by Julia Livingston
The Waynesville Lions Club’s 55th annual horse show was held at the Haywood County fairgrounds, July 21, 2007. These grounds are surrounded by the beautiful Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina. With the help of the Lions Club the grounds improve with each passing year: the show ring is covered, stalls have been added and this year seating has been expanded. This show has been one of the primary fundraising events for the club. All funds go to the handicap and the needy in the community with emphasis on helping the visually and auditory handicap. Lions Club regulations specify that all funds raised are put back into community service.
There were 37 classes offered this year for the walking and racking horses. Steve Clark from Arab, Ala., was the walking judge and Chris Arden from Riceville, Tenn., judge the URHOEA racking classes. Master of ceremonies was Allen Cureton, the ring master was Joe Ball and the organist was Madeline Griggs.
The walking horse stake class had eight entries. Allen Abee and Jazz Cash delivered the blue, the floral horse shoe and the trophy after giving owners Steve and Lisa Howard along with the crowd a great show. Pusher’s Powerhouse and Derek Bonner powered their way to reserve for Dr. Irving Williams.
The show started with four entries in the lead line class. They were so outstanding that they all earned a blue ribbon and the approval of the spectators. Bubba Tuck Jr. and Jazzin Papa won the Plantation Pleasure class for owner Burl Dale. Tuck came back as owner and rider to win the Plantation Lite-Shod class on Saturday Night Sweeps. Rufus Dale scored a blue on Twenty-Four Karet Cash in the Amateur Plantation class for Walk Away Farms.
Eleven entries entered the gate for the Open Specialty class. The Star Of Sundance, with Paul Livingston in the saddle, won the blue along with the hometown crowd’s approval for wife Julia and Betty Morgan. With another class of 11 entries Livingston batted a blue on Ivey's Major League in the Park Performance class for proud owner Ivey Suggs. With the largest amount of entries of the show, 16 total, and then a workout, there was no doubt the truth had been told when Liar Liar and Shea Sproles won the blue in the Amateur Specialty class. Gary and Shea Sproles were the happy owners. This rounded up three blues for the Paul Livingston Stables.
Tarheels Star Of Jose was outstanding with Derek Bonner in the irons, winning the Three-Year-Old class for Bob and Mary Rollins. Bob was not to be outdone by Bonner and won the Three-Year-Old Amateur on Tarheels Classic Dollar for himself and proud wife Mary.
Brandon Derrick captured the blue with two perfect rides for Harry Bacon. The first was with Watts Up in the Youth Walking 12-17, and then again in the NCWHA Members class on Prowler In Blue. Alex Nichols cranked out a blue on I'm Crankin Frank in the 11 and Under class for dad Jimmy Nichols. My Heart Throb and Sammy Day stole the hearts of the crowd in the Two-Year-Old class. This talented stead is owned by C. Harmon Estate.
Twelve made the gate call for the Show Pleasure class, but there could only be one winner and it was Third Generation with Danny Kinsler for Judy Barringer. Ken Estes worked his magic aboard Magic's Loose Change in the Amateur Owned and Trained.
No stranger to the winner’s circle with another fantastic ride, Vicki Hughes and Fanstazmic Cash were the ETWHA Members champions for the Farrell Hughes family and trainer Larry Wheelon. Because Of Cash and Kyndall Simmons took home the blue in great class of Four-Year-Old Amateurs, riding out of the Mosley Stables.
This highlights the Waynesville Lions Club Horse Show. Results follow or log on to www.walkinghorsereport.com.