By Jennifer Maack-Condren

BOLIVAR, Mo. - The weather couldn’t have been better for the eager enthusiasts who kicked off the season at the Midwest Walking Horse Trainers’ Association Spring Fun Show on Saturday, April 21, at the Bolivar Saddle Club Grounds. This annual show is used as a fundraiser for the MWHTA Fall Trainers’ show.bAssociation President Jerry Manes and Secretary Carol Middleton were quite pleased with the number of entries and trainers that participated, with entries being up from the previous year’s turnout. Many use this chance to get some experience under their belts and debut new horses. The HAWHA affiliated show was judged by Dwight Hart of Spring Hill, Kan., and was announced by Charles Hightower. Brent Salsman served as the ringmaster for the 20-class event.Grande’ and Brad Huffman earned the blue ribbon in the Open Walking Horse class. This showy stallion has worked his way up through the ranks and earned his first blue as a three-gaited horse for owner Rick Morrison and June Clark. Victory Colors and Jim Huffman put on a good show for the reserve placing for Jim and Donna Huffman. Jerry Manes and JFK’s Diamond Regency earned the third place tie in the class for David and Jane Turner.Brad Huffman not only earned the last blue of the show, but also kicked off the season with the first blue as well with a win in the Two-Year-Old Open class with Macho’s Golden Boy for David Barton. Winning Design and Julia VanZyverden earned the judge’s nod in the Park Pleasure Two-Gait class for Manes Stables. Gen’s Sundancer and Kate Cater were reserve for Jeff Givens.Rick Morrison received the blue ribbon tie in the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty