by Linda Scrivner

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Revelation with Bill Bobo aboard stepped up to claim the Walking Horse Stake at the 45th annual Murfreesboro Exchange Club Horse Show, held June 25 at Old Fort Park. This year’s show featured four WHTA Riders’ Cup classes, the two-year-old, the three-year-old , the four-year-old and the stake class. These classes were very competitive and exciting.

Horse show president Rick Thornton kicked off the show with the following statement:

“The Exchange Club of Murfreesboro is extremely grateful to the community for the tremendous support you have given our club over the 45-year history of this show. We enjoy working together on behalf of the several wonderful programs that are a vital part of this community.

“This show was started by the late Lew Penuel and was originally held at the old Marty Robbins race track on the Nashville Highway. From that beginning we have grown to be the one night show you will enjoy here tonight.

“On behalf of the Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, the Boys and Girls Club of Rutherford County, juvenile diabetes research and the City of Murfreesboro Fire Department, we are very grateful and thank you for your loyal support.”

Mark Farrar, Jr. once again managed the show efficiently and kept it moving along quickly. He was pleased with the attendance and the entries. This year’s show featured 181 competitive entries compared to 193 last season and 178 in 2003.

In the stake class, Bill Bob directed The Revelation to victory for Bill Harlin of Franklin, Tenn., drawing the evening to a close. This black stallion is not only a great stake horse, he’s also an exceptional breeding stallion. His son, Rowdy Reve, and Bobo claimed the Tape & Technical Solutions Four-Year-Old WHTA Riders’ Cup class. Gads O’ Cash was awarded reserve in the championship under the direction of Philip Trimble for Jerry and Donna Cash of Lawrenceburg, Tenn. The yellow streamer was carried from the ring by the team of Proudly In Command and John Puckett for Holly Puckett of Wartrace, Tenn.

The blue ribbon tally was tied between Bobo Farms and Joel Weaver of Rising Star Farm with four blue-ribbons apiece. Mickey McCormick Stables and Bobby Richards of The Colt Center earned two blues apiece.

Gail Walling won the first blue for Bobo Farms. In the Three-Year-Old Amateur class, she directed Jose Grande to the blue ribbon ride. Daughter Heather Walling came next and topped the Four-Year-Old Amateur class. Heather rode Bold Vengeance hard to win this coveted blue. This, along with the blues won by The Revelation and Rowdy Reve, concluded their four blues.

Joel Weaver's crew was also at the top of their game as they earned four blues. Cash’s Lalique and Weaver received top honors in the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class. Lynn Hickock earned their second blue in the very competitive Amateur Five and Over Specialty division with Dazzling Dumas. Really earned another blue to add to his already impressive resume in the 12-entry Specialty class with Joel Weaver in the irons. Weaver earned their final ribbon aboard Buster Big Lick in the Waterfall Farms Three-Year-Old WHTA Riders’ Cup class.

Thomas McCormick made a super ride on Magic’s Silver Dollar, winning the first of two blues by the Mickey McCormick team. This duo won the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings title. McCormick Stables’ second blue was won by the striking team of Skywatch’s Dark-N-Stormy and Tricia Timmons in the Amateur 15.2 and Under Specialty class.

Bobby Richards also added dual blues to his credit. Both of these were won by son B.J. Richards. Richards and Black Berry’s Summerwine made their way to the winner’s circle in the Amateur Lite-Shod Specialty class. Earlier in the evening, The Grizzly and Richards earned the blue in the Amateur Park Pleasure Specialty class.

The remaining 14 blues from Murfreesboro were received by various stables and individuals. Stormy’s Silky Sue and Josh Jones made the trip to the winner's circle in the Weanling class under Nelms Training Facility banner. Regal Rebel won the Country Pleasure class with Charlie Howard up.

Armed’s Perfect Lady and Chris Richards claimed the victory in the Yearling class. She’s Barb Wire & Roses and Josh Lawwell entered the 10-entry Amateur Novice Riders class and exited with the blue. Lawwell proudly posed for his post-show photo shoot holding new daughter, Jessica, who was attending her first horse show. Grandfather Ronal Young appeared to be just as proud of this tiny bundle.

Robert Cortner and Pushover The Top won the blue in the Youth 11 and Under class from Joe Martin Stables. They Call Me Junior and Kerry Fann claimed top honors in the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Specialty class. The legendary multi-world championship team of Genius Gold Spirit and Ramsey Bullington added the Fine Harness blue to their list of victories.

Robby Black and A Major Eclipse were the winners of the James Corlew Chevrolet Two-Year-Old WHTA Riders’ Cup class in their debut performance. Robbie Warley of Black Gold Farm was extremely excited that this home-bred and raised young stallion by their own stallion and stake contender, A Major Masterpiece, had won such an exceptional class with his strong performance.

Ashley Womack earned the blue in the Trail Pleasure Specialty class with Eagle’s Lady Sue. Kayla Berg made a flawless ride to win the Youth 12-17 Specialty class aboard 5th Avenue Pusher. Jeff Willis Stables prepared this team for competition.

Lynn Womack earned the blue in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class with Firestone Wicked Walker under the tutelage of trainer Mark West. Doug Barnes rode the Park Pleasure Specialty Champion, The Silver Ghost.

Sheryl Crawford and Star Commander walked their way to the winner’s circle in the Amateur Specialty class. This team was prepared by Dude Crowder. June Hawkins and Editorial Page took the top honors once again in the Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty class. Rollie Beard Stables proudly trains this pair.

This concludes Walking Horse Report’s coverage of the Murfreesboro Exchange Club Show. Complete results follow and can be viewed and printed at www.walkinghorsereport.com. The current standings of the High Point Report are also available at our web site and in this paper.