Down On Blues Street

By K.C. Hensley

CLEMSON, S.C. -With the threat of Hurricane Ivan on everyone’s mind the 2004 South Carolina State Championships did not prevail. Walking horse enthusiasts made their way to the T. Ed Garrison Arena September 17 and 18 much to the surprise of a gorgeous weekend. Hal Newman of Shelbyville, Tenn., Eddie Barclay of South Fulton, Tenn., and Tommy Howell of Athens, Tenn., made up the judging panel who expertise produced 27 unanimous first place ties throughout the 60 classes.

The tots Lead-In class were the first exhibitors to impress the judges. The five tiny riders all received a blue ribbon.

In the Open Weanlings class three entries made the gate call. Ronnie Arflin of Honea Path, S.C. prepared all three of the champions for the show ring, but it was Hollie’s Sunny Delight with Mary Arflin at the lead that would take the blue this time! D.J.’s Favorite Shaker and Daniel Jordan took the reserve place honors.

A JFK Masterpiece and Brittnie Cox of Laurens, S.C., put on a stellar performance to claim the top honors in the Youth 11 & Under class. Razzmatazz Jazz with Lindsay Hess in the irons came in as a strong reserve.

Jacque Fisher was pleased with her blue ribbon ride aboard Grandy Garcia in the PCWHA Members Only Flat Shod Specialty class. Jacque Fisher and Kathy Jamison of Florence, S.C. own the entry. Reserve in the class went to Dollar’s Copy and Emma Cannon of Sumter, S.C.

In the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class P.J.’s Pushin Charm and Dickie King of Anderson, S.C., made their way to the winner’s circle much to the approval of the audience. Reserve honors were received by Heartbeat of Motown and Andrew Allen for Kim Hawkins of Blythewood, S.C.

In the Lite-Shod Amateur, Owned and Trained the striking presence of Charger’s Turbo and Devyn Lambert were known as they claimed the top honors in the class. Reserve went to Fall Colors and Ali Merritt of Woodruff, S.C.

Matador and Dr. David Brown of Sumter, S.C., made their way to the winner’s circle for the Men’s Amateur Specialty blue. Pusher’s High On Gen and Jack Hall of Madison, Ga., came in as a strong reserve in the class.

One of the largest classes of the night was the Three-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings class with its 10 entries. Kathy Hollin of Bishop, Ga., made winning ride aboard Way High Flower Child. Current world champion Cash And Carry Little Girl with Danny Rylee in the irons claim the reserve honors in the class.

Guy Ben Findley walked away with the blue in the Park Pleasure English class aboard Generator’s C-Note for Henry Findley of Buford, Ga. Reserve in the class was awarded to Kathy Jamison with He’s Pushin Time.

The 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class was full of talented entries vying for top honors. After a delay and visit from farriers Buddy and Alan Julian My Bright Star and Yvonna Matthis walked away victoriously! John Weihl and Yvonna Matthis of Kings Mountain, N.C., own the entry. Rain’s Renegade and Sam Kite of Telford, Tenn., came in as a strong reserve in the class.

In the Open Amateur class Clay Mills made his way to the winner’s circle aboard his newest champion, Delight’s Gold Bum. Reserve in the class was awarded to JRB’s Tribute with Milly Player in the irons.

Six entries made the gate call in t he Lite-Shod Western class. Amanda Dickerson made the winning ride for Sunset Farms aboard Fireworks At Dusk. Judge’s Golden Generator and Jessica Holmes took home the reserve ribbon.

The largest class of the evening was the Four-Year-Old Amateur class with its 12 entries. Sam Kite returned to the ring with another talented entry this time to claim the top honors in the class. Reserve was awarded to A Screaming Eagle with Carol Jackson of Cleveland, Ga. in the irons.

