by Julie Altman

Posted May 17, 2002

MONROE, Ga - On Saturday, May 4, 2002, the Walton-Barrow Board of Realtors hosted the 38th Annual Walton County Walking Horse Show in Monroe, Georgia. The horse show had a tremendous crowd of people, despite the rainy and cold weather. The honorable Rollie Beard of Lewisburg, Tennessee, judged this 34 class event. Mr. Dale Stone of Buford, Georgia, played his beautiful tunes on the organ while Ms. Sherry Clarneau of Shelbyville, Tennessee, captured the moments on film. Mr. Bobby Nash of Marietta, Georgia, took care of the ringmaster duties and Mr. Harris Blackwood of Gainesville, Georgia, served as Master of Ceremonies.

To start off this event was the Juvenile class for riders 12-17 years of age. Gen’s Secret Warrior and Christy Cain proved to everyone that they were not a secret any longer. This new and exciting duo took home a Monroe blue for C and C Stables. Reserve honors went to Ashley Allen and JFK’S Serious Moonlight, another newly purchased horse by the Keith Allen family. Win With Gen and Maisie McSwain captured the blue in the Juvenile 11 and Under Specialty division for the Dan McSwain family. Fashion Beauty and William Giddens received the reserve honors for J. W. Giddens.

Carl Edwards and Sons Stables captured six blues under their banner. Special Ultra Copy and Bobby Mixon received top honors in the Three-Year- Old Amateur division and Buddy Love and Ed Federer received reserve honors. In the Four-Year-Old Open division, Larry Edwards and A Bonus From Ritz put on a tremendous show that came out to be worthy of a blue. Reserve honors in this class went to George Dubya and Henry James for Rodger and Harolene Willis. Larry Edwards was called to the winner’s circle again. This time it was in the Two-Year-Old Open Stallion division. This blue went home with owners Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hill. Larry Edwards, once again, was called to the winner’s circle, this time he was aboard Bright Star’s Cash Flow in the the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding division. This entry in owned by Dr. Barbara Moersch. My Evil Copy and Allen Price received the reserve award for Marcus Mitchell in this division. In the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty division, Stephanie White and The Man In Charge grabbed the final blue for the Edwards crew and they showed that they were in charge. Reserve honors went to Push-A-Way and Dawn Bledsoe for Dawn and Carl Bledsoe.

Henry James Stables traveled from Shelbyville, Tennessee, to Monroe, Georgia, and took five blues back to Shelbyville. In the Walking Pony division, The Perfect Personality and Dustin Ray captured the blue for Dot and Kline Wheless of Crawford, Georgia. I’m A Big Time Star and Nick Price received the reserve honors for owners Mr. and Mrs. Parks Groover. Robbie Spiller and Dynamic Ritz destroyed the competition in the Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty division and took home top honors. Reserve honors went to CeBe’s Hashmark and Ashley Allen for the Keith Allen family. In the Amateur 50 and Over class, Harolene Willis and Tradition’s Cash claimed the blue for Mr. and Mrs. James Meadows of Macon, Georgia. Shade’s Gambling Man and Janet Herrington took home the reserve in this division. Raise The Cash and Tony Carter raised the crowd to their feet and ended up going back to Buford, Georgia, with a blue in the 15.2 and Under Amateur division. Reserve honors went to Spun Inspirations and Walter Langdon. Robert Sanders claimed the blue in the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class on Virginia Hill for proud owners Dot and Kline Wheless.

Red Eagle Farms of Dacula, Georgia, took home three blues from Monroe. In the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod division, Clint Dixon and Starstruck By JFK struck the competition and received top honors for Red Eagle Farms. Reserve in this class went to Nite Mirage and Allen Forman for Jeanne Harrison. Clint Dixon made another victory lap in Monroe, this time he was aboard Fully Armed in the Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty division. Iron By Design and Raymond Stiles received the reserve award. Generator’s Evil Lady and Joe Dixon captured a blue in the Park Pleasure Specialty division for Red Eagle Farms.

The Horse House and trainer Carl Bledsoe also received three blues in Monroe. Mo Shame On Me and Carl Bledsoe received the first place award in the Western Specialty for Dr. Becky Teal. Strike It Rich and Joe Dixon received reserve honors for Red Eagle Farms. In the GWHLA Members Specialty division, A Powerhouse and Jamie Myers showed that they had power and they claimed the blue for Jimmy Myers. Love That Magic and Vicki Cole took home reserve honors for Jerry and Vicki Cole. Silver’s Magic Moment and Norma Lynn Bledsoe captured the blue in the Ladies Amateur Specialty division and put on a fantastic show. Myrtle In Command and Harolene Willis proudly took the reserve title back to Shelbyville, Tennessee, for Rodger and Harolene Willis.

Ken Moore Stables received three blues along with Red Eagle Farms and the Horse House. Besides their Juvenile 12-17 Specialty win with Gen’s Secret Warrior, Ken Moore Stables captured two more first place votes. In the Spotted Horse Specialty, Becky Allen and Hand Painted Masterpiece made a trip to the winner’s circle for owner John Allen. Reserve in this class went to Pusher’s All Laced Up and Vicky Smith. In the Gentlemen’s Amateur Specialty division, Danny Rylee and Neiman Marcus claimed top honors and proved that this new team is going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2002.

Alan Price Stables and Stagecoach Stables -Allen Forman, trainer - were the two barns which received two blue ribbons at this year’s 38th Annual Walton County Horse Show. Receiving single blue ribbons were as follows: Kathy Cummings, Susan Paul, Mike Stone, Parham Stables, the Christopher Williams family, Kelley Rorrick, and Twelve Oaks Stables.