by Renee Isaacs
LUCAS, Ky. - The 29th annual South Central Kentucky Walking Horse Banquet was held at the Barren River State Park Resort Lodge on Saturday, March 3, 2007. The roomed was full with over 160 walking horse owners, trainer and exhibitors in attendance.
The second year of the South Central Idol was the highlight of the evening, with “Scooter Davis” as the DJ for the event. The three judges were Jason Hughes as Simon Cowell, Robyn Smith as Paula Abdul and Charlie Brown as Randy Jackson. Several contestants auditioned, but only one could win. The three finalists were Gary Oliver, Ashley Shelton and Ashley Moore. Gary Oliver sang “Butter Beans”, Ashley Moore sang “Grandpa” and Ashley Shelton sang the smash hit, “Break Down Here”. The audience decided the new South Central Idol by giving money to their favorite contestant. Ashley Shelton, the daughter of Billie Shelton of Bowling Green, Ky., claimed the title with over $165 in winnings. All proceeds will go to the South Central Kentucky Scholarship Fund.
The evening started off with an invocation from Jamie Woosley and a wonderful meal provided by the Barren River State Resort Lodge.
Duane Rector then announced that the KY-HIO would not be signing an operating plan at this time and that the KY-HIO oversight committee has developed a penalty structure which will be in use at all KY-HIO affiliated horse shows in 2007. The 2007 penalty structure is as follows:
2007 KY-HIO PENALTY STRUCTURE
I. Pressure Shoeing – Lifetime suspension for the trainer from showing.
II. Bi-lateral Sensitivity – Eight months suspension for trainer
III. Uni-lateral Sensitivity- Two weeks suspension
IV. Scar Rule- Horse does not show (If a trainer is found to be in violation of the scar rule three times, any subsequent violation will result in a two-week suspension for each violation incurred.) Post-show scar rule violation will result in a two-week suspension.
V. Technical Violation – May show if violation is corrected to the satisfaction of the Designated Qualified Person. If violations are not corrected to the satisfaction of the Designated Qualified Person, the horse may not show.
The penalty structure will begin Jan. 1 of each year and run through Dec. 31 of the same year with all suspensions from previous year to be served in their entirety. While serving a suspension, a person may not present a horse to the DQP, show, exhibit or be presented through the ring at a public auction.
South Central Kentucky members recognized some of the members who supported the banquet as well as the horse industry. For the first year, they decided to have a Hall of Fame. They introduced three members this year. The inductees and their induction speeches follow.
Joe Shelton
Whether you have known our first inductee for days, years, or for a lifetime. If you know him, then you know that he loves the horse and the people in the industry. Throughout the years, the horse has won him many friends. Whether at the creek-bound community show grounds, at a local training barn, at a Saturday night horse auction, or at a highly recognized multi-day show, you have probably seen him. He has supported each of us in many ways, from giving us our first ride on walking horse, putting someone in the show ring for the first time, assistance in achieving that first blue ribbon and even giving a young trainer on the rise a nice colt to work.
As a KWHA board member, he and Ronnie Vincent solicited a $500 pledge from the KWHA to help host the very first South Central Kentucky Awards banquet. From that donation, our banquet has grown successfully throughout the years and was able to give nine scholarships in 2006.
In the 1960s he started the industry’s most successful Amateur Owned and Trained teams, consisting of his wife, Barbara, and daughters, Frankie Jo and Billie. He also enjoyed many years of Sun Up’s Damn Yankee wins along with various other horse honors and putting Lucas, Ky., on the map. How many coveted sportsmanship awards has been bestowed unto him? So many we cannot estimate. He has served as show manager for many shows in Barren Co., a licensed judge and donated his time as a ringmaster for the Kentucky Celebration.
Today he enjoys seeing his grandchildren, Jarrett Bradley and Ashley Shelton, compete in the show ring and he supports them as he has many others throughout the years.
You might say that he is one of the best Joe’s around – he is Joe Shelton.
