BATON ROUGE, La. - The John M. Parker Coliseum at the LSU AgCenter hosted the largest Dixie Jubilee Show in Baton Rouge for several years. This show is one to attend, eat seafood and cajun cooking, and enjoy the festivities that sets this show aside from all others.

The Baton Rouge show is always a class act and is put on with precision by Show Manager Russ Walther and Secretary Mrs. Faye Mary. Mrs. Mary is as traditional as the Dixie Jubilee and she and the other Dixie Jubilee members sees that all goes well. At the 2002 show, held October 30-November 2, the quality and the quantity was extremely high.

It proved to be a wise decision to move the show to the first weekend in November since entries were down in 2001, when the show was moved back a week. Many world champions filled the classes for all to see but there are always special things to Baton Rouge.

On Thursday evening, there was the Dixie Jubilee Lagnaippe Aisle Party with food and drink in the aisle. This was extra special, which was fitting since lagniappe means extra in Cajun. On Friday evening after the show, the Dixie Jubilee Mardi Gras Ball is held in which a king and queen were elected by vote. Representing the walking horse world were Queen Benita Caldwell, First Duke Sam Caldwell, Second Duke Rodney Dick, and Second Dutchess Carolyn Thomas. In addition to more food, a band, and a parade in which Mardi Gras beads were passed out are all Dixie Jubilee traditions.

In addition to the eats at the show, many hit the numerous cajun and seafood restaurants or visit the various barns that had treats set out throughout the show. This four-day show is known for its laid back competition in which everyone congratulates the winners. The Dixie Jubilee draws from 400 to 700 Tennessee Walking Horses, American Saddlebreds and other breeds from throughout the United States. The tension was a little higher this year since all horses went through strict inspections by a NHSC DQP, DQP Coordinator Lonnie Messick and three USDA VMOs, both pre and post show.

This year’s crowd was also treated to two special exhibitions on Saturday night. Lisa Marbry exhibited current Amateur World Grand Champion, Silver Express; and Steve Dunn exhibited current World Grand Champion Out On Parole to the Dixie Jubilee audience. Both created a rousing ovation from the audience and Out On Parole was treated with one of the Dixie Jubilee traditional Purple and Gold coolers for their exhibition.

Each morning, Dixie Jubilee attendees were given a rare treat. Steve Dunn and owners, Randall and Sadie Baskin, allowed anyone who wished to to ride their beautiful, well-mannered stallion. Both trainers and amateurs took advantage of this rare treat. Steaming and hot from his many rides, Out On Parole gave his all to whomever rode him, looking as good with whomever was on him. He came up when called upon without aid of a whip or spur and never faltered in his gait. This great stallion and his owners are true ambassadors of our breed. This World Grand Champion stallion proved he is natural because he was doing as much at the end as he was at the beginning and was the same with each rider. This reporter followed Jimmy McConnell, and was followed by Erin Graf and Barbara Civils, as each took their turn on the tired stallion and each was rewarded with a powerful thrilling ride that brought smiles to their faces.

Show Manager Russ Walther stated, “I am very pleased with the turn out of walking horses and the MASCUP TWH Rider Cup’s riders at the Dixie Jubilee this year.” He presented the Walking Horse Report with the results of the final MASCUP TWH Rider Cup held at the Dixie Jubilee for the year-end of 2002. The standings are:

1. Jimmy McConnell
2. Knox Blackburn
3. Rodney Dick
4. Bill Young
5. Dick Peebles
6. Joe Cotten
7. Jackie McConnell
8. Allen Callaway
9. Larry Edwards
10. Link Webb

Judges for the show were Wayne Dean of Lewisburg, TN, Bob Burris of Franklin, TN, and Dude Crowder of Shelbyville, TN.

