Editorial Coverage By K.C. Hensley

Pictorial Coverage By Linda Scrivner

The annual North Carolina State Championships had one of its most successful shows yet. Like in years past, the event was held Oct. 6-8 at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center. To give everyone an idea of the level of success of this year's show 845 entries walked through the gates to perform for the oversized crowd. There was also an outpouring of unanimous ties. Three 2005 World Grand Championship presentations were also added to this years show much to the delight of the spectators. On Saturday night the Two-Year-Old World Grand Champion, Gen On The Run and Justin Harris, Four-Year-Old World Grand Champion, Jose’s Intimidator and Jamie Bradshaw, and the World Grand Champion Main Power and Joe Cotten performed their flawless gaits.

Thursday

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The North Carolina State Championships got off to a good start with an amazing 290 entries making the gate call in 24 classes on Thursday night alone. The judges for this year’s event were Jerry Derryberry, Brandye Mills and Bryant Fly. The flag presentation for the first night included David Polk with old glory aboard Ozone’s Delight, the North Carolina State flag held high by Craig Baggerly riding Gold Coin Cash, and Millie Player aboard One Armed Bandit with the NCWHA flag in hand. After the flag presentation an excellent rendition of the national anthem was performed by Jessica Holmes. The class schedule began by welcoming the 10 entry Plantation Pleasure Horses, Four-Years-Old and Under class. The well known team of Scream Walking and Grandy Tuck Jr. made the winning ride for Jerri Anne Williams of Eden, N.C. The reserve ribbon was received by Extra’s Magic Man and Craig Baggerly for Barry and Jo Anne Baggerly of Burlington, N.C.

The second class of the night was the Open Aged Mares, which may have been slightly short of quantity, but definitely not short on quality. Pattern’s Princess was guided by Justin Harris to the winner’s circle for Jeff Bromnenburg of Hickory, N.C. The second place tie was taken home by world champion Lizzie Borden with Scotty Brooks up for Jim Ed Stuart of Bowling Green, Ky.

The first unanimous decision of the night came in the Open 15.2 and Under class. Brother Splash and Joe Cotten made the winning ride for Evergreen Walking Horse Farm of New Orleans. La., and Bell Buckle, Tenn., much to the approval of the crowd. Ozone’s Delight and David Polk rode the reserve honors for Lavon Tyson of Wadesboro, N.C.

The Trail Pleasure Specialty class was adorned with 12 head shaking entries. This class was open to english or western attire. Grandy Tuck Jr., guided his second champion of the night, Mr. 24 Kt. Ritz to the blue for Jim and Vickie Smith of Stauton, Va. Reserve in the class was awarded to A Fantastic Choice with Simone Kiemenz of Knoxville, Tenn., up.

The experience Amateur 50 and Over riders were next to make the gate call with 20 entries that included several Celebration ribbon winners. The very popular team of Olympic’s Energizer and Becky May made the winning ride for Allen and Becky May of Appling, Ga. The red ribbon was taken home to Rutherfordton, N.C. by Wade Huntley aboard Double Overtime.

One of Ed Breedlove’s champions made the winning ride in the Open Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. This was another large class with 15 top young entries riding for the top position. By Reservation Only and Charlie Green received the blue. Possibly Perfect and Chad Baucom took the reserve honors for Rhonda Warren of Kernersville, N.C.

Kenny Compton of North Tazewell, Va., and Generator’s Big Ticket had the winning number in the Amateur Owned and Trained class. J.T. Olds of Sparta, Ky., with A Midnight Touch rode the reserve finish in the class. The Amateur Owned and Trained class was the first class of the night that included the canter which was enjoyed by all the spectators.

Ironically the eighth class of the night, Open Aged Geldings, welcomed 8 talented entries. I’m Cash On Delivery carried David Polk around the arena to the winner’s circle for the Joe Manis family of Laurinburg, N.C. Alvin Strickland rode Dangerous TNT to the red ribbon in the class for Over The Hill Farm located in Edgefield, S.C.

Debbie Wells of Florence, S.C., rode the striking Cobra Commander to the second unanimous tie of the evening in the NCWHLA Members Only class. The well known team of Fantazmic Cash and Vickie Hughes-Grindstaff rode to the reserve finish in the class for Farrell Hughes of Burnsville, N.C.

The 15 entry Open Two-Year-Old Stallion class was welcomed by the spectators with cheers for their favorite. Urban Cowboy and Chad Baucom made an excellent team for the top honors in the class Lee Mills of Mt. Airy, N.C. Reserve in the class went to Cashin In At Sundown with Link Webb up for James and Betty Corlew of Adams, Tenn.

