by Jennifer Maack-Condren

LEBANON, Mo. - A heat wave passing through Southwest Missouri made for hot, humid conditions early in the summer for the area and the Laclede County Saddle Club annual Gaited Horse Show. Held in Lebanon on June 20, this show’s reputation and excellent facilities always draws quantity and quality horses. With a total of 102 entries, this number was up slightly from last year’s show with a total of 97. Janet Thompson of Kansas City, Mo., judged the 25 walking horse and Missouri Fox Trotter classes.

The final gate call of the night, as always, was for the Open Walking Horse class. Cash In The Sand and Brad Huffman earned the top mark in the class for Dean Scott. This win was the second blue ribbon for this duo in 2009. Reserve in the class went to Jose’s Strider with Margaret Hickman in the irons for 4-J Land and Cattle Co.

The show gave an incentive to those who brought the most horses, and this was won by 4-J Land and Cattle Co. who also won the blue ribbon tally with a total of four. Blues were collected by Encore’s Shakin’ Lady, Gen’s Million Dollar Baby and Showboat’s Golden Boy. Don Bills Stables, Jim Huffman Stables and the Nichols family each earned a trio of blues. Bills Stables’s wins included Gotta Run, Trigger Cash and All American Princess. Jim Huffman Stables wins were earned by Pride’s Man In Black, Jumbotron and Hot Caramel. The Nichols family’s tally credits went to Coin’s Smooth Operator, Ritz’s Heart Of Ice and Delightful Romeo.

The perseverance and commitment by the Laclede County Saddle Club members was once again evident as they put on another successful show.

Complete results can be found by clicking here.