STARKVILLE, Miss. - The Third Annual Alpha Gamma Rho Spring Sensation was once again a success with a larger crowd than ever. Held on March 7th & 8th, 2003 at the Mississippi Horse Park and Agricenter in Starkville, Miss., this year’s show had lovely weather following a rainy spring and winter.

This show was expertly put on again by Show Manager Paul Boals and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, America’s only national agriculture fraternity.

Judging this year’s 44 class event was Joe Fleming. Sandra Hall captured the event on film while Organist Brian Perry entertained all in attendance. Billy Walton and Randy Loper, once again took the microphone as master of ceremonies for the occasion. The event concluded with an exhibitor’s reception following the show with plenty of good barbecue and all that goes with it.

In the Walking Grand Championship and following their 2002 season’s end victory at Oak Grove Community Show, the team of Dick Peebles and John F.K.’s Pusher were selected to exit with the tricolor and championship cooler. This chestnut stallion, newly acquired by Bruce and Robin MacDonald, came on strong and made a tremendous showing. Generally Pushy and Robert Stivers walked out with the reserve while Brock Tillman and Elvis Pusher was selected for the third position in a strong field of championship contenders.

The Racking Grand Championship had seven top entries with Major Pushover and Casey Roberts being selected by Judge Fleming. Reserve was the team of Le Reginelli and Souvenir Coin while third went to Pusher’s Winning Colors and Larry Taylor.

Dick Peebles Stables of Shelbyville, Tennessee led the blue ribbon tally with five blues. Roberts Stables enjoyed four blues while Black Hawk Farms earned three. Dual blues were won by Circle C Stables, Southern Serenity Ranch, Karla Massey, Tim Smith, Summer Crest Farm, Stephen Tidwell, Webb Stables, and Whitter Stables.

Dick Peebles Stables first blue came in the Ladies Amateur Specialty Class of ten top entries. Gen’s All Colors and Carol Smith wore the blue from the ring. This colorful blaze faced horse won the Four-Year-Old Class in 2002 with Dick Peebles in the irons.

Dick Peebles directed the next Peebles’ Stables entry, Silver’s Sassy Sally to the top of the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding Class in a tremendous showing. Silver’s Sally Sassy returned on Saturday evening to also win the Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding title with Frank Mosely in the saddle.

Debbie Williams rode to the top in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding on Taboo in a very competitive division under Dick Peebles Stables’ banner.

Casey Roberts of Roberts Stables of Ripley, Mississippi, directed not only the Racking Grand Champion but two other mounts to Spring Sensation honors. In the Style Racking he won on Major Pushover, followed by Action’s Main Event in the Speed Racking which drew shouts and cheers from everyone as he racked rapidly around the ring.

The fourth Roberts Stables title was won by Justin Christian and Mo’s Hakuna Matata in the Youth Racking Class.

The team of Brock Tillman and Overdrawn won the first of three blues for Black Hawk Farms in the Mare and Gelding Class with an excellent performance. Black Hawk Stables continued their winning streak in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallion Class. The flashy, powerful General MacArthur and Jaclyn Smith-Tillman entertained the crowd when they earned this blue.

On Saturday evening the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty was divided into Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion and Four-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding Classes. Lauren Hamilton catch rode for Black Hawk Farms and trainer Justin Harris to earn the Four-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding title aboard Silver Dollar Duchess.

Shea Levitan and Incredible Cash claimed the first blue for Circle C Stables of Eads, Tennessee in the tough and loaded Juvenile 11 and Under Class. Cindy Sartin directed Shock’s Black April to the top of the Amateur Racking to earn their second blue of the show.

From Southern Serenity Ranch, Gem Sweep and Pamela Schoenster came in stroking and left the same way to make the victory pass in the Country Pleasure Specialty of eleven entries. On Saturday night Vanessa Flanagan was in the saddle in the Park Pleasure Class taking the victory pass aboard Law And Order.

