by Debbie Graham
HUNTINGDON, Tenn. - The Billy M. Cary Memorial Walking Horse Show was held on June 1, 2007, at the Carroll County Civic Center and Fairgrounds in Huntingdon, Tenn.
The event is sponsored by Carey Counseling Center, Inc. and friends. Proceeds from the show benefit Carey to help it further its mission of providing quality mental health services to individuals in the area. Once again the center and show committee worked collectively to produce another successful horse show that provided an enjoyable evening filled with entertainment for everyone in attendance.
The mayor of Carroll County, Kenny McBride, served as Master of Ceremonies. Chandler Music of McKenzie, Tenn., entertained the crowd with their popular organ music. Henry Simpson of Huntingdon served as trumpeter. Gwain Wilson judged the 25 class offerings. Paul Horton handled the duties of ringmaster. Billy Harris provided farrier services. The official show photographer was Sid Abernathy.
The evening began with two classes for young exhibitors. The Stick Horse class had 10 youngsters who enjoyed their romp around the ring. The Lead Line class had two entries and both received top honors. Spence Stanfill was aboard Nemo and Preston Gates directed Geronimo’s Wildside.
In the first class of the evening, I’m A Ritz and Phillip Carter continued their winning season with a blue ribbon ride in the Juvenile 17 and Under class for the Barry Carter family riding under the Summer Crest Farms banner.
Next on the agenda was the Yearling class. The Major Splash and Andrea Nelson claimed top honors for Keith Baker under the guidance of Dr. Roger Richards.
A Major In Business and Jimmy McConnell collected the first of three Huntingdon titles for Formac Stables in the Two-Year-Old Riders’ Cup division for Leon and Clara Jean Forrester. Card Trick won the Pro/Am class with McConnell and Pam Betts directing for owner Bob Medina. In the final class of the evening, the Riders’ Cup Walking Horse Stake class, McConnell brought Mister Pushbutton to the Billy M. Cary Memorial tricolor for owners Glen and Virgie Crutchfield.
Southern Serenity Ranch received five top honors at Huntingdon. The first of these honors came in the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Specialty division with Starlight At The Ritz and Patrick Thomas claiming the victory for Karla Mitchell. Jim Nichols enjoyed two wins at Huntingdon. Armed And Dangerous Vanguard, the property of Dr. Kemp Higgenbothom, was crowned Amateur Park Pleasure Champion. Kid Wolf was in the spotlight in the Amateur Country Pleasure class for Terry Thomas. An All Mighty Dollar and Pat Cecil made the familiar ride to the winner’s circle in the Spotted Saddle Horse class. Reese’s Zone and Howard Hamilton made a blue ribbon debut in the Park Performance Specialty division for Randall and Gloria Dixon.
Eddie Barclay Stables received four Huntingdon titles. Bright Star’s Nightwatch and Cindy West collected the Amateur Park Performance title for Harold Miller. Two contenders from the show string owned by Noel and Robin Botsch made victory passes at Huntingdon. Noel Botsch directed Stocked With Cash to the Amateur Open title and also Dumas Energy to the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty title. Double Shot Of Gen was crowned Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty Champion with Marina Barclay in the irons for Holly Johnson.
Stanfill Stables had five victories at the show. The Lead Line title at the beginning of the show was the first win. The Major Flair and Stephanie Cagle were in the spotlight in the Amateur Owned and Trained class for Jerrod and Stephanie Cagle. Skywalk and Seth Stanfill were in top form to claim the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty title for Billy Stanfill. A talented colt sired by Skywalk, Skywalk In Bronze, topped the Three-Year-Old Stallion class with Judy Stanfill in the irons for Billy Stanfill. E-Male carried Judy Stanfill to her second victory in the Amateur Specialty class for Vickie Stanfill.
Falcon Ridge Farm had dual wins at Huntingdon. My JFK’s Tiny Dancer and Bart Gilmer gained blue ribbon recognition in the Three-Year-Old Open Riders’ Cup class for Andrew Morrison. Come To Papa and Lillian Gaines were in the winner’s circle at the conclusion of the Ladies Amateur Specialty class.
On the heels of their recent Holly Springs title, Pushover’s Super Dollar and Bill Williams topped the Two-Year-Old Amateur class for Great Oaks Farm. She’s In Command And Armed and Gail McCullar claimed their second blue in a row in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class for McCullar and Olive. High Ball Bandit and Shelley Gibson earned the top spot in the Open Saddle Horse Grand Championship.
Complete results follow and can be viewed at www.walkinghorsereport.com.