The North American Walking Grand Championship concluded the 2002 show. Each horse had dedicated fans that cheered for their favorite. Last year’s Three-Year-Old Grand Champion and Three-Year-Old Stallion Champion returned to win the championship. In both the Junior Stallion and the championship the judges selected the talented black stallion, The Black Night Shade. Jimmy McConnell directed this head shaking sensational horse for Mr. and Mrs. Tom Waite. This team’s previous 2002 wins included the Gulf Coast Grand Championship, Germantown’s Aged Stallion Champion and Grand Champion, Brownsville, TN Grand Champion and the International Grand Championship MASCUP Grand Champion. The leg-waving New York New York and Rodney Dick made two fabulous shows to win reserve in the championship for Mann Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Earlier in the week, this outstanding team was awarded the North American Senior Stallion blue, after numerous wins this season. Rodney Dick directed him to the Owingsville, Ky. Grand Championship, while owner Terry Mann claimed victory in the Bedford County FFA Show in Shelbyville in the Amateur Stallion Specialty class as well as the Kentucky Celebration Amateur Specialty Stallion and Gelding, Sec A title.

Third place was awarded to Magic Sweet Victory and Ronnie Spears. This world champion mare certainly held her own in the five horse championship.Her previous 2002 victories include wins in the Mares and Geldings classes at Manchester, TN, Fayetteville, TN, and Bedford Country Harvest Festival Show in Shelbyville, TN.

Many top barns were at Baton Rouge and they brought their top horses which kept the audience on the edge of their seats. When the blues were distributed, David Landrum Stables had eight blues. Jimmy McConnell of Formac Stables were awarded six blues. Backward S Ranch and Whitter Stables were close behind with five, while Steve Aymett Stables, Jeff Givens Stables, and Wayne Westbrook returned home with four blues.

Three blues were won by Blue Ribbon Stables, Knox Blackburn Stables, Hidden Hills Farm, and Dick Peebles Stables. Two Dixie Jubilee blues went home with Black Hawk Stables, Theresa Carpinito, Mike Civils Stables, Larry Webb and Lee Upton. The remaining blues were won by Sonny Scrivner of Tan View Stables, Brett Boyd of Brook Haven Farm, Rodney Dick of Finish Line Farm, Nathan Mills, and Mark West.

Landrum Stables’s eight blues included the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty Grand Championship won by Larry Lowman and Cheatin Danger. Cheatin Danger also won 2002 blues in the Liberty Four-Year-Old Stallion class, Hohenwald Four-Year Old class, Lynchburg Four-Year-Old Stallion class, and Wartrace Four-Year-Old Stallion class.

Kay Green had two great shows with her current World Grand Champion, Main Power under Landrum Stables banner. Main Power and Kay Green were crowned Three-Year-Old Amateur Grand Champions after winning the Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallions class earlier in the week. This was Main Power’s sixteenth blue of the season. In addition to three Celebration blues, this power house attained blues in the National Trainers Show Three-Year-Old Classic, Mississippi State Charity Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallion and Three-Year-Old Amateur Grand Champion, Money Tree Classic Amateur Three-Year-Old, Germantown Three-Year-Old Stallion and Three-Year-Old Championship, Gulf Coast Three-Year-Old Championship, Tony Rice Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallions, Wartrace Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallion, and the International MASCUP Three-Year-Old Stallion and Gelding and the MASCUP Three-Year-Old Grand Championship.

Generator’s Champion returned to Baton Rouge to reclaim his 2001 victories in the Open Amateur and the Amateur Grand Championship. Caresse Mills expertly guided the handsome stallion to these same victories in 2002 under Landrum’s banner. This was on the heels of this team’s fabulous victory in the International Amateur Grand Championship. Earlier 2002 victories included the National Trainers Show Ladies Amateur Specialty Championship, the Mississippi State Charity Grand Championship, the Germantown Amateur Grand Championship and Amateur Gentlemen Championship, the Highland Stables Grand Championship and Bethesda’s Open Amateur.

Joe Cotten and current World Champion A Strong Dollar topped two tough classes, The Two-Year-Old Grand Championship and the Two-Year-Old Stallion. This roan powerhouse had previous 2002 wins in the Highland Stables Two-Year-Old Stallion class, Great Strides Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallion class, Pulaski Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallion class, and the International MASCUP Two-Year-Old Stallion and Gelding class and the MASCUP Two-Year-Old Grand Championship.