Romie Sanders
The second inductee has served in countless walking horse capacities for over four decades. His memory continues to lie heavily on our hearts. A farrier, an exhibitor, a DQP, a judge, a horse show manager, KWHA director for multiple terms, amateur owned and trained operator, ringmaster, groom, a ground man, but most importantly, a true friend to the horse and to the people who comprise the horse world. Simply stated, he would work with any person, in any role, on any day, at any hour to make the wheels turn for the horse industry advancements.
He was one of the founders of this annual awards banquet here tonight and for years, he diligently worked to ensure the event’s success. He is also a devoted member of the Brownsville Lions Club and saddle club. At his passing, he left his brother, Leroy, and long time friends and family. This man is Romie Sanders.
James “Papaw” Woosley
The final hall of fame inductee is known to be reliable, loyal, caring, respected. These are only a few of the words used to describe the person that I would like to introduce. He has been in the walking horse industry for 40 plus years. He has trained, shown, groomed and supported the walking horse industry through the good times and the bad. There is no doubt he has touched the lives of many of the people in this room. Some of you know him as Mr. Woosley, James, or Pap, but I prefer Papaw. He is James “Papaw” Woosley.
After the hall of fame introductions, the next item on the agenda was the live auction and the auctioneer of the evening was Mark Thompson. Many auction items were donated from several people, including a wide variety of stud fees, gift baskets, etc. Tommy Loid Stables donated the top auction item, which brought $430 and consisted of a cooler filled with Western Kentucky hats, shirts, a stadium blanket, two cup coolers and four season tickets. The auction brought in an outstanding amount of approximately $6,000 and the money raised is used for the South Central Kentucky Scholarship Fund.
The 10 scholarship recipients for 2006 were presented with a check for $950 each and are as follows: Shana Hughes, Wesley Hendricks, Whitney Thomas, Kyle Campbell, Kyle Herald, Justin Mosley, Jennifer Brooks, Tommy Loid III, Theodora Hibbard and Amber Wayne. Applicants can qualify for the scholarship if they are currently in school at the time of the application and if they are somehow involved with the banquet, horse shows, etc. in the South Central area.
Melanie Jones announced the 2006 high point awards for 29 divisions. The yearling division was first to be announced. Paul Massie claimed first and second place ties in this division with The Precious Gem and He’s Generator By George. Jolie’ Jolie’ and Mitzi Butler were third.
Chance For Sun dominated the country pleasure divisions, both youth and open, for Walter Stillwell. Pride’s Magic Sunrise and Elaine Brown were the reserve high point winners in the youth country pleasure.
Grand Safari was the high point winner in the plantation pleasure division for owner Walter Stillwell of Eastview, Ky.
Up next was the plantation pleasure lite-shod division. Dare To Compare and Bailey Allen claimed the top award, while Linda Starnes claimed the reserve award.
Christine Woodburn and Evil Eyed Generator were the 2006 High Point Champions in the Park Performance class. Brent Grider accepted the reserve award for Skywalker and the Andy Withers family. Grider Stables claimed four awards for the evening.
The Open Show Pleasure top recipients were Woosley and Traughbor with Fatal Heart Attack for the Woosley family of Alvaton, Ky. Brent Grider tied for this high point standings position with Merging Into One for Grider Stables of Columbia, Ky.
Dollars Worth and Romney Harris were the Amateur Show Pleasure High Point winners. The reserve winners were A Fine Prowler and Ronnie Brooks. Brooks Stables earned a total of nine awards in all.
The Juvenile 11 and Under award went to Claire Ottman from Spencer Benedict Stables. The reserve award went to Lana Copas and ET’s Startrek.
Jessica Martin was pleased to accept the Juvenile 12-17 award that she won with Armed Rock Solid. Jayvees Ritz and Dustin Smith claimed the reserve honors.
The third win for Brooks Stables came in the Two-Year-Old Open division. Mallory Lawrence and Rudy Tootie were the winners. The reserve award was given to David Smith and A Major Uprising.
