BOLIVAR, Missouri - Persistent rain and thunderstorms delayed the Midwest Walking Horse Trainers’ Association Annual Spring Fun Show scheduled for April 20, 2002. Show officials rescheduled the show to 1:00p.m. on April 21, and unfortunately entries were down in number from the previous year. The Honorable Adam Hensley of Oakland, Tenn., graciously agreed to stay over the extra day to judge this 28-class event. Trainers, exhibitors, and spectators endured 60s temperatures with a cool wind, and clouds finally gave way to sunshine halfway through the show.
Don Bills Stables led the blue ribbon tally with five blues. Clara Bills began the afternoon with her win aboard Pusher’s Wild Card in the Trainers’ Family class. Always a favorite class, there was talented competition in the Juvenile Specialty 11 and Under, but Sam Henson and Fame’s Fancy Lady made the victory pass for Ed and Darlene Swaringim. Carroll Counts’ new acquisition of Movin’ On Up proved to be a step in the right direction, netting a win in the Men’s Amateur Specialty. Rainbow’s Top Man and Clara Bills were the victors in the Spotted Saddle Horse Two-Gait. The team of Skyman and Abby Gonz also made their show ring debut a success, winning the Ladies’ Amateur Specialty.
Mike Maack Stables won four blues in all, including the Open. Continuing their success in this division from last season, Pride’s Midnight Holiday and Mike Maack had the judge’s complete attention to capture their first Open win of the year. If you’re looking for a horse of a different color, you’ll find it in Busted The Market. With Mike Maack in the irons, this talented two-year-old walked to the winner’s circle for owner Jerry Laughlin in the Two-Year-Old Open. Mike and Miss Harley displayed their cantering ability with ease to win the 15.2 and Under Open for owner Carol Middleton. Mike also directed Jubilee’s Big Time to win the Open Specialty.
Huffman Family Stables also earned four blue ribbons. In the Lead Line division, the stylish team of Jess Morrison and Good Fortune were victors, with Rich Morrison at lead. Two family owned horses dominated the three-year-old division. JIm Huffman and Cash Is Good picked up the blue in the Three-Year-Old Open, and Kristen Huffman and Hydro-Generator were the victors in the Three-Year-Old Amateur. Besting a class of competitive horses and exhibitors, Karen McKinnis directed Thorncrest’s Cat-Man-Do to the winner’s circle in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty.
Jerry Manes Stables earned a trio of blues. My Horse Showtime showed its winning walk first in the Juvenile Lite Shod 17 and Under Two Gait with Savannah Van Zyverden in the irons. Marvelene Kusewitt directed My Horse Showtime to its second blue in the Western Plantation Two Gait.
Savannah also enjoyed the winner's spotlight in the Juvenile 12-17 Specialty aboard Star Spangled Genius.
Jay Teaford couldn’t have been more pleased with the success of JJ’s American Buck. This team earned three blue ribbon wins in the Amateur Owned and Trained Lite Shod Two Gait, the Four-Year-Old and Under Lite Shod Two Gait, and the Lite Shod Two Gait.
Dual blues were own by Curt Caldwell Stables. Julie Patterson and Extra’s Desiree were the 50 and Over Amateur Specialty champs for owner Larry Carriger. Curt Caldwell and Wild Dollar made an impressive ride in the Show Pleasure Specialty for Judah Carter.
How many blues is it now? Gypsy Lane Dusty Maid added two more to her lengthy resume` for Steve and Karen Skopec by winning the Plantation Pleasure Two Gait and the Amateur Owned and Trained Plantation Two Gait. McCall-Clamp Stables won their blue of the afternoon in the Park Pleasure Specialty with Strut’s Kentucky Senator for Golden Hawk Farms.
For the complete show story, see the printed edition of Walking Horse Report dated May 2, 2002.