By Linda Scrivner

PULASKI, Tenn. - Huge numbers of spectators were thrilled at the 63rd annual Red Carpet Show of the South as a gray mare and a chestnut stallion stroked side by side down the rail heading for the line-up to the roar of the crowd. Rodney Dick on Shout and Knox Blackburn on Outer Limits demonstrated great showmanship and sportsmanship as they competed for the grand championship honors.

Judge John Puckett selected Shout from a field of 10 excellent horses to wear the red roses from the ring in the Walking Horse Grand Championship. This current world champion mare and reserve world grand champion made her 2003 debut the previous weekend by winning the Lynchburg Ladies Amateur Mare and Gelding title with Brook Baker aboard. Shout is owned by the Keith Baker family. Making an impressive reserve tie was Outer Limits with Knox Blackburn in the irons for the Kenneth Rich family. Dick Peebles directed The Snowatch to the third position for the Anthony Joseph family.

This year’s show, held Saturday, July 26, was a 30-class event. Five of those classes were MASCUP, which after only being involved in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry for two years continues to bring out large numbers of entries. Trainers tend to bring out their top stock to collect additional MASCUP money and points that go toward the year end monetary awards. And believe you me, the MASCUP classes were loaded once again with talent at Pulaski. 2003 point standings were read to date, and last year’s winner Jimmy McConnell continued to lead this season.

This year’s event began with an interview of Dr. Bob Womack by announcer Bobby Sands. Dr. Womack celebrated his 80th birthday that week and every aspect of history of the Tennessee Walking Horse was discussed during this session.

The huge crowd thoroughly enjoyed the top horses and the depth of quality that was shown at this year's competition. The red carpet was certainly rolled out again in 2003!

Finish Line Farms led the blue ribbon tally with four blues. Knox Blackburn Stables, Steve Dunn of Bud Dunn and Son Stables, Tim and Billy Gray of Southern Comfort Training Center, Winkie Groover Stables and Nelms Training Center tied with two blues apiece. The following took home one blue each: Connie Waldo, Beetle Bailey, Stan Thomas, Dick Peebles Stables, Craig Swagerty of Enchanted Gait Stables, Philip Trimble of Trimble Stables, Bobby Kellett Stables, Black Hawk Stables, Bill Young of Backward S Stables, Blake Sims Stables, Brett Boyd Stables, David Landrum Stables, Blue Ribbon Stables, Webb Stables and Buck Williams Stables.

Fifteen top contenders entered the ring for the Show Pleasure Specialty class. Rodney Dick won the first of his blues with USA for Kaye Fields. USA is normally shown by Kaitlin Fields Byrom, who has blues in 2003 to their credit at the National Trainers’ Show and the Walking to Make A Difference Show. Rollie Beard directed Generator’s Pegasus to reserve for Paul Bryan.

Finish Line Farms second blue of the evening was in the 10-entry Four-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class. The crowd really got into this talent laden class. The amateurs were riding hard and the crowd really got behind their favorites. Anita Blue and Anita George rode hard and earned the right to make the victory pass. Doyle Wayne and Anita George proudly own this horse. This team previously won the Amateur Four-Year-Old Specialty at Manchester, Tenn., and the Amateur Four-Year-Old Mare and Gelding at the Spring Fun Show this season. Taking the reserve position was another exciting team Liz Claiborne and Lucky Collins for Don and Lucky Collins.

Lucky Collins claimed the third blue for Finish Line Farms with Pushover & Lookout by winning the 10-entry 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class for Don and Lucky Collins. Lucky directed Pushover & Lookout to the blue at the Gulf Coast Charity Show earlier this season and Buddy Dick claimed the Great Strides Charity Grand Championship on this stallion.Robby Biggs directed his Watchtower to carry the red streamer from the ring. The fourth blue for Finish Line Farm came in the afore mentioned championship stake.

Knox Blackburn Stables’ first blue of the night came with Red Etheredge directing I Could Command, this year's Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion champion, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Red Etheredge. This team also claimed a Moneytree Classic blue this season. Eleven fine entries competed for the blue ribbon in this great class. Reserve was awarded to Charles Gavin and Wattsup for Charles and Carol Gavin.

Thom Meek and The Phantom Menace, hot off their Mississippi State Charity Four-Year-Old Amateur Stake, Children’s Classic Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallion and Bedford FFA Show Amateur Four-Year-Old Specialty wins, topped an outstanding 10-entry Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class for Deerwood Manor from Knox Blackburn Stables. The Total Score and Shane McDonald claimed the reserve position for Cathy McDonald.

