by Stephanie Rose and Linda Scrivner

            ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The North Carolina Championship Walking Horse Show was held Oct. 4, 5, and 6, 2007, in the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center in Fletcher, N.C.  Bill Bobo, Howard Hamilton and Billy Young marked the cards for the 67-class event. There were over 700 horses that participated compared to close to 800 in 2006. USDA VMOs and Kentucky HIO DQPs worked together to inspect the horses all three nights.

            By Saturday night, anticipation had grown concerning the final stake class and other classes, keeping the stands full. Eight competitive entries made their way in the gate for the Walking Grand Championship. The crowd cheered loudly for their favorite throughout the exciting class. Wartrace Grand Champions More Of The Major and Joe Cotten received the judges’ nod for Jim and Kay Green. This team received the title, the roses and the glory winning the fifth blue of the season for this talented stallion. Busting Special and Jimmy McConnell received the second place tie for Larry and Farrah McAlexander. This team began their season by winning the Gulf Coast Charity Championship. Busting Special earned six blues this season. KWHA Youth Auxiliary Show Grand Champions I’m Unarmed and Jason Hughes received third for Jerry Jones.

            Baucom Stables and David Landrum Stables tied for the blue ribbon tally with eight blues each. Bonner Stables and Jeff Hatcher Stables each returned home with four blues followed by Derickson Stables. Nelms Training Facility and John Puckett Stables had three blues apiece. Earning dual blues were Barron Stables, Charlie Green Stables, Bruce Hankins Stables, J & H Stables, Mickey McCormick Stables, Roger Richards, Ginger Simpson and Grandy Tuck of Walk Away Stables.

            The crowd was also treated to exhibitions by 2007 World Grand Champion Master Of Jazz and Jimmy McConnell, Amateur Specialty World Grand Champion Greyline and Koni Tidwell, Amateur Novice World Grand Champion Jazz Master and Buddy Stasney, Youth 11 and Under World Grand Champion JFK Again and Jordan Dean and Youth Pony World Grand Champion London Rain and Megan Mozeley.

THURSDAY EVENING

            The first blue of the show was awarded to BB King’s Jazz and Jeff Hatcher in the Plantation Pleasure Four and Under Specialty class. Yao Ming and Nicole Kakassy walked away with the red ribbon under the direction of Bruce Hankins Stables.

            Following his International blue, I’m Mr. Kleen and Grandy Tuck Jr. unanimously made the winning ride in the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Four and Under Specialty class. Big Time Grand and C.B. Daughtridge were second.

            Following their Pre-Celebration Splash Classic victory, Pride’s Rattle N Snap and Charlie Green won the 15.2 and Under class. Jose’s Emblem and Herbert Derickson earned reserve.

            Southern Command won his 10^th blue in the 10-entry Trail Pleasure Open Specialty class under the direction of Tracie Barron. This was a repeat performance at Asheville from last year. Night Of The Heat Stroke and Grandy Tuck had the reserve ride.

            I’m Packin A Pistol won his 13^th blue of the season in the 20-entry Amateur 50 and Over Specialty class. Charlene Gibson expertly directed this chestnut stallion down victory lane unanimously once again. Jeff Hatcher proudly trains this stallion. Copy’s Color and Linton Griffith were reserve.

            Following her win at Waynesville, Tarheel’s Star Of Jose and Derek Bonner won the exciting class of 15 Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings unanimously. Silver Glacier and Herbert Derickson were reserve.

            A Sweeping Fire and Donald Todd won the first of two North Carolina Championship blues in the Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty class. Dangerous Command and Gabe Garren were a close reserve.

            Two-time current World Champion JFK’s Irish Dream and Joe Cotten won the 10-entry Aged Mare and Gelding and this great mare’s seventh 2007 blue. Last week’s Kentucky Celebration Stake winner, Label’s Lucky Charm, and Donald Stamper were reserve.

            Following their South Carolina Ladies Auxiliary Show victory, Debbie Wells and Cobra Commander won the North Carolina Walking Horse Ladies Auxiliary Specialty class. They won the same class last year also. Loose N Busty and Jacqueline Brantley were second under the direction of Landrum Stables.

            Grinder’s Switch Champion Cash Lined and Herbert Derickson claimed the blue in the 10-entry Two-Year-Old Stallion class. He’s A Parolee and Chris Pickel were second.

            Nita’s Double Pride and Ginger Simpson won their fourth blue of the year unanimously in the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod class. Mr. Popeye and Kevin Helms were reserve.

