by Renee Isaacs

HARRODSBURG, Ky. - The Spring Jubilee Charity Show is sponsored by the KWHA Ladies Auxiliary and Mercer County Fair. The show was held at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Harrodsburg, Ky., April 16-18, 2009. Eddie Ray Davis of Nicholasville, Ky., was the walking horse judge. The show also included classes for American Saddlebreds.

The numbers were down more than ever before with the USDA present and the new inspections implemented for 2009. The USDA attended all three nights of the show and had thermography stations to begin the inspection process. Horses were given the option to return to the trailer or to be checked by a VMO after being checked by a DQP if given a “not normal” reading. The new inspection protocol was the same one used during the Mississippi State Charity held in Jackson, Miss., the weekend prior.

A good number for this show is about 400 horses and this year, a total of 207, including lead line and stick horses entered the ring for 87 classes. Spectators cheered loudly for the horses that did make it to the ring.

Hankins Stables of Paris, Ky., won the blue ribbon tally with nine blue ribbons as well as two reserve ties. Rolling Acres Stables were second on the tally with five blue ribbons and two reserves. David Smith won three blues and a reserve and Gretta Potter won two blues during the event.

The KWHA Ladies Auxiliary held a 50/50 raffle drawing just before the stake class on Saturday night. Cliff Vice of Carlisle was the lucky winner of $215. At the end of the show Rocky McCoy of Rolling Acres Stables claimed the Walking Horse Stake Championship aboard Silver Dollar’s Donato.

Show Manager Sue Alexander and the Ladies Auxiliary would like to thank everyone for their participation and support for the show. Complete results may be viewed by clicking here.