by Linda Scrivner

            SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The beautiful Illinois State Fairgrounds, in full bloom with fall plants and colors, was the site for the Illinois Walking Horse Association 40^th Year Anniversary Fall Classic Horse Show for the benefit of the Shriner’s Children Hospital. When visitors entered the lighted arched gates, they entered one of the prettiest and modern, up-to-date show grounds anywhere. The show was held Oct. 11-13 and drew 397 entries compared to 465 entries in 2006 and 369 entries in 2005. Don Campbell of Guthrie, Ky., expertly and efficiently judged the 76-class event and the IWHA Futurity that was held Friday afternoon.

            The Bi-State Regional Futurity was held Saturday, Oct.13, at 11 a.m. Pamela Wallace of Girard, Ill., judged the Futurity.

            This show is known for its hospitality and this year was no exception. Everyone enjoyed biscuits and gravy, soups, sandwiches, drinks, desserts and Steak N Shake chili each day of the show. The hospitality barn was a place that made everyone feel welcome. Ben and Sue Traux were hosts and provided and prepared the food at their own expense. Everyone enjoyed their hospitality tremendously. On Friday night, IWHA provided a post-show pizza party. Old friends had a chance to visit again and many new friends were made.

            President Larry Arvin thanked everyone who exhibited and made it such a great show. He also thanked the Shriners for their support and to the IWHA members for their dedicated work that made it all possible. Arvin stated, “In 1976 our IWHA founders started a tradition where owners of Tennessee Walking Horses could have a forum to get together and show our wonderful breed at planned events throughout the year, develop friendships and have fun as a family unit

            “Today, with this being our 49^th year anniversary as an association, we continued that tradition with the same spirit with which we began. Our loyal members continue to support all venues that our association offers.

            “I commend our Board of Directors, committees and members who continued to give it their all to make sure our events are well planned and executed. Thanks to everyone, our horse shows, versatility, futurity, trail ride, high point, charity and youth programs are the strongest they have ever been. As president of IWHA, I thank you for your support and fellowship. Let’s continue the tradition!”

            The highlight of the show was the Larry Sours Memorial Grand Championship Stake on Saturday night, Miss Sharon Stone, ridden by Eddie Barclay, for owner Erwin Botsch of Bernir, Mo., captured the roses, crystal, championship cooler and the stake tricolor after an exciting class with the audience loudly cheering on their favorites. The crowd applauded the champion as he made a flawless victory pass. Grande wore the reserve ribbon, ridden by Brad Huffman for owners Rick Morrison and June Clark of Ozark, Mo. Third was awarded to Victory Colors and Jim Huffman for Jim and Donna Huffman of Ozark, Mo., following their recent Stake victory at the Midwest Trainers’ Show.

            Dickie Scrivner of Tan View Farm led the blue ribbon tally with 16 blues, including six stake classes. Jeff Givens Stables returned home with 14 blues, including two stakes classes. Ken Taylor Stables earned seven blues, including two stakes. Eddie Barclay Stables and Tom White won six blues each. Barclay’s wins included two stakes. Kate Carter Stables won five blues, including two stakes and Huffman Family Stables earned five blues, including one stake title. Cynthia Natzke earned four blues while Drew Graves Stables, Mike Janeway, Dennis Hills, and Debbie Raup earned three blues each. Charlie Brown, Daniel Cullers and Dennie Smith earned dual blues.

            Parole won five of the 16 blues for trainer Dickie Scrivner of Tan View Farm. Scrivner won the Four and Under Park Pleasure Specialty class on Thursday night and the Park Pleasure Specialty Stake on Saturday night. Gene Means won the 10-entry Amateur Park Pleasure Specialty class on Friday, the Park Pleasure Western Specialty class Saturday afternoon, then returned Saturday evening to claim the Amateur Park Pleasure Specialty Stake aboard this talented gelding. This show was Parole’s debut under Tan View Farm’s banner and he made a clean sweep of the classes that he showed in, even though he is just three-years-old.

            World Grand Champion Jose Quervo Gold earned three blues for Tan View at this competitive show as he debuted under the new ownership of Davis and Williamson. He first claimed the 10-entry Lite-Shod Western Specialty with Joanne Davis up Thursday evening and returned with her to win the Lite-Shod Stake on Saturday evening. Curtis Williamson also rode Jose Quervo Gold in the Amateur Lite-Shod Specialty class to victory on Friday.