Bud Dunn and Son’s Stables first blue came in the 13-entry MASCUP Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class with Fortune’s Fool for Mike and Ginger Young. Dunn and Fortune’s Fool previously won the same class at Minor Hill Saddle Club Show. A Screaming Eagle with Rodney Dick in the irons for the Keith Baker family claimed reserve.

Dunn’s second blue was claimed by Andy Adkins and Boomer In Command in the 10-entry Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallion for John Sharp. The crowd was very vocal in this class in their support of the youthful Adkins aboard the big stallion. This was this team’s sixth consecutive blue with wins at Fairview Lions Club Show, Children’s Classic, Spring Fun Show, Money Tree Classic and Bethesda, Tenn. Prime Poison and Brenda Carlon also made an excellent show to earn the reserve championship.

Jerry Maguire and Chelsea Cook won the Youth 11 and Under class giving the first blue of the night to the Southern Comfort Trainer Facility. This team previously claimed the Liberty Lions Club 11 and Under Juvenile title. Trevor Collier and Generator’s No U were selected by the judge to carry the red ribbon out.

Sixteen MASCUP Three-Year-Old Stallion teams answered the gate call. At the conclusion of the class, Tim Gray and NYPD made the victory pass. NYPD, fresh from his Columbia Spring Jubilee win, is owned by Gus King. Dick Peebles directed Thief's Delightful Man to claim reserve for the Anthony Joseph family.

Sheila Groover claimed the first blue for Groover Stables with Miss Dumas Ebony by claiming the 14-entry Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding title. This big filly is proudly owned by Winky and Sheila Groover. Olympic’s Lucky Charm carried Kathy Graves to reserve for Jerry Graves.

The largest class of the evening had 18 entries, seven of which were world champions. Daniel Groover and his world champion Jubilee’s Star Wars earned the victory pass in this class for the second blue of the evening for Groover Stables. The popular team of Magic Sweet Victory and Julie Wharton were second for Poplar Creek Farms.

Nelms Training Facility also claimed dual Pulaski blues. Robert Nelms first led Reba’s Black Angel to win the Yearling Filly blue for owners J.T. and Martha Nelms. Reba’s Black Angel claimed dual blues at the Crossroads of Dixie Show and won the Model class at the Fellowship Halter Show as well. The Nelms were also the owners of the Yearling Colts winner, Copy’s Turbo, also led by Robert Nelms. Copy’s Turbo previously won the Yearling Stallions class at the Great Strides Charity Show. Reserve in the Yearling Fillies class was the team of Wicked Leggs and Bobby Richards for Jana Anderson. B.J. Richards led Liberty’s Pride to the reserve in the Yearling Colts class for Roger Richards.

The first class of the evening had 16 entries. Friday Night Mercedes and Connie Waldo claimed the Country Pleasure class. Their 2003 previous wins were at Gallatin Lions Club Show, Summertown, Tenn., Columbia Spring Jubilee, Murfreesboro Exchange Club Show, Woodbury Lions Club Show, Cornersville Lions Club Show and the Great Strides Charity Horse Show. Bethany Martocci directed Bojangles Diamond Sadie for Rhonda Martocci to claim the reserve position.

The Lead Line classes get very competitive as the Celebration draws near. Ace and Tyler Bailey, led by Kim Bailey earned another blue in this class for owner James “Beetle” Bailey. They also won the same class this season at the Children’s Classic, Summertown, Tenn., and the Bedford FFA Show. Charles Gleghorn proudly led Jordan Dempsey and Shaker’s Little Midnight to claim the reserve position for Charles and Joy Gleghorn.

Lucy’s Encore and Stan Thomas captured the weanling title for Jerrold Pedigo. Valton Rummage claimed second with Blues Lady Pusher for Ronnie Rummage.

In the 10-entry MASCUP Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class, Dick Peebles and I’m A Pushy JFK Lady took to the winner’s circle once again for George and Carol Smith. Carol Smith directed this fine mare to a blue at the recent Magnolia Classic. John Allan Callaway and Josette picked up the red streamer for Jackie Whatley.

The Lite-Shod Specialty class was very competitive. The judge’s choice was world grand champion Sun’s Top Gold and Craig Swagerty for Enchanted Gait Stables, who traveled from Utah. Reserve was awarded to Drop The Hammer and Connie Waldo for R.D. and Connie Waldo.

