by Linda Scrivner
ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- The Land-O-The-Sky Summer Festival Horse Show had an excellent show July 7-9 with an amazing 768 entries showing up for competition. The Land-Of-The-Sky Shrine Club sponsors this show. The crowd was very vocal in support of their favorites, which were of top quality, and the cheering for the thrilling grand championship entries was exceptionally loud.
This show always attracts contenders from North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and South Carolina, but this year there were also horses from Florida, California, Kentucky, Georgia and West Virginia.
On Thursday, Dr. Todd Behre and other USDA officials were present at the show in an observatory capacity. The horses at the stables, in the ring and at the DQP station were all carefully viewed.
The excellent horses and exhibitors were judged by Randy Lollis of Honea Path, S.C., Mack Dekle of Shelbyville, Tenn., and Bill Carmichael of Mt. Sterling, Ky.
.jpg)
Lindsay Hess gets a winning kiss from Dad, C.M. Hess from her blue ribbon ride aboard Miss Dumas Ebony.
Excitement grew throughout the three-day event and the crowd was not disappointed when 11 entries came into the ring one at a time for the stake. A second running walk was called and the tension grew as the horses lined up and the judges turned in their cards. London Rain was unanimously called to the winner's circle with Chad Baucom in the irons. The 2005 Land-O-The-Sky Grand Champion is owned by Charles Clark.
Reserve in the championship was awarded to MG Above The Rest and Allen Abee for A Walking Miracle Farm. MG Above The Rest was the 2003 and 2004 Land-O-Sky Grand Champion. The yellow streamers were awarded to Olympic Pusher and Ronald Mosley for Henry & Mosley.
There were 54 walking classes, and 21 of those classes, or 39%, resulted in unanimous ties. Baucom Stables won 12 blues and led the blue ribbon tally, just as they had in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Grandy Tuck Stables claimed five blues and Larry Wheelon Stables earned four. Derek Bonner Stables, Burl Dale, Steve Hankins Stables and John Puckett Stables won three blues. Dual blues were awarded to Scotty Brooks Stables, Rae Martin Stables, Sam McLaughlin and Stan Tindal Stables. The remaining 12 blues were divided among 12 barns.
THURSDAY EVENING
When the gates opened for class one, 11 trail pleasure entries entered the ring. The first 2005 blue went to Mr. 24 K Ritz and Grandy Tuck Jr. Second place went to Big Time Grand and Mike Klutz. High Hope Stables directed this team to the strong reserve performance.
The Lite-Shod Plantation Pleasure Amateur Specialty was next to enter. Wired 440 carried Mike Conley around for a victory pass. Reserve went to Southern Jazz and Diane Givens from Bellwood Stables.
Everyone knew it was going to be a great show when the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallions answered the gate call. Urban Cowboy and Clay Mills claimed the blue from Baucom Stables. Second place went to Starstruck's Comet and Debby Wells.
The 13-entry Open Specialty blue went to A Command For Cash and John Puckett. Sweep Over and Rodney Koger picked up the red streamers. The gate call was made for the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings Amateur, and the heat was on with 12 great entries. Heartbeat Of Motown and Dale Martin topped this class. The reserve champion was The White Mask and Wes Hendrick under Brooks Stables banner.
London Rain, directed by Chad Baucom, topped the 15.2 and Under Open Specialty class. Paul Livingston directed Jazz Jamboree to reserve.
Eighteen Performance Pleasure Amateur Specialty teams were next on the agenda. Eb's Corporal Barrett and Brittany Barrett were named the winners. Stan Tindal trains Eb's Corporal Barrett. Page Brown and Gold Coin Cash under Craig Baggers' guidance earned the reserve position.
In the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings Amateur class the crowd voiced their approval for their favorites with much applause. Dumas On The Prowl, directed by Dr. Jim Gore, earned the blue. Reserve went to Mark's Miss Cash and Landon Reeves. Larry Wheelon is the trainer.
In the 23-entry Open Amateur Specialty class, Clay Mills and the always-popular Another Pushbutton wore the blue from the ring. They hail from Baucom Stables. The reserve team was The Star Of Sundance and Jack Morgan from Paul Livingston Stables.
Chance Of Cash and David Polk proudly claimed the Four-Year-Old Stallion Open Specialty title over 13 other entries, unanimously. Chad Baucom and I'm Game claimed reserve.
Fourteen top Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty horses created quite a stir in the Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty. The team of Promised Pusher and Emma Lee Cannon had a large cheering section. The blue was awarded unanimously to this hard-riding team from Stan Tindal Stables. Reserve went to I'm John Henry and Terry Strickland. Brian Strickland trains the entry.
