by Jennifer Maack-Condren

BOLIVAR, Mo. - The forecast gave only a 20% chance of rain; like many forecast’s, that turned out not to be accurate. The rain started about an hour before show time and fell steadily throughout the evening. But, the 4th annual Bill Maack Memorial Show went on.

Doug Maack, grandson of the late Bill Maack, served as show chairman for the event. Susie Graham, Maack’s daughter, was the driving force behind the organizing and planning of this show. Graham’s diligence and efforts were certainly evident as all the details were once again attended to with precision.

The charity the Bill Maack family chose to receive the proceeds of this year’s show was the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, specifically the Halfway Rock-N-Roller’s Relay for Life Team. This team works to raise money to donate to the Relay for Life fund that supports individuals with cancer, remember those lost to the disease and to fight back with treatment and finding a cure for cancer. The show was appropriately held at the Bolivar Saddle Club Arena in Bolivar, Mo., where Bill Maack was a lifetime member.

Honorable Josh Taylor of St. Charles MO served as the judge for the 20-class docket. Floyd Posenke and Pearl Handle Six Shooter presented the flag as long time friend of Maack and the entire family.

The final gate call of the evening was for the Bill Maack Memorial Walking Horse Open class and it was a memorable class as Mike Maack claimed the blue aboard Half And Half, owned by Mike Maack. Brad Huffman directed Coin’s Noelle to the reserve tie for Susie and Rick Graham. 

Jim Huffman Stables and 4-J Land and Cattle Co. tied for the blue ribbon count with five each. Don Bills Stables took home four blues. The Nichols family earned two blues and individual wins went to Brad Huffman Stables, Manes Stables and Mike Maack Stables.

 Mother Nature could have cooperated with better weather, then again is the glass half empty or half full, there was no wind or thunderstorm, just rain.  The Bill Maack family was very pleased with the turnout and for the proceeds that were made for the Relay for Life charity and will begin working towards next year’s show.

Complete results can be viewed by clicking here.