the victory pass following the call for a final running walk. The Don LeNeve and Doug Heiman families own this fine entry. Pusher’s Lady On The Loose and Carol Middleton walked their way to the reserve ribbon in the class. Nine entries made the gate call for the HAWHA Futurity Weanling class and when the judge’s card was turned in it was Jim Queen and Jubilee’s Touch Me Blue making the trip to the winner’s circle for Laura Conway. Really Impressive and Brad Huffman were reserve in the large class for Susie Graham.
Kristen Buddemeyer made her second trip to the winner’s circle with Severe Storm Warning. This time her victory pass came in the Amateur Park Performance class. Royal’s Night Magic and Andrea Patterson were reserve. In the HAWHA Futurity Two and Three-Year-Old Lite-Shod class, Susan Hills directed MG’s Ultra Threat to the winner’s circle for Dennis and Susan Hills. Sundrop’s Solar Eclipse and Anne Hardin were reserve, also for Dennis and Susan Hills.
Jim Queen and Jubilee’s Touch Me Blue made a second trip to the winner’s circle, this time in the Open Weanling class for Laura Conway. King Of The Guards and Phillip Curlee received the reserve tie for Leonard Gregory. Kerri Laughlin claimed the first stake title of the night as she made the victory pass aboard Aspen Gold in the Lite-Shod Two-Gait Stake class for 4-J. Husband Jeff Laughlin and Aspen Jewel received the reserve title also for 4-J.
The Juvenile Specialty Stake was certainly a crowd pleaser as nine fine entries entered the ring determined to make a winning ride. Show Me Silver And Blues and Leslie Mott came out on top of the tough class for McCall/Clamp Stables. Reserve in the class went to Hayley Miller and Pride’s Man In Black for Dr. Glenn and Beverly DeGraffenreid. Bill Stotler and Toxic Colors made it a repeat performance as they earned their second blue of the show in the HAWHA Futurity Yearling class. Whoa Baby! and Brad Huffman were reserve for Brad and Starr Huffman.
The Open Show Pleasure Specialty class found Armed And Proud in the winner’s circle for the second time this weekend with Jennifer Condren in the irons for the Bill Maack family. Santana’s Pushing Dixie and Don Bills were reserve for Truman and Deborah Volkart. Don Bills made a quick change of horse and returned to the ring to claim the Two-Year-Old Stake Championship with Public Enemy Number One for Lisa Beninati. This win comes on the heels of their Two-Year-Old Stallion win on Thursday night. Reserve in the class went to the fine entry from Arkansas, Now UC Me and Steven Leonard.
Susie Graham and Coin’s Noelle were flawless for their blue ribbon in the Trainer’s Family class for Susie Graham. Donna Huffman and Spun Gold’s Legend were reserve in the class for Dr. Mae Nettleship under the watchful eye of Jim Huffman. Kerri Laughlin and He’s Dangerous With Cash claimed the blue ribbon in the Trail Pleasure class for 4-J. The Last Cash and Jesse Laughlin received the reserve ribbon in the class.
Eight entries made the gate call for the Amateur Specialty Stake class. The crowd was very vocal as they cheered on their favorite team. When Judge Grider’s card was turned in the call was made for Tamee LeNeve-Heiman and I’m Bob Hope to take the victory pass for the Don LeNeve and Doug Heiman families. Reserve in the class went to Watch Spot Walk and Andrea Patterson for the Patterson family.
The HAWHA Futurity Two-Year-Old Performance class found Margaret Hickman making the victory pass aboard Extra’s Alan Jackson for Scott Barker and Connie McCarthy. Macho’s Golden Coin and Ruth Humiston were reserve for Dave Barton. Armed Scarlett O’Hara and Jeff Laughlin returned to the ring to claim another blue, the Park Pleasure Two-Gait Stake title, for 4-J. JFK’s Fancy Lady Leslie and Jay Laughlin were putting the pressure on for the reserve tie in the good class.
HAWHA DQP Program Director Floyd Hampsmire presented the charity One Missing Link with a check for $750 for their involvement with the show. One Missing Link, Inc. is a not-for-profit service organization designed to work in conjunction with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Its purpose is to provide a link between families of the missing and existing systems in a cooperative effort to reunite the missing and their families. President Ted Nichols took the microphone for few minutes to thank those who worked tirelessly in putting on this quality show. A gift was presented to Mae Maack, Show Chairman and Association Secretary, for her hours of work on the show.
The Three-Year-Old Stake brought seven top competitors to the ring and when all was said and done, Margaret Hickman and Magnesium were named as top entertainers for their performance. Magnesium is owned by Dr. Lynn and Linda Bridwell. My Cash At Midnight and Jim Huffman were reserve in the class for Jim and Donna Huffman. The Pusher’s Generator and Harold Roberts were in top form to claim the Amateur Stake title for their performance for Roberts and Heiney and is trained by Anne Hardin. Piece Of The Doc and Mac McDougal made a good show for the reserve tie in the class for Brandon McDougal.
The always entertaining Costume class lightens things up before the Championship Stake class. This year Jesse Laughlin transformed himself into the headless horseman and received the blue ribbon aboard the Last Cash for 4-J Land and Cattle Co.
The final class of the night was the Walking Horse Championship class. Grande’ and Brad Huffman received the blue ribbon tie for Rick Morrison and June Clark. A challenge trophy in memory of Bill Maack Jr. was presented by Mae Maack, to be won by the same trainer for three years for permanent possession. Dark Rage and Don Bills were reserve in the class for David and Marcia Turner.
This was the final show for some exhibitors in the Midwest area and many barns hosted food and fellowship following the show celebrating another successful season. Other exhibitors will be traveling north or south to continue their show season for another couple of weeks.
Complete results follow and can be found on our website at: www.walkinghorsereport.com.