In the South Carolina Members Only class 11 talented entries made the gate call. Debbie Wells made the winning ride aboard Cobra Commander for Dr. Larry Heiden and Debbie Wells of Florence, S.C. Hallelujah It’s Time and Jennifer Vining of Atlanta, Ga., made a stellar performance for the reserve honors in the class.

A familiar horse and rider made their way to winner’s circle in the Country Pleasure class. It was none other than Mr. Rolex and Tyler Baucom. Reserve in the class was awarded to M & M Delight and Lora Fortenberry of Statesville, S.C.

World Champion Pushin The Limits and Madison Holloway made a great ride in the Juvenile 12-17 Specialty class. Classic Rebel with Blake Hull in the irons also made a great ride for the reserve honors in the class.

In the Park Pleasure Western class One Armed Bandit and Kevin Helms made the winning ride for Helms Farm of Stanfield, S.C. I’m John Henry with Terry Strickland in the irons claimed the reserve honors for Over The Hill Farm located in Edgefield, S.C.

In the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings class Mark Of Texas and Andrew Accen made the winning ride for Wink and Nancy Groover of Longview, Texas. Reserve in the class went to JFK’s Peach and Henry Findley for Guy Ben Findley of Buford, Ga.

Another current world champion returned to the show ring, this time it Extra Ebony and Clay Mills once again claiming top honors in the Amateur, Owned and Trained division to carry on in their undefeated ways. Armed With Looks and Tom Kakassy of Lake Wylie, S.C., received the reserve honors in the class.

Sam McLaughlin and Willie Bust claimed the first of many blues under the Wildwood Farms banner in the Show Pleasure class. Reserve in the class was awarded to Cocked And Loaded with Stan Tindal in the irons for the Pennick family.

Wildwood Farms claimed their second blue of the night with Star Of The Future in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class with Celia Urquhart in the irons. Santana's Renaissance Man and Belinda Rogers received the reserve honors in the class for Mike Sullins of Columbia, S.C.

Beam's Rapid Express and Sam McLaughlin brought home the third blue under the Wildwood Farms banner for Gennifer Houchins of Davidson, N.C. J's Pusher with Amy Greene in the irons received the reserve ribbon for Butch Bailey of Winston, Ga.

The game continues for Clay Mills and I'm Game in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallion division as they took the class by storm. Coming in as a strong reserve in the class was Fog At The Ritz and Mike McBrayer of Vass, N.C.

Helms Farm took home another blue this time the Lite-Shod Western Specialty class with A Red Ball Jet and Kevin Helms. Reserve in the class was awarded to No Sin To Win and Milly Player.

Only two entries made the gate call in the Ladies Amateur Mares and Geldings class. Debbie Wells had the winning entry once again with Rio Grande Command and The Sundrop Shaker with Patricia Hiott receiving the reserve honors. Joe Manis was taking care of business in the Amateur Riders 50 Years and Over Specialty class with I'm Strictly Business. Larry Sharpe took the reserve ribbon in the class aboard.

Nine entries made the gate call for vie for top honors in the Amateur Show Pleasure class. Bold Rambler and Jerri Alberti made the winning ride for the Alberti family of McDonough, Ga. Coming in as a strong reserve in the class was Command's Dark Mirage with Terry Strickland in the irons for Over The Hill Farm.

In the five entry Aged Stallion and Gelding class Sam Martin made the good ride aboard Olympian Wired for Wheeler Buff of Lexington, S.C. Chad Baucom came in as a strong reserve in the class for the Allen May family of Appling, Ga,

Ten entries made the gate call for the Walking Ponies Riders 17 Years and Under, the final class of the evening. Sure Threat's Masterpiece and Samantha Gaddy made the winning ride for the Sim Gaddy family of Kernersville, N.C. Sir Remington and Brook Ellen Cannon rode to the reserve honors in the class.

At the conclusion of the night, exhibitors and spectators alike longed for Saturday's performances to see the championship classes complete with floral horseshoes.