Loid Stables received their second of nine awards for the night when the Two-Year-Old Amateur division was announced. Bio Willey and Harold Covington earned the top prize in this class. Ruth Logsdon and Delight Of Neon were the reserve high point winners.
Next up on the list was the Three-Year-Old Open class. Dorothy Delaney was proud to accept the award that was won by her horse, Pride’s Pusher’s Girl, and trained by Todd Smith. Johnny Cash For Keeps and Betty Brooks came in the second slot.
The Three-Year-Old Amateur high point award was received by Sweet Honey On The Rocks and Howard Eastridge. My Designer Genes and Frank Prather won the reserve award.
Juan In A Million and Todd Smith won the Four-Year-Old Open award for Carroll Doyle of Cynthiana, Ky. Cash On Line and Charlie Mosley were the reserve recipients.
Ronnie Grider busted the high point award in the Four-Year-Old Amateur division with Busting With Design. Black Vengenance Of Motown and Debbie Myatt claimed the reserve award.
JoAnne Frank claimed the Ladies Amateur high point win with Bust A Move from Tommy Loid Stables. Lemar Depoyster accepted the reserve award with Altima.
Next on the list was the Open Amateur Walking class. Carolyn Neely won the high point award with City Hall for Kay Neely. Blair Campbell earned the reserve award with Break Out.
Joe Estes claimed one of many awards that were won by Loid Stables, the Amateur Specialty award. Estes won top honors with My Ritzy Lady. Debbie Myatt from Brooks Stables was second with Master Miracle.
Another win from Loid Stables was the Open Specialty division with Bright Red for Lemar Depoyster. Charlie Mosley and Threat’s Royal Sweepstakes were presented with the reserve award.
The top three award winners in the Walking Stake division were Superior Gemerator and LE Walton, Keep’s Strike Gold from J & H Stables and Capone from Spencer Benedict Stables.
Including first, second and third place awards, the South Central banquet consisted of nearly 100 awards. South Central members who won a world championship in 2006 were honored with an award and they were Todd Smith, Jason Hughes, Karen Rector, Spencer Benedict Stables and Brent and Julie Grider.
The members of South Central Kentucky ask that everyone come back next year and join them for another night of food and fun.
2006 SCKWHA High Point Awards
Yearlings
1 The Precious Gem Paul Massie
2 He’s Generator By George Paul Massie
3 Jolie Jolie Mitzi Butler
Youth Country Pleasure
1 Chance For Sun Walter Stillwell
2 Pride’s Magic Sunrise Elaine Brown
3 Gigi Onyx Logan Hankins
Country Pleasure
1 Chance For Sun Walter Stillwell
2 The Red Regulator Pat Hancock
3 I’ve Got The Advantage Sarah Withers
Plantation Pleasure
1 Grand Safari Walter Stillwell
2 Red Rider Pistol Dwight & Burley Richardson Hester Stables
3 Psychedelic Dollar Bailey Allen James Scott
Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod
1 Dare To Compare Bailey Allen James Scott
2 Travelin Time Linda Starnes
2 Silver’s Spinal Tap Carrier Family
2 Gen’s All Night Eddie Barclay
2 Midnight Mr. Easy Breanna Ashby
3 Sunfires Twilght Zone Verna Beard
Park Performance
1 Evil Eyed Generator Christine Woodburn
2 Skywalker Andy Withers Family Grider Stables
3 Texas Millionaire Barry & Karen White
Open Show Pleasure
