MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The 14th Annual Murfreesboro Kiwanis Club-Walking Horse Owner’s Association Walking Horse Show was held Saturday, November 30, 2002 at the heated MTSU Livestock Pavilion in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. For many years, there was a very popular show held at MTSU on the Friday and Saturday nights following Thanksgiving. Show Manager Tommy Hall felt that perhaps moving this show to the Thanksgiving weekend would fill the void for many wanting somewhere to go see and show horses on this long weekend.

The show was a success as far as spectators were concerned with many traveling long distances and Tommy Hall was well pleased with the 231 entries that turned out in the mid-30 degree weather to show. Hall stated, “The Kiwanis Club and The Walking Horse Owner’s Association would like to thank all of the trainers, owners and exhibitors for their support of the 14th Annual Walking Horse Show held in Murfreesboro. We were pleased with the number and quality of horses in the ring and appreciate the many spectators who came out to the show on Thanksgiving weekend! We are looking forward to our 2003 WHOA Convention on February 14th-15th and the shows that will be held in the new Miller Coliseum ” The 13th Annual show was held on April 14, 2001 with 184 entries making the gate call. In 2000, the show was a two-day show with 196 entries.

The honorable Wallace Brandon of Franklin, Tennessee judged the 40 classes in an expert and efficient manner with the show ending around 10:30. The event started at 3:00 p.m. Announcer Mark Farrar and Organist Connie Dunlap keep the show lively and enjoyable. Photographer Jack Greene snapped the champions and had proofs available at the show for viewing.

Knox Blackburn directed Private Charter to the Championship Stake victory for R. Bud Moore of Catherine, Alabama after an amazing display of talent. The reserve champion also made a tremendous show. Ramsey Bullington was aboard Spirit’s Midnight Rider for Annie Williamson of Hopkinsville, Kentucky to win the red streamer.

Jeff Givens Stables led the blue ribbon tally, just as he did at the recent Perry, Georgia Show. Entries under the Givens Stables’ banner won seven Murfreesboro blues. Black Hawk Farm and Winky Groover Stables won three blues apiece. Winning dual blues were Crowder Farms, MacGregor Stables, Kathy Owen of Double Springs Farm, and Tan View Farms.

Givens Stables’ first blue was won by the team of Ann Darmody of Alvaton, Kentucky, and All Color’s Dazzle in the Amateur Plantation Specialty. Jeff Givens next won two back-to-back classes. He won the Two & Three Year Old Plantation Specialty aboard Ironman’s Mr. Mack for Dana Douglas and Geri Stewart of Omaha, Nebraska; then he came back in the Two & Three-Year Old Park Pleasure Specialty with World Champion Movie Extra for Ralph & Elaine Pinner of Senatobia, Mississippi.

Generators Power Pusher and Jeff Givens are always a popular team in the Western division. Following their Perry, Georgia victory, they also claimed the Park Pleasure Western Specialty title at Murfreesboro for Dick and Sally Reiley. Another Perry winner, Paris Rain claimed the Park Pleasure Specialty with Jeff aboard for Darwin and Linda James of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Hometown owners Mr. and Mrs. Donald Knight were pleased when their Sailin Man claimed the top ribbon in the Lite Shod with Givens directing. Given’s final ribbon was won by International Grand Champion Gen’s Sundancer and Jeff Givens in the Park Pleasure for Shane and Sarah Hastings.

Black Hawk Farms earned a trio of blues, one of which was won by World Champion Look Who’s In Command, with Jaclyn Tillman aboard for Carl E. Smith, Inc. of Sandyville, West Virginia. This exciting team earned the victory pass in an extremely competitive 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty.

Justin Jenne’ claimed the Open Specialty with Really for McJunkin Farm of Richardson, Texas. Herb and Catherine McJunkin were extremely pleased with this colorful champion and were pleased that they had came from Texas to view him. Justin Jenne’s and Black Hawk Farm’s third blue was won by Rebel’s Black Star in the Junior Walking for Meadow Brook Farm of Florence, Alabama.

Winky Groover Stables’ first blue came when Sherry Oxford directed Highway Willie to the ten horse Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty blue for Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Rae. Groover and Extra Expense made an impressive performance in the 15.2 and Under Walking and were rewarded for their performance with a victory pass for owners Mr. and Mrs. B.H. Hodge.

Booster Cable and Groover next claimed the Mares and Geldings for Alecia Cooper.

