SOMERVILLE, Tennessee - The twelfth annual Fred T. Fowler Memorial Classic Walking and Racking Horse show was held on June 29, 2002 on the Fayette Academy Campus in Somerville, Tennessee. The event is sponsored by Fayette Academy, a K-12 educational facility that was founded in the spring of 1965. Fayette Academy consists of a complete physical plant and a curriculum that challenges students seeking quality education in both body and mind. the show has become a major fundraiser for the facility with proceeds benefitting various departments of the school. The faculty, staff, board of directors as well as parents and students work collectively to make the show a success. In 2002 the show was voted as 2001 One Night Show of the Year in the Mid-South Horse Show Association.
Hot summer temperatures prevailed the day of the show, but the weather did not stop the trainers, exhibitors, and a large crowd of local spectators that had arrived at the 6:00 p.m. starting time. Show chairman, Hamblette Cocke, reported 217 entries, one of the largest entry tallies in the show’s history.
Joe Fleming judged the twenty-seven walking and racking classes. Tony Neill served as master of ceremonies. Jimmy Cole handled the duties of ringmaster and Diane Beaver provided keyboard entertainment. Mike Umberger served as farrier. Larry McMullen was the official photographer. Veterinary services were provided by Akin Equine Veterinary Services. Lauren Hamilton and Cotton’s Medicine Man presented the colors.
A stick horse class was on the agenda for the younger exhibitors. The Lead Line class saw Sarah Bailey Jones and Teddy Bear claim top honors with her mother Jenny Jones at the lead for owner, Morgan Mooningham.
The Jazzy Lady and Carlyle Johnson walked their way to a blue ribbon in the Yearling class for James and Peggy Vernon.
Leading the blue ribbon tally for the night were entries prepared by Ray Gilmer Stables at Falcon Ridge Farm with five. The new youth team of Gen’s Good As Gold and Brittney Bridgers claimed their second blue in a row in the Youth 11 and Under class. The former property of Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Gaines was recently selected by Greg and Angie Bridgers for their daughter and the duo received top honors at the Ripley show. Greg Bridgers also claimed his second title in a row in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class aboard A Dangerous Pipedream.
She’s A Kennedy and Sue Stilwell received their first blue as a team in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare & Gelding class. No strangers to the winner’s circle were the talented duo, Pride’s Flapjack and Lillian Gaines. The Great Escape and Paula Sanders made the victory pass in the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class.
Formac Stables and Whitter Stables each earned four Fred T. Fowler Memorial titles.
Jimmy McConnell was in the winner’s circle for the first Formac title riding Dragonfly in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class for Mary Medina. He returned on I’m A Five Star General to claim two in a row in Four-Year-Old Open competition for Mr. and Mrs. Odell McConnell. The duo were Ripley’s Four-Year-Old champions as well. Pushover’s Inifiniti was directed to the Fred T. Fowler tricolor in the Walking Horse Stake class for Bob Medina. While rain remained a threat throughout the show, luckily the first raindrops began to fall as the stake entries were called to the lineup.
Contaminated and Vickie Garland made the victory pass in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class riding under the Formac banner.
Whitter Stables first title came in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class with Gen’s Impressive Lady and Carol Shelton turning in a winning performance. The 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class was topped by Move Over and Lee Rikard and Dr. and Mrs. Rosser Wall. Cash’s Black Satin and Brad Davis captured the blue in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class for Mary Ann Morgan. Rebel’s Knight and Johnny Caviness scored another impressive victory in the Amateur Specialty class.
Southern Serenity Ranch also had four blue ribbon winners at the show. Olympic Angel and Jenna Hamilton added another Country Pleasure title to their blue ribbon resume for owner, Marilyn Staley Friedman. Gary Gilmore directed Calvin Klein’s Obsession to the blue in the Amateur Plantation Pleasure Specialty Lite-Shod class for the Rick Paschall Family. Emerging victorious in the Amateur Park Pleasure Specialty class were Armed Red Baron and Lauren Hamilton. The Amateur Spotted Saddle class was led by Straw Man and Susan Davis.
Summer Crest Farms earned dual Fred T. Fowler Memorial titles. Olympic’s Godfather and Darrel Walker were awarded the title of Three-Year-Old Stallion Champions. I’m A Ritz and Stephanie Carter are continuing their successful campaign in the Youth 12-17 division with back to back blues at Ripley and Somerville.