by Maggi Painter

            LOUISVILLE, Miss. – The East Mississippi Fall Classic was held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12 and 13, 2007, at the Louisville Coliseum in Louisville, Miss. Ty Irby of Mobile, Ala., did the honors of judging this year’s event that featured 35 walking horse classes with seven of those being Riders’ Cup.

            Link Webb made the trek from Lewisburg, Tenn., to claim nine blues. Hydrostatic and Webb captured the final class on Saturday evening, the Young Motors Riders’ Cup Walking Horse Grand Championship for Jim and Sherron Richmond.

            Also winning under the Webb Stables banner were Design By Special in the Open Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class with Link Webb and in the amateur division with James Vernon, José Picasso in the Open and Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallion competition and Cesar Ritz in the Youth Pony class with Lilly Waites. James and Peggy Vernon own these three talented horses. Holyfield and Webb captured the Open Four-Year-Old class blue for Bob Hill, while Sanman claimed two blues. Webb was in the irons in the Open Specialty class and then Benjamin Bowen took over the reins in the Youth 11 and Under division.

            Next in the blue ribbon tally was the father and son trio of Dale, Josh and Jonathan Watts of Pioneer Stables. The Thug claimed to blues, one with trainer Dale Watts in the Two-Year-Old Stallion competition and then with Lucky Easterling in the amateur division. Also winning two blues was Major G’s Hard Cash Girl with Jonathan Watts directing her to the Open Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding title and later with Heather Roberts in the Amateur Two-Year-Old class. Pushover’s Trademark and Judith Dial captured top honors in the Amateur Show Pleasure class. Pushin’ Casino and Josh Watts took the blue in the Park Performance class.

            Collecting four East Mississippi blues was the Stanfill Stables owned horses. E-Male and Seth Stanfill captured the Amateur 15.2 & under blue and the Adult Pony class blue aboard Skywalk. Ronnie Stanfill directed The Major Flair to the blue in the Amateur Owned and Trained class and later rode The Ultra Jose to the Amateur Four-Year-Old blue.

            Taking home two blues was Falcon Ridge Farm. Mary Morrison directed her World Grand Champion Watch N Bedazzled to the blue in the Youth 12-17 competition. Martha Gandy captured the Amateur Ladies class blue aboard He’s Keep N Time.

            Great Oaks Farm and Shea Woods also claimed dual blues. Major Desire walked out with the honors in the Pro-Am Specialty class. Bill Williams and Shea Woods shared the reins of this champion. Shea Woods directed I’m In Like Flynn to the Open Show Pleasure title.

            Abernathy Stables collected two blues of the show. Chrystal Abernathy directed I’m Bold And Beautiful to the blue in the Amateur Park Performance competition. Dr. Tommy Vinson and Watch Delight claimed the blue in the Amateur Specialty competition.

            Landon and Bert Head rounded out the dual ribbon wins with Rodney Dangerfield in the Open and Amateur competition.

            Completeing the ribbon tally with single blues were Red Neck Woman and Harlan Hatcher in the Lite-Shod class, Gen’s Single Shot and Clanton DuBose in the Country Pleasure competition, Enough Said and Amanda Walker in the Trail Pleasure class, Spot Me A Dollar and Daniel Forman in the Weanling competition, Wicked and Jim Hardy in the Yearling class and The Skywatcher and Jerry Woodlee in the 15.2 and Under class.

            This concludes coverage of the East Mississippi Fall Classic. Complete results can be searched, viewed and printed at www.walkinghorsereport.com.