            Current reserve world grand champion and World Champion Commanding Dakota returned to Illinois to win the same three classes that he did in 2006. Dickie Scrivner directed Commanding Dakota to the blue in the Men’s Lite-Shod Specialty on Thursday evening. On Friday Kathy Owen and Commanding Dakota claimed victory in the Ladies Lite-Shod Specialty class. This team also wore the tricolor streamer from the ring in the Lite-Shod Specialty Stake Saturday evening.

            Wire Transfer and Dickie Scrivner claimed the Four-Year-Old Specialty class on Thursday in one of the most competitive classes of the show. The team also won the Four-Year-Old Specialty Stake on Saturday.

            Beamin Dollar and Dickie Scrivner won the 11-entry Open Show Pleasure Specialty class Thursday evening with an excellent show. Linda Scrivner and Number One Commander won the Open Amateur class just as they did in 2006. Doc Ty made his debut at Illinois with proud new owner Lauren Williams. On Saturday evening, they won the crystal and tricolor in the 10-entry Amateur Specialty Stake class under Scrivner’s direction.

            Calvin Klein’s Obsession won six of the 14 blues for Jeff Givens Stables just as he did at the show last year. Givens won the SSH Model class and the SSH Lite-Shod Open class on Thursday, the SSH Lite-Shod Open Specialty class on Friday, the Lite-Shod Saturday afternoon and then the SSH Lite-Shod Specialty Stake Saturday evening. Owner Donald Knight won the Lite-Shod 50 and Over Specialty class on Saturday afternoon aboard this talented black and white stallion.

            Evil Patty Gray claimed four IWHA Fall Classic blues. On Thursday, Givens directed her to win the Park Pleasure English Specialty class the Men’s Park Pleasure Specialty on Friday evening. Sally Reiley made her debut on the stunning gray mare at Illinois and they won the Ladies Park Pleasure Specialty class Thursday and the Park Pleasure 50 and Over Specialty on Friday afternoon.

            In 2006, Magic Illusionist won six classes at Springfield. Both years Marina Barclay directed him to the Juvenile Lite-Shod Specialty title on Friday. Givens and Magic Illusionist also won the Lite-Shod English Specialty blue this year.

            He’s Majestic’s name fits him well. This beautiful deep chestnut stallion with flaxen mane and tail won the Park Performance Specialty Stake with Givens two years in a row as did Trigger Treat when he returned to win the Model class once again.

            Awesome Percolator earned two of the five blues won by Ken Taylor Stables. Ardythe Sommerville won the Two-Year-Old Amateur Specialty on Friday. Ken Taylor next claimed the Two-Year-Old Stake on Saturday.

            Jubilee’s Awesome Dream won two blues in the Show Pleasure division. Ardythe Sommerville claimed the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class on Friday and Ken Taylor won the 10-entry Show Pleasure Specialty Stake Saturday evening. Sommerville also rode her Masquerading Perfection to win both the IWHA Member Specialty on Thursday and the 50 and Over Amateur Specialty on Friday. Sommerville also won the 10-entry Amateur Park Performance title aboard Olympic Icon.

            The first of Eddie Barclay Stables six blues was won by Barclay and Dr. Brains, last year’s Two-Year-Old Amateur winner, in the Three-Year-Old class on Thursday. A Powerful Choice carried Noel Botsch to victory in the Amateur Specialty class Thursday. On Friday Shonda Murrell and Designated Qualified Push won the Ladies Amateur Specialty title. Marina Barclay directed Stroking On Sunday to win the Juvenile Show Pleasure Specialty title. In addition to the Grand Championship win Saturday, Noel Botsch won the Amateur Stake under Barclay’s guidance aboard Stocked With Cash.

            Kodachrome’s Snapshot won two of the six blues for Tom White. On Thursday they claimed the IWHA Futurity Two-Year-Old Lite-Shod and the IWHA Member Lite-Shod English Specialty blue Saturday afternoon.

            Last year Lightfoot’s Irish Crème won two blues in the Bi-State and the IWHA Futurities. This year White and Lightfoot’s Irish Crème won both the IWHA Futurity Three-Year-Old Lite-Shod and the Bi-State Regional Futurity Three-Year-Old Lite-Shod blues. Mark’s Pride Of The Arena and Tom White also won both the Two-Year-Old Park Pleasure classes in the IWHA Futurity and the Bi-State Regional Futurity.