Karla Massey trained horses also won dual blues. First Karla and Papa’s Show girl claimed the Lite Shod Specialty followed by her 79 year-old father, James Nichols making the victory pass in the Trail Pleasure Walking with Eagle’s Lady Sue. Eagle’s Lady Sue earned a blue last year with Karla Massey directing at Starkville.

Tim Smith of Ardmore, Tennessee earned dual blues at Starkville. On Friday Smith directed Steppn’ to make the victory pass in the Four-Year-Old Open. The following night Tim Smith claimed the very competitive Three-Year-Old Stallion blue aboard Rainbow Of Colors. Summer Crest Farms’ first blue was with Cash To The Bone. He strolled to the blue in the thirteen entry 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty with Phillip Carter in the irons. Next it was Stephanie Carter directing Olympic’s Godfather to the top of the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty Stallion Class.

Stephen Tidwell trained entries that claimed dual blues.

Megan Tidwell won on Gunslinger Perfect Touch in the Juvenile Spotted Open Shod division. Stephen Tidwell directed Got Busted down victory lane by besting several entries in the Three & Four-Year-Old Spotted Open Shod Class.

Webb Stables of Lewisburg, Tennessee had two top horses that Judge Fleming declared champions. The Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty had 11 talented entries. The high-headed sorrel, Gen’s Super Stroke with James Vernon aboard made the victory pass with much applause. The Amateur Specialty blue went to Chris Warley and A Major Masterpiece in a fierce class of 15 entries.

Jackie McConnell arose to the occasion on the talented Bootylicious to win the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding blue ribbon. Jose’s Bandito and Shane Vaughn won the second blue at Starkville for Whitter Stables of Collierville, Tennessee. This team claimed the Two-Year-Old Walking Stallions with an impressive display of talent.

DOA’s Major Event and Andy Clark won the Two-Year-Old Spotted, Open Shod under the guidance of Randall Keeton on Friday evening. Joel Stewart won one of the best classes in the show as he exited the ten horse Open Amateur wearing the coveted blue in his debut performance with Rebel’s Black Star. Richard Woods trains this exciting team.

Jenny Bailey won the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallions with Robert Redford for trainer James Abernathy from Holley Stables in a class full of outstanding entries. William Turner won the Trail Pleasure Racking on Sky Walker. Cody Lasiter won the Open Spotted Lite Shod Specialty on Dillon’s Guns N Roses.

Tommy McGinnis directed She’s Gone AWOL to make the victory pass in the Two & Three-Year-Old Racking. Billy Crockett captured the blue in the Spotted Open Shod with Pusher’s Bustin Time.

The first class on Saturday evening was won by the team of Harlan Hatcher and Keystone in the Colts Under Halter. Mickey Sandridge topped the Western Park Pleasure title with Hallelujah I’m A Strokin.

Justin Christian topped the Youth Racking aboard Mo’s Hakuna Matata while Stormy’s Black Rain carried Summer Sullivan to the victory pass in the Amateur Owned & Trained Specialty.

Lauren Birmingham won her first blue of the evening aboard Pusher’s Curtain Call for trainer Larry Taylor in the Juvenile Park Pleasure. The 15.2 and Under was one of the best classes in the show with several exciting entries. Skywatch and Robert Stivers were the judge’s choice to exit with the blue ribbon.

Ben Foot and his Generator’s Perfect Time earned the blue in the Amateur Owned & Trained Racking Class. Lauren Birmingham won her second blue of the evening aboard her Motown Miracle in the Juvenile 12-17 Specialty of nine top entries.

Bob Scott directed Skykicker to the blue in the Amateur Gaited Class. Lynn Cross and Bones On Bones claimed the victory in the Four-Year-Old Racking Class.

Next March, you need to attend this great show put on by the dedicated Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity brothers. For top horses, a top facility and good comradeship, the world class Spring Sensation is the place to be.