By Debbie Graham

SAVANNAH, Tenn. - The 34th annual Savannah Lions Club Walking Horse Royal was held June 13, 2003, at the Hardin County Fairgrounds. The show was sponsored by the Savannah Lions Club. Proceeds from the event help support projects that are vital to the community, but primarily go to help the Lions Club purchase eye glasses and to support the Mid-South Sight Clinic for the needy.

The show was a double point show for the Mid-South Horse Show Association. Dude Crowder judged the 25 classes that drew 150 entries. Thurman Walden served as master of ceremonies. Diane Beaver entertained the crowd with her talents on the keyboard and Keith Rich performed the duties of farrier. Sherry Oxford served as the official photographer. Co-chairmen Neal and Joey Franks, along with the Lions Club members, coordinated a successful show that was attended by a large crowd of spectators.

A stick horse class was held at the beginning of the show for the event's youngest exhibitors. In the Lead Line class, Smokey and Zach Woods led by Tyler Herndon were winners.

She’s A Bar Maid with James Abernathy in the irons claimed the blue in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class for Larry Rae. E. T.’s Grey Threat and Ray Gilmer were in the winner’s circle in the Park Pleasure class for Doug and Teri Olinger. Amateur Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Specialty champions were Pusher’s Color Coded and Jenna Hamilton for Mr. and Mrs. Vance Walls.

Jackie McConnell was awarded dual blues at the Savannah show. The first came in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class with The Harley for Crowley and Weaver. McConnell returned to make the victory pass on The Golden Sceptor in the Three-Year-Old Open class for owners Ward and Betty McKnight, who made the trip from Columbia, Mo., to attend the Savannah show. The Golden Sceptor was the Three-Year-Old Open champion at the recent Nettleton, Mississippi show, also.

Kody On The Mountain and Tammy Bunch were victorious in the Two-Year-Old Amateur winning their second blue of the season for Michael and Tammy Bunch. Incredible Cash and Shea Levitan were in the spotlight in the Juvenile 11 and Under class for Marc and Linda Levitan.

Ray Gilmer and A Shot In The Arm won the second of five blues earned by Falcon Ridge Farm in the Four-Year-Old Open class for Alicia Scruggs. Nothing But Power and Martha Gandy were at the top of the judge’s card in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class. Colorblind and Dr. Luby Jones topped the Amateur Specialty class for Dr. and Mrs. Luby Jones.

Pride’s Flapjack and Lillian Gaines collected their first of two weekend blues in the Amateur Open class for Mr. & Mr. L. H. Gaines. Julia’s Choice Cut and Luke Pilkinton claimed their third Amateur Owned and Trained title of the season for Bob Adkinson and Luke Pilkinton at Savannah.

Gem Sweep and Pam Schoenster added another Country Pleasure title to their growing list of blue ribbon accomplishments. On the heels of their recent Humboldt title, A Heart Of Fire and Kit Caldwell were winners in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class.

Stanfill Stables were the recipients of two titles at Savannah. The Skywalk and Seth Stanfill claimed their second Walking Pony title in a row with a recent win at the Columbia Spring Jubilee for Billy Stanfill. A Black Market Pusher and Ronnie Stanfill were in top form to receive Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion title for Ruby Stanfill.

Hytone’s Buster Brown and Tyler Herndon continued their winning tradition with a win in the Juvenile 12-17 division bring their blue ribbon tally to six for the season for Tim Herndon.

Debbie Williams was granted two trips the winner’s circle. Armed In Rio walked away with a blue in the Three-Year-Old Stallion class. Just Chill captured the blue in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class.

Edith Dilday was thrilled to accept the blue in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class riding Exclusively Skywatch for Jimmy and Edith Dilday.

Emerging victorious in the 15.2 and Under open class were Time To Strut and Wade Crum for Lisa Bledsoe.

1-800-Collect and Joe Clift have two Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty titles in a row with wins at the Savannah show and Lexington, Alabama as well. Spotted Saddle Horse Champions were Moon Rider and Bill Hamilton.

In the final class of the evening, Jimmy McConnell brought Pushover’s Infiniti to the Savannah Royal tricolor for Bob Medina. This duo claimed the recent West Tennessee Strawberry Festival title in Humboldt as well as the Grand Champion title and Aged Stallion title in Jackson, Missouri.

This concludes the highlights from the Savannah Lions Club Walking Horse Royal. Complete results follow and may also be found by visiting our web site at www.walkinghorsereport.com.