One of the most talked about horses of the Thursday evening show was Fame's Royal Rascal. This talented horse won the 13-entry Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty class in unanimous fashion. Steve Hankins Stables prepared this entry for the victory pass. Reserve went to Coin's Black Stroke and Ashley Compton from Puckett Stables.
One of the larger and most exciting classes of the evening was the Youth Ponies, 17 and Under Specialty class with 17 entries making the gate call. Sure Threat's Masterpiece and Samantha Gaddy won the title in this large class. Baucom Stables directed this team to the win. Pusher's Loose Cash and Brandon Derrick earned reserve from Larry Wheelon Stables.
The winning team in the ETWHA Ladies Auxiliary Members Specialty was Fantazmic Cash and Vicki Hughes Grindstaff, unanimously. This team won the same class last season. Larry Wheelon prepares this team for competition. Front Page Generator and Nikki Chastain picked up reserve under John Comley's guidance.
Natalie Dale directed Gen's Major Success to the first of three Land-Of-Sky blues in the Lite-Shod Youth Plantation Specialty under the guidance of grandfather Burl Dale. The chosen reserve team was Wired 440 and Rusty Carlton for trained Mikee Conley.
Miss Dumas Ebony and Chad Baucom were the ones selected in the 10-entry Four-Year-Old Mares and Geldings Specialty class. Smoke & Jazz and Derek Bonner claimed reserve.
Number One Commander and Ronald Mosley were named winners in the 10-entry Stallions and Geldings class. Pusher's Force and John Puckett exited with the red streamers.
The final class of the evening was the Three-Year-Old and Under Performance Pleasure class, which was unanimously won by Push To Collect and Allen Forman. Sam Harvey rode Sky Performance to reserve from Steve Hankins Stables. FRIDAY EVENING
Friday and Saturday evenings had both walking and racking classes. The first class Friday was the Mares and Geldings Specialty class. Sam McLaughlin was in the irons of the winning horse, Gold Mama. Cash Is My Choice and Steve Woody picked up the red streamers.
Hallelujah, It's Time and Kenneth Young added the Youth 12-14 Specialty title to their resume. Reserve in the class was Gen's Blaze Of Gold and Sara Daughtridge.
The two-year-old classes are always competitive at Asheville. Mark's Miss Cash and Landon Reeves unanimously laid claim to the blue in the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class. Tarheel's Rose Jose' and Derek Bonner earned reserve.
Yvonna Matthis rode I'm Game to another win in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class, unanimously, under the direction of Baucom Stables. Wheelon Stables prepared Sweeping In Style and Brandon Derrick for their reserve finish.
Under the guidance of Dry Dock Stables, Cobra Commander and Debbie Wells finished on top of the cards in the 10-entry NCWHLA Members Specialty class. Extra Special Touch and Amanda Dickerson claimed reserve from Rick Abee Stables.
Half Dollar and Wes Hendrick were unanimous in the 14-entry Men's Amateur Specialty, 18 Years and Over class from Brooks Stables. Sweep Over and Rodney Koger exited the ring with the red ribbon.
Under the Bonner Stables banner, multi-champion Double Overtime and Wade Huntley claimed the blue in the Amateur 50 Years and Over class. Rev. Huntley has preached at his church for more than 50 years and his congregation was in full force to cheer him on. Steve Hankins Stables presented the reserve team, Stormy Walks and Gerald Smith.
Nineteen 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty teams were next. When the cards were tallied, Olympic's Energizer and Becky May unanimously made the victory pass for the Baucom Stables team. May never stops smiling in a class and always enjoys the excitement of winning and riding this powerful bay stallion. Sensational Premier and Latitha Oran earned reserve from Steve Woody Stables.
It was another exciting ride for Jerri Ann Williams in the Youth Park Pleasure class aboard Scream Walking. They rode to this unanimous win under the Tuck Stables banner. Generator's Flash Point and Keisha Ashe teamed up for reserve. Wayne Conley prepared this team for the show ring.
Baucom Stables' Lindsay Hess and Miss Dumas Ebony claimed first in the Youth 11 and Under, Division A, in unanimous fashion. The Raffle and Lane Atwell put forth the reserve effort for trainer and grandfather Steve Hankins.
The Youth 11 and Under, Division B winners were also selected unanimously. Figgy Pudding and Brandon Ailshie made the victory pass and exited with the blue ribbon from Ailshie Stables. Bold Stroke's Attraction and Haily Puckett picked up the reserve streamers.
The Lite-Shod Amateur Specialty class was a large one with 15 entries and two excellent teams put on a great show to stand above the rest. In The Heat Of The Night and Angela Tuck added another blue to their lengthy list. Wired 440 and Michael Conley were reserve from Puckett Stables. This class kept many spectators in the audience on the edge of their seats.