The show then returned to the pleasure division with 10 entries making up the Open Plantation Pleasure Lite Shod class. In The Heat Of The Night with Grandy Tuck up made the winning ride for Angela Tuck of Reidsville, N.C. Reserve in the class was awarded to Wired 440 with Mike Conley up for Larkin and Kim Turner of Clintwood, Va.

Nineteen entries made the gate call in the Open Specialty class. Two time world grand champion Gossip with Whitey Whithead made the unanimous winning ride. Reserve in the class was awarded to another current world champion, Big Dog Dumas with Joel Weaver in the irons for the Shane Hasting family.

The Amateur Gentlemen's class continued the show with quantity and quality with eighteen making the gate call. World champions Jazz King and Ed Breedlove of Buford, Ga., made another winning ride that was decided unanimous by the judging panel. Another world champion made the reserve ride, A Major Masterpiece with Chris Warley up for Black Gold Farm located in Normandy, Tenn.

Mike Oney took a blue to his old Kentucky home with Centennial’s Bright Eyes in the Open Three-Year-Old Mare and gelding class. Linda Patton of Mt. Sterling, Ky., owns the winning entry. My Senorita and Charlie Green came in as a close reserve for C and T Investments of Mt. Juliet and Shelbyville, Tenn.

In the ever popular Pro-Am Specialty class 13 teams made their way to the ring to vie for the top honors in the class. Clay Mills, Jeanette Baucom and Another Pushbutton was the winning trio in the class. The red ribbon was received by Classic Rebel with Morgan Nichols and Ronald Mosley making the good ride.

Millie Player enjoyed her winning ride aboard Grandy Garcia in the NCWHLA Members Only Plantation class for Jameson and Fisher of Florence, S.C. Reserve in the class went to Celebration champion, The Cash Collector with Amanda Dickerson of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., up.

Another world championship team came out to play in the 18 entry ETWHA Members Only class. Extra Ebony and Clay Mills took home the top honors to Mt. Airy, N.C. Reserve in the class was awarded to Vapor with Sam Kite of Telford, Tenn., in the irons.

The newly added Park Performance Specialty class proved to be popular in North Carolina too. This class too included 18 talented champions ready to ride for the blue. Former world champion Gold Coin Cash carried Craig Baggerly to the top, unanimous honors for the Joel Davis family of Graham, N.C. The red ribbon was awarded to Sweet Hard Cash with Danny Kistler up for Susan and Embry Robinson of Gastonia, N.C.

The Open Show Pleasure class had enough entries for the class to be split. In the first half of the class, which included 14 horses, world champion San Juan carried Joe Cotten to another unanimous blue ribbon ride. Eric Lackey of High Point, N.C., owns the entry. He Dances With Wolves and David Polk danced their way to the reserve ribbon in the class for Barbara Simpson of Sanford, N.C.

In the second half of the class world champion Coin’s Black Stroke carried trainer Johnny Puckett to the blue for Ashley Compton of Wartrace, Tenn. Ultra Prime Mover and Mike Oney took the red ribbon for the Rodney Young family of Mt. Sterling, Ky.

Johnny Puckett returned to the winner’s circle on back to back blues. In the Open Four-Year-Old Mare and Gelding Specialty class Groovy Chick took the blue for Kathy Potter of Shelbyville, Tenn. World champion, Miss Dumas Ebony carried Chad Baucom to the prestigious reserve honors in the class for Lindsey Hess of Harrisonburg, Va.

In the Trainers Family Members class, Kayla Baucom surpassed the odds as the youngest rider in the class, to capture the blue aboard Sure Threat’s Masterpiece for Rina Gaddy of Kernersville, N.C. Half Dollar and Jennifer Brooks received the red ribbon in the class for Wes Hendricks of Bowling Green, Ky.

The first floral horse show on the show was presented Thursday evening in the Plantation Pleasure Stake. Well known Fully Armed carried Jeff Adkins to the top unanimous honors for Jerri Anne Williams. Reserve in the class was awarded to Grand Safari and Wayne Conley for Conley and Ashe of Newport, Tenn., and Franklin, N.C.

The final class of the night welcomed six top quality entries for the Open Aged Stallions class. The well polished team of London Rain and Chad Baucom were welcomed for the blue much to the approval of the audience for Charles Clark of Charlotte, N.C. Reserve in this talented class was awarded to Really and Joel Weaver for McJunkin Farms located in Shelbyville, Tenn. I’m Willie Wonka and Alvin Strickland finished out the top three position in the class.

