By Janet G. Bullis

DOBSON, N.C. - The Spring Show, which is annually put on by the North Carolina Walking Horse Association, could not escape the rain this year. The show, which was originally scheduled for April 19 in Winston-Salem, N.C., was rained out and had to be rescheduled for May 3 at Fisher River Park in Dobson, N.C. The rains started up about an hour before the 4:00 p.m. show time, but they did subside and the show finally started at 4:45 p.m. with Ronald Mosley carrying the flag on Classic Rebel. Scott Frye, the announcer, gave the invocation and Jessica Holmes gave an outstanding rendition of our national anthem. Madeline Griggs, the organist kept a lively note to the show, despite the intermittent rains, with her music. Tonya and Paige Davis kept everything in order in center ring and presented the trophies and ribbons to the winners. Eddie Wheatley was the farrier for the show. Jack Davis made an excellent ringmaster, even though he said it was his first time. The honorable Tommy Blackwell was the judge for the 197 entries in the 32 classes.

The first class of the show was the Plantation Open Lite-Shod Specialty. Independent Council and Abby Henderson won the blue for Cindy McManus in this class. The reserve went to Commands Golden Rule and Eric McManus. Doing Time certainly didn't let the conditions affect his performance. He made a great show with Debbie Simpson up in the Ladies Amateur Specialty. Malaya Jester and The Red Stroke made the right strokes and won the reserve tie for Jimmy Adams. I’m Shania and Gordon Ezzell won the Plantation Pleasure Open Specialty. John Callicut and Fashion Watch carried out the red ribbon. Trainer, Rick Abee was a winner with A Dumas Masterpiece for Tina Sloan in the Three-Year-Old Open. David Polk up for Robert Reid was reserve on I Say Command.

The Youth 11& Under is always a favorite class for the spectators. There were eight good competitors in the class. The winning ribbon went to Cut The Deck and Slylar MacLeod from Don Lominac Stables. Dude's Big Man and Mackenzie Hatfield made the reserve ride. Judge's Golden Generator and Jessica Holmes began their blue ribbon night by winning the Plantation Lite-Shod Youth Class. Corey Erna and The Razz Man were reserve in this nice class.

I’m Shania and Gordon Ezzell won their second blue for the night in the Plantation Pleasure Amateur Owned & Trained class. As in the other plantation class, John Callicut and Fashion Watch were reserve.

After a great show in Clemson, Mike McBrayer and Design's Checkmate continued with their winning ways by taking the blue in the NCWHA Members Only class. DeeDee Polk won the red banner on Jubilee Uprising. Ronald Mosley made owner Terry Butler happy by winning the Plantation Pleasure Four & Under on Chips Queen Of Hearts. Joe Manis and Nothing Fitz Like A Ritz were reserve in the class. Mr. Tyler Baucom and his winning horse, Mr. Rolex, won the Country Pleasure class. Katherine Scott carried home the red ribbon with Gen's Ultra Threat. Megan Hatfield had her daddy,Mark, all smiles as she made her way to center ring for her win with Doc's Gore in the Youth 12-17. Classic Rebel and Bryce Holcomb made a good show to win the reserve tie for Ronald Mosley Stables. Angela Tuck won the NCWHLA Members class for owner Pamela Larrowe with JFK's Jubilation Sun. Angelyn Ezzell was reserve with I’m Shania.

Owner, Buddy Stasney has a new horse to be happy about. Trainer Chad Baucom made a magical show to win the Two-Year-Old Open on Push The Magic. Joe Haulk was reserve on Awesome Reve for David Vaugh. The Performance Pleasure class was won by Just Feels Kinda Crazy and Will Allen for Greg McMillian. Bobby Wycoff and All American Star made the red ribbon ride in this class. Malaya Jester had the command of the class as she and Commanding Gold won the NCWHLA Members Only for Jimmy and Judy Vernon. Ann Callicut and My Bright Star were reserve for Baucom Stables. The Western Plantation Pleasure Open Specialty was won by Andy Carter for Bob Cline on Poppy's Final Twist. Marisa McEntee captured the red ribbon with Threat's Ultra Big Mack.

Kelly Dysart Duschel was beaming with pride as trainer Grandy Tuck and Sweepstakes Beam made their way to the winner’s circle in the Four-Year-Old Open Specialty. Rick Abee and Dangerous In Black were reserve for Mark Connelly. Another winner from Clemson, S.C., I’m Game and Clay Mills won the Two-Year-Old Amateur class. This wining duo is prepared for the ring by Baucom Stables. Derek Monahan came down from Virginia to take the reserve tie for Jim Flether on Ebb’s Rebel Yell.

Just About Time and Ronald Mosley beat out a field of eleven competitors to win the Show Pleasure Open Specialty for Janice and Bill Jones. Grandy Tuck and Ultra Special Pusher were reserve in the class. Will Walk For Cash lived up to his name. He and Amy Pate won the pony class for Polk and Flowe. Jessica Holmes and Judge's Golden Generator won the Western Plantation Lite-Shod Specialty. Corey Erna and The Razz Man won the red ribbon. Design's Midnight and Lisa Jordon made a trip to the winner's circle for Mickey and Bonnie Preslar in the Amateur 15.2 & Under class. Kevin Varner is the trainer for this entry. DeeDee Polk showed her horse, Generator's Power Punch, to take the red ribbon.

The Amateur Owned & Trained class had ten entries. The Heat Is On and Don Helms made the winning show in this class. Bobby Wycoff and Secret Touch Of Gold were reserve in the class. Ken Willis enjoyed his winning ride on Generator's Cash Money in the Three-Year-Old Amateur class. Andy Carter had Jewel Abee and Who’ Ya Daddy ready for the ring as they won the reserve tie out of 12 entries. Mo Bucks is one big horse, but he can perform. He and owner, Billy Frost won the Men’s Amateur Specialty class from Ronald Mosley Stables. Joe Manis and I’m Strictly Business were reserve in the class. Darrell Walker prepared this team for the ring.

The Cash Collector was ready to collect first place. He and Amanda Dickerson won the Plantation Pleasure Youth Specialty. Jewel Abee up for parents, Johnny and Nancy Abee, was reserve on The General In Black. The Feel and David Polk had the right feel to make the winning show in the Open Specialty for Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hill. Pushing right behind was the team of Centennial Pusher and Ronald Mosley winning the reserve tie for Holcomb and Mosley. Jessica Holmes won her third blue of the night with Judge's Golden Generator in the Lite-Shod Specialty Championship class. Eric McManus and Commands Golden Rule won the reserve place.

Lady It's Showtime can really put on a show. She and owner Tina Holt won the Four-Year-Old Amateur class. Shirley Boger and The Man In Control won the red banner for Ronald Mosley Stables. Baucom Stables had the team of Clay Mills and Jubilee's Rising Star ready for the ring as they won the Amateur Stake class. Don Helms and Strokin Stroller were reserve in the class. The Plantation Pleasure Championship honors went to Grandy Tuck and JFK’s Jubilation Sun for owner Pamela Lawrowe.

The rain was back and coming down in torrents by the time the stake rolled around, but that didn't keep five good entries from showing their best in the class. Coming out on top was The Snow Job and David Polk for Debra Coleman. He didn’t let the weather hamper his performance. Ronald Mosley and The Red Stroke were reserve for Jimmy Adams. The third place tie went to A Last Command and Shawn Abee for Judy Poindexter.

This concludes the highlights from the NCWHA Spring Show.