by K.C. Hensley WINCHESTER, Tenn. - On Saturday Nov. 8, the Oakgrove School Community Center held their 8th annual walking horse show. With 28 classes and 280 entries judge Vicki Self of Louisville, Ga., had plenty of great horses to critique. What a great show to end the season! Every class of the night was filled to the brim with talented performers! The first class to grace the ring was the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class with 12 entries. Powering his way to top honors in the class was Edition’s Power Pusher with Joel Weaver in the irons. Louis George of Belvidere, Tenn., owns the entry. Claiming reserve honors in the class were Showboat Showgirl and Dick Meyers for Nancy Clements of Batavia, Ohio.

Striding their way to winner’s circle in the Walking Weanlings class were Bonito My Cha Cha and handler Nathan Mills. Hoyte Eakes of Nashville, Tenn., owns the entry. Coming in as a strong reserve was the well-known team of Encore’s Midnight Lady and Billy Thomas for Nolan LaRue of Jamestown, Tenn. Enjoying his first of many blue ribbons was little Thomas Derickson and Miami Heat in the Youth 11 and Under class. Derickson is only four years old, but is already continuing on the Derickson family tradition! Reserve in the class was a newcomer in the sport of horse showing, but was a force to be reckoned with. Claiming that red ribbon with pride was Pushover The Top and Robert Cortner for the Jim Cortner family of Winchester, Tenn.

Fifteen entries graced the ring for the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class. In a class of top competitors Dang My Time and K.C. Hensley returned to the winner’s circle once again. Adam and K.C. Hensley of Shelbyville, Tenn., own the entry. Reserve in this large class was the team of Silver Dollar Make Me Hollar and owner/rider Kathy Graves of Moss, Tenn.

In the Walking Yearling class Robert Nelms and Power Of Success excelled for proud owners Everett and Doris Penik of Walterboro, S.C. Reserve in the class were Miss Honey Fitz and Tommy Halmontaller for Sam Kite of Telford, Tenn.

Twelve entries made their way to ring for the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding competition. A blue ribbon was just what the doctor ordered for the team of Dr. Temptation and Bill Bobo. Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tenn., owns the entry. Reserve in this challenging class went to Dazzling Dumas and Joel Weaver for Ridgemont Farms of Blaksburg, Va.

In the Country Pleasure class 15 smooth gaited entries made the gate call. Pride’s Final Mark and Charlie Howard were crowned champions in the class. Taylor Morgan of Shelbyville Tenn., owns the entry. Reserve in the class was awarded to Touched Twice By Paint and Miles Irby for Steve and Jan Harris of Columbia, Tenn.

A happy ending unfolded in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty class. Dru McCormick and her beloved Brush Hog claimed the top honors. McCormick bottle fed this horse and has nurtured him through every snare life has offered. And on Saturday night in Winchester, Brush Hog repaid McCormick for all her love and attention. Reserve in this talented class of horses was the well-known team of Vapor and owner/rider Sam Kite of Telford, Tenn.

Six entries showed up to compete for the Lite-Shod Specialty class. Claiming the blue was the experienced winning team Rainsong and Jeff Givens. Mike and Pam Ericson of Modjeska, Calif., own the entry. Reserve in the class was the world champion team of Jose Quervo Gold and owner/rider Bob Lawrence of Thompson, Ga.

By far the largest class of the evening was the Two-Year-Old Stallion class with 24 talented entries! The team of Jazz on Bourbon and Joe Cotten were crowned the champions in this outstanding class were. Hy Steppin Farm located in Germantown, Tenn., owns the entry. Coming as a strong reserve were Star’s Sundancer and Chad Williams.

The pleasure division was up next with the Amateur Park Pleasure class, which featured 10 entries. World Champion She’s Breathtaking made her way to the winner’s circle this time with Miles Irby aboard for Bob Lawrence of Thompson, Ga. Reserve in the class was another world champion Skyline with owner/rider Jack Morgan of Asheville, N.C.

The Walking Ponies class was very entertaining with its eight juvenile riders. The Nasdaq and Maria Derickson were at their highest as they claimed top honors in the class for Mike and Connie May of Doland, Fla., and Shelbyville, Tenn. Reserve in the class went to the new team I’m Over You and Danielle Collier for Jim and Heidi McWilliams of Cookeville, Tenn.

Rising Star Ranch topped the charts once again in the Show Pleasure Specialty class. This time it was with I’m In Like Flynn and Joel Weaver for owner Steve Cheatham of Fayetteville, Tenn. Reserve in this 14-entry class went to Sabatier and Chad Williams for Sister Milligan of Panama City, Fla.

The Ladies Amateur Mares and Geldings Specialty class was next. Eleven talented ladies entered the ring with their mounts. Flush With Spirit and owner/rider Iris Schumann of Shelbyville, Tenn., claimed the blue. Reserve in the class went to Another Pushbutton and Sandra Johnson. The entry is owned by Waterfall Farms of Shelbyville, Tenn.