One of the greatest young mares living, Texas Salsa, ended her 2002 show season undefeated with Nancy Groover in the saddle in the Amateur Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding at the Dixie Jubilee. At the 2002 Celebration, Texas Salsa won both the World Champion Two-Year-Old Mares and the World Champion Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings. Her other 2002 wins include the Mississippi State Charity Two-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings and the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stake, Columbia Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings, Bethesda Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings, and Belfast Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings.

Formac Stables did extremely well with the fine horses at the Dixie Jubilee. In addition to the two classes won by The Black Night Shade, Jimmy McConnell enjoyed four other blues. Bob and Mary Medina enjoyed three Dixie Jubilee blues. Mary Medina and Grandy’s Rhythm Lady won the Ladies Amateur Walking Stake at Baton Rouge following her Amateur Specialty 50 and Over victory at the Alabama Jubilee last week. This head-shaking mare’s earlier victories included the Mississippi State Charity Mare class, the Germantown Mares and Geldings Ladies Amateur Specialty, the Ripley, TN and the Fulton, Ky Youth Medallion classes.

Former World Champion Walking All Over and Bob Medina claimed the victory in the Dixie Jubilee Gentlemen’s Amateur Stake after winning Germantown’s 15.2 and Under title. Bob Medina also claims ownership of the black mare, Regal’s Lady Of Royalty. Dan Waddell directed her to the top of the Lite Shod Plantation win at Baton Rouge. This mare earlier won four blues at the Eastern Classic Horse Show including two Grand Championships.

Jimmy McConnell’s sixth ribbon came with the newly purchased Altima in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding. Ed and Carol Sims recently purchased this talented young mare.

Backward S Stables were thrilled with their mares and their five blues at the Dixie Jubilee. Bill Young first directed Watch And Be Dazzled to victory in the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding. At the Big D Charity Show this team won both the Three-Year-Old and the Three & Under Championship titles. Kelly Sherman Garrett proudly won the Ladies Amateur Specialty with Pusher’s Solid Design. Kelly Garrett also won this same class at Dickson, Tenn. and Bill Young won the Open Specialty at Carthage, Tenn. with this fine mare.

Beverly Sherman directed another thrilling mare, Silverado Spirit to the Amateur Specialty blue. Her earlier wins included the Amateur Ladies Specialty at the National Trainers’ Show, the Amateur Specialty at West Monroe, La, the Amateur Ladies Mares and Geldings Specialty at the Mississippi State Charity, and the Ladies Amateur Mares and Geldings Specialty at Fayetteville, Tenn.

Current World Champion Papa’s Smokin’ Pusher was not about to let the ladies outdo him so he carried Beverly Sherman to dual blues at Baton Rouge. First they won the Amateur Specialty Stallion class, followed by the blue in the Amateur Specialty Grand Championship. At the Mississippi State Charity show, they captured the same two classes, followed by victories at the Big D Charity Show in the Amateur Specialty and at Puslaski in the Amateur Stallions Specialty.

Jackie McConnell of Whitter Stables also claimed five blues. The first of these was with another Sherman mare, Generator’s Flirtin’. Jackie directed this talented black mare to victory in the Senior Mare division. He recently won the Stake at the Gum Tree Classic Show on Flirtin’. Earlier wins with Beverly Sherman included the National Trainers’ Show Amateur Mares Specialty and the Amateur Specialty and the Amateur Specialty Stake at the Big D Charity Show.

Current World Champion Dangerously Dazzling and Julie Alford won the Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding title at Baton Rouge under Whitter Stables guidance. They recently won the International Grand Championship Three-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Gelding blue where trainer Jackie McConnell took the reins to win the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings also. Earlier blues included the Gulf Coast Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings and the Somerville, Tenn. Three-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings.

