By Janet G. Bullis

TAZWELL, Va. - The 27th annual Tazwell County Walking Horse Classic was held on July 26, 2003, at the Tazwell Fairgrounds. This show continues to be one of the best shows in a five-state area. The Tazewell-Russell Shrine Club sponsors the event and makes sure everyone has a great time. The weekend always starts with a dinner followed by music and dance on Friday night with the 31-class show on Saturday night.

The show started with an introduction of the Shriners and this year there was a special recognition for Noble Ralph E. “Moon” Mullins. He has served many years as the chairman of the Friday night barbeque. The Shriners work very hard toward their goal that every child will be able to walk and enjoy the happiness that all children dream of during their life. Proceeds from this show go to help fulfill that goal.

Jimmy Carnathan for Plantersville, Miss., judged a total of 205 entries at this year’s show. The entries were up from last year’s total of 188.

It is always a tradition at the Tazwell show to spotlight each stake horse as they enter the ring in the last class of the night. This year five entries made their way to the spotlight prior to the start of the Championship competition. Pushover’s My Papa and Chad Baucom were the winners of the floral horseshoe and “all the gold and glitter” for Larry and Carol McLaughlin and Dick and Marilyn Gordon. This world champion continues to be a crowd pleaser and a winner. David Polk and Generator’s Power Punch claimed the reserve title. Steve Woody and Roy D. Mercer carried out the yellow ribbon for the David Perry family.

The show started with the Amateur Two-Year-Old class. Courtney Griffith and My Shenanigans made a beautiful show to claim the blue in the class. J& H Stables prepared this team for the ring. Pushin by Promise and Robert Adcock from Steve Hankins Stables were the reserve title winners.

Stephen Hankins had the team of Aaron Hawkins and Out Of Cash ready to make the victory ride in the Pony class. Madison Holloway and Eb’s Magic Moment won the red ribbon from Baucom Stables.

Design’s Royal Celebrity and Brenda Lynch won the Tri-State Association Members Only class. Oak Hill Stables trains this nice gray horse for owners Brenda and Gary Lynch. Ashley Adcock showed the Three Star General for the red ribbon from Steve Hankins Stables. Chris Moss aboard A Grand Entry for Judy Morrisett made the right entry to win the Youth Lite-Shod class. Jeff Hatcher trains this winning lite-shod horse. Elizabeth Pridgen and Jazz Show carried out the red banner for owner Pat Callicut. Baucom Stables are the trainers.

The Amateur Three-Year-Old class had 15 entries. Alicia Perry and The Diamond Broker out shown the rest of the competition to make their way to the winner’s circle. Baucom Stables prepares this team for the show ring. Bonner Stables had Keith Champion and Dark Spirit’s Fugitive in top form to place second in the class.

Jubilee’s Rising Star continues to shine as he and owner Clay Mills won the NCWHA Members Only class. Cassie Bell and Ice Cold Cash were reserve for Baker, Inc.

Kenny Compton and Gen’s Triple Pride won the Amateur Owned and Trained class. Derek Monahan and Magical Power wore out the red ribbon.

My American Hero and Terri Gwinn won the blue for the Stoneybrook Farm in the ETWHA Members Only class. Mike Carter trained this entry for competition.

The Juvenile 11 and Under class is always a treat for the spectators. Baucom Stables had Pusher’s Clown and Tyler Baucom ready as they won the horseshoe of flowers and the blue for Caroline Equine. Erica Duckworth and Pusher’s Big Sky made the reserve win from Bonner Stables.

C.M. Hess up for owner Kenny Compton won the Novice Rider class on Awesome Generator. Cute As A Button and Athie Robinson were the red ribbon winners from Baucom Stables.

The Open Two-Year-Old blue went to Joe Hauk on Awesome Rev for David and Elizabeth Vaughn. Curtis Ray Collins directed Edge’s Nightwatchman to the reserve win for owner Gary Munsey.

Paulette Adkins and her horse Cash At Sunrise from David Polk Stables won the Amateur Riders 50 and Over class. Odie Adcock and his horse Pusher’s Mahogany Bay were the red ribbon winners from Benny Johnson Stables. Benny Johnson Stables had a winner in the next class with Inside Trader and Samantha Green in the Youth Park Pleasure class. Amanda Dickerson directed her horse The Cash Collector for the red banner.

