by Julia Livingston
PELZER, S.C. - The 11th annual Curtis Hamilton Memorial Benefit Walking Horse Show was held on Nov. 10 in their new location at Circle M Ranch. This 130-acre facility is family owned and operated, and it includes a spacious climate controlled indoor arena, a covered outdoor arena, 326 permanent stalls, 60 RV/camper hookups, a cafe' restaurant, and western clothing and tack store.
Pickens County Walking Horse Association proudly puts this show on and the proceeds go to the Boys Home of the South. It's a non-profit treatment facility for abused, neglected, delinquent and emotionally handicapped boys. At the home they have a horse therapy program that meets the needs of these children.
There were 35 classes offered with the Honorable Ronal Young from Bell Buckle, Tenn., serving as the judge. Ringmaster was the high-stepping and fast running Bill Rorick. Scott Healton was the clear voiced announcer, with the beautiful Debby Bush capturing the photos as the show photographer. The talented Shannon Perkins kept the crowd entertained with her great work on the organ.
Major Gee Whiz and Robert Kellett were named the Stake Walking Horse Champions. They received the blue ribbon, floral horseshoe and the well-earned cheers from the crowd for their great show for owner Paul Simmons. This makes their sixth stake championship for the season. Kellett Stables also claimed four other wins. These wins came in the Aged Stallions and Geldings Canter class with Royal By Choice and Robert Kellett, and the 12-17 Youth class with My Hard Earned Cash and R.M. Kellett for owner Larry Black. Rallying back were owners Dr. and Mrs. Jim Gore with Olympic Star in the Pickings County Members Men’s Only class with Robert Kellett. Then Dr. Jim Gore himself aboard Gen's Master Pusher entered the winner’s circle in the Amateur Men’s Specialty class.
Rae Martin Stables captured seven blues. Rea directed Armed Bosman to the Two-Year-Old Open blue ribbon for owner Johnnie Hewitt. Pushers Coloring Book and Marianne Sharp received the top award in the ???? for Hayward and Sharp. Foalsom Prison and Emma Lee Cannon topped the Two-Year-Old Amateur class for Dr. Dale Cannon. Brook Cannon directed Heartbeat Of Motown to the winner’s circle in the Amateur Pony 18 and Over class. Emma Lee Cannon was back in victory lane again, this time in the Four-Year-Old Open Specialty class aboard Heart Beat High Noon. Larry McLaughlin is the proud owner of Heart Beat High Noon. Santana's Renaissance Man and Belinda Rogers topped the Ladies Amateur class for Mathews and Martin.
Amateurs Kathy Jamison and Jackie Fisher together amassed six blue ribbon wins. Four of these victories came with He's Pushin’ Time in the Lite-Shod Western class, the Pickens County Members Lite-Shod class, the Lite-Shod English class and the Lite-Shod Amateur Owned and Trained Canter class. Grandy Garcia picked up the other two blues in the Pickens County Park Pleasure class and the Park Pleasure Amateur Owned and Trained class.
Alvin Strickland was awarded four blues ribbon victory passes. The first award came in the Park Performance class with owner Terry Strickland and Splash Of Santana. Next came the Charles Hemphill owned entry of Parole Granted and Alvin Strickland who bested the field in the Three-Year-Old Open class. The Amateur Show Pleasure class was won by Low On Cash and Toni Strickland for Charles Dempsey. Finally, the N.C. Members Only win went to Down On Main Street and Gail Whitfield for Whitfield and Curris.
Doug Moore Stables claimed three blue ribbon titles. Rumble At The Ritz and Taylor Wheless powered their way to the winner’s circle in the 11 and Under class for Kline and Wheless. The Pickens County Members Only Ladies class champion was owner Denise Coleman winning her first blue ribbon along with a floral horseshoe on her new steed Touch On Cash. A Screaming Eagle and Barbara Moore won the S.C. Ladies Auxiliary class for Jackson and Moore.
Ken Moore Stables won two blues. First with Ken Moore directed Mouse's Mandigo to the Open Specialty blue ribbon for Vickie Harris. Then, Josh Poole made his first blue ribbon ride in the Youth 17 and Under Pony class aboard Johnny Walker Blue for proud owners Kline and Wheless.
Blackwell Stables also went home with two blues. The first blue ribbon was captured in the Amateur 50 and Over class with owner Kerry D'Armond directing Commanding Gold. Beverly McLeod and Prides Lady Di then went on to win the Amateur Canter class title for proud Ed McCloud.
Danny Kistler and Times Two bested the competition in the 15.2 and Under Open Canter class aboard for Fred Croft. Stone Wall Farms won the blue ribbon in the Two-Year-Old Open Mare and Gelding class with City Girl Blues and Wesley Hardin.
Complete results follow and can be viewed, searched and printed as www.walkinghorsereport.com.