WHITE PINE, Tenn. - The United Racking Horse Owners and Exhibitors Association held their Fourth Annual Walking and Racking World Celebration on Sept. 26th through 28th. The show took place at the Great Smoky Mountain Expo Center in White Pine, Tennessee. The very successful event attracted almost 800 entries, approximately 300 more than last year.
The URHOEA, which was organized in 1996, has doubled in membership in 2002. The association has developed a new registry for racking horses that are allowed to were chains in the show ring.
The exciting three-day event had a full range of classes for both walking and racking enthusiast. The walking classes were; judged by Ken Moore, Donald Todd, and Jeff Sanderson. Judging the racking classes were; Gary Snodgrass, Ben Dillow, and Jackie Wampler. Jo Simerly entertained on the organ and Jack Green captured the action on film.
The flag was presented by a different horse and rider each evening. On Thursday evening Rocket’s Rodeo ridden by James McMahan presented the colors, Friday night, Brenda’s Delight and Dean Smith carried the flag. It was Chance’s Little Rooster and K.C. Griffin opening the show with the American flag presentation.
With $1,200.oo to the first place horse in the Walking Horse World Championship class and the URHOEA World Grand Championship it made for a strong showing of good stock!
The Walking Horse World Championship held ten entries. Entering the big oval through a cloud of smoke, with great music throughout the facility, each stake entry was called to enter the ring one at a time. When the cards were marked it was Chad Baucom and Pushover’s My Papa topping the good class for the Dick and Marilyn Gordon and Larry and Carol McLaughlin. Reserve honors went to The Star Of Sundance and Brent Coburn for Jack and Betty Morgan.
The URHOEA World Grand Championship was equally as thrilling! With the same dynamic entrances as in the Walking Horse Championship, the Racking horses took to the rail to compete for their world grand championship. Exciting Money was called to make the victory pass in the good class for owner/exhibitor Raymond Hager. The red ribbon in the class went to Fury’s Jackpot and Paul Livingston for Chandra Shular.
Friday evening got underway at 6:00 p.m. with the Yearlings Open Halter competition. What A Blessing Farm’s entry, Powerpuff Girl and Herchell Blessing walked away with the blue. The reserve spot went to One Wise Guy and Mark Snodgrass, also owned by What A Blessing Farm.
Ten entries answered the call for the Two-Year-Old Amateur class. Sherry Oxford rode Armed And Dangerous Premier to the blue, for Dr. and Mrs. Kemp Higgenbotham. Reserve in the class went to George Walker Push and Steve Bridges for Bridges and Foust. Topping the ETWHA Members Only class was Latithia Oran aboard Sensational Premier for Melton and Latithia Oran. The red ribbon went to Generator's Ebony Man and owner/exhibitor Richard Strock.
A familiar site in the winner's circle in the Juvenile 17 and Under division, Zach Bunch rode Beaming Around to the blue, once again for Dennis and Sunny Bunch. Crystal Letterman was second on Final's Pusher for the Farrell Hughes Family. In a unanimous decision, Carl Johnson made the victory pass in the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class with 10 Tucky's Blue Chip for Larry and Margaret McLaughlin. Tommy Howell and General Stock received the red ribbon for Charles Garner.
Pusher's Cat Can Do and Paul Livingston did what it takes to grab the blue in the Show Pleasure Open class, which held fourteen good entries. "Cat Can Do" is owned by Tom and Cindy Leatherwood. Reserve honors went to Lucky Call and Tim Wheelon for Carl and Lea Potter. Sherry Oxford was next in the winner's circle aboard Doc's Fine Fashion in the Ladies Amateur class for Tyler and Kayla Baucom. The red ribbon in the class went to Wings Of Silver and Cindy Hughes for Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hughes.
Naturally and Jack Morgan topped the Riders 50 and Over Amateur class for Roger Pittman. Owner/exhibitor B.H. Hodge and Harvey Walker were reserve. Next into the ring was the Amateur Owned and Trained class, with twelve entries making the call. Owner/exhibitor Charlene Cox and Threat's Living Legend were victors in the class. The red ribbon went to owner/exhibitor Ken Estes and Magic's Loose Change.
Pusher's Midnight Delight and Brent Coburn made a delightful performance to claim the Open Walking class blue for John and Lori Thompson. Making the good ride for the second place spot was Carl Johnson aboard Win A Lot Of Cash for Bob and Tonya Van Dyke.
Friday night was another very successful and exciting line up of classes. The Juvenile 11 and Under class held ten entries. Tyler Baucom made a wonderful show to take home the blue aboard Doc's Fine Fashion. Making this back-to-back blues for this talented gelding. Tyler's gelding won this same class at the 2001 show. Reserve in the class went to R.M. Kellett and Pusher's Black Silk for Milton Spoone.
With eleven entries answering the call for the Trail Pleasure Walking class, it was Doc's Taking Charge and Bob Bilbo taking over the blue ribbon spot in the class for Bob and Sherry Bilbo. Mr. Rolex and owner/exhibitor Tyler Baucom came in second. Steve Woody made an outstanding performance aboard Charger's Pushy Woman to carry out the blue in the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class for Mr. and Mrs. Walter Langdon. Jason Hughes finished reserve on Color Me Crazy for Bud and Sheila McCoy.
Spirit's Macho Man and Brandon Derrick were the judges' choice for the NCWHA Members Only Open Title. This champion is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Harrell. Jack Morgan carried out the red ribbon aboard Skywatch's Superstar for Jack and Betty Morgan. The largest class of the show, with twenty entries vying for the Show Pleasure Amateur honors, it was Wayne Conley who made an outstanding performance to top the good class. Gail Conley owns the champion. Cashing in on the red ribbon was Cindy Hughes and Cash Advance, a.k.a. "Shaq".
The Plantation Pleasure class was next on the list. Eleven entries made the call, but when all was done G.Q. and Darrell Rouse made the trip to the winner's circle for Darrell and Zelma Rouse. Owner/exhibitor Jack Morgan was second with Skyline. The Four-Year-Old Amateur class also held eleven entries. Cute As A Button and Sherry Oxford carried out the blue for Wendell Smith. Receiving second place was Crystal Letterman and The Final Score for the Farrell Hughes family.