by Debbie Graham
GUNTOWN, Miss. - The Guntown Horse Show was held on June 2, 2007, at the Guntown City Park. The show has the distinction of being the "oldest one night show in Mississippi". The first walking horse show, sponsored by the Guntown Lions Club, was held in June of 1962. Proceeds from the event benefit the numerous projects of the club. Some of these vital projects include sight conservation, work with the blind, community services, environmental services and international relations. The club sponsored a Western Horse Show on June 1, which featured 31 classes.
Show Chairman Doug Farley and the members of the Lions Club did their usual good job of producing a successful show. Greg Pate judged the 34 classes. Buddy Rushing was the master of ceremonies. Diane Beaver entertained the crowd with her talents on the keyboard. Mike Farley, who has been a ringmaster on the Mississippi and Tennessee show circuits for 42 years, served as ringmaster.
The first class of the evening was the Yearling Halter Stallion class. Jeazibel’s Black Gen and David Smith claimed their fourth title of the season for Dr. John Lay.
The Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class followed with Stepping Out Of Line and Brian Anderton making the victory pass for Brian and Tammy Anderton. In the Juvenile 11 and Under class Hello Generator and Nathan Anderton were in the winner’s circle.
Daniel Foreman enjoyed two Guntown victories in the halter division. Smoking Jessie Colter won the Yearling Halter Mares class for Larry Kelly. Spotlight On Texas claimed the Open Weanling class for Pat McCord.
Formac Stables received 10 Guntown titles. Formac trainers Jimmy McConnell and Dan Waddell earned five of these awards with Formac amateur exhibitors claiming the remaining honors. Jimmy McConnell’s first trip to the winner’s circle was aboard Watch My Jewels, the property of Larry Carney and Cindy Hammons in the Four-Year-Old Open division. McConnell also won the Open Show Pleasure class riding Ritz Cracker for Linda and Charlie Bedwell. She Hazz Jazz was in the spotlight in the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class for Fred and Vicki Benjamin. In the final class of the evening Gen’s Major Event claimed the Guntown tricolor for the second year in a row with McConnell directing for John Alford. Which Way and Dan Waddell gained blue ribbon recognition in the Three-Year-Old Stallion class for Frank and Marsha McWhorter.
Madeline Tew was granted two trips to the winner’s circle riding contenders owned by Kimble and Madeline Tew. George Clooney gave an award winning performance to claim the Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallion division followed by a Ladies Amateur Specialty aboard her talented mare Shakin For Cash.
Santana’s Fascination and Pam Betts continued their successful show season with another Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding title.
Our Chance By JFK and Joyce Brady were in top form to claim the Amateur Specialty title for Bill and Joyce Brady. The exciting new team of Busting Special and Farrah McAlexander claimed their second blue of the season in the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class for Larry and Farrah McAlexander.
Entries prepared by Laurie Toone at Circle T Stables were the recipients of four Guntown titles. Mr. Jessie James and MacKenzie Morgan added another Amateur Trail Pleasure title to their list of accomplishments. I’m Ritz and Ralph Pinner were the Open Country Pleasure Champions for Ralph and Elaine Pinner. Big Willie Style and Evan Morgan topped the Open Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod class for 4-J Land and Cattle Co. Smarty’s Gone An Done It collected the blue in the Trail Pleasure Open division for Janie Van De Walker.
Abernathy Stables enjoyed three victories at Guntown. The first honor came in the Amateur Show Pleasure division with Ryan Yates directing She’s Bold And Beautiful for Claudia Gribble. Edgar Abernathy captured the Two-Year-Old Stallion title with Starstruck’s Talker for Shannon Stepp. Abernathy returned to claim the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding title with JLo JLo for Dr. Tommy and Pat Vinson.
Summer Crest Farms received three blues at Guntown. Summer Crest trainer Donnie Jones and amateur exhibitor Lauren Walker directed Jayvee’s Ritz to the Pro/Am title. Spellbound Generator continues to turn in blue ribbon performances week after week in the Juvenile 12-17 division claiming the Guntown title. Final’s Pineapple Willie and Mark Phillips were in the winner’s circle following the Amateur Park Performance class.
Wright Stables also claimed three Guntown awards. Dollar’s Direct Deposit and Casey Wright walked away with the Open Walking Specialty title for James and Jeannie Roberts. Padron and Michael Wright made the victory pass in the 15.2 and Under class for Clyde and Grace Robertson.
Near the end of the show rain showers moved into the area and the final four classes were held under wet conditions. The rain, however, did not spoil the excitement for Ann Hudson as she claimed the Four-Year-Old Amateur title riding Lady Fame’s Pushover for Malcolm and Ann Hudson.
The Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty division was led by Gen’s Secret Warrior and Bradley Parker for Ricky Parker. Caterpillar and James Roberts rolled past the competition to claim the Plantation Pleasure Amateur Lite-Shod division for Warner Speakman.
Complete results from the Guntown Lions Club Horse Show may be viewed at www.walkinghorsereport.com.