By Debbie Graham

PARIS, Tenn. - The Optimist Club Of Paris held their 41st annual charity horse show June 21, 2003, at the Henry County Fairgrounds. The show has been sponsored by The Optimist Club of Paris for over four decades and is a major source of support for the Optimist Youth Fund. This fund provides activities for young people in the community and features the “Buddy Program”, an ongoing program for boys ages seven to 13-years-old.

Rodney Dick judged the 19 walking classes. Jimmy Small was master of ceremonies. Optimist Jimmy Small handled the duties of ringmaster. Chandler Music Company provided musical entertainment on the organ. Bryan Hays was the farrier.

Walking horse fans always enjoy the Paris show, especially the grilled hamburgers and homemade pies served by concessions each year. This year was no exception with chocolate, caramel and lemon pies on the menu. There was a new selection on this year's menu; derby pie was featured this year.

In the first class of the evening, Tammy Bunch claimed her first of three blues at Paris with entries owned by Michael and Tammy Bunch. The first came in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class with Kody On The Mountain. Freak Of The Week topped the Amateur Specialty class and Prepare To Be Dazzled was the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty Champion. Eddie Barclay Stables prepared these contenders for show ring competition.

Jimmy McConnell claimed three Paris titles. A Lady’s Man In Command was the Two-Year-Old Champion for Bill Brady. Charmed And Dangerous earned the title of Four-Year-Old Open Champion for Donnie and Pam Betts. Lock and Load received the Paris tricolor for Mr. and Mrs. Odell McConnell.

Formac amateur exhibitors were in the winner’s circle on two occasions. On the heels of their recent Savannah title, Exclusively Skywatch and Edith Dilday walked away with the Three-Year-Old Amateur title for Jimmy and Edith Dilday. Lady’s Ebony Ace and Ronald Beltz collected the Amateur Open title for Ronald and Donna Beltz.

Southern Serenity Ranch had a successful night with a total of five Paris champions. Lauren Hamilton took the reins of Moon Rider for her grandfather, Bill Hamilton, and won the Spotted Saddle Horse Open class. She was granted a second title in the Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty class with Who In The Sam Hill. Hard 2 Change and Josh Coble topped the Three-Year-Old Amateur class for Jim and Debbie Nichols. Calvin Klein’s Obsession and Rick Paschall added another title to their list of blue ribbon accomplishments this season with a Plantation Lite-Shod Specialty title for Rick and Alane Paschall. A Heart Of Fire and Kit Caldwell were in top form to claim the title of Four-Year-Old Amateur Champions. This duo had wins at Humboldt and Savannah this season.

Allen’s Double Agent and Alane Paschall were Country Pleasure champions for Colin and Miranda Paschall. Favorite’s Sassy Sunday claimed back-to-back blues for the weekend with a blue ribbon ride for Luke Sanderson in the Juvenile 12-17 Specialty class. Amber Boyd was thrilled to receive the honor of Ladies Mare and Gelding champion with Quick Cold Cash. I’m Blue For You and Ann Forrester made the victory pass in the Amateur Owned and Trained class for Nicky Forrester.

Gen’s Major Success and Sarah Coble were in the spotlight in the Park Pleasure Specialty class for Black Tie Farms.

This concludes the highlights from Paris. Complete results follow and may also be found by visiting our web site at www.walkinghorsereport.com.