Steve Woody and Walking Armed were armed for action as they won the Professional Trainers class for Fay Witcher. Jeff Hatcher and Gen’s Mr. Ebony made a good show for the reserve tie for owner Dr. Morna Conway.

Cash’s Miss Star won the Veiled Threat trophy for owner Carolyn Evans in the Aged Mares and Geldings class with David Polk in the irons. Ronald Mosley and Flashy’s Loose Canon carried out the red banner for owner Madeline Griggs.

The Juvenile 17 and Under class had 11 good entries. Coming out on top was The Cold Hard Truth and Ashley Adcock from Steve Hankins Stables. Another Steve Hankins entry, Megan Mozeley and Dolomite carried out the red ribbon for D.R. and Phyllis Mozeley.

Courtney Griffith won her second blue of the night in the Amateur Show Pleasure class on Major Player. J & H Stables were the trainers for this entry. Ashley Adcock and Guaranteed Delight, readied for competition by Steve Hankins Stables, won the red ribbon.

The Open Three-Year-Old class had seven exciting competitors. Mike Carter, up for Sam Kite, made the ride to the winner’s circle on Rhythm ‘n Rain. Mike Thomas, riding for the James Griffith family, won the reserve title on Pickin The Blues. Ann Callicut, wearing her lucky pink coat, won the NCWHLA Members Only class on her horse My Bright Star from Baucom Stables. Ronda Hull and Sure Threat’s Masterpiece are always a threat to win when they enter the ring. This team from Ronald Mosley Stables won the reserve title in the class. The Open 15.2 and Under blue went to David Polk and Jubilee’s Uprising.

Ronald Mosley is the trainer for the winners of the Open Amateur Specialty class as well. Riding into the winner’s circle was Mo Bucks and owner/rider Billy Frost. Big Papa Cool and owner/rider Clay Mills made the red ribbon ride from Baucom Stables.

Chad Baucom and Olympic Pusher made the solo ride to claim the blue in the Open Four-Year-Old class for owner Chuck Williamson.

Jeff Hatcher and Sunfire's Phoenix were the winners in the Open Park Pleasure class for Mike and Harriell Van Dyke. Odie Adcock and Shaker’s Spotted Threat won the red banner for Benny Johnson Stables.

After wowing the crowd at the Land-o-the-Sky Show, Charlie Gibson returned to the ring for another blue ribbon performance on I’m Packin a Pistol in the Amateur 15.2 and Under class for mom Charlene Gibson. Jeff Hatcher trained this entry. Steve Hankins Stables had the red ribbon winner with Generator’s Big Ticket and rider Kenny Compton.

Benny Johnson, in the irons for Bob Medina, won the Open Lite-Shod class with Regal’s Lady Of Royalty. Elizabeth Pridgen and Jazz Show picked up the red ribbon for owner Pat Callicut. Baucom Stables trained the entry.

The Ladies Amateur class had 10 entries. Freezing out the worthy competition was The Snow Job and Debra Coleman from David Polk Stables. Tracy Fuller and Ultra’s Sensation made the red ribbon ride for Mike Carter Stables. Kenny Compton found out what fun it is to win before the hometown crowd as he won another blue in the Amateur Four-Year-Old class with Pushin Command. This win added more blues for the Steve Hankins Stables. Coming out with the red ribbon in the class of 15 entries was A Rebel Without A Cause and Robert Adcock also from Steve Hankins Stables.

Jason Hughes got his blue for the night on Adonis Lady Carbon for owner Lynn Culbreth in the Park Pleasure Four-Year-Old and Under class. Teri Gwinn and Generator’s Express won the reserve title.

Generator’s Old Gold and Hunter Rouse won the Open Amateur class. Steve Hankins Stables were the trainers. The Baucom Stables entry, Coin’s LTD and Ernie Warner placed second in the class.

The Western Park Pleasure title went to Benny Johnson and Eb’s Bold Silver. Danny Kistler and My My gathered the red ribbon on their way out.

Just About Time continued to dominate the Show Pleasure division with his win with Ronald Mosley up for owners Bill and Janice Jones. Lynn Keatts and Society’s Dark Spirit were awarded the reserve title.

This concludes the highlights from the 27 annual Tazwell County Walking Horse Classic. Complete results may be found by visiting the results section our web site.