By Elizabeth Miller

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - The Fourth Of July holiday weekend started with a bang that had nothing to do with any of the local fireworks displays. The exhibitors and spectators at the Tony Rice Center Horse Show on Thursday, July 3, were treated to an exceptional evening of phenomenal competition. With 316 entries, each of the 26 classes were filled with some of the best horses in the industry.

Many of the classes hosted over 15 entries and most featured several past and present world champions and world grand champions. The largest class of the night was the Ladies Amateur class with a total of 25 competitive entries. Young riders were also out in force at Tony Rice. Seventeen of the most formidable 11 and Under teams in the country answered the gate call on Thursday evening.

With the extra large classes and the world class performances, the Tony Rice Center Horse Show was an exciting preview of what can be expected at the Celebration. The remaining summer showcases would be fortunate to have the turn out and support seen at Tony Rice.

The increasingly popular alternating judge system was employed and the honorable Mike House and the honorable Ty Irby accepted the incredible task of marking the cards and tying the deep classes. Experienced announcer Mark Farrar, Jr., kept the show moving swiftly with his direction from behind the microphone. The crowd’s entertainment was left in the capable hands of Connie Dunlap with her familiar organ tunes.

The Walking Horse Championship Stake was a finale befitting a strong Independence Day weekend event. With a fabulous performance Cash’s All Star and Larry Edwards demonstrated their classic style to earn the Grand Championship title. Herb Murrath is the proud owner of the 2002 Reserve World Champion Aged Stallion. This was the fifth blue ribbon of the evening for entries from Carl Edwards and Sons Stables.

An impressive reserve performance was turned in by Outer Limits and Knox Blackburn. The Kenneth Rich family backs this outstanding team. The third award was collected by I’m A Five Star General and Jimmy McConnell for Mr. and Mrs. Odell McConnell.

The evening got underway with the newest and youngest competitors entering the show ring. The Weanling Colts and Fillies class was won by veteran handler Bobby Richards and his latest protege’ My Lady Promise. Richards is also the proud owner. Reserve honors went to A Major Burn and Robert Nelms for J.T. and Martha Nelms.

The Amateur Show Pleasure class was next on the schedule and it set the tone for the remainder of the evening. Twenty talented entries were on hand to compete for the top prize. Jan Anderson was delighted with her winning performance aboard Skywatch Eclipse. Trainer John Feltner, Jr., was responsible for the preparation of this duo. Riding into the reserve spot was reigning Gentleman’s Amateur Show Pleasure World Champions Insomnia and Keith Johnson. Mickey McCormick Stables trains the entry for owner Suzy Johnson.

The Texas Lexus and Lynn Womack walked into the winner’s circle in the Yearling Colts and Fillies division. This was the fifth straight blue ribbon win for the handsome young stallion, who was recently purchased by 4 J Land and Cattle Company. The Laughlin family was present to enjoy the moment. Mask Kentucky Girl and Chris Proctor earned the reserve award for Chris and Tami Proctor. The entry is prepared by Bobby Richards.

Late Night Jazz and Jacob Baum continued their undefeated season with another trip to the winner’s circle following the Walking Pony Riders 17 and Under class. The Jim Baum family’s River Tree Farm proudly owns the former two-time world grand champion. Webb Stables is responsible for the stallion’s show ring preparation. Gen’s Master Pusher and Mac Benham were awarded the reserve ribbon for the Joe Christmas family. Rising Star Ranch trains the entry.

Sixteen horses answered the gate call for the Country Pleasure class. Charlie Howard and Pride’s Final Mark made the winning ride for owner Taylor Morgan. Claiming reserve were Kathy Potter and Solitude’s Sugar Babe.

The exciting Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings division was won by Pushen A Jazz and Todd Smith. The bright young star is owned by the Perry Lacy family. Josette’ started off her weekend with a reserve at Tony Rice. The entry of Jackie Whatley returned to earn blue ribbon acclaim at the Warren County Horseman’s Association show on Friday night under the direction of John Allan Callaway.

