WHITE PINE, Tenn. The 33rd Annual East Tennessee Walking Horse Classic was held once again at the spacious Great Smoky Mountain Expo Center on June14-15. This show, which originated and was held at Gray’s Station, Tenn. for 28 years, was held in Knoxville, Tenn. and moved to these excellent facilities four years ago.

In 2002, 470 entries made the gate call to compete in the 56 classes of competition. On Friday night, the number shown was almost twice the amount of horses shown in 2001. Jeff Willis of Belfast, Tenn. marked the judge's cards for this prestigious show.

Show Manager Paul Hauk stated, “We appreciate all of those that took part in this show, especially those that helped make it happen. Everything went extremely well. We appreciate all who came to our 2002 show, and hope that you will attend again in 2003.”

Terry Young of Lexington, Kentucky, preserved the moment on film and had proofs out in minutes on Saturday night to preview. Organist Jo Simerly kept things lively while Announcer John Hood kept the show rolling.

The Open Walking Horse Stake held the audience spellbound until 12:45 a.m. when Judge Willis announced the champion. Seven outstanding entries made the gate call. Once all the work was complete, Judge Willis called the team of Pusher’s High Voltage and Mickey McCormick to the winner’s circle. This win marked his third consecutive win at the East Tennessee Classic show and entitled the gray stallion to retire the Earnest C. Jones Memorial Challenge Trophy. Owner Beckie Hicks was thrilled, “Not only is this my hometown, I helped start this show, and worked on it for ten years. It is such an honor to be able to win this stake and this trophy. It means so much to me.” The tears streaming down her face as she kissed her champion, who calmly nuzzled her, said more than the words did. Fans showed their appreciation of High Voltage also.

Reserve in this prestigious show was current World Grand Champion Pushover’s My Papa and Chad Baucom. Each horse had their fans and Baucoms cheered him with dedication when he was called reserve. Not to be outdone, another gray horse had lots of eyes and cheering for him also. Pusher’s Blizzard carried Bill Cantrell of Phenix City, Alabama to the third placing.

`Friday evening’s performance began with the Stick Horse class with a large number of entries. All were given blue ribbons but one participant wanted a red one. That just goes to show that horse show participants are never fully pleased!

The first blue with a real mount was the nine-entry Amateur English Lite Shod Specialty. Sparkling Generator and Denny Givens were awarded the first place with reserve being given to Extra Beauty and Doug Brown.

When the Youth Specialty, 12-17 years class was called, one after another top teams entered with the gate closing after number 14. After a grueling workout with top horses, the well-known team of current World Champion I’m Cruella De Vil and Joel Johnson were selected to wear the blue for a victory pass. This was also a repeat win of last season in the same class under Mickey McCormick Stables’ guidance. Extra Ordinary, with her extra ordinary blaze, carried Kathyren Ramsbottom to the reserve win and the red streamer.

The ETWHA Ladies Auxiliary class was next and eleven ladies all rode like they were going to win that blue. The one Judge Willis selected was a petite blonde, Kristina Snodgrass, aboard The Stargate. Beam’s Centerfire and Cindy Hughes rode hard to earn the reserve spot in the class.

Jack Morgan claimed the Amateur 50 and Over Specialty aboard Naturally with Hugh Sluder and Spirit’s Dark Eagle exiting with the red streamer.

Hailing from Paul Livingston Stables, Royal Prestige earned the first of two East Tenn. Classic blues. Deanine Moyer exited the ring from the Plantation Pleasure Ladies Specialty with the blue ribbon on her bridle. Evening Charger and Sarah Jobe secured the second award with their superb performance.

The team of Chad Baucom and Jay R’s Replica proved hard to beat in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding event. Charger’s Lucky Lady and Steve Woody strutted their stuff to earn the reserve award.

Jennifer May and World Champion Olympic’s Energizer are proving to be formidable competitors in their first season together. They added to their previous 2002 victories the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty title at White Pine under the guidance of Baucom Stables. Gen Over Ice and Elaine Doxey, representing Bill Cantrell Stables, made a top show for reserve.

Jack Morgan returned to the ring and exited with his second blue of the evening. This time it was aboard, Skyline, trained by Tim Wheelon, that captured the Amateur Plantation Pleasure Specialty blue. GQ, with Darrell Rouse in the irons, claimed the reserve spot.

In the largest class of the show so far, Tim Wheelon topped fifteen extremely talented entries to win the Show Pleasure Specialty division. Cash Advance and Steve Woody were chosen reserve winners.

Bill Cantrell and Skywatch’s Masterpiece, returned after winning the 2001 East Tenn. Three-Year-Old Stallion title, and walked away with the 2002 Four-Year-Old Stallion Specialty win. Chris Pickel and Gen’s Drop Of Sun claimed the red streamer.