Over half way through the evening 11 Three-Year-Old Stallions graced the ring. Chad Williams added another blue to his belt; this time it was with Bayou Bay. Consolidated Farms of Albertville, Ala., owns the entry. Reserve in this talented class of horses went to Bust Me Loose and Norris Blackburn for Joe Barnes of Gatlinburg, Tenn.

A chill was felt as the Two and Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure class entered the ring. That cold feeling wasn’t just the winter weather outside; it was Chill and Doug Barnes as they made their way to a winner’s welcome. Danielle Reed owns the entry. Reserve in the class went to The KGB and J.B. Buchanan for Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Barnes of Springfield, Tenn.

One of the largest classes of the night was the Three-Year-Old Amateur Mares, Stallions and Geldings class with 17 entries! Claiming top honors in the class was High Tide At The Ritz and Rebakah Smith for JBR, Inc., of Oliver Springs, Tenn. This outstanding duo was on the heels of their recent win the The East Tennessee Fall Classic at White Pine, Tenn. Reserve in the class went to Ritz’s Cash Lady and K.C. Hensley. The Keith Warner family of Prentiss, Miss., owns the entry.

A well-known team made its way to the winner’s circle once again in the Open Amateur class. Rain At Midnight and owner/rider Kevin Parton of Alexandria, Va., claimed the blue. Reserve in the class went to Walkin’ In Memphis and owner/rider Rose Anstett of Wartrace and Shelbyville, Tenn.

The winds began to pick up in the Open 15 and Under class as Collector’s Mr. Twister and Tim Wheelon claimed the blue. Nancy and Benny Cate of Indian Rock Beach, Fla., own the entry. Coming in as a strong reserve were Skywatcher and Bill Bobo for Doug Estes of Greenville, Miss.

The best of the best showed up to battle it out for the Youth 12-17 Specialty class. Making their way to the winner’s circle to claim their prize was Downtown Pusher and Andy Adkins for the Autumn Crest Farm in Franklin, Tenn. Reserve in this outstanding class of juveniles went to Dr. Dangerous and owner/rider Jacob Baum of Shelbyville, Tenn.

Fifteen entries made the gate call for the Open Walking Specialty class. Emerging from the line up to take the blue was The Key To My Heart and Brock Tillman. Little Tinsley Tillman was first in line when Brock went to make his victory pass. Reserve in the class went to Willie Walk and Jeff Byrom for Harry York of Nolensville, Tenn.

The show returned to the pleasure division for the final time with the Park Pleasure Open Specialty class, which featured five entries. The high stepping Judge’s Red Alert and rider Doug Barnes claimed the blue. Sue Maze of Murphy, Texas, owns the entry. Reserve in the class went to Genps Sundancer and Jeff Givens for the Hastings families of Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The second largest class of the night was another two-year-old class. This time it was the two-year-old amateurs that graced the ring with 20 entries! Emerging from the line up was the well-known duo Willie B. Strokin’ and owner/rider Brenda Bramlett of Shelbyville, Tenn. Reserve in this outstanding class went to Fame Seeker and owner/rider Renee Carlton of Corinth, Miss.

Cash’s Miss Star and Eddie Tuck were back together again to win the Aged Mares and Geldings class for Carolyn Evans of Eden, N.C. Reserve in the class went to Beam’s Rapid Express and Josh Jackson for Gennifer Houchens of Mooresville, N.C.

Bo’s Shania Rose and Ronal Young rose to the occasion in the Four-Year-Old Mares, Stallions and Geldings competition as they were crowned the champions for Bill and Sylvia Barker of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Coming in as a strong reserve in this class of nine entries were Ritz After Midnight and Josh Jackson for Joyce and Wayne Meadows of Ashland City, Tenn.

The Amateur Specialty class always proves to be one of the most competitive classes in the amateur division and Winchester was no different. Nine entries once again made their way to the ring. Top honors in the class went to Irrational and owner/rider Heidi McWilliams of Cookeville, Tenn. Reserve in this talented class of horses went to Spring’s Starmaker and Joyce Marie Green for Corey and Samantha Green.

The class that brought the crowd to its feet the most was the Groom’s class. Nine talented entries made the gate call to battle it out for the blue. Returning to the winner’s circle for the second weekend in a row was Eye In The Sky with Chico Booker up for the Ed Stuckey family. Reserve in the class went to The Big Game and William Keith for Harold and Sandy Schumate.

Finally it was time to welcome the competitors in the Oakgrove Walking Horse Stake. Five beautifully prepared entries made their way to the ring. Emerging from the line up to claim their prize were none other than Brother Splash and Joe Cotten. Dr. and Mrs. Rigual of Oklahoma City, Okla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico own the entry. Reserve in the class went to Elvis Pusher and Brock Tillman for Meadowbrook Farm of Florence, Ala. And the third award was given to Pusher’s Force and Jason Day for the Burl Compton family of Roanoke, Va.

This concludes the coverage of the Oakgrove School Community Center Walking Horse Show.