CONROE, Tex. - Upon arriving in Conroe, Texas and checking into the show headquarters, Baymont Inn, this reporter was pleasantly surprised with a basket bearing a blue bow, bluebonnet flowers, candy, fruit and various other delightful gifts. However, puzzlement arose when this greeting was taped to the basket, “Welcome to the “Ice” Classic! Glad you made it!” Where do you get “Ice” Classic from the Texas Bluebonnet Classic that I was to attend? I was admittedly puzzled.
My next stop was the Lone Star Convention and Expo Center and what a sight this facility is! Upon arrival, Richard “Dick” Gerring, Show Chairman, greeted me again with, “We’re so glad you made it. Did you have any problems?” To which I replied, “No, my flight was fine.” He then started explaining to me the many problems, his well planned show had had to this point. Many of the exhibitors had not made it through the three inches of ice in Dallas, Texas from the North. He said they had received many requests to hold the show until they could get there. Several exhibitors stated that this was the worst weather they had had in the area for 55 years.
The decision had been made to postpone the Thursday night session until more could arrive and have three sessions on Friday. Many exhibitors did make it to the show and the show went on with 352 entries. Some of the travelers spent extra time on the road, however. Hancock Woodlawn Acres of Princeton, Kentucky spent 20 hours on the road and Dick Peebles Stables of Shelbyville, Tennessee arrived after 16 hours travel. Both of these stables arrived in time for Thursday’s session but many did not arrive until in the night on Thursday. Additional exhibitors also arrived from Ohio and Georgia as well as all over the huge state of Texas.
The inaugural Texas Bluebonnet Classic did go on with their lovely center ring decorated with bluebonnets, red flowers, gold horseshoes and the flag of Texas. There were many there to vie for the $25,000 in prize money and MASCUP points on February 28 and March 1, 2003.
This show was a class act serving center ring on Saturday night with two chefs cooking throughout the evening. Mark Farrar, announcer, said that he had never seen food like this at a horse show.
On Saturday evening the show was opened with a very touching ceremony. Those in center ring wore tuxedos as well as red, white, and blue bow ties with the Texas lone star on one side. The American flag was carried by Victor Mustache riding a white walking horse, followed by the Texas flag, and then five youth exhibitors entered one at a time at the running walk carrying in the five flags of the branches of the United States services. Each song of that branch was played as they entered. Richard Gerring made a touching presentation and welcome, followed by the playing of Tapps on a bugle. A beautiful flute melody was played next. A medley of songs was then sang by Janet Sides that began with How Great Thou Are, Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory and concluded with God Bless America. The crowd joined in and the seven riders and flags circled the arena once more with the crowd applauding their exit.
It was a great beginning to their championship night. Both first and second places were awarded crystal trophies and neck ribbons. Saturday evening’s performance was a fitting conclusion to a class act show put on by Chairman Richard Gerring and Lenard Davenport, Secretary. Jack Greene shot the champions on his camera. The Shriner’s Hospitals For Children will be the charity recipient of this year’s Bluebonnet Classic.
The three judges for this show were Ronnie Hooker, Terry Stone, and Billy Young, who replaced Bob Gullic, who could not make it to the show. They viewed 84 classes which featured both Walking and Racking Horse classes for both pleasure and performance.
The Snowatch, directed by Dick Peebles, stepped into the aged division in style by winning Walking Horse Grand Championship Stake unanimously. This five-year-old stallion is owned by the Anthony Joseph family of Columbiana, Ala. Reserve in the Grand Championship was another five-year-old, General Takes Command, with Don Crum in the irons for Clark Spencer. This team also captured the Aged Stallion Class the previous evening. Rounding out the top three were Another City Slicker and Roger Ivins for Fannie Ivins of Bagwell, Tex.
Championship night began with the Country Pleasure Championship. World Champion Howdy Doody and Don Hancock were the recipients of the title for Hancock Woodlawn Acres. Black Devil Collector and Barbara Civils were the reserve champions for Jimmy and Barbara Civils. Civils and Black Devil Collector also won the Country Pleasure Ladies Bluebonnet title.
Skywatch Eclipse earned the Show Pleasure Championship with John Feltner in the irons for Jan Anderson. On Friday this team also captured the Show Pleasure Specialty Open class. Flashy’s Jus’ Jukin and Julie Hice claimed reserve after claiming the Show Pleasure Amateur the evening before for George and Carol Smith of Wiggins, Miss.
Joe Dickerson and I’m Cordell Walker earned two championship titles on Saturday for the Dickerson family. First they won the Trail Pleasure Specialty Championship with a unanimous tie, then returned to win the Trail Pleasure Canter Championship. This was their third blue of the day since they also won the Trail Pleasure Youth Canter class Saturday morning. Reserve in the Specialty Championship were Steve Raley aboard Copper Gen’s Elegant Lady for John Feltner, Sr. Tying reserve in the Canter Championship were Jay Durst and Gen’s Copper Jewel.