By Jennifer Maack-Condren

SEDALIA, Mo. - The Missouri State Fair Society Horse Show was held on August 5-7. L.M. Murphy of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., judged the 33-class/4-performance event.

The Missouri State Fair has beautiful facilities with an air-conditioned arena that provided much needed relief from the August heat. The Fair historically caters to the spectators and not the exhibitors responsible for entertaining the spectators. This philosophy was evident this year as well with the placement of the sea lion exhibit immediately next to the warm-up arena. However enjoyable to see, this exhibit created a lot of havoc in the preparation all of the breeds for the show ring.

The firework display on Thursday night didn’t impede the ability of Jubilee’s Image and Curt Caldwell to add another victory to their rapidly growing list of accomplishments in the 2003 season by winning the Walking Horse Championship Stake for owner Matt and Lisa McWilliams. This win was on the heels of their win in the preliminary Walking Horse Stallion class on Tuesday.

Tuesday

The Ladies Amateur Specialty class opened the show for the walking horses. Thorncrest’s Cat Man Do and Karen McKinnis walked away with the blue while Sarah Manes and Royal Showcase were reserve. The winning team of Mark The Time and Darlene Swaringim came out on top once again in the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class. Cargo’s Mystical Threat and Josh Carlyon made the ride to the reserve spot.

Stephanie Campbell and Caretaker’s Image made the victory pass in the Amateur Park Pleasure Two-Gait class, followed by JFK’s Something Good and Brent Salsman in the second place spot. Campbell returned to the ring in the next class to claim another victory. Brad Nichols and Eclectic won the Open Amateur class with Kendra Foster with The Sky King hot on their heels for the reserve.

The Men’s Amateur Specialty class win went to Matt McWilliams and On The Rise. Truman Volkart and The Juice claimed the reserve spot. Lite Jazz and Jim Huffman walked away with the blue in the Two-Year-Old Open class, followed by Adam Carlyon and Cargo’s Superman taking the reserve.

Aged Mares and Geldings entered the ring for their preliminary to the Championship Stake. Major Monkey Business and Truman Volkart received the judge’s vote for the blue. Coin’s Smooth Operator and Brad Nichols made the good ride to the reserve ribbon. Three-Year-Old Open class winner Victory Colors is no stranger to the victory pass, adding another win to his resume under the direction of Jim Huffman. Jerry Manes and The Millennium Pushover were second.

The last class of this performance was the Aged Stallion class which was won by Jubilee’s Image and Curt Caldwell. Adam Carlyon and the flashy Cargo’s Royal Impression made the ride to the reserve placing.

Wednesday Morning

The Wednesday morning performance was host to the Heart of America Walking Horse Association Futurity classes. Anne Hardin and Strides Secret Finale were the first to win the beautiful crystal trophies offered in this division by winning the HAWHA Three and Under Lite-Shod Futurity. Kaboom and Stephen Ayers received the reserve award. Jerry Manes and Dazzling Dixie walked their way to the winner's circle in the Futurity Weanling class. Ron Boyer and Thorncrest’s Overload received the second place ribbon.

Jim Huffman claimed the next two blue ribbons the Futurity had to offer. He and Throncrest’s PT Cruiser won the Two-Year-Old Futurity class. Huffman returned to win the Three-Year-Old Futurity class with Victory Colors. With temperatures climbing towards 90 at noon, the next group of handlers appreciated the air-conditioning more than anyone. The Futurity Yearlings class was won by Anita Hopper and Collector’s Blue Lace. Doc’s Classic Storm and Anne Hardin put the heat on to receive second.

HAWHA Futurity Two-Year-Old Park Pleasure win went to Thorncrest’s Gambit and Stephen Ayers while Code Red and Cherie Teaford claimed the reserve. Jim Huffman returned to the winner’s circle one more time during this performance with Talk Of Texas in the Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure class. Stephen Ayers concluded his busy morning with the reserve ride on American Revolution.

Wednesday Evening

The Wednesday evening performance opened with the Park Pleasure Two-Gait class. Caretaker’s Image claimed his second blue of the show, this time under the direction of Brad Nichols. Talk Of Texas and Jim Huffman made the good ride to the reserve spot. The crowd came to life for what was probably the best class of the show, the Juvenile 11 and Under class. On the heels of a win in the Mare and Gelding class, Major Monkey Business proved he was all business for rider eight-year-old Weston Hetland as he made his victory pass for the crowd. Another good-looking team, Extracy and Sam Henson rode hard for the reserve.

The Two-Year-Old Amateur class was light on quantity, but high on quality. Sarah Manes directed Tunica to the winner's circle. Brad Nichols also made an excellent exhibition ride in the Juvenile 12-17 class with Coin’s Smooth Operator. Western Park Pleasure Two-Gait class win was awarded to Crown Of Splendor and Harold Roberts. Caretaker’s Image and Ted Nichols claimed the reserve honors.

Another top class of the show was the Three-Year-Old Amateur class. Victory Colors claimed his third win of the show, this time with Donna Huffman in the irons. Fairlady’s Major Delight and Coby Coffman made the reserve ride. Glenda Nichols and Eclectic received judge Murphy’s vote in the Ladies Amateur class with Kendra Foster and The Generator’s Legend taking second. The final class of the evening was the Amateur Lite-Shod Two-Gait class. Charged by JFK and Tabitha Richards came out on top of this field of contenders. Rising Stars Flashback and Cassie Strange were reserve.

Thursday

It was opening day of the State Fair and along with that came the difficulties with parking and permits. But it was also Stake night and the atmosphere was filled with eagerness and anticipation of Missouri State Fair titles.

The Two-Year-Old Stake was the first class of the night for the walking horses. Lite Jazz and Jim Huffman were named champions in this class with son Brad claiming second on Thorncrest’s PT Cruiser. Jim Huffman returned a few classes later to claim another victory for the Huffman Stables banner. The bold going Victory Colors was named Three-Year-Old Champion with Jim Huffman at the reins. The Millennium Pushover and Sarah Manes made the good ride to the reserve spot.

Once again the juveniles took to the ring for their Stake. The crowd was extremely supportive of this fine group of kids ad they navigated their horses around the ring like professionals. It was Weston Hetland and Major Monkey Business coming out the ring with the blue ribbon. Hetland was asked to make a full circle on the victory pass for the delight of the crowd. Sam Henson directed Extracy to the reserve title.

The Walking Horse Specialty Stake was the largest class of the night with seven fine entries. Matt McWilliams and On The Rise were called to the winner's circle again to claim top honors. Truman Volkart and The Juice squeezed out the rest of the competition for the reserve ride. Brian Nichols added another blue to his lengthy list of wins as well. Eclectic and Nichols were named Amateur Stake Champions with Kendra Foster and The Sky King putting the pressure on for the reserve ribbon.

Six entries made the gait call for the Championship Stake. Announcer Reavis called the entries in individually. The competition was tough and the crowd was supportive to all entries, but it was Jubilee’s Image and Curt Caldwell gaining the judge’s approval at the end of the class. Truman Volkart and Major Monkey Business were named Reserve Champions.

It is safe to say that this show was one of the best shows the Missouri State Fair has had in several years. However, one person would not agree with that, and for good reason. Jewell Manes had an unfortunate accident on Monday evening at the campground. While assisting husband Jerry with the motor home, Jewell fell and broke her hip. She underwent surgery to repair it on Tuesday and is recovering with hopes to attend the Celebration. It is true what they say, you can’t keep a good woman down, especially not when it’s Jewell Manes.

This concludes the highlights from the Missouri State Fair Horse Show. Complete results follow and may also be found by visiting our web site at www.walkinghorsereport.com.