The star of Whitter Stables probably was current World Champion Slick Willie since he earned three Baton Rouge blues. First of all Jackie won the Gelding class, followed by Bradley East winning the Senior Juvenile Specialty and the Juvenile Walking Specialty Grand Championship. This talented bay gelding’s list of 2002 victories read like a who’s who list. They include the National Trainers Show Juvenile Specialty Championship and the WHTA Youth Council 15-17 Specialty, the Big D Mares and Geldings, the White Oak Classic Youth 12-17, Germantown Youth 12-17 and the Youth 12-17 Grand Championship, and the International Mares and Geldings and the International Youth Specialty Championship.

Three generations of the Aymett family helped Steve Aymett claim four Louisiana blues. Tiny granddaughter Stratton Weaver directed I’m A Majorette to the blue in the Juvenile Specialty 11 and Under. Earlier this season they won the Liberty Lions Club Show’s Juvenile 11 and Under in Shelbyville, Tenn. Daughter Kelly Weaver claimed the Ladies Auxiliary Member blue on Rankin County, owned by Beverly Sherman. Earlier 2002 wins included Liberty Mares and Geldings class, Woodbury Amateur Ladies on Mares and Geldings and Wartrace Amateur Mares and Geldings with Kelly Garrett up.

Current World Champion London Rain won first the 15.2 and Under with Steve Aymett aboard and then returned to win the 15.2 and Under Amateur Stallions Specialty with Charles Clark in the irons. Previous 2002 15.2 and Under Stallions wins include the National Trainers Show; the Mississippi State Charity, and the Spring Fun Show.

Jeff Givens Stables did extremely well with their flat shod horses at the Dixie Jubilee. Gen’s Sundancer won two blues for owners Shane and Sara Hastings. He won the North American Park Pleasure Championship with Jeff Givens directing. Justin Harney and Gen’s Sundancer also claimed the Park Pleasure Juvenile Specialty blue. Jeff Givens and Gen’s Sundancer claimed Park Pleasure victories at the Woodbury Show, the International, and Walking For The Children Show at Murfreesboro. In addition, he was crowned 2002 International Park Pleasure Grand Champion.

Royal’s Vanity Fair won the Plantation Model with Jeff Givens. Royal’s Vanity Fair claimed four International blues in 2002 including the Model, 2 & 3-Year-Olds; the Model Championship, the Lite Shod Novice Horse Specialty; and the Lite Shod Amateur Gentlemen Specialty. This team also won the Plantation Lite Shod Specialty at the Alabama Jubilee last week.

Jeff Givens also led Dangerous Diva to win his fourth blue of the show in the Model Weanling. Jeff Givens was pinch hitting for one of the owners, Dr. Roger Richards, who was busy attending Jerrold Pedigo’s wedding. Allen Curtis, the other owner, chose Baton Rouge. This outstanding flax mane and tailed filly also had previous 2002 wins in the Weanling at the Alabama Jubilee last week; the Weanling at Nolensville; the Weanling Filly at Bethesda; the Weanling at Woodbury, the Weanling Filly at Cookeville; the Weanling Filly at the International; and the Weanling Filly at Spring Hill.

Robert and Wayne Westbrook were thrilled when Armed Lady From Dixie won three blues, the Lite Shod Amateur Specialty, the Lite Shod Three-Year-Old and Under, and the Lite Shod Specialty Championship. This young black mare has done quite well this season. She has claimed the Amateur Lite Shod Specialty, 4 Years & Under at the Big D Charity Show; the Owner-Amateur Trained Lite Shod Specialty, the Junior Lite Shod Amateur, and the Owner-Amateur Trained Lite Shod Championship at the International; the Lite Shod Three & Under, the Lite Shod Amateur 4 & Under, and the Lite Shod Amateur Championship at Rockwall, Texas. Wayne seems to be grooming this mare to take the place of her World Champion Cash Storm, who by the way is still winning. At the Dixie Jubilee, Cash Storm carried Wayne Westbrook to the blue in the Park Pleasure Ladies Specialty division, making four blues for the Westbrooks. Cash Storm’s previous 2002 winning included the Western Park Pleasure Amateur Riders (Canter) World Championship at Shelbyville; the Amateur English Park Pleasure, the Park Western Specialty, and the Park English Championship at the Big D Charity; and the Owner-Amateur Trained Western Park Specialty at the International.

