by Renee Isaacs

MOREHEAD, Ky. - Despite record low temperatures and about an inch of snow falling to the ground, the Morehead State University Spring Horse Show was a success. The two-day event was held on Friday and Saturday, April 6 and 7 in Morehead, Ky.
            Laura Hankins sang the National Anthem prior to the first class. Tyler Oliver was the first to claim a blue on Friday night in the Open Plantation division aboard Coined By Sally who is owned by Gloria Mitchell of Philadelphia, Pa.
            Donna McDowell of Brooksville, Ky., rode to the blue in the Lite-Shod Pleasure Class atop Coin’s Big John.
            Five talented colts made it to the ring for the Two-Year-Old Open division. Mike Oney claimed his first of many blues for the show aboard Cash’s Pretty Please for Alvis and Tzareff of Clarkston, Mich. Clayton Davis rode Millionaire to the reserve honors for the Steinmetz family of Louisville, Ky.
            Kim Back made a strong entrance in the Novice division to claim top honors aboard Reckless Youth who is trained by Sweet Revenge Stables of Mt. Sterling, Ky. I’m Wired 220 and Pamela Pennington of Willard, Ky., accepted the reserve tie.
            Six excited youngsters made the gate call for the 11 and Under class. Emilee Smith rode to the winner’s circle on Night Vision. Shelby Sims rode to the reserve tie aboard Smooth Skies under the direction of her dad, Terry Sims.
            Next to be called to the ring was the Amateur Country Pleasure class. Eighteen horses and riders competed for the title with Teresa Roberts claiming the blue in the large class aboard Ozone’s Final Edition for Jarrett Bradley of Glasgow, Ky.
            Blackburn Stables captured their first blue in the Three-Year-Old Stallion division. Jason Marcum rode George Washington Dollar to blue ribbon honors under the direction of Rick Blackburn of Louisa, Ky. Tyler Oliver rode to the red ribbon on Reflector’s E.T. for owners Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Sebastian of Lancaster, Ky.
            Laura Beth Comley captured the blue in the Four-Year-Old and Under Plantation class for Gloria Wiley of Maclenny, Fla., aboard Love, Lies & Alibis. Donna McDowell captured the reserve tie on Coin’s Big John.
            Nine entries rode for top honors in the Youth Country Pleasure division. Ozone’s Final Edition claimed his second blue of the night with a new rider, Jarrett Bradley. Shelby Wright was second aboard My Lucky Dollar.
Next was the Four-Year-Old Open class. Rick Blackburn and The Gold Pistol made their debut performance to claim top honors for Blackburn, Blackburn and Marcum, all of Louisa, Ky. Mike Oney rode to the red ribbon aboard Generator’s Hot Stuff for Linda Patton of Mt. Sterling, Ky.
Isabella Wiley won the Youth Plantation Pleasure class for Gloria Wiley aboard Love, Lies & Alibis.
            Even though the cold air and snow was still in play, it didn’t slow anyone down. Ms. Hopewell and Chad Bush, for owner Terry Manning of Grayson, Ky., topped the five entries Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. Poncho’s Little Princess and Cliff Buckler claimed the second place prize for Jim and Nancy Williams of Mt. Sterling, Ky.
            The Kentucky Horse Council Trail Pleasure was won by Crissie Cooper and Miss Kentucky Angel. The reserve tie went to Tar Babie and Shannon Mitchell of Spencer, W.Va.
            Brandon Berry ended Friday evening’s event by claiming one of several blues for himself in the Groom’s Walking Specialty class for Triple B Stables of Rush, Ky.          
            Cayla Conyers, Lori Rice, Serena Moore, Remi Adams and Tyler Walker were all participants in the Lead Line division. All came out blue ribbon winners and were very proud.
            The KWHA Ladies Auxiliary class was the first performance class for Saturday evening with four entries. Sabrina Young and The Top Dollar started the year off right and accepted the blue. Andrea Lunsford claimed the reserve honors aboard Papa’s Stargazer for Terry and Georgia Lunsford of Nicholasville, Ky.
            Lisa Evans and Kentucky Push’s Pride pushed their way to the blue in the Four-Year-Old Amateur division for Dylan Young of Mt. Sterling, Ky. Jessica Berry made an outstanding performance aboard He’s Playing Games and rode to the reserve tie.
            Denise Calhoun made a great show for the first time out this year aboard Label’s Lucky Charm to claim the blue under the direction of Donald Stamper Stables in Richmond, Ky. Stacey Terry of Hindman, Ky., rode to the reserve tie aboard Sweepaway who is trained by the Terry Sims Stables at Greystone Farm in Nicholasville, Ky.
            Brandon Berry claimed his second blue of the night aboard Maker’s Elderado for Benji Montgomery of Piketon, Ohio. Paige Smith of Richmond, Ky., was called to the reserve ribbon aboard Pusher’s Hot Item.
            Next up was the Amateur Owned and Trained division, which was won by Charlie Brock and Jose’s Double X of Augusta, Ky. Brandon Berry of Rush, Ky., captured the red ribbon aboard Cash In The Sky.
            The youngsters toughed out the cold and 15 stick horse riders entered the ring at a flat walk. Bailey Daniels, Emily Wilburn, Dylan and Makenzie Young, Shelby Rayburn Sam Avery, Haley Holt, Lori, Rice, Serena Moore, Presley Fletcher, Remi Adams, Amy Pennington, Mackenzie Bush, Lynnsey Bush and Brooke Daniels were extremely proud of their performances and cantered to collect their blues.
Bonnie McCoy rode to the winner’s circle to accept top honors in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class aboard Armed Irish Lady for Edward and Wanda Lanham of Perryville, Ky.
            Winning his third blue ribbon of the night was Brandon Berry who proudly rode to the center to collect the Juvenile Walking 12-17 title aboard Buster’s Advice.
            Five entries made the gate call for the Open Amateur division. Lisa Evans claimed her second blue of the evening on This JFK’s A Pushover. Treva Vice made a good show to retain the reserve win aboard Perfect Pattern.
            Gary Snow made his debut performance in the Park Performance class aboard Shock Em’ All for Jamie Tucker of Danville, Ky. The reserve win went to HL Blackwell and Chad Bush of Grayson, Ky.
            Susan Stone and Charm Bracelet grabbed blue ribbon honors in the Three-Year-Old Amateur division.
The most exciting class of the night was the Show Pleasure class. The crowd was on their feet and cheering for their favorite horse. RPM 2 Nite and Treva Vice came out on top to ride to the blue ribbon prize for Mark, Mona and Cliff Vice of Carlisle, Ky. Sabrina Young also made a great show aboard Ultra Prime Mover to capture the reserve win for Sweet Revenge Stables of Mt. Sterling, Ky.
            The night was winding down and it was time for the championship divisions. Terry Logan Lunsford and It Happened At The Ritz made the blue happen on their first performance of the year in the Adrian Doran Amateur Walking Horse Championship for Terry and Georgia Lunsford of Nicholasville, Ky.
            Bobbie Lecompt called three entries to the ring for the Claude Brown Horse Championship one by one. Mike Oney and Johnny Orlando ended their two day show in style by riding to the blue for Linda Patton of Mt. Sterling Ky. Donald Stamper also made a good show aboard Ice Cold Ritz to claim the reserve tie for new owners Don and Beverly Scalf of Berea, Ky.
            The Morehead State University Equestrian Club invites everyone back to their fall horse show in October and appreciates everyone who supports them.
            Complete results follow and may be viewed at www.walkinghorsereport.com.