by Sharon Manning

RENO, NV- With the fourteenth annual Western States Celebration in the record books, the show was considered a success in spite of lost entries as a result of the USDA activity at the late Septemer Vancouver horse show. The three-day event was held October 12-14 at the Reno Livestock Events Center, ws blessed with wonderful weather for the convergence of horses and exhibitors from Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and of course, Nevada. Reno officially marks the end of the show season in the western states, and presents an opportunity for one last hurrah before the onset of winter.

Judging the 130 classes for all levels of Walking Horse competition were Donnie May of Richmond, Kentucky, and Larry Derryberry of Pulaski, Tennessee. Show manager Mary K. Hartman's team included Secretary Donna West, Entry Clerk Rose Ann Allard, Announcer Bill Hartman, Ring Steward Chuck Herb, Ring Clerks Nina Lovejoy and grand-daughter Nina, Paddock Steward Marilyn Herb, in charge of the gate, Harriet Cappuccio, Organist Don ????? and Farrier Don Beekman. Rick Osteen was on hand to photograph the action, with Take-One Video taping the proceedings.

The show ring is always dark on Saturday night to make time for the exhibitors party, which was held downtown at the Silver Legacy, thanks to a very generous benefactor who sposored the affair. An extensive silent auction display generated additional fuds for the show's charity, the Children's Miracle Network. Linda Steves was recognized and thanked for her time and effort in organizing the fundraiser.

The center ring was decked out in an impressive patriotic theme that reflected a great deal of planning and execution on the part of Susan Gordon and assistant Steve Schell. The Sunday afternoon event that concluded the show was the Open Championship, which found the Motown Delight/Russ Thompson team powering their way to a second consecutive title for proud owner, Eva McClure. The popular little horse with the big attitude exited the ring to the sound of approval from the legion of fans.

Team Thompson also topped the ribbon tally with 24 blues and 11 championships. Always front and center with a contribution to the ribbon wall, the Gordon family properties account for two Amateur Specialty victories with WGC A Specialist directed flawlessly by Susan Gordon, and a pair of top ribbons collected by Open Two-Year-Old champion, Ritz's Perfect Touch, with Ray Reis aboard.

Sheila Kyle and her Lite Shod star, WGC Genius' Dixie Chick, cut the tops out of the trees with four blues and three championships in English and Western competition. Trainer Trish Wooten shared the reins and collected the Western ribbons.

Nadea Watt's Park Pleasure mount, Bad News Gold Hard Cash, reigned supreme in Open and Amateur competition for six blue and championships. Trainer Wooten and Dawn Bransfield handled the riding assignments.

Gary and Carleen Redman backed a pair of winners in the form of Park Pleasure Two-Year-Old Joltin' Joe Dimaggio, who had dual blues with Carleen and Trish Wooten, and Mo's Trick Or Treat, with Ray Reis aboard for the Open Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings award. The Russ Thompson-sposored Pride's Summer Solstice earned five Trail Pleasure and Model ribbons with Dawn Bransfield in charge of the appearances.

Cheryl Reidy was pleased with the Park Pleasure Preliminary and championship wins with her Magical Illusionist. Countdown's Cordell Walker made his west coast debut as a Park Pleausre Three-Year-Old for a pair of blues with Jamey Thompson riding for Guylene Ozlanski. Single blues were accepted by Kylee Sargento and Time To Glo, Ron Kascius and Ultimate Danger, Noel Williams and Dangerous Outlaw, and Todd Munson Child with Ask Not.

Golden West Farms followed closely with 20 blues and seven tricolor awards on the tack room wall. Poplar Creek Farms backed a pair of Reno stars with Julie Wharton and her Double Trouble for dual blues, and Invictus, who was the Amateur Three-Year-Old champion with Charles Wharton aboard.

Several entries scored preliminary and championship victories: Walking On Thin Ice and Greg Bryant aced the Open Three-Year-Old competition for the proud Legacy Walkers ownership.l The Player had an Amateur Four-Year-Old win with owner John Parady before moving on to the age group championship with Scott Benham. Score's Charm teamed with Shawn Benham for the Show Pleasure qualifying blue and tricolor awards, while Luke Benham followed his father and uncle to the winner's circle with his cute little Spotted mare, Mary B. Chestnut. They debuted to a preliminary win and a Sunday afternoon Specialty championship. Captain Joe's Reward likewise collected a Park Pleasure blue and tricolor sash with Adrienne Cappuccio doing the honors. Coin's Sweet Dream walked to three Lite Shod Pleasure blue and a championship with three different riders. Paul and Donna Hughes sponsor the good young mare. Dual blues went to Arnie Axler Park Pleasure mount, Dream's Magic Bum, and to Double Java, who stars in the Lite Shod ranks for Mark and Marcy Drummond. Frank and Linda Woodbury's Chief Sierra walked to a Spotted Horse championship under the direction of Manuel Rodriquez with the proud owners looking on.