Earning their second consecutive blue ribbon, Jazz’s Master and Bill Johnson took command to the competition in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class. The exciting young stallion is owned by William B. and Sandra Johnson and is trained by Formac Stables. The reserve ribbon was taken home by Kevlar and Kathy Zeis riding out of Knox Blackburn Stables.

Captive Heart and Bridget Rush followed up their Money Tree Classic victory with a win at Tony Rice. They rode away with the Amateur Park Pleasure title. Del and Bridget Rush were delighted with their champion entry that is prepared by Blue Ribbon Stables. The second place award also went to a horse from Blue Ribbon Stables. Hermano Gold and Bob Lawrence made the reserve performance for owners Lawrence and Hutto.

The Amateur Specialty class hosted one of 2003’s newest and brightest teams in the winner’s circle. Dan McSwain and The American General rode away with the blue ribbon under the guidance of Carl Edwards and Sons Stables. The Dan McSwain family owns the black stallion. Multi World Champion Major Splash and her new rider Keith Baker were the reserve champions. David Landrum Stables prepares the legendary mare for the Keith Baker family.

Guy Findley and I’m PT 109 made their debut performance a blue ribbon affair at Tony Rice in a field of 15 top colts. This new team made the victory pass following the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class. Buck Williams Stables is responsible for training the young stallion for Guy and Murlene Findley. The Jazz House and Clay Smith made their mark with a strong reserve performance. The Keith Smith family owns the entry and Black Hawk Farm is responsible for his training.

You’re In Command and Andy Adkins continued their winning streak in the Juvenile 17 and Under division. Following wins at the Crossroads of Dixie and the Alabama Summer Classic, the outstanding gelding was purchased by Bruce and Robin MacDonald. The horse is remaining in training with Bud Dunn and Son Stables. Reserve was awarded to Pride’s Hard Cash and Kari Tisma. This team is the reigning Trainers Show Juvenile Grand Champion. Mickey McCormick Stables trains the entry for owner Jim Gullett.

Jose’ Quervo Gold and Bob Lawrence earned another trip to the winner’s circle in the Lite-Shod Open Plantation Pleasure Specialty class. This was the first win of the weekend for this team. They returned to collect blue ribbon acclaim at the Woodbury Lions Club Horse Show as well. Lawrence and Hutto proudly own the consistent winner and Blue Ribbon Stables prepares him for competition. The red award was taken home by Dr. Judy Moore and Gen’s Knight Threat. Moore-Foust Farms owns and trains the entry.

Sixteen teams answered the gate call for the Four-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings class. Sanman and Pam Russell followed up their recent win at the Columbia Spring Jubilee with another victory at Tony Rice. Webb Stables prepares the entry for Larry and Pam Russell. The lovely combination of Caresse Mills and Driving Miss Dumas were awarded the red ribbon. The Hy Steppin’ Farm entry is trained by David Landrum Stables.

In the 15.2 and Under Amateur division, John F. K.’s Delight and Sandra Johnson topped a field of 18 highly competitive entries. This was the second of three Tony Rice blues earned by entries owned by William B. and Sandra Johnson. David Landrum Stables prepared the champion. Reserve honors were collected by Look Who’s In Command and Jaclyn Tillman for Carl E. Smith, Inc. Black Hawk Farm trains the handsome stallion.

Another large class followed as 17 entries competed for top honors in the Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class. In an impressive debut performance, the new team of General Judy and Patti Pollack made the blue ribbon ride. The Robert Pollack family owns the flashy filly and Dick Peebles Stables trains the youngster. Ultra Copy Mame and Erin Graf were awarded the red ribbon. Knox Blackburn Stables trains the filly for owners David and Erin Graf.