Friday

A good time was had by all as the large classes continued to fill the ring on Friday night. In fact, the total number of entries for Friday night's show was 271. The first class of the night was the Open Western Plantation Pleasure Lite Shod Specialty with 17 horses making the gate call. Grandy Tuck Stables were back in the blues, with Angela Tuck aboard In The Heat Of The Night. Reserve in this large class was awarded to Mark Klutz and Southmark for C.B. Daughtridge of Rocky Mount, N.C.

Twelve talented entries made their way to the ring to vie for the top honors in the Amateur Specialty Mares class. High Headed Woman and Cassie Napier were outstanding from start to finish to earn the unanimous blue in the class for the Tim Napier family of Union, Ky. Watch The Sunrise and Jason Davis took the red ribbon for Donna Davis of Nicholsville, Ky.

The Youth 11 and Under had such a response at the entry booth it had to be split into an A and B divisions. In the A division, with 12 entries, the current world championship team of Bold Stroke’s Attraction had the attention of the crowd and judges alike. Another world champion, Miss Dumas Ebony took the reserve ribbon with Lindsey Hess in the irons.

The B division was the host to 13 young riders. All Colors My Papa and Tyler Baucom rode to the top honors in the class for David Keatts of Gretna, Va. Reserve in the class went to Call Me Hytone and Rose Herchenroeder for Laurie Herchenroeder of Gaston, Ind.

The Cash Collector and Amanda Dickerson were back to earn another top ribbon in the Amateur Owned and Trained Plantation Specialty class. I’m Shania and Gordon Ezell were pleased with their reserve finish in the class.

The Amateur Specialty Geldings class was another large entry class that had to split. Sherrin Pittman of Roswell, Ga., and Watch Me Generate rode to the winner’s circle in the 14 entry class. A Command For Cash and Greg Moore rode to the red ribbon for Mitchell and Moore of Tullahoma and Murfreesboro, Tenn.

In the second half of the Amateur Specialty Geldings 13 entries again were listed. Exactly Like Papa and Billy Ball were welcomed into the winner’s circle as they earned the vote of all three judges. Reserve in the class was awarded to My Lucky Colors and Jamie Tucker for Gloria Wiley of MacClenny, Fla.

Fifteen three-year-old amateur mares and geldings made the gate call for the next class. Nicklebuster and Amanda Hankins made the winning ride for Mike Lynch of Edenton, N.C. The White Mask and Wes Hendrick came in as a close reserve for Karen Bethel of Monticello, Ky.

Once again the judges turned their eyes to the pleasure division with the Amateur Trail Pleasure Specialty class. Southern Command and Tracie Fuller made the winning ride for the Fuller family of Kingsport, Tenn. Reserve in the class was A Fantastic Choice with Simone Klemenz of Knoxville, Tenn., in the irons.

Juvenile classes’ entries continued to prosper as the Youth 12-17 Specialty class was split. In the A division the world championship team of Olympic Pusher and Lindsey Henry made the winning ride amongst the 11 other entries. Reserve in the class was awarded to Dark Spirit Special and Matthew McQuerry for Mr. and Mrs. Harold Edwards of Lebanon, Tenn.

In the B division I’m An Evil Rebel and Madison Holloway received the nod from all three judges. Megan Mozeley and Swoosh snagged the reserve ribbon in the class for Steve Mozeley of Charlotte, N.C.

The well known team of Border Patrol and Clay Mills were also unanimous in their hunt for the blue in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallions class. Two Gun Silver Dollar and B. Baird Lacer rode the reserve honors in the class.

Big Dog Dumas was back to his old world championship tricks in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class with Sarah Hastings up while Jennifer Brown took the red ribbon.

Another team who had captured top honors the previous night was back for more. Gold Coin Cash this with Page Brown up wowed the crowed in the Amateur Park Performance class with their unanimous win. Reserve in the class was awarded to Jewel’s Scatman with Jennifer Clement in the irons.

Generator’s Big Chance and Alecia Cooper enjoyed a big win in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class. Edition’s Power Pusher and B.H. Hodge rode to the reserve tie in the class.

Nineteen Plantation Pleasure Amateur Lite Shod Specialty entries made the gate call to vie for the top spot. Wired 440 and Mike Conley made the winning ride for Larkin Turner of Clintwood, Va. In the Heat Of The Night and Angela Tuck returned to the ring to earn another top ribbon.

