Tim Thompson of Murfreesboro, Tenn., joined the panel of six judges to evaluate the Walking Horse entries in an abbreviated class schedule. Show Manager Herriet Landrum went to great lengths to acomadate the NHSC-affiliate division, and assembled a top-notch team of officials and volunteers to keep the proceedings moving right along. Casey McBride was on hand to capture the action with his camera, while his staff produced proofs in record time.

Scottsdale’s usual Valley of the Sun weather ran true to form until the last day, when remnants of a record-breaking storm from California descended on the show grounds delivering torrents of rain on the arena's roof that were hard enough to drown out the announcer’s voice. Resourceful trainers took refuge under the grandstands to complete the show preparations, and the afternoon classes went on with minimal delay.

The Sunday afternoon rain did not dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm for the Open Stake Championship Team, Coin’s Night Flight and trainer Jimmy Norris. After a reserve tie in the preliminary class, they came back strong to earn the judge’s approval and the Carousel winner’s circle honors. Norris was riding for co-owners Bill and Will Carter, the father and son partners, who were on hand to support their entry.

Russ Thompson Stables claimed the lion’s share of the ribbons with 12 blues and a pair of tricolor sashes. The Gordon Family’s Park Pleasure star, Countdown’s Cordell Walker, prevailed in the divisional Amateur Specialty Preliminary and Championship classes with Kelly Gordon making the good rides. The Jenny Thompson/Dragonfire team likewise collected the Park Pleasure Open Preliminary and Championship titles for proud owners Noel and Roberta Williams.

Trish Wooten landed a pair of Lite shod blues with Silver’s True Design, who is sponsored by the Missouri based 4 J Land and Cattle Company. Single blues were added to the ribbon wall by eight talented entries. Eva McClure’s remarkable Motown Delight was teamed to the Open Preliminary win by Russ Thompson, while another McClure property, Mark’s Busting Loose, made a Show Pleasure debut appearance with Jenny Thompson in the irons.

The Legacy Walkers Ladies, Sue and Pat Harrington, were delighted with the season opening performances by their Open Specialty winner, My Double Pride And Joy, and the Open Three-Year-Old star, He’s Pushin The Ritz. Trainer Greg Bryant directed both of the Legacy backed entries to winners’ circle honors.

Gerre Mann and her venerable bay gelding, Bart Starr, made another good ride to top the Amateur Specialty competition for the Mort and Gerre Mann ownership. The Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty tie belonged to Melvin Parham and Strictly Sensational, while stable-mate Generator’s Bear joined forces with Doug Graham to claim the Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty blue for Doug and Denia Graham’s Dream Acres.

Former owner/exhibitor Dorothy Curley was welcomed back to the show ring with a new horse and a new name. Now Dorothy Domanski, she rode her Lite Shod mount, Bad News Tradition, to the Novice Specialty title for Mr. and Mrs. David Domanski.

Golden West Farms fielded flat shod and padded entries who carried six blues and two tricolor sashes out of the show ring. The nationally recognized Double Java had three winner’s circle moments for the Lite Shod Open Specialty tie with Manuel Rodriguez aboard, and the Amateur Specialty qualifier and championship honors with catch-rider Bobbie Parady for out-of-town owners Mark and Marcy Drummond.

Tim Schamber decided to put his week-old partnership with Tennessee Extra Cash to the test and came away with the Novice Amateur Specialty blue, before besting a good class of Open Specialty Championship contenders on Sunday afternoon. Tim and Tammie Schamber sponsor the newly purchased property.

Frank and Linda Woodbury were on the rail to root for their flashy Chief Sierra, who was ridden to the Spotted Saddle Horse English and Western blues by trainer Manuel Rodriguez. He was also the trainer of record in the Plantation Open Specialty class that found Gold’s Society Paige in the spotlight. Owner/breeder Mike and Marilee Moran were very pleased with their “Baby Paige.”

The Pollack’s Silver Spur Ranch team motored down from their Silicon Valley home base to claim six Scottsdale blues and a pair of tricolor sashes, including the previously mentioned Open Stake Championship with Coin’s Night Flight. Patti Pollack was the designated rider for the S & P Farms stock, especially the handsome Our Mr. Hollywood, who added the Lite Shod Western Open and Amateur Specialty blues and the English/Western Open Championship sash to his impressive collection.

The Park Pleasure Western Amateur Specialty and Open Specialty events belonged to Patti and Mr. Chili Pepper, with daughter Ashley taking over the reins for the Flat Shod Junior Rider honors. Armed To Push and Mrs. Pollack made a good ride in the 15.2 Amateur Specialty class to claim yet another top ribbon.

Owner/trainer Maggie Moore made her trip from Southern California worthwhile by collecting all of the Trail Pleasure ribbons with her two stable-mates. He’s A Wrangler landed the Amateur Specialty preliminary and championship ties as well as the Model blue for good measure. Olympic Gold Performance was teamed to the Novice Specialty and Amateur Three-Gait ties for the Harvey and Maggie Moore ownership.