Fantazmic Cash and Vicki Hughes Grindstaff claimed their second blue of the show in the Ladies Amateur class from Wheelon Stables. Reserve went to Santana's Renaissance Man and Dale Martin.
Extra Ebony and Clay Mills repeated their win from last season in the 10-entry Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty with unanimous ties following a strong performance. Heart Failure and Kenny Compton finished reserve.
Under the direction of Baucom Stables, Border Patrol and Clay Mills won the 15-entry Three-Year-Old Stallions Amateur class. Baucom Stables also directed the reserve winners, Keeper's Prince and Yvonna Matthis.
The Youth 15-17 Specialty class was also an exciting one. Crowd favorite I'm An Evil Rebel and Madison Holloway topped this class under the Baucom Stables banner. Morgan Nichols directed Classic Rebel to the reserve spot from Ronald Mosley Stables.
Lisa Mitchell claimed the blue in the 16-entry Amateur Specialty class with A Command For Cash for John Puckett Stables. Olympic Encore and David Robbins claimed reserve.
Texas Keelo and Derek Bonner won the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class in unanimous fashion. The White Mask and Scotty Brooks earned the reserve spot.
The final class of the evening was the 13-entry Park Pleasure Specialty class. Keith Bryant directed rain's Big Threat to the unanimous victory pass and Outrageous Design and John Toney claimed reserve. SATURDAY EVENING
On Saturday evening the competition got hotter as the excitement and number of entries grew. Burl Dale claimed the first blue in the Light Shod Open class. Generator's Code Blue and Sasha Tefft earned reserve.
It was another unanimous tie in the Yearling Under Halter class for the flashy Kissin' Up and Kathy Potter. Romans 10:9 and Vicki Hughes Grindstaff were on their heels for reserve.
The 17-entry Open Show Pleasure Specialty followed and Coin's Black Stroke and John Puckett won another blue. Fonzie and Wayne Conley carried home reserve.
One of the standouts of the show was the exciting team of I'm Risky Business and Derek Bonner. They claimed the blue in the 14-entry Three-Year-Old Stallions class where It's Only A Game and Chad Baucom made an outstanding ride for reserve.
The flashy He's A Weekend Warrior and Sam Martin put on another exciting performance in the Two-Year-Old Stallions class. Eagle Finesse and David Polk won reserve.
The Park Pleasure Western class was next and My My and Danny Kistler were selected for the unanimous win. Katie Anderson directed An Olympic Dream to reserve.
In the 11-entry Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Specialty, Gen's Major Success won her third blue of the show with Burl Dale in the irons. Gen's Major Success and Fantazmic Cash were the only horses to win triple blues at Asheville, which was quite a feat with more than 700 horses exhibiting. Wired 440 and Mike Conley carried out the reserve ribbon.
Generator's Old Gold and Hunter Rouse were selected unanimously in the 15-entry ETWHA Members Only Specialty class from Steve Hankins Stables. Ann Callicutt rode Greyline to reserve from Baucom Stables.
UC I'm Bonnie Blue and Barry Baggerly won the blue in the Four-Year-Old Mares and Geldings Amateur class. Craig Baggerly prepares this team for the show ring. Power Pusher and B.H. Hodge were reserve under the guidance of trainer Joe Barrier.
There was a lot of cheering in the 23-entry NCWHA Members Only Specialty class. Fantazmic Cash and Vickie Hughes Grindstaff won the blue for the Wheelon Stables team. Kenny Compton directed his Jubilee Cobra to reserve.
Seventeen teams answered the gate call in the Performance Pleasure Specialty class. The judges selected Pride Of Charger and Grandy Tuck to make the victory pass. Gold Coin Cash and Craig Baggerly exited the ring with the red streamers.
The first championship was in the Youth division. The Raffle and Lane Atwell were selected to wear the roses in the 17- entry Youth Championship from Steve Hankins Stables. I'm An Evil Rebel and Madison Holloway from Baucom Stables made a good ride for reserve.
Scream Walking and Grandy Tuck, Jr. captured the 17-entry Park Pleasure Championship and the tricolor. Generator's Flash and Keisha Ashe earned reserve under the guidance of trainer Wayne Conley.
The multi-titled team of Olympic's Energizer and Becky May were victorious in the 15-entry Amateur Specialty Championship under Baucom Stables banner. The crowd showed its approval as they exited with the roses. Sensational Premier and Latitha Oran claimed reserve for Steve Woody Stables.
Under the direction of Scotty Brooks Stables, Half Dollar and Wes Hendricks claimed the roses in the Amateur Championship. The reserve team was Gen's Thundermaker and Newton Parks.
Complete results and judges' cards follow and may be viewed, searched and printed at www.walkinghorsereport.com. Please email comments on this show or news items to scrivner@horseworld.net.