A Star Shined In Harriman
Tuesday, May 27, 2003

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By Ashlea Wheelon

HARRIMAN, Tenn. - The 19th Annual Smoky Mountain Classic was a tremendous success. The two-day event was held at the Roane State College’s East Tennessee Exposition Center May 16-17, and hosted over 300 entries.

Bill Bailey of Russell Springs, Ky., judged the 46 class event, which was sponsored by the Smoky Mountain Walking Horse Association and Nationwide Financial Services. Gary Brewington of Cookeville, Tenn., kept the show going with his view from the announcer's chair, and the talented Sandra Hall of Chesterfield, S.C., captured all the memories on film.

Six talented entries made the final gate call for the Walking Horse Stake. After a crowd pleasing class, Judge Bailey tied the strong paired team Star Of Sundance and Brent Coburn for very excited and proud owners Jack and Betty Morgan of Asheville, N.C. Finishing a strong second was the talented Prides Gold Millennium for Jennifer Brown of Covington, Va.

Scott Beaty Stables of Byrdstown, Tenn., took home seven blues during the two-day event. The Quintin Fox family had a great weekend with wins from I’ll Take Command with rider Abby Fox in the Four-Year-Old Amateur class and Midnight Dollar with rider Scott Beaty in the Two-Year-Old Stallions class. Wrapping up the Fox family string of victories was Abby Fox taking the blue in the Open Amateur Championship with Command’s Wild Card.

Kathy Owens also had a good weekend with a win on Delights Walk About in the trail pleasure and Scotty in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class. Papa Top Papa won the Three-Year-Old Stallions for Franklin Beaty of Byrdstown, Tenn. The final blue for Scott Beaty Stables came from Sunfire’s Steel Spirit for the Allen Chafin family of Rockfield, Ky.

Carl Johnson's Double N Stables of Belfast, Tenn., walked away with four blues. Two blues came from Ten Tucky’s Blue Chip, one in the Open Four-Year-Old and the other in the Amateur Four-Year-Old for owners Larry and Margaret McLaughlin of Beckly, W. Va. Another win came in the Two-Year-Old Walking Mares and Geldings class with Wired’s Queen and Carl Johnson for Ray Vaughn and Carl Brown of Vinton and Amhast, Va. The final blue for Double N Stables was with Commando’s All Wound Up and Sherry Oxford in the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings for owner Carl Johnson of Bell Buckle, Tenn.

Willow Springs Farm and trainer Tim Wheelon carried three blues back to Manchester, Tenn. Two blues came from the strong team Skyline and Jack Morgan in the Plantation Pleasure Open and Amateur for Jack and Betty Morgan of Asheville, N.C. Popcorn Pusher brought another smile to rider Raegan Thompson as they walked away with the 11 and under win for John and Lori Thompson of New Tazwell, Tenn.

Steve Hankins Stables won three blues starting with Dottie Boone and Delights Powerful Spirit in the Amateur Stallions for Richard and Dottie Boone of Charlotte, N.C. Lindsey Hess let dad, CM, take the reins to make the winning ride on They Call Me Doc for his debut show in the Novice Amateur Specialty. Jennifer Brown and Chapter Thirteen made their first winning ride in the Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallion class. The newly opened Cedar Grove Stables and trainer Brent Coburn of Loudon, Tenn., also had three blues to take home. The first on was WC Back In Style with rider Amanda Bowlinger in the ETWHA Ladies Auxiliary for Steve and Martha Neff of New Tazwell, Tenn. Another win came from Martha Neff and Frankie Blue Eyes in the Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallions class. The last win for Cedar Grove Stables, but definitely not least, was the previously mentioned Walking Horse Stake with The Star Of Sundance and Brent Coburn for Jack and Betty Morgan of Asheville, N.C.

Mike Carter Stables of Kingsport, Tenn., had three blues, two with My American Hero with Terry Gwinn in the saddle for Stoney Brook Farms of Mt. Hope, Va., and one with Turbo Enforcer and Mike Carter in the 15.2 and Under Stallions class for proud owners Mr. and Mrs. Mack Gilliam of Gate City, Va.

John Puckett Stables located at Danlon Farms in Shelbyville, Tenn., received two first place votes. Fashions Midnight Threat and John Puckett won the Show Pleasure Open Specialty for Kathy Potter of Shelbyville, Tenn. Gayle Brandon won the Ladies Speciality on Gen’s 4-Star General for Thomas and Gayle Brandon of Shelbyville,Tenn.

Bill Bilbrey took home two blues on Pushovers Magic Lady for Jean R. Brook of Sparta, Tenn.

Newton Parks of Parks Farm in Murfreesboro, Tenn., brought back two blues, one with Grey Sky in the Amateur Mares and Geldings class and the other with Beams Star Track in the Amateur Owned and Trained class. Both entries are owned by the Bob Parks family.

Givens Stables of Westel, Tenn., brought two blues back home. Kasi Hensley rode the very well-known Persuasions Bay Lad to the win in the Ladies Plantation class and Sparkling Generator to the win in the Lite-Shod Open Specialty for owners Dennis and Sherri Givens.

Single Blues were won by B.H. Hodge of Steve Woody Stables aboard Booster Cables in the 50 Years and Older class. The Newcomer, led by Lloyd Cross for Kline Farms won the blue in the Weanling Walking class. I’m Amos Moses, ridden by owner Morgan Hodge, won the Youth Plantation Pleasure class. The Whole Enchilada and owner/rider Robin Cooke won the Walking Weanlings class. Armed With Knowledge and Rebecca Wilkinson won the Amateur Show Pleasure class for Mr. and Mrs. Bill Wilkinson. Marks Big Deal ridden by Tex Dillingham won the Amateur Owned and Trained class for Dillingham and Floyd. Cotton’s Power Pusher led, trained and owned by Dillon Potter of Danlon Farms won the Walking Yearlings class.

Congratulations to the Smoky Mountain Classic for another successful year. This concludes the highlights from this year's Smoky Mountain Classic.

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