The Model Park Pleasure class began the festivities Saturday evening. Sundrop's Honeybee and Devyn Lambert took home the first blue for David Mesimer of Concord, N.C. Reserve in the class was awarded to Judge's Golden Generator and Jessica Holmes of Fuquay - Varina, N.C.

In the Open Yearlings class seven striding entries were ready to perform. Frightening Favorite and Tom Kakassy received the top honors in the class. Busting Loose A Lady and Ronnie Arflin took home the reserve ribbon.

The first under saddle class of the night was the Aged Mare and Gelding class with its two entries. Pusher's High On Gen and Gary Hollin took the top honors in the class for Jack Hall of Madison, Ga., and Overlooked with Ronald Mosely in the irons received the reserve ribbon for Kent Sharp of Pulaski, Va.

Eleven entries made the gate call for the PCWHA Members Only Specialty class. Battle Command and Randy Lollis emerged from the lineup to received the top honors in the class for the Dickie King family of Anderson, Ga. Reserve in the class was awarded to Mark Of Carbon and Alvin Strickland for Sharpe and Strickland of Gaston and Edgefield, S.C.

In the Lite-Shod English class Charger's Turbo returned to the winner's circle this with Devyn Lambert in the irons. Reserve in the class went to Joshua's Command and Victoria MacPherson for Larry Oglesby of Hephziabah, Ga.

Another dual winner returning on the second night of competition was I'm Strictly Business this time Kelly Peeler in the irons in the NCWHA Members Only Specialty class. Reserve in the class was awarded to I'm Pushin Gen and Tom Kakassy.

Nine talented entries made the gate call for the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding competition. Busting's Baby Nay and Colin Ramsey made the winning ride for Jerry and Vicky Hewitt of Florence, S.C. Reserve in the class was awarded to She's A Bad Mamma Jamma and Sam McLaughlin for Donna McLaughlin of Florence, S.C.

The well-known London Rain made his way to the winner's circle in the Open 15.2 and Under class with Chad Baucom in the irons for Charles Clark of Charlotte, N.C. Reserve in the class went to Jubilee's Uprising and David Polk for Barbara Mesimer of Concord, N.C.

Grandy Garcia and Jacque Fisher returned to the winner's circle once again in the Park Pleasure English Specialty class. Reserve in the eight entry class was awarded to North Star By Design and Brandon Helms. In the two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class JFK's Peach and Chris Kelley Sr., made the winning ride for Guy Ben Findley. JFK's Twistin Temptation and Tommy Blackwell took home the reserve ribbon for Billie DeArmond of Greer, S.C.

Cobra Commander and Debbie Wells claimed their second blue in the South Carolina Ladies Auxiliary Members Only Specialty class. Hallelujah It's Time Jennifer Vining claimed a dual reserve ribbon as well.

Next was A Red Ball Jet and Brandon Helms claiming the top honors in the Lite-Shod English Specialty class for the Helms Family Farm located in Stanfield, N.C. Reserve in the 13 entry class went to Acapulco and Amanda Dickerson.

The Pro-Am lived up to everyone's expectations once again by keeping the level of excitement going. The number one trio this time was Santana's Renaissance Man with Belinda Rogers as the amateur and Rae Martin as the professional. Reserve in the class was awarded to Mr. Mega Bucks, Casey Bauley and Ken Moore.

The Amateur Pony class is still considered new around show rings, but is definitely well accepted by exhibitors and trainers alike. Star Of The Future and Celia Urquhart made their way to another victory pass much to the approval of the audience. While Vapor and Sam Kite came in as a strong reserve in the class.

Eleven entries made the gate call for the Three-Year-Old Stallion class. David Polk made the winning ride aboard Chance Of Cash for Joe Manis of Lauinburg, N.C. Reserve in the talented class went to Fog At The Ritz with Colin Ramsey in the irons for Mike McBrayer of Vass, N.C.

