By Linda Scrivner

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. - Nestled in a valley among green rolling hills, the historic town of Lynchburg is known for its excellent horse show held in July each year, as well as its Jack Daniel’s Distillery, the Lenox China Story, its famous restaurants on the square and the Walking Horse Museum. Parading across the square on July 17 was a steady, bumper to bumper, stream of cars, trucks and trailers heading for the Thomas Wiseman Park. This show is known for its excellent food, including homemade ice cream and hot beans and cornbread that everyone comes early to eat before the excitement begins. The quiet little town bustles this weekend. This year the show sold box seats for the first time and, there were over 75 additional requests. Many people have already purchased their boxes for the next season which shows how much in demand this show it. Several rows of lawn chairs were placed behind the boxes and space was at a premium with the huge crowd.

“There were 220 entries compared to 216 in 2003, but our crowd was up considerably. We were extremely pleased with the response of quality entries and all those in attendance,” said show spokesman Billy Thomas.

Bill Bailey of Russell Springs, Ky., handled the judging of the many quality entries shown at the 18th Annual Moore County Horse Show, many of whom may go on to become world champions. Photographer was Sherry Oxford. Master of ceremonies Bobby Sands and organist Brian Perry kept the crowd entertained.

As the evening went on the horses got better and better and the crowd waited anxiously as Bailey selected the 2004 Lynchburg Grand Champion from seven excellent contenders. The fans expressed their approval as Billy Gray and The Outlaw Josey Wales made the victory pass. Stepping out in elegant style in his best performance yet, The Outlaw Josey Wales is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Larry McLaughlin. Reserve was awarded to Revelation and Bill Bobo for Bill Harlin. Third place went to A Major Masterpiece and Robby Black for Black Gold Farm. Their fans screamed loudly for this team when they were announced and as they exited the gate.

Top horses from 21 various barns carried home 2004 Lynchburg blues. At the top of the list were Derickson Training Facility and David Landrum Stables with three blues for the evening. Dual blues were won by Knox Blackburn Stables, Sammy Day Stables, Charlie Green Stables, Nelms Training Facility and Southern Comfort. The remaining blues were awarded to Barnes Training Facility, Bobo Stables, Allan Callaway Stables, Bobby Fann, Finish Line Farm, Jeff Green, Charlie Howard, Bart Lovvorn of Brook Haven Farm, Dickie Scrivner of Tan View Farm, Blake Sims Stables, Ronnie Spears Stables, Connie Waldo, Chad Williams Stables, and Brian Wright.

The first blue of the three won by Derickson Training Facility came in the Youth Medallion class as Maria Derickson and Watch For Glory walked to the blue in their third consecutive win in this division.

Those who had come to see Brenda Carlon and Cut The Smoke weren’tdisappointed. This team performed a flawless show and the crowd voiced their approval of this chestnut stallion. Carlon made the victory pass in the 12-entry 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class under the direction of Derickson Training Facility. This team is certainly a contender for its division at the 2004 Celebration. Many felt this showing was the team’s best this season.

Another class that held the crowd’s attention was the Two-Year-Old Amateur class. The crowd was on the edge of their seats in this class. Bailey awarded the blue to the exciting team of Delight Of Jose and Maria Derickson in their debut performance.

David Landrum Stables’ first blue was won by multi-titled world champion Andrew Johnson. Andrew Johnson and Joe Cotten exited the ring to thunderous applause as they made the victory pass in the Show Pleasure Specialty division.

In addition to Andrew Johnson and Cotten’s win, David Landrum Stable won two more blues. Aaron Self claimed the blue with Santana’s Coin. Self directed Santana’s Coin down victory lane following the Park Pleasure Specialty class. Brother Splash and Joe Cotten were victorious in the 15.2 and Under class at Lynchburg, one of the best of the evening. This was the second blue of the evening for owners Virginia Stewart and Gene Schafer of Evergreen Walking Horse Farm.

Knox Blackburn Stables’ dual blues began with Erin Graf winning the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty Stallions title aboard Real Bad Score. Their second blue was won by Redman Uprising and Megan Batey in a tough class, the Youth 12-17 Specialty class. They made a crowd-pleasing victory pass.

Sammy Day Stables’ first blue was won by Eagleville’s Pony champion, Pusher’s Midnight Delight and Reagan Thompson as they walked to victory in another Walking Pony class. Their second blue of the evening came with Edition’s Power Pusher and Day winning in the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings division.

Charlie Green Stables enjoyed dual wins with Dr. Clifford Garrard riding hard to win the first blue aboard The American Choice. This duo claimed the Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallions title. Green’s second blue was won by Jordan Eldridge in the irons on Music In The Sky. They claimed the Ladies Amateur Mare and Geldings Specialty blue.

Nelms Training Facility is well known for its outstanding halter champions. Their first blue was won by Robert Nelms leading Aerial Assault in the Weanling class. Nelms also won the 11-entry Yearling Stallions class leading Enrique Enrique down victory lane.

In addition to the Championship stake victory, Southern Comfort Training Facility captured the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings title. Frankie Roark made an outstanding show aboard Flying Fortress to get the approval of Bailey.

The first blue of the evening was awarded to Charlie Howard on Regal Rebel in the 10-entry Country Pleasure class. Shaker’s Little Midnight and Jordan Dempsey, led by grandfather Charles Gleghorn, added another Lead-line victory to their lengthy resume. Brett Boyd Stables of Brook Haven Farm prepare this team for the showring.

The 2003 World Grand Champions Alex Bumpus and Settle The Score proudly earned another Equitation Medal Class. They recently captured the Bedford FFA Equitation at Shelbyville, Tenn., also. Dickie Scrivner of Tan View Farm proudly presents this pair and Bumpus is instructed by Faye Lynn Coffey.

The Lite-Shod Specialty was next on the agenda. Connie Waldo rode Drop The Hammer to the blue. They were defending their title in this class following their winner in 2003.

In the Yearling Fillies class, I’m Walking To The Ritz and Brian Wright claimed the blue as they performed flawlessly. This awesome team recently won the Yearling Filly class at McMinnville also.

In the largest class of the evening, I’m Causin’ Commotion did just that. This talented, gray mare certainly doesn’t mind winning those Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty classes, but she saw no need to wear that blue ribbon from the ring. After a tussle with her extremely skilled rider, Debbie Myers and a determined young trainer, John Allan Callaway, she decided she should put her energy into another thrilling victory pass, and she did carry that blue from the ring on her bridle. The loud applause was for both her talent and Myers’ display of equestrian talent that kept her aboard the spirited mare.

It’s All About Cash and Chad Williams won the Two-Year-Old Stallions class. This Lined By Cash youngster certainly had everyone’s eyes on him as he made the victory pass.

A familiar winner in the WHTA Auxiliary class, Spring’s Star Maker and Joyce Marie Green added the Lynchburg title to their resume. This was one of the most competitive Auxiliary classes this season. Husband Jeff Green proudly prepares this team.

Tex-R-Us and Doug Barnes won the Two and Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure title in a field of great young horses. Candy Butler won the outstanding Amateur Specialty class. Ronnie Spears Stables trains the talented stallion.

Bill Bobo and Rowdy Rev made the victory pass in the 10-entry Three-Year-Old Stallions class.

Star’s Mr. Cash & Carry and Rhonda Stewart Sutherland claimed the Three-Year-Old Amateur class. Bobby Fann trains this mount.

Another exciting blue ribbon-performance was made by Buster’s Rebel Rouser and Blake Sims in the Four-Year-Old class.