Following his recent victory at the Alabama Summer Classic, Back To The Ritz added the prestigious Tony Rice title to their resume’. Trainer Link Webb made the winning ride in the Two-Year-Old Stallions class for owners James and Peggy Vernon. Watch Me Closely and Jimmy McConnell accepted the reserve award for owners Carney and Hammonds.

In one of the most memorable classes of the evening, 17 of the best Juvenile 11 and Under teams in the nation vyed for top honors at Tony Rice. Reigning Aged Mares and Geldings World Grand Champion Gen’s Burning Rage and her new rider Masie McSwain continued their dominance in the division. They captured the blue ribbon for the Dan McSwain family under the guidance of Carl Edwards and Sons Stables. The reserve award also went to a new team. Christina Butler and Sunrise Que Sera Sera earned the red ribbon for Glen and Virgie Crutchfield under the guidance of Formac Stables.

Reigning TWHBEA National Futurity Two-Year-Old Stallion Champion The Titleist was the outstanding winner in the Three-Year-Old Stallion class. Owners William B. and Sandra Johnson were on hand to share in the celebration following the good ride by Steve Dunn. Reserve in the large class went to Bet On Money and Winky Groover. The stallion is the entry of Calvin and Groover.

Tennessee Gen and John Allan Callaway continued their winning streak at Tony Rice. Following their wins at the Spring Fun Show and the Columbia Spring Jubilee, they claimed top honors for owners Bud Moore and Suzanne Littell. Rare Cash and Jackie McConnell earned the reserve award for the Mike Wall family.

The current reserve world championship team of Special Ultra Copy and Bobby Mixon made a blue ribbon performance in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class. The black Stallion is owned by Bobby and Linda Mixon and is under the direction of Carl Edwards and Sons Stables. Shane Porterfield and Cash Gordon were the reserve champions. The Shane Porterfield family owns the entry and Dickie Scrivner prepares the powerful stallion for competition.

In the largest class of the evening, 25 horses and riders competed in the Ladies Amateur Mares and Geldings class. Kelly Garrett and Pusher’s Solid Design were the outstanding victors in the exceptionally large division. Backward S Ranch trains the entry of Floyd Sherman. Reigning Elite Lady Riders on Mares and Geldings World Champion Mozambique and Jeanine Gullett were the reserve champions. The Jim Gullett entry is under the guidance of Mickey McCormick Stables.

Gen’s Dixie Crystals and Larry Edwards were victorious in the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings division for delighted owner Paige Edwards. The flashy filly is the reigning World Champion Two-Year-Old Mare and is out of multi world Champion Pushin In Dixie. Fortune’s Fool and Steve Dunn earned the reserve honors for owners Clark and Young.

In the Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class 14 outstanding entries vyed for blue ribbon acclaim. Recent Money Tree Classic champion, I’m Causin Commotion and Debbie Myers were the blue ribbon winners. Allan Callaway Stables prepares the entry for Jim and Debbie Myers. Reserve went to Commando’s All Wound Up and Sherry Oxford. This sharp duo recently claimed blue ribbon honors at the J. M. Adcox Memorial Horse Show. Carl Johnson owns and trains the flashy gelding.

Millenium Masquerade and Knox Blackburn were the blue ribbon winners in the Four-Year-Old Open event. The impressive stallion is owned by the Gilbert Miller family. The reserve honors went to Outlaw Josey Wales and Billy Gray for Mr. and Mrs. Larry McLaughlin.

Recent Columbia Spring Jubilee Open Amateur Champions Dr. Perfect and Sandra Hodgson added another title to their resume’. They won another Open Amateur crown under the direction of Bobo Farms for Roger and Sandra Hodgson. The red ribbon was awarded to Cheatin’ Danger and Larry Lowman for owner Judith Burgess. David Landrum Stables trains the entry.

This highlights the Tony Rice Center Horse Show. Complete results follow and can also be found on our web site www.walkinghorsereport.com.