In the Open Specialty class Tarheel Cash and Derek Bonner brought the crowd to their feet as they made their way down the east rail with the blue for Bob and Mary Rollins of Franklin, N.C. The Feel and David Polk also had a strong ride for the reserve ribbon in the class for Bobby Hill of Albemarle, N.C.

In the North Carolina Ladies Auxiliary class entries were down slightly with only two make the gate call, but that didn't stop these two ladies from performing at their best! After it was all said and done Rhonda Hull and My Bright Star walked away with the top honors for John Weihl and Yvonna Matthis. Reserve in the class went to He Dances With Wolves and Dee Dee Polk for Barbara Simpson of Sanford, N.C.

The Four-Year-Old Open class was next that also had dual entries vying for the top honors. Ozone's Delight and David Polk made the winning ride for Lavon Tyson of Wadesboro, N.C. Reserve in the class was awarded to The New Command and Alvin Strickland for Lanard Briggs of Aikan, S.C.

The winner's circle welcomed Grandy Garcia once again in the Youth Park Pleasure Specialty class this time with Devyn Lambert in the irons. Reserve in the five entry class was awarded to Edge Of Time and Chris Kelley fir Guy Ben Findley.

P.J.'s Pushin Charm and Randy Lollis pushed their way right into the winner's in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class for Dickie King. Heartbeat Of Motown and Sam Martin rode to the reserve honors in the class for Kim Hawkins of Blythewood, S.C.

The well-known team of The Cash Collector and Amanda Dickerson rode to the top honors in the North Carolina Ladies Auxiliary Members Only Park Pleasure Specialty.

The first Championship entries to make their way to the arena was the 13 entry Juvenile Specialty Championship. Pushin The Limits and Madison Holloway claimed the top honors in World Champion form. Reserve in the talented class went to The Nasdaq with new rider Melanie Chastain for the Mark Chastain family of Easley, S.C.

Charger's Turbo and Devyn Lambert claimed the next floral horse shoe in the Lite-Shod Championship. Reserve in the six entry class was received by Fireworks At Dusk and Amanda Dickerson.

Ten eager entries made the gate call for the Show Pleasure Specialty Championship. Bold Rambler and Anthony Moore made the winning ride for Les and Jerri Alberti. Willie Bust and Sam McLaughlin came in as a strong reserve in the class.

Sam Kite made another outstanding ride aboard Rhythm N Rain in the Amateur Specialty Championship to claim the top honors. Matador and Dr. David Brown rode to the reserve honors after their Men's Amateur Specialty win the night before.

Three entries made it to the ring to vie for top honors in the Park Pleasure Championship. Ronald Mosely made the winning ride with Classy Image for Gary and Carolyn Pope of Taylorsville, N.C. Reserve in the class went to He's Pushin Time and Kathy Jamison.

In the Amateur Championship Clay Mills returned to the winner's aboard Delight's Gold Bum. Reserve in the six entry class was awarded to Pride's Lady Di and Beverly McLeod for Ed McLeod of Newberry, S.C.

The Helms family claimed their final blue of the show in the Lite-Shod Specialty Championship with A Red Ball Jet and Brandon Helms. Reserve in the class went to Guy Ben Findley and Thing I'll Keep Her.

Five hard-working entries made their way to the arena for the Groom's class. Bobby Morgan of Mike Carter Stables made the winning ride aboard Rain's Renegade for Sam Kite. Reserve in the class went to Rick Greene of Baucom Stables with My Bright Star.

Finally it was time for the South Carolina State Championship Stake class. Three talented entries made their way to arena to ride for the top honors. Pusher's Backstreet Boy and Chad Baucom were crowned champions in the class for Gene Davos of Louisville, Ga. Reserve went to Push Too's Ranger and Alvin Strickland for Martha Sharpe of Gaston, S.C. And the third and final award went to Olympian Wired and Sam Martin for Wheeler Buff of Lexington, S.C.