By Debbie Graham

PARKER’S CROSSROADS, Tenn. - The Parker’s Crossroads Walking Horse Show was held on July 28^th, 2007, in Parker’s Crossroads, Tenn. The city is located in Henderson County, halfway between Memphis and Nashville.  A rich historical background surrounds the city.  The Battle of Parker’s Crossroads was fought there during the Civil War on December 31^st, 1862.  A battlefield tour, which features a driving tour and two walking trails, is a popular tourist attraction.  The battlefield driving tour begins at Parker’s Crossroads City Park.  The park is a spacious facility for special events featuring a walk trail, softball and baseball fields, a children’s playground, a horse show arena and many picnic areas all under the shade of trees and a pavilion.  The horse show arena is the home of the Parker’s Crossroads Walking Horse Show. 

The Wildersville-Beaver Ruritan Club sponsored the event.  The National Ruritan leaders are proud of the accomplishments of the diverse group of people that make up their organization.  They are a unique and highly respected service organization, contributing to the improvement of communities throughout our country.  Ruritan members are people who care about others and about their community.  Proceeds from the horse show benefit the assistance of community efforts in education, benevolent work with cancer patients and other catastrophic illnesses, senior citizens and the Boy Scouts of America.  The club also presents two college scholarships to graduating seniors from Lexington High School.

Buck Williams of Lewisburg, Tenn., served as judge. NHSC DQP, J. C. Davis inspected all entries and was joined by three USDA VMO’s, resulting in an extremely low entry tally.

The first class of the evening was the Lead Line class.  Four entries, Nemo and Spence Stanfill, Desire’s Uptown Pride and Tyler Hurt, Desire’s Reward and Nathan Goodwin and Generating Attention and Zach Harrell all received a blue ribbon for their performances.  Next on the agenda was the Yearling Halter class.  Jeazibel’s Black Gen and David Smith continued their successful campaign this season winning the blue for Dr. John Lay.

     Regal’s Delight Lady and Patrick Thomas were crowned Park Pleasure Specialty champions for Jill and Rebecca Reynolds.  On the heels of a recent Magnolia Classic title with Howard Hamilton directing, All American Ritz and Cynthia Wright captured the Park Performance Open title.  An All Mighty Dollar and Pat Cecil were in top form to add another Spotted Saddle Horse title to their list of blue ribbon accomplishments this season.  Southern Serenity Ranch prepares these contenders for show ring competition.

Lillian Gaines enjoyed three trips to the winner’s circle.  Falcon’s Hitman turned in an impressive performance to claim the Amateur Show Pleasure title.  J-Flo earned blue ribbon recognition in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding division.  Come To Papa won the Ladies Amateur Specialty title.  He’s Keep N Time and Martha Gandy made the victory pass in the Open Specialty class.  Falcon Ridge Farm is credited with the success of these contenders.

Jammin For Keeps and Paula Sanders topped the Two-Year-Old Amateur division for Derrick Brewster under the guidance of Zack Parsons. Ebony’s Flash Is Back made the victory pass in the Country Pleasure Specialty class for Billy and Connie Sanderson.

Caterpillar and Jim Roberts collected the blue in the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Specialty class for Warner and Linda Speakman. Spellbound Generator and Michelle Walker made the familiar ride to the winner’s circle in the Juvenile 12-17 division.  In the final class of the evening, Lauren Walker followed her sister with a winning performance in the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class aboard Jayvee’s Ritz.

Complete results follow and can be viewed at www.walkinghorsereport.com.