More Of The Major and Kay Green kept the unanimous blues rolling for the Landrum team. This duo earned their title in the Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallions class. Top Dollar and Sabrina Young rode to the red ribbon in the class.

The Plantation Pleasure Youth Specialty class might have been down on quantity but not quality. Sunfire’s Phoenix and Shelby Van Dyke earned the top honors in the class for Mike and Harriett Van Dyke of Providence Forge, Va. Generator’s Flashpoint and Keisha Ashe were pleased with their reserve finish in the class.

Wes Hendrick was back in the top ribbons as he claimed the top honors in the Amateur 15.2 and Under Canter class with Half Dollar. Reserve in the class went to the very familiar team of Generator’s Old Gold and Hunter Rouse.

Becky May’s beaming smile told the tale as she rode out of the ring a winner once again with Olympic’s Energizer in the Amateur 15.2 and Under Specialty class. Current world champion The Raffle with Kurt Wilkerson up came in as a close reserve in the class.

Multi world grand champions Electrifying and Dona Griffin showed their talents in the Amateur Specialty Stallions class. Push In Command and Kenny Compton rode to a strong reserve finish in the class.

It was happy trails for The General In Black and Andy Carter in the Western Plantation Specialty class. My My and Danny Kistler were pleased with their red ribbon in the class as well.

The final class of the evening was the Amateur 15.2 and Over. This time Kenny Compton went from reserve to on top with Gen’s Triple Pride. I’m A Five Star General and Kim Butler came in as a close reserve in the class.

Saturday

For the final evening of horse showing at the North Carolina State Championships the evening started earlier to welcome the “babies” of the show ring before the opening ceremonies. The grand championships were held later on in the evening with the total tally of entries being 284.

The talented handler Ella Kline was at the lead for three out of four of the leading classes. Kline captured the Weanling Fillies with She’s Got Angel Eyes, the Yearling Fillies with She’s Pusher In Command and the Yearling Stallions with The General Command. C.L. Kline Farms of Robbins, Tenn., owned all of the champions. Tommy Halmontaller won the title of Weanling Stallion champion with I’m All Lined Up for Sam Kite of Telford, Tenn.

The reserve winners in these classes were also well deserving of recognition. In the 10 entry Weanling Fillies, Clutch Me I’m Dreaming and Jamie Lee Wycoff took the red ribbon for Kenridge Farms of Paris, Ky. Ten eager youngsters also made the gate call for the Weanling Stallions class where Major Magic Man and Don Robinson of Cookeville, Tenn., received reserve. Denise Calhoun of Waco, Ky., was pleased with her second place finish in the Yearling Fillies with Wicked Moon. And then in the last class before the opening ceremonies Scott Helton guided Ultra Danger to a prestigious reserve ribbon amongst six other competitors for Anne Piet of Mint Hill, S.C.

The ever popular stick horse class was by far the largest class of the show with 32 young riders making the gate call! Parents, grandparents and spectators alike were thrilled with cameras in hand for the event.

Talented equitation rider, Alex Bumpus performed a solo ride in the Youth Walking Seat Equitation class aboard Settle The Score. Tom Bumpus of Murfreesboro, Tenn., owns the winning entry. In the next two classes the in hand classes returned to the ring for their championship classes. In the Weanling Championship Tommy Halmontaller and I’m All Lined Up defended their previous blue with flying colors. Reserve in the first championship class of the night went to She’s Got Angel Eyes and Ella Kline.

Ella Kline was back at the top of her game in the Yearling Championship with The General Command. While Roman’s 10:9 and Vickie Hughes-Grindstaff received the reserve title in the class for Farrell Hughes of Burnsville, N.C.

In the Youth 11 and Under Championship, the crowd was on their feet practically the entire class. There were two extreme top competitors amongst the other 13 talented entries. The world championship team of Bold Stroke’s Attraction and Hailey Puckett could not be denied the blue once again. This team captured the Youth 11 and Under preliminary class with a unanimous decision as well. The crowd equally roared for the reserve tie which was awarded to Miss Dumas Ebony and Lindsey Hess.

The first under saddle pleasure class of the night was the Lite Shod Specialty Championship where 17 head shaking entries made their way to the arena. Little Dumas and Mike Klutz made the winning ride for C.B. Daughtridge of Rocky Mount, N.C. The well known team of Wired 440 and Wayne Conley rode the reserve finish in the class for Larkin Turner of Clintwood, Va.