Buck Williams Stables was very proud of their Pulaski winner. Bill Beech and Jackie O’s My Sister topped the 10-entry Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class for the Ray Beech family. This team had earlier 2003 wins at Winchester, Tenn., and Columbia, Tenn. Haroline Willis and Roger Willis’ You Better Be Good claimed the red ribbon.

Gads O’ Cash and Clay Sanderson are always crowd favorites in the Walking Pony class. Their fans cheered for them as they tried to stay cool in the 90 degree plus heat with fans passed out touting this team. Gads O’ Cash is owned by Jerry and Donna Cash and trained by Philip Trimble. Their previous 2003 wins include Fairview Lions Club Show, Summertown, Tenn., and Liberty Lions Club Show. Dangerous Mission and Lindsey Cate made a fine show to claim reserve for L & L Show Horses.

Fifteen MASCUP Two-Year-Old Stallion teams brought the crowd to the edge of their seats and the cheers were heard loudly and clearly. Bobby Kellett rode Mama’s Almighty Dollar to the victory pass for Charlie Bell and Bobby Kellett. They recently won at Walking For The Children Show in Dallas, N.C., as well as dual blues at Land-O-The-Sky Horse Show. Blue Fire, with Buck Williams in the irons, was reserve for Jim and Judy McCaslin.

Children’s Classic Amateur Ladies Specialty Champions Jaclyn Tillman and Spirit’s Razzle Dazzle won the Trainers’ Wives and Children Specialty class for Black Hawk Farm. Justin Jenne’ proudly trains this mare. Ashlea Wheelon directed The Final Score to take the reserve spot for Farrell Hughes.

The team of Gen’s Gold Spirit and Ramsey Bullington won the Fine Harness at Pulaski in 2001, 2002 and in 2003. This world champion is owned by the Robert Keenan family who were present to see him make his victory pass. His other 2003 wins were at the Trainers’ Show with Bullington and the Columbia Spring Jubilee in the Amateur Fine Harness under the direction of Bob Keenan. Current world champions Lynn Womack and Dangerous Medusa claimed reserve for Womack Stables.

Repeating her win last weekend at Mt. Pleasant, Beth Sims directed Gen’s Major Motion to the victory pass in the Amateur Stallion Specialty for Mike Chiappari. Husband Blake Sims prepares this world grand championship team for the show ring. They also won the Liberty Lions Club Show blue. Prides Pickle and Abby Graves were selected reserve for the Jerry Graves family.

Another world grand champion, Cash In My Stock carried Brett Boyd to the blue in the 15.2 and Under class. Charles and Joy Gleghorn proudly claim ownership of this outstanding horse. They also earned the same title last weekend at Lynchburg, Tenn. Dr. Perfect and Bill Bobo claimed the red streamer for Roger and Sandra Hodgson. In 2002 Black Cash Delight claimed the blue in the Three-Year-Old Stallion class. He returned in 2003 with Ronal Young in the irons to claimed the Four-Year-Old Stallion blue for Larry and Colita Goforth from Kurt Kovalick Stables at Old Plank Farm. The Sportin Man carried Justin Jenne’ to the reserve spot for Ray Stone.

Thirteen hard riding youngsters put on quite a show in the Juvenile 12-17 division. World Champion Pusher’s Special Design and Katherine Ramsbottom were victorious for Bob Ramsbottom. In their first season together this team has a lengthy list of 2003 blues including Juvenile 12-17 Specialty wins at Gallatin Lions Club, Smoky Mountain Classic, Money Tree Classic and the recent Woodbury Lions Club Shows. Link Webb Stables proudly presents this team. In Command Again and Ashley Harris were selected for the reserve for Crawford Colts.

Multi-world champion Don Rafa added the 11-entry Four-Year-Old Mare and Gelding title to his resume for Dr. and Mrs. R. Rigual. He hails from David Landrum Stables and was shown by Joe Cotten to win the blue. They also claimed blues at the Spring Fun Show and Bethesda, Tenn. Ramsey Bullington made a spectacular show with Adrenaline to claim reserve for Pollack's Silver Spur Ranch.

Park Pleasure Specialty champion Push My Score and Doug Barnes made an outstanding performance. Jeanette Kulysuk owns this blue roan horse. Claiming reserve were A Nightmare and Craig Swaggerty for Kristine Petty.

These are the highlights from the 63rd annual Red Carpet Show Of The South.