            Current World Champion Sanman won his sixth blue of the season unanimously with Link Webb in the Open Specialty class. Walking Armed And Ronald Mosley were second.

            No stranger to the winner’s circle was the team of Clay Mills and current World Champion Royal Luck. They won their ninth blue of the year and the first of three North Carolina Championship blues in the 12-entry Men’s Amateur Specialty class. Baucom Stables prepared this winning team for the show ring. I’m Crankin Frank and Jimmy Nichols received the red ribbon.

            The exciting class of 13 Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings were next on the list. Tarheel’s Angelique and Derek Bonner won their fifth blue of the season unanimously. This mare is owned by Bob and Mary Rollins and is a full sister to Tarheel’s Star Of Jose who also won the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class earlier in the evening. Tarheel’s Angelique was purchased by Kenny Compton following her victory. Stiletto and Herbert Derickson were second.

            Only a three-year-old, Street Legal won the 17-entry Pro-Am Specialty class and his fifth blue of the season. Dottie Boone directed him the first way and Derek Monahan took a spin the second way of the ring. The trio of Keeper Of The Cash, Stephen Daniel and Kelly Daniel picked up reserve.

            Angela Tuck directed Jazzing Papa unanimously to the blue in the NCWHLA Plantation Pleasure Specialty class and his third blue of the season. One Armed Bandit and Rebecca Chittendon were reserve.

            Generator’s Top Dollar earned his sixth blue of the season under the guidance of Diana Bowers in the ETWHA Members Only Specialty class. Jazz’s Spirited Rebel and Jacquelyn Brantley claimed the reserve position.

            Jewel’s Scatman and Jeff Hatcher won their fourth blue this year in the Park Performance Open Specialty class. The Last Of My Cash and Roy Wagner exited the ring with the red streamer.

            Current World Grand Champion Coin’s Black Stroke and John Puckett earned his fifth blue of the season to win the 11-entry Show Pleasure Specialty class unanimously. Scott Beaty and This Spirit’s In Command garnered the reserve position.

            Following their International victory last week, Herbert Derickson directed Grand Sweepstakes to his third blue unanimously this year as well as the 11-entry Four-Year-Old Mare and Gelding Specialty title. I’m Stan The Man and Charlie Green were the reserve team.

            Following victories at McMinnville and Pulaski, Jazz Time carried Maria Derickson to the blue in the Trainers’ Family Member class. They were followed by Barbara Moore and A Screaming Eagle.

            Last year, Sunfire Phoenix and Jeff Hatcher won the Lite-Shod class at Asheville. This year Hatcher directed Sunfire Phoenix to his seventh blue of the season in the Plantation Pleasure Stake class. The reserve team was Movie Extra and Grandy Tuck.

            The final class of the evening was the Aged Stallions. Following his Nolensville Stake victory, Brock Tillman directed The Games We Play unanimously down victory lane to conclude the evening. Scott Beaty and Sanatone were also excellent and earned the reserve placing.

FRIDAY EVENING

            Friday night’s performance started off with a bang with the Open Plantation Lite-Shod Specialty class. Williwalkin and Bruce Hankins walked to win this class and Williwalkin’s sixth blue of the season. The reserve team was Big Time Grand and C.B. Daughtridge.

            Denise Calhoun directed Label’s Lucky Charm to her eighth blue of the season and won the Amateur Specialty Mare class unanimously. Dalia Smith directed Miss Dumas Ebony to the reserve position from David Landrum Stables.

            The Youth 11 and Under class was split into two divisions. Lana Copas and The White Mask claimed Division A under Tommy Loid Stables’s banner. Ya Ma Ka Me Crazy and tiny Ally Puckett rode hard in the 13-entry class to claim reserve.

            Heart Attack’s Fast Beat earned his fifth blue of the season in the 10-entry Youth 11 and Under Division B with Danielle Ricker under Barron Stables’s preparation. The Inside Track and Lexi Stinnett picked up the red streamer as they exited the ring.

            The current world championship team of The Cash Collector and Amanda Dickerson claimed the blue unanimously in the Amateur Plantation Pleasure Specialty class while What If and Sandy Brumbaugh earned the reserve placing.

            Extra Ebony and Clay Mills earned another Asheville blue just as they did in 2006. This current world championship team earned their 11^th blue this season. They earned the top position in the 14-entry Amateur Gelding Specialty class. Jazz Time and Keidi McWilliams were reserve under Derickson Training Facility’s guidance.

            The talented mare, Tarheel’s Angelique claimed her sixth blue of the season in the 18-entry Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class with Kenny Compton aboard under Derek Bonner’s direction. Earning the reserve spot were Laneview’s Master and Laura Beth Comley under Travis Wiley Stables’s guidance.