Veteran equestrian Odie Adcock and Doc’s Gypsy Rose had a class all to themselves in the Open Amateur class. They performed well to claim the blue.

The Golden Sovereign’s name fits him well. He and trainer Mickey McCormick reigned in the eleven-entry Three-Year-Old Stallion class. This golden beauty with blue eyes earned a Columbia, Tenn. blue last weekend with Jeanine Gullett in the saddle. Mike Carter and Second Copy also made a flawless show to be selected reserve winners.

In the very next class, Jeanine Gullet earned her own blue aboard Mozambique in an excellent Ladies Amateur Specialty class with fifteen entries. Beam’s Eclipse and Kathy Ramsbottom carried the red ribbon from the ring.

Next on the agenda was the Four-Year-Old Mare and Gelding Specialty. Steve Woody directed Pushin’ For Payment to the blue while reserve went to the team of Boy’s Rebel Red and Jerry Derryberry.

Eleven was the magic number for the Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty class. Dana Kyte and Pitcher Perfect were selected to make the victory pass with the red streamer going to Awesome Generator and Kenny Compton.

Larry Proffitt and Cash For Roses claimed the Mare title with Pusher’s Cash and Mike Janeway riding hard for second position.

The Two-Year-Old Stallion class was one of the highlights of Friday evening. Cash Can Do and Mike Carter was chosen for the blue with Olympic’s Supergizer and Chad Baucom chosen for reserve. For the second year in a row, President’s Push and Bill Russell won the Men’s Amateur Specialty blue from Mickey McCormick’s Stables. Big Papa Cool and Clay Mills were selected to be the reserve champions.

The final class on Friday evening, the Stallion and Gelding, was won by Bill Cantrell aboard Prowler’s Night Deposit. Reserve was won by Larry Proffitt aboard Gen’s Solid Gold.

Saturday evening’s show began at 6:00 p.m. with the Yearling Fillies. Love Me Truly, led by David Dupes, was Judge Willis’ choice. Power Puff Girl and Herschel Blessing won reserve.

Fame’s Royal Rascal and Jennifer Brown made everyone sit up and take notice in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class. Paul Livingston proudly trains this high headed colt which made the victory pass. Sky Trek and Doug Brown were chosen for the reserve spot.

The Amateur Trail Pleasure Specialty gatecall included 15 entries. Master Revelation and Missy Davidson were the victors with reserve awarded to Chance’s Black Spirit and Jean Hinkle.

Steve Helms and Keep My Score won the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding in a spectacular show. Erica McCoy and Color Me Crazy earned the red streamer after another flawless show.

Tar Heel’s Miss Dumas and Kenny Compton won the 2001 Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding Class under Steve Hankins’ Stables guidance. They returned this year to capture the Four-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding title. Skywatch Superstar and Jack Morgan made an excellent show to earn reserve.

The 15.2 and Under class was loaded with talent. After careful scrutiny by Judge Willis, Brent Coburn and By All Means exited the ring with the blue flying. Generator’s Big Ticket and Stephen Hankins picked up reserve.

Ronnie Tabor made the trip from Shelbyville worthwhile when he and Push My Score were superb in the Plantation Pleasure Men’s Specialty. This blaze faced high stepping mount carried the blue in style. Skyline and Jack Morgan were also excellent and were chosen to win reserve.

The 11 and Under Youth class was full of talent but two tiny riders on big bay horses stole the show. Doc’s Fine Fashion and Tyler Baucom garnered the blue ribbon while Lindsey Hess and They Call Me Doc was called out for reserve. There was much cheering and whooping for all of the riders in this class. Doc's Fine Fashion won dual blues at the Southwest Virginia Classic this season. Kayla Baucom directed Doc's Fine Fashion to the Juvenile 11 and Under blue there, then Tyler Baucom won the Juvenile 17 & Under on him.

Lucky Call won her second blue and garland of the show in the 12-entry Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class. This time Ashlea Wheelon was directing the little, shaking and walking mare. Ashlea Wheelon and her mare also won both the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty and the Show Pleasure Specialty blues recently at the Smoky Mountain Classic in Harriman, Tenn. Reserve was another very nice team, Cash Advance and Cindy Hughes.

Golden Sovereign won his second East Tennessee Classic blue as Jeanine Gullett made a flawless ride in the Three-Year-Old Amateur division. This team also captured this same class at the Columbia Spring Jubilee. The Raffle and Kirk Wilkerson received the reserve placing in this very competitive show.

When the dust settled in the Lite Shod Specialty class, it was A Fabulous Design and Landon Reeves that made the victory pass. Doug Brown directed his Extra Beauty to the second place ribbon.

Sam Kite and Black Max were the judge's choice in the ten-entry Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class. Mr. Freeze was directed by Murlin Williamson to exit with the red streamer.