by Jennifer Maack-Condren

CEDAR RAPID, Iowa - The annual Corn Belt Walking Horse Association Spring show was held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, May 1 and 2, 2009, on the beautiful campus of Kirkwood Community College. This facility is ranked near the top of the list among Midwest contenders as a quality show facility. Slightly cooler temperatures blew in for much of the weekend, but the outside weather was hardly noticeable inside the climate-controlled building. One hundred and fifty entries, a slight decrease from 2008 and 2007, made the gate call for the two-day, three-performance event.

Bill Branham of Excelsior Springs, Mo., made the trip to judge the classes. Announcer Dennis Hills kept the show moving and did an excellent job in keeping the exhibitors posted on the status of classes. This was an unexpected substitution and Hills was commended by many on the fine job he did at the microphone.

Brad Huffman and Coin’s Noelle were named Open Walking Horse Stake Champions for Susie and Rick Graham to conclude the two-day, 65-class show. This win certainly made the drive back to Billings, Mo., seem shorter as Huffman captured the Two-Year-Old Stake title as well with Really Impressive, also for Susie Graham and the Bill Maack family.

Jim Huffman Stables earned a total of 20 blues for their efforts over the weekend. Anne Hardin Stables made the trip back to Desoto, Mo., with nine blues. Sue Halvorson of Waterloo, Iowa took home eight blues. Brad Huffman Stables earned seven blues for horses shown under his direction. Leslie Smith of Farmington, Mo., had a total of six blues for her tally and Sandra Huffman of Whispering Pines Stables of New Sharon, Iowa earned four blues.

 Although the turnout may have been lower this year, the camaraderie of this association and sportsmanship at this show makes it well worth the travel required for the exhibitors and spectators. Many have already marked their calendars for the fall show at this same facility near the end of October. Kudos goes out to Jill Wait and Team Iowa for putting together another successful show.

Complete results  can be found by clicking here.