            Thirteen showed up for the Amateur Trail Pleasure Specialty class. Just Walking Thunder and Ginger Simpson claimed the title. I’m Just Jesse and Ruth Tudor walked away with the red ribbon.

            Seez Who earned his fourth blue of the season and the unanimous blue in the Amateur Owned and Trained Canter class with Kenny Smith in the irons. Pusher’s Delta Force and Sandy Brumbaugh were reserve.

            The Youth 12-17 Specialty class was also split into two divisions. Current World Champions Dalia Smith and her Pushin’ That Jazz have had a fantastic season in their last year in the juvenile division. They won their fifth blue unanimously in the A division of this class. Landrum Stables prepared them for competition. Our American Sensation and Taylor Gwinn were called out to receive the reserve spot under Mike Carter Stables’s direction.

            Another current world champion, Hurricane Rain and Lindsay Hess won the 10-entry B Division unanimously. They also hailed from Landrum Stables. Olympic Pusher and Lindsey Henry made a great show for the reserve spot in the class under Ronald Mosely Stables.

            First Parole, sired by World Grand Champion Out On Parole, won two Asheville blues. He earned the first of the weekend and his third blue of the season in the competitive Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallion class with Rhonda Warren aboard. ACC and Kenny Compton claimed the red streamer.

            The Gambler and Judy Mills made the victory lap in the 16-entry Amateur Ladies Specialty class unanimously under the Baucom Stables’s banner. Loose N Busty earned the reserve with Jacquelyn Brantley aboard from Landrum Stables.

            A Sweeping Fire claimed his second blue of the show in the 15-entry Amateur Four-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class with Brandi Mills aboard. Ben Brogdon directed I’m Stan The Man to the reserve position under Charlie Green’s direction.

            Current World Champion Little Dumas won two North Carolina Championship blues. The first was in the 11-entry Amateur Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Specialty class with C.B. Daughtridge. He is trained by Mike Kluttz and this was his 13^th blue this year. Earning reserve was the team of Nita’s Double Pride and Ginger Simpson.

            Bad Man Jose and Gerald Buckland scored a blue in the 12-entry Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallions class, under the direction of trainer Steve Hankins. Air Force One and Courtney Luttrell picked up the red streamer.

            Current World Grand Champion Santana’s Coin and Lindsey Landrum claimed his ninth consecutive blue of the season in the Youth Plantation Pleasure Specialty class. They won this same class at Asheville last season as well as the Plantation Stake. Reserve went to Kevin Helms and Miss Silver Satin.

            Following his recent McMinnville win, He’s A Rebel and Joyce Myers claimed the 15.2 and Under Amateur Canter class at Asheville. The Jazz King and Ed Breedlove picked up the reserve place under Charlie Green’s direction.

            The Amateur 15.2 and Under Specialty class was divided into two divisions. The 11-entry A division was won by the exciting team of Allie Napier and Olympics’s Energizer. The crowd approved the unanimous tie with their cheers. J & H Stables prepared them for the performance. Reserve went to the talented team of Liar Liar and Shea Sproles under the Paul Livingston Stables’s banner.

            The 10-entry B division was just as competitive with another Kentucky Celebration winning team picking up the unanimous blue. Cujo’s Mojo and Jamie Tucker earned their fourth 2007 blue in this class under Wiley Stables’s direction. I’m Packin A Pistol and Charlie Gibson claimed reserve.

            Push In Command and Kenny Compton won the 14-entry Amateur Specialty Stallions class. Current World Champions Kid Callahan and Ed Breedlove were second.

            International Champion Buster’s Big Deal and Bruce Hankins won the title of Plantation Pleasure Western Specialty Champion. Grandy Garcia and Jackie Fisher wore out the red ribbon.

            Current World Champion Royal Luck and Clay Mills earned their second blue of the show and their 10^th this season in the final class of the evening, the Amateur 15.2 and Over Canter class. Command’s Wild Card and Abby Fox won reserve under Scott Beaty’s guidance.

SATURDAY EVENING

            Saturday afternoon started off with preliminaries in the Weanling and Yearling Championships, followed by the opening ceremonies. Ten weanling fillies walked for the blue in the class. Cash Summer Holy Storm and Robert Nelms won. Cream De La Coco and Amanda Winters were second.

            Sweeping With Cash and Robert Nelms topped the 10-entry Weanling Colts class unanimously. Doc Vengeance and Holly Puckett were second.