In the A division of the Amateur Specialty Novice Rider class tears of joy streamed down not only Deborah Perry’s face after winning aboard The Diamond Broker, but also Alicia Perry-McDaniel’s face as she made her way to center ring to help her mother with her winnings. Reserve in this top class of competitors went to Dazzling Dumas and Barbara Corbett for Ridgemont Farms of Blacksburg, Va.

The B division found Susie Carter and Choice Cuts Bandit in the winner’s circle for Carter and Parrish of Indianapolis, Ind. Mozart and Brad Rogers of Owingsville, Ky., took the red ribbon in the class.

Brandon Derrick made a winning ride for Rodney Koger aboard Sweeping In Style in the A division of the Youth Walking Pony class. Reserve in this seven entry class went to Sure Threat’s Masterpiece with tiny Samantha Gaddy in the irons.

In the B division of the Youth Walking Pony class Mandie Napier and Gen All On The Way made a unanimous winning ride for Mandie Napier of Union, Ky. Rudy Rudiger and Alexandria Holland came in as a close reserve in the class.

Ed Breedlove snagged another blue at Asheville this time in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class with By Reservation Only. I’m Dan Proud with Derek Monahan rode to the reserve finish for Rom Folger of Dobson, N.C.

The NCWHA Members Only class was also split due to the large number of entries at the show. Kenny Compton and Stormy Walks took the A division by storm by walking away with the blue unanimously! Major Stretch and Lori Riddley made a good ride for the reserve honors for the Alan Riddley family of Cherryville, N.C.

Fantazmic Cash and Vickie Hughes-Grindstaff found their way to the winner’s circle in the B division. While Extra Ebony and Clay Mills came in as a strong reserve in the class.

Keeper’s Prince and Chad Baucom became kings of the ring in the Three-Year-Old Stallion class for John Weihl and Yvonna Matthis of Kings Mountain, N.C. Bravado and Joe Cotten took the reserve honors in the class for Jimmy and Carol Lackey of Forest, Miss.

Eleven talented young riders came out to make a ride for the roses in the Youth Specialty Championship. Madison Holloway and I’m An Evil Rebel took the unanimous blue home to Kannapolis, N.C. Swoosh and Megan Mozeley swooped in to snag the red ribbon in the class for Steve Mozeley of Charlotte, N.C.

Alicia Perry-McDaniel and her Muddy Buddy also received a unanimous blue in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class. Amanda Hankins guided Bad Man Jose to the second place tie for Gerald Buckland of Roanoke, Va.

Ed Breedlove captured his final blue of the show in the Amateur Specialty Championship with Jazz King. The well known team of Electrifying and Dona Griffin came in as a close reserve in the 13 entry class.

Sabrina Young could not have been more thrilled with her unanimous blue aboard Ultra Prime Mover in the Amateur Show Pleasure class. This class was also one of the largest of the entire show with 23 making the gate call. World champions San Juan and Eric Lackey captured the prestigious reserve place tie.

Chance Of Cash and David Polk had their chance to win in the Four-Year-Old Stallion Specialty class for Reana Manis of Laurinburg, N.C. Sweeping Up The Cash and Larry Wheelon came in as a close reserve in the 8 entry class for Brock, Duncan and Wheelon of Maryville and Clinton, Tenn.

The Plantation Amateur Specialty Championship class was the final pleasure class of the show. Twenty talented entries made the gate call to vie for the top honors. World Champion Fully Armed carried Jerri Anne Williams of Eden, N.C., to the blue, roses and the title. Reserve in this top class was awarded to another Celebration champion. The Cash Collector and Amanda Dickerson received the red ribbon in the class.

Wes Hendrick of Bowling Green, Ky., was pleased with his new set of roses from the Amateur Championship with Half Dollar. The well know team of Generator’s Old Gold and Hunter Rouse came in as a close reserve in the class for Doug Rouse of Morristown, Tenn.

Then it was time for the moment that everyone had been waiting for...The North Carolina State Grand Championship. Seven well known top competitors made the gate call one by one as the spectators picked out their favorite and began to cheer. In their hometown state of North Carolina MG Above The Rest and Allen Abee took the competition, crowd and judges alike by storm as a wave of cheers poured out as they called out #590! Really and Joel Weaver also had an intense fan club as they collected their reserve grand championship honors for McJunkin Farms of Shelbyville, Tenn. Backstreet Boy and Chad Baucom finished out the top three position in the class for Bonnie Davis of Louisville, Ga.

Complete results to follow may be viewed, searched and printed at www.walkinghorsereport.com. In our latest edition to the web site you may also be able to view judges cards from the North Carolina State Championships. Congratulations to all of the winners, reserves and the overall good rides!