by Jennifer Maack-Condren

BOLIVAR, Mo. - As traditional as apple pie and baseball, so is the annual Fourth of July horse show in Bolivar, Mo. The 42nd annual Gaited Horse Show was host to over 100 entries of both Tennessee Walking Horses and Missouri Fox Trotters. Walking horse judge, Cheryl Everson, of Springfield, Mo., had a tough job marking her cards with quality entries in each class.

Halfway through the show the spectators were entertained with the annual Celebration of Freedom fireworks show that was easily visible from the show grounds.

A few teams made their blue ribbon debut at this show. Shelby Hill directed I’m Tuff Enuff to the Juvenile Specialty honors, while Master Of The Dreams and Scott Barker topped the Four-Year-Old Specialty competition.

The final class of the night was the Open Walking Horses and three entries made the gate call. Jerry Manes and Spirit And Silver received the blue ribbon tie from Judge Everson following a tough class. Owners Andrew and Austin Rhoads, as well the large cheering section from Manes Stables, made their presence known when Manes made his victory pass. PJ’s Pusher and Brad Huffman captured the reserve ribbon in the class for Dean Scott.

Overall entries were down from the 2007 show but the weather could not have been better for a July show. This show has received numerous awards as the “best one-night show”. The turnout of quality and quantity of horses this year and the impeccable condition of the show grounds will find this show a top contender for this honor once again.

Complete results follow and can be viewed by clicking here.