HARRODSBURG, Ky - The annual Kentucky Ladies Auxiliary Spring Jubilee Charity Horse Show was held April 19-20. In the beautiful rolling Kentucky hills, record entries made there way to the Mercer County Fairgrounds for this year’s show.
Marking the cards for the 50 class event was Don Campbell of Guthrie, Ky., keeping the show moving right along was announcer Danny Grigson. Robin Caudill entertained the crowd on the organ. John Alexander captured the two-night show on film.
Friday evening the show began following a severe storm bringing heavy rain and hail. Presenting the Ladies Auxiliary flag was 2001 High Point Plantation Champion, Melody Mader and the American flag was presented by 2001 High Point Performance Champion, Marie Brodus. A beautiful rendition of the National Anthem was given by Dan Reynolds.
Record numbers of entries at this year's show totaled almost 450. The Stake class was the perfect ending to a great weekend of quality horses and excited fans. Seven entries made the gate call for the Stake class. Mike Oney made the good ride in the tough class for floral horseshoe and tricolored ribbon aboard Motown's Good Timing for Linda Patton. Reserve in the class was High Profile Generator and Tommy Loid for L.E. Walton.
The show got under way with the Amateur Lite-Shod Plantation Specialty horses entering the gate. Glenda Kirkland and Gabriel's Glory were the judge’s choice with Glenda Kirkland, owner/exhibitor, directing. Reserve went to Master General and Ernie Taylor for Doug Sizemore. Ten entries made the call for the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings. Pushing their way to the blue were Push To Get Ahead and Ronnie Choate for Ray Roy. The second place honors went to Silver Polish and Jamie Hankins for the Jerry Fisher family.
Putting the heat on the competition in the Yearling Open Halter class was Jamie Lee Derickson and Sunbeam’s Ivory Heat for Van Bert Farms. Kodachrome’s Annie Oakley and Larry wood finished second for Susan Wood. I’m The Intimidator and Alli Napier made the victory pass in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty for the Tim Napier family as Master Copy was called to the reserve spot with Johnny Cox up for the Johnny Cox family. Lori Fields took home the blue in the Plantation Two-Year-Old class aboard Dangerous Elle for Hard Luck Stables. Reserve honors went to Major Merit and Mike Anasis for Carolyn Wheeling.
Rising to the occasion in the Aged Mares and Geldings was Keith Becknell and Sunrise’s Heartbeat for Andy Reynolds. The red ribbon in the class went to Black Chip and Kevin Bailey for the Tom Blankenship family. Starring in the Ladies Amateur Walking was Marlon Brando and Kim Smith for Roberts and Smith. Second place honors were awarded to Lightfoot On Parade and Lindsey Oliver for Renee’ Smith. Twenty-one entries made the call for the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings, after a workout was called ten entries stayed to work, taking home the top prize was Dollar Belle and Larry George for Charles and Kay Baxter. Declaring reserve honors in the class were Tommy Loid and Declared Innocence for Ronnie and Cathy Vincent.
Cutting the path to the winner’s circle in the Amateur Plantation Specialty were Pattern’s Gen and Renee Dauer, owner/exhibitor. The red ribbon in the class went to Judge Me If You Dare and Jessica Ray for the Ralph Ray family. Taking the Pro-Am Specialty by storm were, Generator’s Thunderbolt and amateur rider Terry Lunsford working one way of the ring with trainer, Michael Alexander completing the winning combination, for Terry Lunsford. The reserve honors went to The Rain King with amateur Courtney Griffin and trainer Larry George taking turns around the ring for Mr. and Mrs. H.S. James. Lady Trouble and Denise Calhoun made the trip to the winner’s circle in the KSOA Yearling Halter class for Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Abrams. The reserve tie in the class was Charge My Copy and Jamie Lee Derickson for Hands On Horses.
Jazzing up the competition in the Two-Year-Old Stallions and Geldings were Kevin Luttrell and Jazz Pushover for the Sydney Thomas family. The red ribbon in the class was awarded to Sunfire’s Steel Spirit and Scott Beaty for the Allen Chaffing family. When it came down to it in the Juvenile Specialty 17 & Under, it was Dalia Smith, owner/exhibitor and Bottom Line taking home the blue. Reserve honors went to Mark’s Eliminator with Jessica Smoot in the irons, Smoot is the owner/exhibitor.
22 entries hit the rail for the Show Pleasure Walking Specialty. Judge Campbell asked ten entries to stay for a final workout, when the card was marked, it was Flash The Money and David Smith, owner/exhibitor, making the winning performance. Reserve honors were awarded to A Double Agent and Walt Bruner for Susie Bruner. Cashing in on the blue in the Amateur Specialty Stallions and Geldings were Joe Estes and Cash’s Delightful Heir for Glen Reed. Treva Vice claimed the red ribbon aboard All Over Cash for the Cliff Vice family. In the Plantation Four-Year-Old Specialty it was Pride’s Time Clock and Chris Burton making the blue ribbon, Burton owns the entry. In-To-Win was called to the second place with Mike Anasis in the irons for Bob Tanner.
It was a lucky night for Tracy Straiton and Lucky Colors in the Novice Amateur, as they claimed the blue for Bill Dooley and Tracy Straiton. Reserve honors went to Mac’s Extra Money and Holly Waites, owner/exhibitor. The Open Walking Specialty held fifteen nice entries. Nightwatch and Kevin Luttrell made the good ride for first place honors for Shirley Judd. Taking home the red ribbon were Cover Charge and Keith Blackburn for Green Valley Stables.
Winding up the evening on Friday was the Three-Year-Old Walking Stallions and Geldings. On the cutting edge of the blue were Keith Blackburn and Sharp Cutlery for the ownership of Moore Bros., McDonald and Hindman. Reserve honors were awarded to Olympian Wired and Kevin Luttrell for Marshall and Potter.
This closed the show for the Friday night schedule. Plans called for some work to be done to improve the rain-soaked track before Saturday evening's performances. With the storms that came before the Friday night classes it didn’t seem to stop the enthusiasm of the Kentucky show enthusiasts!
For the complete show story, see the printed edition of Walking Horse Report dated April 29, 2002.