WEST MONROE, La. - Wow! is all that one can say when they round the corner and view the new Ike Hamilton Exposition Center, which housed the Louisiana Jubilee Charity Horse Show for the first time on March 8-9, 2002. This beautiful new facility is a memorial to Ike Hamilton, famous horse auctioneer. At the front entry, there is a bronze horse and auctioneer Ike holding a microphone which is very impressive. Almost as impressive as the fabulous climate controlled facility all housed under one roof which has 500 stalls and two warm-up rings in one wing.
This horse show has allowed the sponsors, the Scottish Rite, to donate over $40,000 since its inception in 1992 to Speech and Hearing Clinics through their charity. West Monroe has had a walking show for thirty years but it was taken over in 1992 by the Louisiana Walking and Racking Horse Association. In 2001 there was not a show due to arena construction. Judge Wayne Dean and “Elvis” were brought into the arena in cars each night. Elvis sang, said the prayer and entertained each evening during the break.
On Friday night two special awards were presented by President of the association, Scott Aulds. He presented Jack Greene, photographer and Sherry Alexander, organist for their years of dedication and service to the organization. Bob Crafton, announcer kept the show moving and the mood light.
The conclusion Saturday evening was the highly competitive Championship Stake. World Champion Irrational Exuberance and Billy Young were selected to make the victory pass after their performance in the large arena. This is Irrational’s first year in aged competition and he make the step in style for owner Floyd Sherman of Dallas, Texas. Reserve went to another top Texas team, Billy White Shoes and Wink Groover. The Paul Parker Family of Palmer, Texas proudly claim this black. The third award went to Tim Holley aboard Mark’s Motion Man for Dana Shirley of Madison, Miss. Each team had their own cheering fans and this class had lots of crowd support for their favorite followed by hearty handshakes and congratulations to the winners.
Billy Young and the Backward S Stables also led the blue ribbon tally with seven. Five blues were won by Wink Groover Stables of Longview, Texas; Tim Holley Stables of Byhalia, Miss.; and Lone Star Walking Horses of Frisco, Texas. Fred and Lisa Weaver won three blues while dual blues were won by Stan Urad Stables and John Gladney.
On Friday night, Backward S began their blue ribbons with Watch and Bedazzled and Billy Young in the Three-Year-Old class. This filly is by The Skywatch and out of Irrational Exuberance’s dam. Frank Raby earned their second blue with Don’t Bust My Bubble, a black two-year-old by Pusher Bustin Loose. Don’t Bust My Bubble returned Saturday evening to win the Two-Year-Old Amateur with Beverly Sherman up in their debut performance as a team.
On Saturday evening Beverly Sherman also made the victory pass in the large Amateur Specialty on Silverado Spirit. While at the show, Joe Dickerson purchased Lee Ann Rhimes from the Shermans and he showed his new mare to the blue in the Youth 12-17 division.
Backward S Ranch proudly returned home with two Stakes blues. In addition to the Grand Championship, Kelly Sherman was crowned Amateur Grand Champion aboard All American Cash bringing their tally to seven blues.
Wink Groover Stables always has top contenders and their five blues at West Monroe held up their tradition. On Friday evening Mary Woodall rode Sundrop Country to the blue in the Lite Shod Specialty. On Saturday Harry Woodall returned to win the Lite Shod Specialty Stake on this flax maned and tailed beauty. Also winning dual blues from Groover Stables were the team of Darden Gladney and It’s Up In Arms winning first the Park Pleasure Specialty and returning on Saturday to win the Park Pleasure Specialty Stake.
Nancy Groover rode her Tex Mex by the Groovers’ stallion, Hard Texas Cash, to the top of the very competitive Three-Year-Old Amateur class.
Tim Holley Stables had some hard riding amateurs that wore the blue from the ring several times. Pearl Harbor and Debbie Williams captured the first blue of the show in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class. Later Friday evening, James Sills directed Mark’s Motion Man to the blue in the Men’s Amateur Specialty. Pam Russell and I’m Hammering Hank hammered down the competition to win the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty title.
Jenny Bailey Jones concluded the evening by winning the blue in the Four-Year-Old Amateur aboard He’s All Power under Holley’s banner. Holley’s first blue on Saturday evening and the fifth for the show came in the Park Pleasure Youth Specialty as Joe Dickerson directed Ultimate Game to the blue.
Lone Star Walking Horses and trainer Jon Perry had five winners at West Monroe. On Friday 11 talented show pleasure entries strolled into the Show Pleasure Walking Specialty. The judges’ choice was the gray mare Mirabella and Susie Lavender. This team also returned Saturday evening to walk away with the Show Pleasure Stake honors. A tiny rider with a head shaking black horse impressed both the judge and the audience. Maddy Jones directed her Collector’s Coin Operated to the Youth Gaited Pleasure in a field of fourteen.
Barbara Civils won two blues during the show. Her first was with Caprice’s Lady Gen in the Park Pleasure Western Specialty. She returned in the very next class with Trashadeous to win the Lite Shod.
Fred and Lisa Weaver’s horses won a trio of blues. Copy’s Dark Stranger won the Country Pleasure Friday with Lisa Weaver in the saddle, then returned on Saturday to win the Country Youth Pleasure with Amanda Weaver directing. Lisa Weaver and Blond Ambition topped a ten horse Trail Pleasure Specialty to earn a third blue.
Dr. John Gladney was not to be outdone by brother Darden of Gladney Farms. He won the 19 entry Gaited Pleasure on Serious Threat Friday and returned to win the 17 entry Pleasure Stake on Saturday so each of the brothers returned to Gladney Farms with their own championship stake ribbons.
Stan Urad also won dual blues. He and Generator’s High Noon won the Open Park Pleasure and the Park Pleasure Open Stake in two good shows.
The remaining single blues were won by Dub Ivins and Pusher’s Showboat in the Open Walking; Hayes Anthony and Speedy Gonzales in the Model; Joe Dickerson and I’m Cordell Walker in the Trail Pleasure; and Lowell Stephens and My Boy Leroy in the Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty.
With such excellent facilities and hard working groups, the Louisiana Jubilee Charity Horse Show is one that you will want to attend. While part of the country is under cold weather and even snow, in some areas, West Monroe will begin the season in mild weather and hot competition as well as Louisiana hospitality. Barbecued chicken dinners were served after the show on Friday and lunch from Po Boys was served to exhibitors on Saturday.