Single blues were added to the display by Amateur Specialty Mares and Geldings winners, Twilight Generator and Nelgene Bourne; Amateur Two-Year-Old champions, GeneratingThis Kiss and Donald Steves; Show Pleasure preliminary star Gold's First Paige with Hannah Pulvers up for Mike and Marilee Moran; Junior Mares winner, Classic Score and Greg Bryant riding for Mort and Gerre Mann, and Chief Battle Cry with Tara Beck for Hofster and Hughes.

Diane Gueck's Cheveaux Stables entries came away with 10 blues and a championship from their Reno outing. Gen's Miracle Lady returned to competition with a flourish and collected four first place ties with Diane and Michele Mercier doing the honors for Sanni Mathews. Another Mathews-sponsored property, Dangerous Rising Star, was called for dual blues, with Sharon Gueck DeFord and Heather Fitzgerald making the good rides. The newest Mathews star, She's Pretty Ritzy, scored the Yearling Filly and Combined Weanling/Yearling Championship with Sharon Gueck DeFord at the lead. A Beam Come True and DeFord topped the Lite Shod Open Specialty event, while Miss Magic Money and Diane Gueck landed the LIte Shod English and Western Open Specialty awards for the Gueck and Mathews alliance.

The Bouquet Creek group loves to show in Reno, and having a good show is to be expected. Bill and Betsy Marzinzik's stock was in the spotlight frequently, with their LIte Shod Pleasure mare leading the way with three blues and a championship under Bill's direction.

International star Pay At The Pump was shown to the Trail Pleasure Junior Rider recognition by grand-daughter Shayna Shaw, and to the divisional Amateur Championship by younger sibling, Lauren Shaw. Trainer/dughter Wendy Shaw took charge of Pushin' For Pleasure to claim the LIte Shod Open Three-Year-Old and Lite Shod Four-Year-Old Open Specialty awards. Shayna and Jamey Thompson teamed up for the Lite Shod Pro/Am class with Mama's Hands as their trusty steed. They prevailed in a unique format with the Janis Brown property. The Bouquet Creek final ribbon count was seven blues and a pair of tricolors.

Laurie Toone showed under the Circle T Stables banner one last time before her departure for Oklahoma. Her five blues earned by Darwin and Linda James properties A Style File, Lite Shod Western Amateur Specialty with Rebecca Carroll and Lite Shod Western Four and Under Open Specialty with trainer Toone, and Regal Rebel, Lite Shod Pleasure Four and Under Open Specialty with Toone; Sue Carroll's new prospect, Absolutely Grand, delighted her owner with the first blue ribbon in Lite Shod Western Novice Specialty competition with Rebecca Carroll directing; and with Common Denominator in the Trail class for owner Doug Toone.

Frank White Stables had three Reno blues on the tack room wall, thanks to Three-Year-Old Stallion winner, Pride Of Skywatch, the Four-Year-Old Stallions Open Specialty property, Pride of Coin, and the Yearling Colt champion, Bustin' The Lights Out. All were shown to the good ribbons by Frank White.

The Courtesy Stables success came with two LIte Shod Specialty and Model Stallions win with Kathy Beard's Delight's Midnight Threat. Chevalle Ranch customers gathered to celebrate a Lite Shod Pleasure Western Preliminary and championship with Pam Nickell and her Genius' Dixie Dude, and a spotted Yearling class blue for Costa Colors Cappuccino and owner Peggy Alexander. Kim Biehler was on hand to assist David Greene as he rode Cherokee REnegade to Lite Shod Western Amateur Preliminary and championship titles as well as the Basic Reining recognition. Tami Snodgrass was proud of her young students and their double blues. Amanda Glazier showed her Seattle Sue to the Spotted Horse Two and Over Halter title, and Felicia Mertens rode SAS Splash Of Color to the Halloween Costume class award.

The owner-trained entries were well represented in the Reno show ring. Loretta North and her Score's Wildcat accepted three Spotted Horse blues and the Water Glass trophy. Kathie Englich was thrilled with a pair of Lite Shod Pleasure blues and a tricolor awarded to her Generous George. Joey Manos rode Major General's Starbuck to dual Lite Shod ribbons for his dad, Reverend T. Manos, while Shelly Herman led Stun King to the Walking and Spotted Weanling class titles. Midnight Allen Reprise topped the Trail Pleasure Owner-trained event with Roberta Brady, with the Equitation recognition going to young Christina Sawtell and Nancy Ryans 17 year old mare, Alpine Meadow.

For the complete show results see the printed edition of Walking Horse Report dated November 12th, 2001.