by Christy Rogers-Brown

MANCHESTER, Tenn.-The smell of barbecue chicken drifted over the fair grounds in Coffee County Tennessee on Saturday May 3, 2003, during the 49th annual Manchester Lions Club Show. The show had 235 exciting entries and drew a large crowd of spectators. “It was one of the best shows we have had in years,” stated Mrs. Nellie Brantley, a long time show sponsor. The honorable Benny Johnson judged the 24 class show. Ms. Connie Dunlap entertained the crowd with her organ, and Jennifer Pack captured the event on film. Thurman Walden kept everyone in their places while acting as the announcer.

In a the eight entry championship class, Ronnie Spears directed Mr. Pushbutton to the win in a talented field of exhibitors. The chrome splashed stallion is the entry of William B. and Sandra Johnson. Blake Sims rode Gen’s Major Motion, who is owned by the Mike Chiappari family, to the crowd backed reserve win.

Horses from Chad Williams’ Barn captured two blue ribbons at the show. Fact Of The Matter secured the first blue of the night for the Chad Hannah family. John Allan Callaway rode First Watch to the reserve win in the class for owner Don Pratt. Later in the evening, He’s A Rebel carried an excited Joyce Meyers to the winner’s circle after the Amateur Specialty Mares, Geldings and Stallions class had been placed. Meyers and her horse were honored with the retirement of the S. P. Anderson Challenge Trophy that started in 1992. After being passed around for 11 years, it will now become a permanent treasure of Joyce Meyers. The trophy had to be won twice by the same owner for permanent possession. Ed Breedlove took home the reserve win in the class with Bound And Determined. The reserve champion team was prepared by Allan Callaway Stables.

Hidden Acres Farm supported two winners at the show. Nathan Mills lead the Yearling Filly Champion Encore’s Magic Lady for owner Hoyte Eakes. The Reserve Yearling Filly Reba’s Black Angel was led by Robert Nelms. The entry is owned by J.T. and Martha Nelms. Mills came back in class four to win the Yearling Colt class with Perfect Dollar. The winning entry was again owned by Hoyte Eakes of Hidden Acres Farm. The reserve ribbon in the class went to Bluz Lae Day and hometown girl Susan Shemwell. The reserve champion is owned by Roger Richards.

Fourteen entries entered the ring in the Amateur Lite-Shod Plantation Specialty class. Lynn Womack rode Humongous Score to the win for owner Jerry Stephens and trainer Mark West. Drop The Hammer was the reserve champion in the class with R. D. Waldo in the irons for owner Connie Waldo.

Olympics Lucky Charm carried Buist Carr to the win in the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class. James and Alice Blankenship own the entry. Knox Blackburn rode Precious Little Dumas to the reserve win in the class for the Mike Herrington family.

Drop The Hammer was directed by Connie Waldo to the win in the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Specialty class. Delights’s Champagne Sugar and Jeff Byrom took home the red ribbon in the class.

Reagan Thompson rode Popcorn Pusher to the winner’s circle after the Youth 11 and Under Walking Specialty class had been tied. Popcorn Pusher is owned by the John Thompson family and trained by Tim Wheelon. Casey Caldwell and The Onion were the reserve champions in the class. The team was prepared by Blake Sims Stables and backed by the Mike Chiappari family. Thompson and Caldwell should be commended not only on their riding abilities, but also for their sportsmanship. The girls congratulated each other after the class.

Major Miss Understood was the standout in the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class. The winning ride was made by Knox Blackburn for Suzanne Brantley. In the 19 head class, Dollar’s Crimson Delight was guided to the reserve champion win by Dick Peebles for Bruce and Robin MacDonald.

In the Park Pleasure Two and Three-Year-Old Open class, Jeff Byrom found himself riding to the winner’s circle aboard Dollar’s Copy for Larry McLaughlin. Gen’s Vin Diesel was ridden to the reserve championship honors in the class by Charlie Underwood. The entry is owned by James Underwood.

