SEDALIA, Mo. - Show spokeswoman Shirley Lotridge said it best, “In spite of dropping temperatures and fierce winds, the grand finale of the Heart Of American Walking Horse Association’s 2001 show season was a tremendous success. The 14th Annual Fall Show was held on October 25th, 26th & 27th at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia with 307 entries participating in 66 classes.
The Show Committee went all out to provide a warm and comfortable atmosphere for the exhibitors in the dining room on the fair grounds. An ‘open house’ was held all day on Friday and people were encouraged to stop in and visit with their fellow exhibitors. Coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate and homemade cookies were available to everyone. At the conclusion of the classes in the evening, 150 people were treated to a buffet of barbecued pork, baked beans, numerous salads, and a table loaded with homemade desserts.
. . . A good time was had by all and plans are already being made for the 15th Annual Fall Show in 2002.”
What else is there to be said except that the Heart of America Walking Horse Association held a great show in spite of freezing conditions. Even Judge Jeff Sanderson donned overcoat and gloves, joining the rest of the center ring crew that were trying to keep warm also. Announcer Bob Reavis said not to mention his hat which he wore throughout the show. Gary Good snapped the winners as they paraded around the ring before they donned warm coolers upon exiting the ring. In addition to beautiful crystal and silver trophies, neck garlands were awarded in many classes with special emphasis on the children’s classes. On Saturday afternoon, in the first Juvenile Plantation class, not only first place had a garland but also the others that tied. The garlands were the color of the ribbon they received and each had their picture taken and then the first place horse took the victory pass.
This same thing occurred in the Juvenile Stake with the exception that after all received their garlands, all of them took a victory pass at once, followed by the champion taking her victory pass. It was a neat addition to the show and there were lots of youngsters showing which indicate new interest and the future of the walking horse industry. Hats off to Heart of America on this one.
Ken and Josh Taylor were also called to center ring on Saturday night along with four of their juvenile riders to receive special recognition for their efforts in promoting interest in the youth segment. Their young riders did well throughout the show.
On Saturday night, those that had braved the cold were treated to a fantastic stake class. Spirit & Silver and Margaret Hickman wore the roses and retired the Championship Challenge Trophy since this was their third year in a row to win. Dean Byard directed the talented bay mare, She’s Sensational to the reserve spot while third went to The Pusher’s Generator and Chris Hopper.
The blue ribbon tally was won by Ken Taylor Stables with six blues followed by Sandra Huffman of Whispering Pines and Steve Skopec with five blues apiece. Four blues went home to Curt Caldwell Stables with a number of barns receiving three blues apiece: Tom Burton Stables, Dean Byard, Curt Caldwell Stables, Mary Lee Campbell, Hickman Stables, Dennis Hills, Huffman Family Stables, Jerry Manes Stables and Paul Patterson.
Dual blues were awarded to Patty Ayers, Don Bills Stables, Maack Stables, Tim Samons and Truman Volkart.
Josh Taylor has a very talented colt in SunDust With Attitude. He won the Two-Year-Old Stake on Saturday night as well as the HAWHA Futurity Two-Year-Old Performance on Thursday evening. Taylor Stables also had another Stake winner. She was small but mighty. Tiny Kayla Berg won the Juvenile Specialty Stake with Mark’s Sweet Dream after they won the Juvenile 11 and Under earlier.
Ken Taylor won the HAWHA Futurity Three-Year-Old Performance with Sundust Jubilee, a full sister to SunDust With Attitude. Another of Taylor Stables’ youngsters, Jackie Jones topped the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty on Spun’s Generationext.
Sandra Huffman traveled from Sharon, Iowa to return home with five Sedalia blues. Sandra won the Plantation Stake on Pusher’s Libby on Saturday night. Her first blue of the show came with Dancer’s Shadow Lady in the Lite Shod 2 Gait. This team also won the Three-Year-Old Lite Shod.
Ironman’s Mr. Mack and Sandra also won both the Three-Year-Old Plantation and the HAWHA Futurity Two-Year-Old Plantation. This chestnut is a class act and has quite a lengthy list of wins this season.
Steve Skopec and his talented roan mare, Gypsy Lane Dusty Maid won five blues, including the Plantation 2-Gait Stake. They also captured the Plantation 2-Gait, the 50 & Over Plantation Specialty, the Owner, Amateur Trained & Show Plantation Specialty and the Amateur Plantation Specialty.
Curt Caldwell’s four blues included the Amateur Specialty Stake won by On The Rise and Matt McWilliams. Curt directed two winners. The first was Heza Mr. Threat in the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings. He also directed Spun Inspiration to the blue in the Four-Year-Old Specialty. Larry Carriger won the Open Specialty on Friday evening with Scores & Highlights under the Caldwell banner.
Jill Wait and her Stormy’s Applejack won three blues in three nights including the Amateur Stake. Tom Burton proudly presents this team. Their other blues were in the Ladies Amateur and the Open Amateur.
Dean Byard made the trip from Nolensville, Tenn. to win three blues.
Secret Wager won two of these with catch riders. Andi Patterson first won the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty and then Jessica Caldwell won the Trainers’ Family Class. Dean directed Pushin’ PaPa to the blue in the Open Show Pleasure Specialty division.
Mary Lee Campbell’s horses won a trio of blues. Grandson Brad Nichols won the Juvenile 12-17 Specialty on Coin Smooth Operator and older brother Brian topped the Men’s Amateur with Eclectic. Mom Glenda Nichols rode Dixie Jubilee to win the Owner, Amateur Trained Specialty blue.
In addition to the Championship Stake, Margaret Hickman and Spirit & Silver were crowned Stallions champion. Wade Hickman was in the irons as he and The Major Major were selected as Three-Year-Old Stallions winner.
Susan and Dennis Hills enjoy their horses and have two nice ones. Susan and Sundrop’s Solar Flair won both the Weanling and the HAWHA Futurity Weanling blues. Dennis Hills led Adonis’s Lil Angel to victory in the Model class.
Jim Huffman’s three blues included the Three-Year-Old Stake on a much talked about colt, Thorncrest’s Cat Man Do. Their Hydro Generator won the Two-Year-Old Stallions with Jim aboard and the Two-Year-Old Amateur with Kristen Huffman up.
Jerry Manes’ proteges won three blues including Marvelene Kusewitt and My Horse Showtime winning the Lite Shod 2-Gait Stake. Jerry won the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings with Excite Me and the Mares and Geldings with Dark Spirits Absolute.
The Patterson Family netted three blues, two with their roan The Master Copy. Paul won the Plantation with him, then Andrea won the Ladies Plantation Specialty. Paul Patterson also won the Lite Shod with Look At You.