TAZEWELL, Virginia - the Tazewell-Russell Shrine Club sponsored the 26th Annual Walking Horse Classic on July 27 at the Fairgrounds in Tazewell, Virginia. This year’s show was dedicated to Noble Earl Addison who resides in Wardell, Virginia. He and his family were introduced in the opening ceremonies along with the other Shriners who work at the show.
Due to a rain shower the show was held up for about 30 minutes. The sun came back out and the show was able to go on with no other interruptions. Robert E. Wood was the announcer for the show. Dick Baker provided the organ music and Sherry Oxford Clarneau was there to make the winning photos. Show Chairman, J.E. Brown was working at all times making sure of another successful show. There were 188 entries in the 31-class show for Judge Paul “Whitey” Whitehead to mark the cards. This was slightly down from last year’s total of 195 but the classes were full of high quality horses at all times.
The Stake class at Tazewell is always exciting as each horse and rider is announced under a spotlight. This year there were five entries making the spotlight. Chad Baucom and Pusher’s Clown came out on top to make the victory ride with the floral horseshoe. This nice gray horse has been shown very successfully this year whether Chad is in the irons or Ernie Warner who is one of the owners from Carolina Equine Inc. Steve Woody carried out the yellow banner for owner, Madeline Griggs on Flashy’s Loose Cannon.
The show started off with the Two-Year-Old Amateur class. Baucom Stables had a winner ready for competition as Doug Newton won with his horse Down On Mainstreet marking this the first of eleven wins for Baucom Stables. Reserve in the class went to Kurt Wilkerson and Pusher’s Skyrocket for father, Jim Wilkerson. Steve Hankins Stables is the trainer for the red ribbon team. Classy Image lived up to her name as she and trainer, Ronald Mosley won the Plantation Pleasure Three-Year-Old & Under class for owners, Gary and Carolyn Pope. Beth Collins from Collins Stables riding for Joan Earhardt Jones won the red ribbon with Cyber Color. Tyler Baucom and Busted and Broke might have to change this pony’s name as he continues to win in the pony division for owner’s Warren and Baucom. Floral horseshoes were awarded to all the youth class winners. Shannon Compton on Awesome Generator made the reserve ride for Kenny Compton in the Pony class. Brandon Helms was shooting for the blue as he and A Red Ball Jet won the Youth Plantation Pleasure class for Wanda Helms. Coins Time Out and owner-rider, Sandy Howland picked up the red ribbon. Bob Adcock started the three generation win in his family as he won the Amateur Three-Year-Old class on A Rebel Without A Cause. Hankins Stables put this winning team in the ring. Owner-rider Sam Kite from Mike Carter Stables was close behind with Vapor for the reserve tie in the twelve-entry class. Adding to Baucom Stables blues was Dona Griffin and I’m Pushin’ in the NCWHA Members Only class. Odie Adcock, father of Bob Adcock, won the Tri-State Association Members Only class, with his horse Pusher’s Mahogany Bay. Benny Johnson is the trainer. Jeff Hatcher is the trainer for the reserve winner team of I’m Packin’ A Pistol and Charlie Gibson for owner, Charlene Gibson. Latithis Oran and Sensational Premier made a sensational show to win the ETWHA Members Only class from Steve Woody Stables. Dottie Boone and Delight’s Powerful Spirit captured the red ribbon from Steve Hankins Stables.
Tyler Baucom won his second floral horseshoe of the night as he won the Youth 11 & Under on Doc’s Fine Fashion for he and his sister Kayla Baucom. Another young rider that has been doing well this season is Lindsey Hess and her horse They Call Me Doc as they won the red ribbon. Steve Hankins Stables readies this team for the ring. Baucom Stables had a back to back win with owner-riders, Lisa Howard winning the Amateur Novice class on Jazz Cash. Reserve went to Beth Collins on Jubilee’s Cobra for Noah Tesone. The Open Two-Year-Old class was won by Steve Hankins on Stormy Walks for owner, Gerald Smith. Mike Carter in the irons for Jim and Luther Fuller was reserve on Cash Can Do. Mike McBrayer and Design’s Checkmate made it two years in a row for a blue at Tazewell as they won the Amateur Riders 50 & Over class. This team is another consistent winner from Baucom Stables.
John Henry Cooper was a happy man as he made his way to the winner’s circle to assist youth rider, Marco Etchebarne for his win in the Youth Plantation Pleasure class on Susie’s Major Expresso. Tyler Baucom from Baucom Stables won the red ribbon for owner, Pat Callicut on Jazz Show. The Professional Trainers Specialty class is always a good class at Tazewell. This year the winner was Sunrise Miracle Man and Stacy Gunter from Steve Woody Stables for owner, Arnie Arnirus. David Polk Stables had a reserve win with Dee Dee Polk riding for Larry Mesimer on Pusher’s Lucky Charm.