By Linda Fox
GAINESBORO, Tenn. - The Jackson County Walking Horse Show was held July 12, 2003, at the Gainesboro, Tennessee Fairgrounds located on the scenic banks of the beautiful Cumberland River. The honorable Chris Messick traveled from Bell Buckle, Tenn., to evaluate the 192 entries and to mark the cards for the 31 classes. Gary Brewington was master of ceremonies; Wayne Nabors was the organist; and Unionville’s Gary Leverette was the official photographer. The Lakeview Hills Saddle Club and the four-time consecutive State Champions Jackson County Lady Blue Devils Basketball team were the show sponsors.
Entries from Beaty Stables of Byrdstown, Tenn., were the top blue ribbon winners taking home six titles. Abby Fox accounted for two of the six. The first came aboard her talented Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion contender I’ll Take Command. Later, Fox and Command’s Wild Card would make their fifth victory pass for the 2003 season in the Open Amateur division. Heidi McWilliams took the exciting Irrational to the Ladies Amateur Walking division win. Dean Neely and the always good Pride’s Ultra Winder rode to the Amateur Walking Specialty blue. Pretty Janie Stokes took the Juvenile 17 and Under division by storm aboard Big Al. The final blue for Beaty Stables came when trainer Scott Beaty and A Splash Of Papa took the Open Four-Year-Old title for Lewis and Tayse.
Contenders from Jeff Givens Stables always make their presence known and this night was no exception as they took four blue ribbons back to Murfreesboro, Tenn. Donald Knight and his Sailin Man took the Lite-Shod Specialty class. The other three blues came by way of Givens aboard Hallelujah! Pure Gold in the Park Pleasure Open Specialty class, then Pusher’s Secret Tiger in the Two and Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure ranks, and finally aboard Color’s Spotted Beam in the Spotted Saddle Horse ranks.
The Backward S Stables took three titles. The first came when Bill Young and Jose’s Illusion rode to the Two-Year-Old Open laurels. Next, Lori Coleman would direct Don’t Bust My Bubble to the Three-Year-Old Amateur victory. Bobby Wells and Good N Evil made the blue ribbon ride in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. All three of these contenders are owned by the Floyd Sherman family.
Competitors from Bill Bilbrey Stables took two blues back to Livingston, Tenn. The first came when grandson Jake Reeder and I Saw You Push won the Pony division for Dean and Ann Barns. Next, Bilbrey directed the handsome Pride’s Man In Black for B & S Farms.
J.B. Buchanan rode MG’s Fine China to the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding roses for the Jim Welch family of McMinnville, Tenn. Buchanan would return in the Stake to direct the fancy Radar’s Motown to the Championship title for Karen and J.B. Buchanan.
The Three-Year-Old Open class found the exciting Stuart Little with Eric Barrett up making the victory pass.
Donald Robinson led his talented Silver Dollar Market to the Yearling Colts title. The Yearling Filly division went to Keeping Promises and Brian Wright. The open Weanling title went to Keith Reed and The Grand Jury.
Christy Scrivner won the 20 horse deep Country Pleasure class aboard her Gen’s Final Masterpiece. Mike Stone directed the good Zorro Ole to the Two-Year-Old Amateur laurels for Marshall Lamb. This team is readied by Don Mason.
Trainer Buist Carr’s talented team of Pride’s Commander Jake and Dr. Ralph Simminton rode to the Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty title. Tex Dillingham and the fancy Mark’s Big Deal made another victory pass as they collected the 15.2 Open blue. Cute Macye Ellis rode hard to win the Juvenile 11 and Under class aboard Eb’s Storm Blu Bayou for Kim Davis of Crossville, Tenn.