Tex Dillingham and Dazzling Jewel sparkled in the ring during the Amateur Two-Year-Old class. The team made the winning ride for owner John Hayt. Show Me Gold and Melinda Cook carried out the reserve ribbon for Groover Stables and owners Cook and Hall.

Strictly A Mystery was ridden by Mark West to the winner’s circle in the Four-Year-Old Walking Stallions class. Jimmy Williams is the owner. Warning I’m Armed, ridden by Buist Carr, was the reserve champion in the class.

Twelve entries graced the arena in the Youth 12-17 Specialty class. Joel Johnson rode Mr. Mega Bucks to the win for Mickey McCormick Stables and owner Suzy Johnson. Bummin A Little Cash carried Maria Holland to the reserve win in the class for trainer Michael Vandiver and the Stuart Nursery and Farm.

Judge Johnson chose Pushin Backatcha and Ronnie Campbell to be the winners in the 17 entry Show Pleasure Walking Specialty class. Frances Bivens owns the winning horse. Rodney Dick rode USA to the reserve honors in the big class. Kaye fields owned the reserve champion steed.

Silver From The Ritz took home the prize from Manchester in the Four-Year-Old Walking Mares and Geldings class. Chad Way made the winning ride for owner Linda Crowley. Knox Blackburn rode Pusher’s High On Gen to the reserve win in the class for Dee and Iris Prince.

One of the biggest and most talked about classes of the evening was the Ladies Amateur Walking Mares and Gelding Specialty class. Brenda Bramlett rode Stopwatch to the win. The team is prepared by Allan Callaway Stables. Miracle At The Ritz was directed to the reserve win by Sandra Johnson. David Landrum Stables primed the red ribbon team.

Threat’s Black Bum carried Kenny Browning to the win in the Park Pleasure Four-Year-Old and Over Open Specialty class. Mark West guided the reserve champion Strictly Out Of Cash to a second place finish in the class. The horse is owned by Charles and Julie Wharton.

Pushover’s Pride Delight was taken on a victory lap by Mike Hilley for the Derickson Training Facility and owners Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hawkins. Reserve Champions in the big class were A Screaming Eagle and Rodney Dick. The reserve champion was ridden for the Keith Baker family.

Joel Weaver rode the Novice Horse Speciality Champion A Generator’s Bum to the win for Joe Christmas. My Flat Foot Floosie was ridden to the reserve honors in the class by Charles Gavin. The entry is owned by Carol Ann Gavin and trained by The Stables at Belle Meadow.

Quarterback Rising Star was ridden by Mack Moates to victory in the 15.2 and Under Walking Specialty class. The entry is backed by LSA, Inc. Buist Carr rode G Major to the reserve win in the class for Ben Moss and Ron Carney.

Buster’s Rebel Rouser was ridden to victory in the Amateur Three-Year-Old class by Allyson Sims-Abbot. The horse and rider team was prepared by Blake Sims Stables and is owned by Stateline Appraisers. Sally Webb made the reserve ride on Lust For Power. The entry is trained by The Stables at Belle Meadow and is owned by Wayne Rae.

My Fair Play Lady carried Bobby Hugh to the winner’s circle in the Five-Year-Old Walking Mares and Geldings class for owner Jean Baum. Immortal Generator was the reserve champion in the class for rider Joe Cotten and the Keith Baker family.

Anita Blue and Anita George were the champions in the Amateur Four-Year-Old Mares, Stallions and Geldings class. The winning duo was prepared by Chad Thompson for owners Doyle Wayne and Anita George. The Pusher Generation was ridden to the reserve honors in the class by Samantha Kovlick. Ronal Young trained the entry for Nancy Thomas.

The 48th annual Lions Club horse show continued its tradition as a successful one night walking horse show. Show Sponsors and the crowd were pleased with the quality of horses that showed at this year’s event. Complete results from the show can be seen, searched or printed from our permanent database at www.walkinghorsereport.com.