1 Fatal Heart Attack Woosley & Traughbor Woosley Stables
1 Merging Into One Grider Stables
2 A Fine Prowler Ronnie Brooks
3 Walking On Main Street Buist Carr
Amateur Show Pleasure
1 Dollars Worth Romney Harris Travis Craft
2 A Fine Prowler Ronnie Brooks BrooksStables
3 Dangerous Mystery Kent McGary Loid Stables
3 Double Shot Of Gen Amber Waggner Eddie Barclay
3 Walking On Main Street Jeff Johnson Buist Carr
Juvenile 11 & Under
1 She’s High Falutin Claire Ottman/Claire Ottman Family Benedict Stables
2 Et’s Startrek Lana Copas/Jerry Patton Family Loid Stables
3 A Sweet Touch Nick Rippy/Andy Rippy Family Biust Carr
Juvenile 12-17
1 Armed Rock Solid Jessica Martin Terry Martin Family Terry Martin
2 Jayvees Ritz Dustin Smith Dustin Smith
3 Frosted Flakes Alexis Tooley/Skid Montgomery Grider Stables
Two-Year-Old Open
1 Rudy Tootie Mallory Lawrence Brooks Stables
2 A Major Uprising David Smith
3 Latin Lover Tommy Grider Grider Stables
3 Ebony’s Mask Charlie Mosley Highland Sables
Two-Year-Old Mare & Gelding
1 Black Magic Cash Jay Wright Smith Stables
2 Deadly Combination Bobby Jones Loid Stables
3 Bernuda J Smith & Oliver Dustin Smith
Two-Year-Old Amateur
1 Bio Willey Harold Covington Loid Stables
2 Delight Of Neon Ruth Logsdon Campbell Stables
3 Twisted Gen R.C. Gabehart
3 Color Me Evil R.C. Gabehart J & H Stables
3 PowerStrokes Grandy Ray Jones Trucking Day Stables
3 Extreme Hutchenson, Stokes, and Skipworth Iglesias Lopez
Three-Year-Old Open
1 Pride’s Pushers Girl Dorothy Delaney Todd Smith Stables
2 Johnny Cash For Keeps Betty Brooks Brooks Stables
3 My Designer Genes Frank Prather Brooks Stables
Three-Year-Old Amateur
1 Sweet Honey On The Rocky Howard Eastridge Dustin Smith
2 My Designer Genes Frank Prather Brooks Stables
3 Dancing With Evil Troy and Sharon Curry Curry Stables
Four-Year-Old Open
1 Juan In A Million Carroll Doyle Todd Smith
2 Cash On Line Charlie Mosley Highland Stables
3 The White Mask Karen Bethel Loid Stables
Four-Year-Old Amateur
1 Busting With Design Ronnie Grider Grider Stables
2 Black Vengence Of Motown Debbie Myatt Brooks Stables
3 Gen’s Colonel Jim Claudine Lindsey Loid Stables
Ladies Amateur Specialty
1 Bust A Move JoAnne Frank Loid Stables
2 Altima Mamar & Gordan Depoyster Greg Haley
3 Sunfires Steel Spirit Amanda Chaffin Terry Wayne Lawrence
Open Amateur Walking (Canter)
1 City Hall Carolyn Neely Kay Neely
2 Break Out Blair Campbell Campbell Stables
3 Half Dollar Kenny Hendrick Family Brooks Stables
Amateur Specialty
1 My Ritzy Lady Joe Estes Loid Stables
2 Master Miracle Debbie Myatt Brooks Stables
3 I’m Indio Al Lenardon J & H Stables
Open Specialty
1 Bright Red Lamar & Gordan Depoyster Loid Stables
2 Threat’s Royal Sweepstakes Charlie Mosley Highland Stables
3 Ritz Carlton Doug & Bobby Wilson J & H Stables
3 Tricolor Frank Prather Brooks Stables
3 Bold’s Atlantis Andy Rippy Family Buist Carr
Walking Horse Stake
1 Superior Generator Threat LE Walton Loid Stables
2 Keep’s Strike Gold Marlene Handy J & H Stables
3 Capone Farmers Livestock Market Benedict Stables
Membership Voted Awards
Juvenile Sportsmanship Award
Nick Rippy
Amateur Sportsmanship Award
Courtney Grider
Professional Sportsmanship
Jason Hughes
Groom of the Year
Josuay Lopez
Supporter of the Year
Lyon Hutcherson Jr.
Cheerleader of the Year
Alecia Hendricks
Best Horse Show of the Year
Brownsville, Ky.