By Linda Scrivner
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - Show manager Paul Gambill proudly exclaimed, “It’s our fourth year for this show, and it’s the best show yet! We had excellent weather and an excellent night with 231 entries compared to 160 last year. Thank you to everyone.”
The trailers rolled into the Bedford County Agriculture Center on Friday, June 20, 2003, for the second night in a row. The Bedford County FFA Horse Show was held the previous evening. The 31 class event was judged by Joe Fleming. The Friday night success had Connie Dunlap entertaining the crowd with her talents on the organ. Jennifer Pack captured the night on film. Lion Larry Hames gave the invocation and sang the national anthem. Announcer Chip Walter kept the show moving right up to the midnight hour. Paula Gambill proudly carried Old Glory aboard She’s A Cash Collector while father/show chairman Paul Gambill beamed.
Seven entries made the gate call in the Championship Stake. Ramsey Bullington carried away the tri-color for the second year. In 2002 he claimed the title aboard Push To Start. This year he made the victory pass aboard Spirit’s Midnight Rider after a flawless show for the Annie Williamson family. Reserve in the class was taken away by Charlie Green and Freedom Fighter for Dennis and Rustee Shoftner. The third place streamer was carried out by Justin Harris aboard Shot Of Gen for Curtice McCloy.
Many barns appeared with excellent horses and no one stable excelled more than the others. Dual blues were won by seven barns: Bill Bobo Stables, Sammy Day Stables, Sand Creek Training Facility, Mickey McCormick Stables, Rising Star Ranch, Blake Sims Stables and Phillip Trimble of Trimble Stables.
The Ultra Doc and Dr. Jim Baum won the first blue for Bobo Stables in the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty for River Tree Farm. Brandon Stout had the winning number in the large Mare and Gelding Specialty class riding A Future Generation. Dorothy Davenport proudly owns this talented entry.
Sammy Day made a blue ribbon debut performance in the 14-entry Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class aboard Ritz Ozone for the Anthony Joseph family. The world championship duo I’m Willie Wonka and Janice Fostek claimed the Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion Specialty title under Day Stables’ banner.
Chelsea Cook and Jerry Maguire claimed the blue for Sand Creek Training Facility in the 11 and Under Juvenile class for Chelsea and Bailey Cook. Grandpa Billy Gray proudly prepared this team for the ring. In addition to the afore mentioned world championship team, Gray directed world champion I’m Josey Wales to the top of the Four-Year-Old class. Mr. and Mrs. Larry McLaughlin proudly own this chestnut stallion.
Mickey McCormick’s winning proteges belong to the same family. First, Joel Johnson rode his Mr. Mega Bucks to the top of the Juvenile 12-17 class. Later in the evening, dad Keith Johnson directed current world champion Insomnia to exit the ring with the blue in the 13-entry Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class.
Joel Weaver, trainer at Rising Star Ranch, put two winning entries in the ring at the Liberty Lions Club Show. After their recent Minor Hill win, Weaver directed Edition’s Power Pusher to another blue in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class for Louise George. My Ebony Sky and Barbara Corbett came away with the blue for RidgeMont Farms in the Three-Year-Old Amateur class.
Ritz Cracker and Blake Sims topped the 10-entry Show Pleasure Specialty division for Charlie and Linda Bedwell. Gen’s Major Motion and wife Beth Sims made the victory pass in the Amateur Specialty for the Mike Chiappari family.
Clay Sanderson made his presence known in the Walking Ponies division aboard Gads O’ Cash for trainer Philip Trimble and owners Jerry and Donna Cash. In the very next class, Jakie Smith directed Jagger to the top of the 13-entry Three-Year-Old Stallion class for owners Suzanne and Jacob Smith.
It’s always a joy to see tomorrow’s exhibitors enter the ring today. The team of I’m A Dandy, Too and MacKenzie and Debbie Gaidos opened the 2003 show season exactly where they left off in 2002. They won the lead-line class once again for Don Brown.
Eleven entries answered the gate call for the Country Pleasure class. The new team of Pitcher Of Gold and Dr. Judy Moore collected the Country Pleasure blue for Moore-Foust Farm.
Keith Reed proudly led the weanling champion Carlton Ritz. Hal and Beverly Newman own this outstanding star of the future.
The Jerry Stephens owned entry, Score’s Even claimed the Park Pleasure blue with Mark West in the irons.
Chris Richards and Jose’s Glamour Girl claimed another Yearling Filly title for Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brantley. Justin Harney made the victory pass in the 11-entry Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding for the John Harney family.
Pusher’s ET and Shirley Ensey are having a winning year. They added the Liberty Lite-Shod blue to their resume.
The Yearling Colt title went to Robert Nelms leading Ambassador For RFK. Everett and Doris Penick claim this long-striding youngster.
Kathy Potter proudly directed her Groovy Chick to the top of the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class. DanLon Farms and trainer Johnny Puckett prepared this lovely color-coordinated team.
Bob Lawrence and Ultra Edge were the champions in the Two and Three-Year-Old Amateur Lite-Shod class. Doug Barnes trained this mount for owners Bob Lawrence and Carol Hutto.
Wayne Hall and his Metro Grand brought home the Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty blue. Chris Messick prepares this pair for their winning ride.
Representing Black Hawk Farms, Justin Harris and Power Block topped off the Two-Year-Old Stallions for owners Hoskins and Davenport.
Always wearing a smile and always gracious, 73-year-old Billie Sue Adkinson won the largest class of the show aboard her Rising Rhythm. Knox Blackburn Stables prepared this team to win the 17-entry Ladies Amateur Specialty Mares and Geldings title.
Maria Derickson proudly rode the blue ribbon entry Ole’ Ole’ Jose in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class. Dr. Harv Carlon owns this Jose Jose offspring that was prepared for competition by Derickson Training Facility.
Eleven entries answered the gate call in the Open Amateur class. Larry Lowman and Cheatin’ Danger made the victory pass from Landrum Stables for owner Judith Burgess.
In 2002 the team of Etched At The Ritz and Carol Canerday claimed a Liberty blue ribbon. They returned this year to claim the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty Mares and Geldings title. Jerry Woodlee proudly trained this winning team for Liberty Lions competition.
This highlights the 4th annual Liberty Lions Club Horse Show. Complete results follow and may also be found on our web site www.walkinghorsereport.com.