            Current World Grand Champion Pat Head Summitt won the 11-entry Yearling Fillies class and her 26^th blue of the year with Amanda Winter leading. Roger Richards owns and trains this World Grand Champion Out On Parole offspring. Stablemate Maybe I’m Maybelline and Lisa Bowman earned the reserve spot for Richards.

            International Champions Heavenly Texas Cash and Keith Reed earned their third 2007 blue in the Yearling Colts class. The Front Nine, led by Carla Hurley, claimed reserve.

            Seventeen made the gate call for the Weanling Championship. Sweeping With Cash and Robert Nelms won the big class unanimously. Doc Vengeance and Holly Puckett were second.

            Current World Grand Champions Pat Head Summit and Amanda Winters won the 20-entry Yearling Championship and their 27^th season blue. Maybe I’m Maybelline and Lisa Bowman also claimed reserve in this class.

            Following wins at Liberty Lions and Pulaski in performance classes, The Goal Line has found a new division. Mickey McCormick directed him to the top of the Park Performance Four Years and Under title at Asheville. Knight’s Gambler and Bruce Hankins were the reserve team in this competitive class.

            Haley Puckett and Bold Stroke’s Attraction claimed their seventh blue of the season and the roses unanimously in the 15-entry Youth 11 and Under Specialty Championship just as they did in 2006. The White Mask and Lana Copas claimed the reserve position.

            Little Dumas claimed his 14^th blue of the year and the 14-entry Lite-Shod Specialty Stake unanimously with Mike Kluttz. Nita’s Double Pride and Ginger Simpson were second.

            Reckless Youth and Kim Back earned his sixth blue of the season and the 11-entry Amateur Novice Rider Specialty Division A under the guidance of trainer Mike Oney. Fire Alarm and Max Yates were second.

            The B Division had 10 entries and was won by The Jazzhouse and Leslie Dotson. This was their third blue this season. It’s All About Cash and Forrest Lee were reserve.

            Fresh from their Kentucky Celebration victory and winning their sixth blue of the year, the team of Gen All The Way and Mandie Napier captured the Youth Ponies class unanimously. J & H Stables proudly prepared this team. World Grand Champion Electrifying and Samantha Gaddy were reserve from Baucom Stables.

            Current World Champions Jose’s Dulce and Kathryn Ramsbottom earned their fifth blue in the 12-entry Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings with a unanimous tie. A JFK Jr. and Kaitlyn Beaty were reserve.

            Another current world champion team, Pusher’s General and Megan Mozeley claimed their fourth blue of the year in the 12-entry NCWHA Members Only Amateur Specialty class under Bonner Stables’s banner. Hurricane Rain and Lindsay Hess picked up the reserve position.

            First Parole picked up his second blue of the show and his fourth of the season in the 14-entry Three-Year-Old Stallions class with Chad Baucom in the irons with a unanimous decision. BeeBee King and Jimmy McConnell claimed the red streamer.

            Pushin’ That Jazz and Dalia Smith picked up 2007 blue number seven and the roses unanimously in the Youth 12-17 Championship. They won this same class in 2006. Olympic Pusher and Lindsey Henry claimed reserve.

            Fresh from their South Carolina Championship win, Tyler Baucom and I’m Rocky Balboa earned their third blue of the season in the Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallions class. The team of High Rock and Ronnie Cleary earned reserve.

            Current World Champions Kid Callahan and Ed Breedlove earned their third blue of the season by capturing the 10-entry Amateur Specialty Championship under Charlie Green’s direction. Reserve went to the team of The Gambler and Clay Mills.

Current World Champions Coin’s Black Stroke and Jean O’ Brien made another winning ride in the 15-entry Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class unanimously. This was their sixth 2007 blue and was very special to O’Brien since she had not been able to show much of the season due to a riding accident. I’m An Evil Rebel and Yvonna Matthis also performed flawlessly to claim reserve under the Baucom Stables’s banner.

            After winning at the International recently, the team of He’s A Weekend Warrior and Joe Cotten claimed the 12-entry Four-Year-Old Stallion Specialty. This is this beautiful stallion’s third blue of the season. MOAB and Steve Hankins were the reserve team.

            North Star By Design and Kevin Helms claimed the 15-entry Plantation Pleasure Specialty Stake unanimously. Reserve went to current World Grand Champion Santana’s Coin and John McNeely.

            Royal Luck made his third trip to the winner’s circle at Asheville with Clay Mills in the Amateur Canter Championship class. This was their 11^th season blue for this current world championship team that hails from Baucom Stables. Jazz King and Ed Breedlove claimed the reserve position.