Crowder Farms’ blues were won by two horses owned by Stephanie Gordon. Stephanie Gordon made an excellent show to top the Walking Pony Specialty with Olympic Power, then Dude Crowder claimed the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings with her world champion The Sky Patrol.

Lynn MacGregor and Allen All Around collected the blue in the Lite Shod Western Specialty for the first of MacGregor Stables blues. Lynn MacGregor was extremely pleased since this was her first time to show western. Allen All Around is owned by Lee Ritter of North Fort Myers, Florida. Scott MacGregor directed a Daring Affair to victory in the Lite Shod Specialty for Faye Lynn Coffey.

Lacy Cash and Kathy Owen were responsible for the two blues for Double Springs Farm making a clean sweep of the Trail Pleasure Specialty division. They captured both the Trail Pleasure English Specialty and the Trail Pleasure Western Specialty blues.

Under Tan View Stables’ banner, Alex Bumpus collected the Equitation 17 & Under honors with Walking’ In Memphis for Joe and Rina Daniel of Nixa, Missouri. Bumpus recently won the Equitation at the Dixie Jubilee in Baton Rouge. Linda Scrivner made a successful victory ride on Pusher’s Rodeo Queen in the Ladies Amateur Mares and Geldings.

Cindy Womack won the first blue of the show in the Country Pleasure with her Pearl Jam. Kaitlin Byrom directed world champion Jose Quervo Gold down victory lane in the Lite Shod Amateur Specialty from Blue Ribbon Stables for owners Bob Lawrence and Carroll Hutto of Troy, Alabama.

Coble Stables walked away with the blue in the Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty with Sarah Coble aboard the flashy Gen’s Major Success for owners Black Tie Farms and Coble. Represently trainer Carl Bledsoe of Ball Ground, Georgia were the team of Fearless and Joanne Davis in the Two-and Three-Year-Old Lite Shod Specialty.

Tina Singleton won the Trail Pleasure aboard her Mr. Pacesetter.

Dangerous Diva performed wonderfully in a very competitive Weanling class. Chris Richards was thrilled to lead this flashy filly for Roger Richards.

Chad Way Stables was well represented. Way directed the talented Ritzy Woman down victory lane following a rousing class of Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings for Dan Poole and Jack Littrell of Hazelgreen and Florence, Alabama. Encore’s Magic Lady and Nathan Mills were named Yearling Champions for Hoyte Eakes.

The Youth 11 and Under class created quite a stir. Northern Lights and Jordan Kidd were outstanding as they made the victory pass for trainer Paul Blackburn and owner Ben Cate. Two tiny riders kept the audience glued to the rail and received lots of cheers as well as did the champion. Alex Blackburn, daughter of Knox and Stacey Blackburn made her debut on a performance horse winning fifth. Also Kip Prosser, stepson of Mark Lambert, spurred the saddle since his legs didn’t go past the leather and rode hard to the glee of the audience as he netted a third place tie.

Three-Year-Old Amateur Champions He’ll Do To Watch and Priscilla Talley topped a ten horse class for trainer Buck Williams and owner Billy Randall of Baileyton, Alabama. The largest class of the evening was the very competitive 17-entry Two-Year-Old Stallions and Geldings. Bill Bobo and Dr. Temptation gave a fine performance to win for Lisa Baum.

Mac Benham and Final’s Escapade claimed top honors in the Youth Specialty under Ramsey Bullington’s guidance for the Joe Christmas Family. Eleven entries answered the gate call in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class. Judge Brandon selected Gen’s Powerful Ebony and Ed Breedlove for Breedlove and Harney of Buford, Georgia and Murfreesboro. This talented team recently won at Perry, Georgia also.

Another outstanding class was the 12 entry Four-Year-Old Amateur. In one of the toughest classes of the show, Night Twister and Ann Bailey awed the crowd for trainer Steve Aymett and owner H.W. Bailey of New Orleans, Louisiana. Mark Lambert and Platinum 33 gave a flawless performance in the Three-Year-Old Stallions and Geldings class to win for Judy McDonald.

Scott Beaty Stables picked up the Amateur win, thanks to sister Rhea Ellen Webb and Gold As JFK for Franklin Beaty in an exceptional class. Jean Baum directed her My Fair Play Lady in a winning performance in the Amateur Specialty Class of 12 top horses. Greg Holland performs the training duties.