by Renee Isaacs

LIBERTY, Ky. - The Casey County Fair held their horse show in Liberty, Ky., on July 27^th and 28^th. The two-day event had a total of 57 classes with Rodney Dick coming back to visit his hometown to judge the show.

            The show overcame many obstacles to become a success. The USDA was in attendance for Friday evening performances and a downpour of rain and storms together made for a lesser crowd with only 56 horses showing on Friday.  Saturday, the weather cooperated and with over 200 entries, the show was a success.

            The Stick Horse class was the first to enter the ring on Friday with two entries. Trace Stringer and Gentry Mullins rode Star and Iris to claim their prizes. Jarrett Bradley and Ozone’s Final Edition rode to the winner’s circle in the Juvenile Country Pleasure 17 and Under class.

            Next was the Three and Under Park Performance class. Buddy Walters claimed top honors with Risky Business By JFK for Bob Stannard and Rolling Acres Farm and Stables of Lebanon, Ky. Buddy Walters also claimed the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding blue with Ritz’s Yard Bunny and the Four-Year-Old Walking Specialty division with Pusher Blue Magic for Bob Stannard.

            Gary Roeher and JFK’s Good Omen topped the Two-Year-Old Amateur class under the direction of J & H Stables of Russell Springs, Ky. J & H Stables also won several other blues, which were included the KWHA Ladies Auxiliary class with Alie Napier and High Headed Woman; the Open Amateur Specialty class, which was won by Karen Rector and Who Am I?; and the Open Specialty class with Jason Hughes and Olympic’s Energizer.

            Floyd Ray Jones rode to the blue in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Walking class aboard She’ll Go Platinum. Jared Scott of Lawrenceburg, Ky., made two performances with Direct Effect. One of his performances resulted in winning the blue in the Park Performance Amateur Specialty class and the second was when he presented the American flag.

            The 15.2 and Under Walking Specialty class was won by Spencer Benedict and Prime’s Jump Jiven for Carroll Benedict of Glasgow, Ky. The reserve win was captured by Buddy Walters and Silver Dollar Donato for Bob Stannard of Lebanon, Ky. Steve Ponder made his debut performance with VIP in the Amateur Show Pleasure division to capture the blue.

            Saturday performances kicked off at 6:30 and with eight entries in the Lead Line class. Twelve entries made the gate call for the Novice Amateur Walking Specialty. Tina Graves rode to the winner’s circle to collect blue ribbon honors with She’s High Falutin for Emilee Graves of Bell Buckle, Tenn.

            Leanne Rennar was the proud owner of first and second place horses in the Open Weanling Halter. The blue ribbon went to Cover Charge’s Cover Girl with David Mast as the handler and the reserve ribbon went to Playing Dirty and Leanne Rennar as the handler.

            Up next to enter the ring was the Amateur Lite-Shod Plantation Pleasure Specialty class. Mike Widener and Owl’s Night Vision claimed the blue for Buford Martin of Owenton, Ky. Mandie Napier and Gen All The Way claimed top honors in the Walking Pony 17 and Under division under the direction of J & H Stables.

            Eight entries made the gate call for the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. Showboat’s Design and Scotty Brooks captured the blue for Ronnie Brooks of Bowling Green, Ky. A large class of Country Pleasure contenders entered the ring in the Amateur division. Debbie Ratliff of Lancaster, Ky., and The Score Card claimed top honors in this division.

            Jamie Lee Wykoff captured the blue in the largest class of the evening, Open Yearlings, with a total of 19 entries with Check Me I’m Blue for Eddie Ray Davis of Nicholasville, Ky. Next, the Two-Year-Old Walking Stallion and Gelding class entered the ring. Charles Tooley and Line Dance danced around to the winner’s circle, just prior to their victory pass for the Tommy Grider family of Columbia, Ky.

            Charles Tooley claimed a second blue for the evening aboard Merging Into One in the Park Performance Specialty class for the Andy Withers family of Columbia, KY. The Kentucky Horse Council Trail Pleasure class was won by Todd Woolridge of Frankfort, Ky., and Lucky Grand.

            Eleven juveniles made the gate call for the Juvenile Walking 17 and Under class. Allison Becknell and My Lucky Colors claimed the top prize in this division for Delaney Reynolds of Brookesvile, Ky. Billy Ford of Noblesville, Ind., captured blue ribbon honors in the Open Show Pleasure Specialty class aboard Zorba. 

            The Amateur Plantation Pleasure Specialty class was won by Sam Howard and Little Touch Of Evil for Jack Cunningham of Hurricane, W.Va. A large class made the gate call in the Amateur 15.2 and Under Walking Specialty division. Taryn Harris carried out the blue aboard Eb’s Night Storm under the direction of McQuerry Stables of Harrodsburg, Ky.

            Terry Logan Lunsford and It Happened At The Ritz claimed the winning honors in the Open Amateur Canter class. A talented class of horses competed for top honors in the Three-Year-Old Stallion and Gelding class. Brent Grider and Latin Lover rode to top honors for the Tommy Grider family of Columbia, Ky.

            The final classes of the evening were the Stake classes. The Plantation Pleasure Specialty Championship class was won by Teresa Creech and The General In Black, which is trained by Eric Howard of Richmond, Ky.

            The highest honors at the Liberty show was to claim the Walking Stake title. Kevin Bailey and Pride’s Shadow Rider rode to the winning honors for the Tom Weddle family of Liberty, Ky. The reserve win was claimed by Brandye Mills and Dirty Little Games for Brandi Mills of Richmond, Ky.

            A complete copy of the results follow this story and may be viewed at www.walkinghorsereport.com.