Spring weather prevailed throughout most of the show, but a strong band of thunderstorms moved through the area with nine classes remaining. The preparation of entries was moved indoors to the stable area. Thankfully, the luxury of an indoor arena allowed the show to continue despite the stormy conditions.
Brock Tillman judged the show’s nineteen walking classes; Steve Eli served as announcer; and Jimmy Cole and Thomas Garland handled the ringmaster duties. Keyboard entertainment was provided by Brian Perry; Leon Forrester and Brian Hays were the furriers; and Sherry Oxford was the show photographer. Law And Order and Rocky Flanagan presented the colors.
Show chairmen Jimmy Faulkner and Thomas Garland along with members of the Purchase Area Horseman’s Association once again produced a successful event that was well-attended by walking horse enthusiasts.
In the first class of the evening, Mystic Lady and Shane Vaughn earned blue ribbon recognition in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class for Cyndi McConnell. Armed In Rio and Debbie Williams topped the Three-Year-Old Amateur class for A.C. Williams. Pride’s Smoking Memory and Alex Blackburn made their blue ribbon debut in the Juvenile 11 and Under class for Alex and Evan Blackburn. Alex, a fourth generation member of the McConnell family, is continuing the winning tradition started by her great-grandfather Odell McConnell.
Ring The Man and Don Hancock made the familiar ride to the winner’s circle in the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Specialty class. Stormy’s Black Rain and Summer Sullivan scored a victory in the Amateur Owned and Trained class for the Jim Sullivan family. Major Credit and Shea Woods caught the judge’s attention in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class for Great Oaks Farm. Lit Up’s Double Time and Jenna Hamilton were awarded their first value in the Amateur Park Pleasure Specialty class for Red Eagle Farm. Busta Rhymes made the victory pass in the Three-Year-Old Open class with Chad Williams directing for the George Zamora family. In a class filled with fifteen Amateur Show Pleasure contenders, Favorite’s Outlaw and Cheraton Donner were at the top of the judge’s card. Moon Rider and Bill Hamilton were victorious in the Amateur Spotted Saddle Horse class. Receiving the title of Two-Year-Old Amateur Champion was The Broken Sky and David Hendricks.
Skywatch’s Summer Squall received dual blues at Martin. The first came on Friday night in the 15.2 and Under Open class with Jackie McConnell in the irons for Jackie Stotts. Threatability and Kathy Zeis were in winning form in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class. Winning the blue in the Country Pleasure class was Extra Flash and Dan Feathers for Carolann Feathers. Sundust With Attitude was in the spotlight as he claimed the Four-Year-Old Amateur title for Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Sapp. Rebel’s Black Star and Joel Stewart walked their way to their second blue of the season with a win in the Amateur Open class. Chase Hawks took the reins of Rebel’s Knight and captured the Amateur Specialty title for owners, Caviness and Stewart.
In the evening’s final class, the Walking Horse Stake class, Jimmy McConnell and I’m A Five Star General claimed the Purchase Area tricolor for the second year in a row for Mr. and Mrs. Odell McConnell.