By Janet Bullis

DALLAS, N.C. - Everyone has heard of people who didn’t have enough sense to get in out of the rain. Well on May 17, 2003, that statement was true of walking horse enthusiasts at the NCWHLA “Walking for the Children” Horse Show at Biggerstaff Park in Dallas, N.C. Despite the rainy weather there was still a good number of entries and excellent competition in the 33 class show. The honorable Joe Herald judged the 198 entries. Jane Frye was the organist and her son, Scott Frye, was the announcer. John Hyman was the ringmaster and Rick Greene was the farrier for the show.

The NCWHLA had a beautiful opening ceremony that included four of its members carrying the banner for the auxiliary while Mr. Neil Leslie sang “God Bless The U.S.A.” Each winner was awarded a floral horseshoe, a medallion and a crystal vase as well as their blue ribbon and a cash prize. The benefits of the show went to support Holy Angels, Inc., at Belmont Abbey in Belmont, N.C.

Each of the four Stake contenders was announced separately as they entered the ring. After a complete workout, MG Above The Rest and Shawn Abee were called to center ring as the winners. This winning duo adds more prizes to Tom and Sissy Weese's collection as they continue to win. Pusher's Clown and Chad Baucom made a good show to claim the reserve title for Caroline Equine. Another winner from Abee Stables was Shawn Abee and Whisper Of JFK as they won the 15.2 & Under Open Canter class for Tom Shipman.

Baucom Stables topped the list of blue ribbons with seven wins. Chad Baucom in the irons for Michael Hartley won the Plantation Pleasure 4 Years & Under with Adonis' Lady Carbon. Madison Holloway had a big grin on her face as she won the Pony 17 & Under with her horse Eb's Magic Motion. Buddy Stasney continues on a blue ribbon streak with his two-year-old Push The Mark to win the Two-Year-Old Amateur class. Madison Holloway won her second floral horseshoe with Pushin The Limits in the Youth 12-17 division.

The Pro-Am has become a popular class. Lisa Howard and Chad Baucom were awarded first place out of the twelve entries this year. Joseph Bartholomew showed Down On Mainstreet to perfection as he won another three-year-old class, this time the Three-Year-Old Open class. Tyler Baucom and his pony Mr. Rolex won the Youth Country Pleasure class.

David Polk Stables had three wins. Brandon Simmons beat out 10 other entries to win the Three-Year-Old Amateur on I Say Command for Robert Reid. Tina Holt and her horse Lady It's Showtime won the Four-Year-Old Amateur class. Brandon Simmons made a return ride to win the 15.2 & Under Amateur on Generator's Power Punch for David and DeeDee Polk.

Ronal Mosley Stables came up with two blues to their credit. Ronald Mosley won the Mares & Geldings Open for owner Madeline Griggs with Flashy's Loose Cannon. Ronda Hull won the NCWHLA class on Sure Threat's Masterpiece for Alexander and Griggs.

Kistler Stables also had two wins. Danny Kistler won the Four-Year-Old Open on Voodoo's Black Magic for Barringer and Fortenberry. Owner-rider Lora Fortenberry won the Country Pleasure 18 & Over on M&M Delight.

Malaya Jester won two classes. She won the SCWHLA on Commanding Gold for Judy and Jim Vernon and the NCWHLA Plantation Pleasure with Ultra's Executive for David Mozeley. Amanda Dickerson won the Plantation Pleasure Youth on her horse Cash Collector and also the Plantation Pleasure Stake Specialty. Jessica Holmes was also a double winner. She won the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Amateur and the Light-Shod Stake with her horse Judge's Golden Generator.

The Amateur Stake Specialty was won by Five Star Ritz and Buddy Stasney for Robey Wycoff. Pride's Lady Di and Beverly McLeod were the winners of the Amateur Stake Canter class. This winning duo is prepared for the ring by Tommy Blackwell.

Bonner Stables had a winner with Erica Duckworth and Pride's Big Sky in the Youth 11 & Under class.

A happy Kelly Starling won the NCWHA Members Only class on Ice Cold Cash for Baker's Inc. Trainer Alvin Strickland had the team of Terry Strickland and Design's Silverstone ready for the blue ribbon ride in the Pony 18 & Over class. The Two-Year-Old Open was won by Bobby Kellet and Mama' Almighty Dollar for owner Charlie Bell. License To Thrill and Amy Abee were directed to the winner's circle by Keith Bryant in the Show Pleasure Amateur specialty class.

Ultimate Warrior and Milly Player made the blue ribbon ride in the Amateur Owned and Trained for Player, Buckner and Bumgardner. The Plantation Pleasure Amateur owned & Trained class was won by Sandy Brumbaugh and her horse What If. A Red Ball Jet came out on top to win the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Youth with Kevin Helms in the irons for The Helms family.

This concludes the highlights of the NCWHLA “Walking for the Children” Horse Show. Complete results follow and may be viewed, searched and printed from our website at www.walkinghorsereport.com.