by Christie Miller

VICKSBURG, Miss. - The Haven House Charity held its 6th annual walking and racking horse show on Saturday, August 2, 2003, at the Bovina arena. The show was dedicated to all victims of domestic violence, with proceeds benefiting the 24/7 Warren County Shelter for Women and Children. Last year Haven House provided services to 457 women and children. The show was affiliated with the NHSC, RHBAA, the Heart of Dixie and was a double point show for the MWHA.

Show officials for the evening included announcer Scotty Aulds, ringmaster Ernie Bruce and organist Sherry Alexander, all of Farmerville, La. I’m A Jubilee and Latoyia Stephens presented Old Glory, and the national anthem was sung by Melissa Snow of Vicksburg, Miss. Burl Kail of Alamo, Tenn., judged the 30-class event, which featured 139 entries. Abernathy Stables of Olive Branch, Miss., led the blue ribbon tally with six wins. In the Open Specialty event, Beam’s Lucky Star carried Edgar Abernathy to the winner’s circle for the C.H. Dennis family. In the Amateur Specialty division, Pushover’s Gold Standard and Bettye Sue Burkhalter topped a field of 12 setting the blue ribbon standard for Guy Burkhalter. The Pusher Label and Edgar Abernathy made their blue ribbon debut in the Two-Year-Old Filly division for Dr. and Mrs. Tommy Vinson. Abernathy came back in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class for the win on That’s The Way for Mark and Cindy Phillips. In the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty event, My Shotgun and Charlotte Stepp blasted the competition for the first place award. Power Of Charm and Joseph Abernathy were chosen for the blue award in the Amateur Three-Year-Old class.

Pioneer Stables of Summit, Miss., was credited with three wins. Their first blue came in the Youth 11 and Under division as The Lady’s Touch and Mary Elizabeth Morrison were called for the blue ribbon honors. Then mom Jeanne Morrison and Watch And Be Dazzled made the wining ride in the Amateur Four-Year-Old Specialty event for Dr. Bill Morrison. JFK’s Dollar and Benton Pitts were victorious in the Amateur Two-Year-Old class. Dale Watts trains and prepares these entries.

Swingin’ Gates Stables of Trinity, Ala., received two wins. In the Three-Year-Old event, The Ritz Blitz and Chris Zahnd claimed blue ribbon honors for Lanier Sibley and Roger Piefle. Four entries answered the gate call for the Walking Horse Championship Stake. As the judge’s decision was read, Hard Collateral and Chris Zahnd cashed in on the tricolor award for Larry Roy.

Scar and Harlan Hatcher were chosen for the blue award in the Colts Under Halter class. All Colored Up and Ann Hatcher rode for the blue award in the Ladies Amateur Specialty division.

Playboy’s Gold Digger and Anna Biggers claimed top honors in the Amateur Gaited Pleasure event for Melinda Hamby.

In the Spotted Saddle Horse class, Captain Buck and Chris Mills received the blue ribbon.

In the Amateur Lite-Shod Specialty division, Cindy Power, with Ann Hatcher in the irons, caught the judge’s eye for blue ribbon acclaim.

Ebony’s Coin Dream, a.k.a. “Big Daddy”, and Marilyn Scott strolled to the winner’s circle in the Amateur Owned And Trained event.

Stock’s Heartbreaker and James Gatwood were called for the win in the Open Park Pleasure Specialty division.

Little Bitty Love Bug and Latoyia Stephens rode to the blue award in the Youth 12-17 Specialty class for Lowell Stephens.

In the Trail Pleasure Specialty class Fire! and Harlan Hatcher stamped out the competition for the blue award.

Premium Unleaded and Virgil Harris made the victory pass in the Amateur Park Pleasure Specialty division.

Laura Lee Dorman directed Winner’s Pride And Joy to the blue ribbon award in the Youth Gaited Pleasure event for Mary Jane Wooten. This highlights the 6th annual Haven House Charity Horse Show. Complete results follow and may also be found by visiting our web site at www.walkinghorsereport.com.