Blue Ribbon Stables brought two outstanding horses that won 2001 Baton Rouge blues and came back for more. The Beaming Skywatch won first the Park Pleasure Gentlemen Specialty with Doug Barnes and returned to win the Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty Championship with Stuart Gibbs for two years in a row.

“Beamer” has had a great season starting with the Amateur Park Four-Year-Old & Under Specialty and the amateur Park Specialty Championship at the National Trainers Show; the Park Pleasure Specialty at Gallatin, the Amateur Park Specialty at Walking To Make A Difference at Shelbyville; the Amateur Park Specialty at the Tony Rice Show; the Park Pleasure Specialty at McMinnville; as well as the Amateur Park Specialty and the Amateur Park Championship at the International.

Senor Generator was back in the ring at Baton Rouge winning the Park Pleasure Open with Doug Barnes. Senor Generator won the 2002 Amateur Park Specialty and the Park Pleasure Specialty Championship at the National Trainers Show; and the Park Pleasure Championship at the Gulf Coast Charity Show.

Knox Blackburn proudly claimed three Jubilee blues. The Phantom Menace won two Jubilee blues. The first was with Knox Blackburn in the Three-Year-Old Stallions, then they captured the Three-Year-Old MASCUP Grand Championship. Intensity was high throughout these classes. “Dennis” ‘s previous 2002 blues included the Three-Year-Old at Lynchburg; the Three-Year-Old Stallion and Gelding at the Bedford County Harvest Show; and the Amateur Three-Year-Old at Walking For The Children.

The team of Kathy Graves, riding and winning with her Lone Ranger mask, added the Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion Specialty blue to Blackburn’s list. Graves was riding the gray Silver Dollar Make Me Hollar, and holler the crowd did, too.

Current World Champion Insomnia won two of the three blues for Hidden Hills. Insomnia and Keith Johnson added the Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty and the Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty Championship title to their resume for owner Suzy Johnson. Earlier 2002 wins included the Belfast Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty, the Bedford County Harvest Festival Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty, and the International Grand Championship Show Pleasure Gentlemen and the Show Pleasure Championship.

Another Current World Champion, Mozambique, earned a third blue for Hidden Hills. Jeanine Gullet directed the talented Mozambique down victory lane in the 15.2 & Under Amateur Mare and Gelding Specialty. This team’s earlier 2002 wins include the Amateur Ladies on Mares and Geldings at Manchester, the Amateur Ladies Specialty at the East Tennessee Classic and the Amateur Ladies on Mares and Geldings at Tony Rice.

Dick Peebles Stables made their presence known with their fine string of show horses. Dick Peebles and The Snowatch were on the money in the MASCUP Junior Championship to capture the blue. The Snowatch has amassed quite a list of 2002 blues including the Four-Year-Old Amateur at Starkville, Mississippi; the Amateur Four-Year-Old at the Mississippi State Charity Show; the Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallions Specialty at the Gulf Coast Show; the Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallions Specialty at Pulaski; the Four-Year-Old and the Grand Championship at the Kentucky Celebration, and the MASCUP Junior Stallions and Geldings at the International.

George and Carol Smith own two Dixie Jubilee Champions. Their Gen’s All Colors collected the blue in the Junior Mare and Gelding with Dick Pebbles in the saddle. Holly Liddell proudly drove their General George S. Patton to the blue in the Amateur Fine Harness at Baton Rouge. General Patton recently won the Aged Mares and Geldings Specialty at the East Mississippi Fall Classic.

Black Hawk Stables earned dual blues during the show. After being on maternity leave, Jaclyn Tillman has returned to the showring with her usual charisma and expertise. Jaclyn Tillman and Look Who’s In Command claimed the Heart O’ Dixie Specialty blue at the Dixie Jubilee. “Looker” also won the 15.2 and Under at Pulaski under Justin Jenne’s guidance. Jaclyn earned the 15.2 and Under Specialty blue at the Walking For the Children Horse Show recently.

