Ten talented duos answered the call in the Plantation Pleasure Lite Shod Western Specialty class. Regal's Lady Of Royalty and Grandy Tuck made the blue ribbon ride with the Bob Medina entry. Black Rain Drops and Rhonda Cato were reserve for Robert Frost. Thirteen entries answered the call in the Four-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. Mozambique and Mickey McCormick rode to the Southern Championship title for Jim Gullet. Figgy Puddin' and Larry Edwards were reserve for the Moore and Littell ownership.
The Futurity Yearling class held four entries. Generator's Dateline and Kathy Cummings walked their way to top honors for Central Georgia Equine Services. Reserve in the good class belonged to Dr. Ruth and Ella Kline for C.L. Kline Farm.
The Amateur Owned and Trained nine entry class took to the rail. Making a five star performance to blue ribbon acclaim was Five Star Rising and Bill Broom, owner/exhibitor. Reserve in the class went to Jimmy Jack and Jerome Cole for Thomas Holton. Eight entries rode for the Aged Stallion Specialty title. Walking away with the blue was Twice The Delight and Larry Edwards for proud owners, Lloyd and Mary Touchton. Prowler's Night Deposit and Bill Cantrell cashed in on reserve for Mr. and Mrs. Larry Wilcox. The Futurity Two-Year-Old Park Pleasure class contained only one entry. Shooting to the blue was Silver Bullet and Jeff Givens for Laura Brandon.
Rounding out the first night of Southern Championship competition was the Amateur 15.2 and Under Mare and Gelding Specialty. Eight entries took to the rail. The judges' choice was Judge's Verdict and Ellen Sale riding for the blue for McJunkin Farm. Pride's Flashy Girl and Elaine Doxey rode to red ribbon honors for Flying Sun Acres.
Spirits were high and smiles were wild of all trainers, exhibitors, and owners. The first night of the Southern Championships proved the show would end a success.
FRIDAY NIGHT
The night began with Larry Edwards presenting the colors aboard Generator's Heart Of Ice. The show began at 6:00PM, with an exhibitors party following the show right outside of the show arena. The Georgia State Fairgrounds was also the setting for the movie Something To Talk About, starring Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid. This arena made for an even better setting for the Southern Championship.
The Friday night session began with the Walking Horse Trainers Association Youth Council Park Pleasure Specialty 17 and Under. Of the the two entries, Generator's Darkside and Chris Kelley, Jr. made the winning ride for Kathy and Pat Malone. Riding to reserve honors was Lit Up Tax Collection and Jenna Morris for Joy Geske. Eleven entries made their way through the gate in the Amateur Mare Specialty division. Designing their way into blue ribbon circle was Pusher's Special Design and James Vernon for James and Peggy Vernon. The Key To My Heart and Jaclyn Smith had the key to red ribbon honors. The Futurity Yearling colts class held five youngsters. Pride Of Vengeance and Valton Rummage was the blue ribbon winner and the pride of owner, Mariella Fugger. Hooked On Jazz and Laura Berringer hooked the reserve tie for Judi Berringer.
The fourth class of the evening harvested eight entries. The 15.2 and Under Open Specialty title rolled away with Final's Eb Tide and Larry Edwards for Silver Spur Ranch. Mark's Motion Man and Link Webb made their way to reserve honors for James and Peggy Vernon. The Lite Shod Amateur Specialty Owned and Trained class reeled in seven entries. Of the seven teams, Ebony's Dreamworks and Ernest Groover made the winning ride to the winner's circle. Reserve in the class, minus the caviar dreams, was Champagne Riches and Jerry Dickerson for Anita Letchworth. Four young and talented teams took the rail in the Ponies 60" and Under class. Making the crowd hollar was Silver Dollar Make Me Hollar and Abby Graves, owner/rider. Reserve in the good class went to Popcorn Pusher and Raegan Thompson for John and Lori Thompson.
The Southeastern Regional Futurity Two-Year-Old Performance division called for eight entries. Armed for the blue was Armed To Show and Larry Edwards riding for the Dan McSwain family. Taking command of the reserve tie was Dude Crowder aboard You're In Command for Crawford Colts, LLC. Regal's Lady Of Royalty and Bob Medina made a royal performance for the Plantation Pleasure Lite Shod Specialty blue. Ebony's Dreamaker and Ernest Groover returned to the ring for a reserve ribbon. The Walking Horse Trainers Association Youth Council 11 and Under Specialty gave the call for seven entries. Making a great ride for the blue was little Maisie McSwain and Gen's Sundance Lady for the Dan McSwain family. The newly acquired My Midnight Caller and Morgan LeGate made the reserve ride for the Cecil Fielder family.
The Futurity Weanling class held only three entries. Doc Otis made the winning pass with handler, Ella Kline for C.L. Kline Farms. Kennedy's JFK, Jr. and Angie Payne were reserve for Anne and Mark Kennedy. The Amateur classes were strong in Perry, and this class was no exception. Making a flashy show to the Amateur Gelding Specialty class blue was Lisa Patton and Flashy's Mister Threat for Sweet Revenge Stables. Magic By Motown and LaRue McWaters made a magical ride to reserve for Koston McWaters. Six of the seven entries scheduled for the Park Pleasure Owned and Trained Specialty answered the call. Husband Johnny Paul may have been a little jealous of wife Susan Paul's blue in the class aboard Messenger's Last Chance, Johnny received reserve aboard Olympic Legend. Both entries are owned by Johnny and Susan Paul.
The Walking Horse Youth Council 12-17 reaped six entries. Making no secret of their blue ribbon performance was A Secret Agent and Celie Gandy for Don Gandy. Reserve belonged to A Flashy Looker and Christen Altman for the Billy Altman family. Ten entries replied to the Lite Shod Amateur Western Specialty title. Classic Impressions and Colby Bray made a classy show to the blue. Champagne Riches and Anita Letchworth were reserve. Taking command of the nine entry Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallion class was In Command Again and Sheryl Crawford for Crawford Colts, LLC. Watchtower and Robby Biggs rode to reserve for the Robby Biggs and Bob Culbreath family. Nine teams made the gate in the Amateur Stallions Specialty class. Magic Man's Mark and Jerry Cole made a magical mark on the judges as they rode to the winner's circle for Jerry and Vicki Cole. Gen's Master Pusher and Joe Christmas pushed their way to reserve honors. The Futurity Two-Year-Old Plantation Pleasure Lite Shod held a blue for Silver Bullet and Jeff Givens for Laura Brandon.