            Gen’s Sundancer picked up three of the five blues won by Kate Carter Stables. On Friday Blaise Broccard directed Gen’s Sundancer to the blue in the Juvenile Park Pleasure Specialty title. Carter and Gen’s Sundancer first claimed the Park Pleasure Western title Saturday afternoon and returned Friday evening to win the Park Pleasure Stake tricolor. Patty Ayers and The First Command proudly won the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty after a flawless performance Friday night. Mike Burger aboard Dream’s A Reality won the IWHA Member Lite-Shod Specialty Stake under Carter’s guidance.

            My Cash At Midnight earned two of the five blues won by Jim Huffman of Huffman Family Stables. Donna Huffman directed her to a blue in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Specialty class on Friday and on Saturday won the Three-Year-Old Stake with Jim Huffman up. Huffman also won the Park Pleasure class aboard Coin’s Etched In Gold. Huffman directed Victory Colors to the blue in the Aged Open class Thursday. Glenn DeGraffenreid and Magic Impression won the 15.2 and Under class Friday under Huffman Stables’s banner.

            The team of Cynthia Natzke and B.K’s Nite To Remember claimed both the IWHA Member Lite-Shod Western Specialty and the Amateur Owned and Trained Lite-Shod Specialty classes. Natske also led Cherished By Nite to blues in the IWHA Futurity Yearling class and the Bi-State Regional Futurity Yearling Filly class.

            Drew Graves Stables trained horses also claimed three blues. Cody Satterfield and Another Smooth Operator won both the Juvenile Specialty Friday and the Juvenile Specialty Stake on Saturday. Graves made the victory pass in the Park Performance class aboard Bummin A Little Cash.

            Susan Hills won both the IWHA Futurity Two-Year-Old In Bridle title and the Bi-State Regional Futurity class with Sundrop’s Solar Eclipse. Dennis Hills and Paroled And In Trouble claimed a third blue in the Bi-State Regional Weanling Filly class.

            Ella Kline and trainer Mike Janeway are well known for their excellent young stock. They earned three IWHA blues. Ella Kline and The Game Of Love were the Weanling champions and Kline and Cash Card were the Yearling champions. Mike Janeway and The General’s Command won the Bi-State Regional Three-Year-Old class just as they won the Two-Year-Old class at Illinois last year.

            Debbie Raup won dual blues with her Chicago sired offspring. Chi-Town Hustler and Debby Raup claimed both the IWHA Futurity Weanling title and the Bi-State Regional Futurity Weanling Colt title.

            Tiny Dru Headley Thomas made her debut show ring performance under the guidance of trainer Charlie Brown at the Fall Classic. She won both the Trail Pleasure Western Specialty and the Trail Pleasure Specialty Stake aboard Dashing Flash. An excited Thomas exited the stake class with the excited, “Look, I won the big trophy!’.

            The team of Daniel Cullers and My Allie Oops won both the Amateur Owned and Trained Trail Pleasure Specialty blue and the Trail Pleasure English Specialty blue.

            Dennie Smith trained horses also claimed dual blues. Smith made the victory pass in the IWHA Member Park Pleasure Specialty class aboard Hot Shot and Final Audit won the Amateur Park Pleasure class with Michele Jacobson aboard. Final Audit won the IWHA Members Park Pleasure Specialty class last year.

            Brad Huffman claimed the Two-Year-Old with Macho’s Golden Coin. Kim Major and Outlaw’s Elegant Lady claimed the SSH Trail Pleasure Keg Shod Specialty class. Margaret Hickman directed Pusher’s Lady On The Loose down victory lane in the Open Specialty class after this talented mare won a class at the Fall Classic last year.

            Following their blue ribbon ride last year, Helen Clemens drove Pride’s Trigger Finger to the blue in the Pleasure Driving class this year. In the Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty class, Glenda Nichols and Delightful Romeo earned the blue for the second year in a row.

            Harold Roberts and Anne Hardin enjoyed victory in the Pro-Am Specialty class with City General. Kay Taylor and Lucky Brand claimed the Four and Under Lite-Shod Specialty class. Molly Fosdick claimed the Bi-State Regional Yearling Colt class leading You Jane Me Tarzan. In the Bi-State Regional Futurity class the judge selected the team of John Knight and Victory’s Mont Blanc to make the victory pass.

            Complete results follow and may be viewed, search and printed at www.walkinghorsereport.com.