Another Black Hawk protege’ is The Grand Hot Shot. Erica Hartlein directed this blaze faced beauty to victory in the Juvenile Walking Pony. Among his other 2002 blues were wins at Liberty Charity and the Highland Stables Walking Show.

Theresa Carpinito flew 12 hours from California to show in the equitation classes at Baton Rouge. She was rewarded with dual blues aboard One Brassy Dude. They first won the Adult Walking Equitation, followed by the Equitation Grand Championship win. They proudly retired the beautiful The Gunsmoke Whopper and The Chantel Wakefield Challenge Trophy which had to be won three times by the same rider for permanent possession. The trophy was won in 1996 and 1997 by Danielle Nesse, Lewisburg, TN; in 1998 by Marguerite Thomas, Murfreesboro, TN; in 1999 by Theresa Carpinito, Seattle, WA and Shelbyville, TN; in 2000 by Jaclyn Harney, Murfreesboro, TN; in 2001 by Theresa Carpinito.

Civils Lone Star Farm returned home with dual blues. Mike Civils and Caprice’s Lady Gen took the Western Park & Lite Shod Specialty by storm. Caprice’s Lady Gen’s earlier 2002 blues included the Park Pleasure Western Specialty at West Monroe, Louisiana; the Park Open, the Park Western Specialty and the Park Youth Specialty at the Pin Oak Charity Show; the Park Pleasure Four and Under English at the Big D; and the Park Open Canter, the Park Western Specialty, the Park Youth Specialty at the Rockwall, Texas.

After winning triple World Championships in 2002 Trashadeous and Jimmy Civils showed off in the Lite Shod Juvenile Specialty. Trashadeous’ long list of 2002 blues include the Lite Shod at West Monroe, La; the Western Lite Shod Specialty , the Youth Plantation Specialty, the Amateur Lite Shod Specialty Championship and the Plantation Lite Shod Specialty Championship at Pin Oak; the Lite Shod, the Model, the Lite Shod 17 and Under Specialty, and the Amateur Lite Shod Championship at the Big D; the Amateur Lite Shod Canter at the Spring Fun Show; the Plantation Lite Shod at Fayetteville; the Amateur Lite Shod Specialty at Wartrace; the Lite Shod Amateur Western Specialty, the Lite Shod Pleasure Specialty, the Lite Shod Amateur Canter, the Lite Shod Youth Specialty, the Lite Shod Amateur Specialty, and the Lite Shod Amateur Championship Specialty at Rockwall, Texas.

The Current World Championship team of Highway Robbery and Betty Corlew won dual blues at the Dixie Jubilee. They topped the very competitive Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion division and came back to win the Two-Year-Old Amateur Championship to the glee of husband James Corlew and trainers Larry Webb and Lee Upton. Their earlier 2002 wins included blues at the Children’s Classic, the Spring Fun Show, the Columbia Spring Jubilee, Wartrace, and the International Grand Championship.

The remaining blues were won by various barns. Alex Bumpus claimed the Senior Walking Equitation 12-18 at Baton Rouge under the guidance of Tan View Farms aboard Settle The Score.

Charles Gleghorn represented Brett Boyd Stables’ well as he won the Four-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class aboard his Rain’s Fashionette.

Nathan Mills led his lovely Encore’s Magic Lady to victory in the Yearling Model class while Mark West claimed the Park Three-Year-Old & Under aboard his Push To Generate. Push To Generate had earlier 2002 blues at McMinnville and Lewisburg.

If you’ve never been to this show, you must attend in 2003. But only, if you want to eat, enjoy horse friends, show and see the best of best in the Walking Horse World. If you’ve been, no one needs to tell you to return as these trainers have for years and years. This highlights the 2002 Dixie Jubilee. Complete results follow and may be read, searched and printed at www.walkinghorsereport.com