MURFREESBORO, TENN. -- The 28th Annual International Grand Championship kicked off last night in Murfreesboro with a record-breaking performance. Last night's show featured 206 entries, an all time record for a single night performance at the International. The previous record was set last year on Friday night with 197 entries. “We are delighted with the support we are receiving,” says show manager Tommy Hall. “Trainers not only brought a great number of horses; they brought horses that represent our breed well.”
The International continues tonight at 7 PM at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum with 17 classes and Saturday night at 7 PM with 18 classes, including the crowning of the International Grand Champion for 2006. “There’s a lot of interest in our championship stake since the two most recent World Grand Champions were crowned International Grand Champions first,” says Hall. Saturday night’s class could be a proving ground for horses wanting to compete for the World Grand Championship title at next year’s Celebration in Shelbyville.
Also on Saturday night will be three special exhibitions by reigning World Grand Champions. The exhibitions will feature STAR, 2006 Four-Year-Old WGC; THE SKY COMMAND, 2006 Owner-Amateur Specialty WGC; and GEN ON THE RUN, 2006 Three-Year-Old WGC. SKYWATCH’S DARK N STORMY will be retired at Saturday night’s International.
For more information on the show, call 615-494-8822 or visit www.walkinghorseowners.com. The Tennessee Miller Coliseum is located at 304 W. Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, right across from Seigel Middle School.