by Linda Scrviner
TAZEWELL, Va. – The 32nd annual Tazewell County Walking Horse Classic was held in Tazewell, Va., July 26, at the fairgrounds. This show is always one of the highlights of the show circuit in Virginia and the neighboring states.
Billy Young of Shelbyville, Tenn., judged the 172 entries in the 35-class show. There were 192 entries in 2007. J.E. Brown, show manager, was hard at work as usual to make sure everything ran smoothly and on time.
This show is sponsored by the Tazewll-Russell Shrine Club. R.C. Roberts, president of the Shrine Club, commented on the show the evening before when they feed several hundred people, presented several awards and provided live music and dancing under the stars on Friday evening. “Welcome to the 32nd Tazewell County Walking Horse Classic! Our horse show has won numerous awards over the years and continues to be a success year after year. The Tazewell-Russell Shrine Club would like to thank all of the horse owners, trainers, their families and all walking horse enthusiasts, for without you there would be no horse show. The Tazewell-Russell Shrine Club is currently sponsoring 27 children from Buchanan, Russell and Tazewell counties who are bring treated in a Shriner’s hospital at no cost to their families. Thanks you for attending the horse show and supporting this worthwhile cause. Relax and enjoy the competition.”
Highlights of Friday evening consisted of presenting Rick and Della Compton a plaque for all their help and support for the show over the past years. Also, the Iron Titans Motorcycle Club presented the Shriners with a check for $15,000 for their charity.
Nightfall At The Ritz and Derek Monahan made an outstanding show to win the $2,500 Stake class out of five entries. Rom Folger was the happy and proud owner as his talented horse heads toward the Celebration. MOAB, another consistent winner, claimed the reserve position with Steve Hankins up for owner Della Gaye Compton. Third place honors went to Johnny Orlando and Mike Oney for Linda Patton. It was an exciting class with cheers from the audience for their favorites, especially when the judge called for a second running walk the second way.
Many different stables were represented, with Baucom Stables, Steve Hankins Stables, Compton Stables and Danny Kistler Stables earning a trio of blues each. Dual blues were won by Pat Baker, Mike Carter Stables, Todd Smith of Highland Stables and David Polk Stables. The remaining blues were won by Bobby Moss Stables, Benny Johnson Stables, Clay Mills, Ailshie Stables and Derek Monahan Stables.
Complete results can be viewed by clicking here.