by Maggi Painter
ARAB, Ala. - The Walking Horse Association of Alabama held their summer classic on Saturday, June 16, 2007, at the Arab Park and Recreation Center. Joe Fleming of Shelbyville, Tenn., did the honors of judging this year’s event.
The show got under way at 6 p.m. with Nathan Clark carrying the flag aboard Pride Of The Street. The first class of the show was the popular Stick Horse class with 11 entries vying top honors. Judge Fleming had a hard time deciding so he declared all the entries winners.
The weanling and yearling halter class entered the ring next. Making the walk to the winner’s circle was the team of Adrian Boek and Evie’s Blue Star. Reserve in the class were Strong Willed and Renee Barnett. The Lead-Line class was the next to enter the ring. Patita and Walt Shelton came out victorious. Almost Illegal and Cade Barnett were reserve.
The first performance class of the show was the Open Specialty. I’m P. Diddy and Joel Weaver claimed the top honors in the outstanding class. Pride’s Pusher Star and Larry Latham finished in the second spot. Next to enter the ring was the Park Pleasure Specialty competition. Pride Of The Street and Steve Clark made the good ride to claim the blue. Roy Wester directed Champagnes Power Glide to reserve honors.
Fifteen entries entered the ring in the Country Pleasure class. Lauren Birmingham made the strong ride aboard Gen’s Single Shot to claim top honors in this big class. Reserve were Little Bit Of Whiskey and Taylor Chandler. Dumas Push-N-Perfection and Benjamin Gray exited the ring as the winners of the Amateur Owned and Trained competition. Spun Gold Generator and John Keplinger were reserve.
Kelly Arrington made her debut aboard The River King a blue ribbon debut in the Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallion competition. He’s An All American and Ben Moss finished reserve. Three top entries entered the ring in the James Corlew Chevrolet WHTA Riders’ Cup Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding competition. The undefeated team of Joy Of Jose and Justin Jenne’ once again walked to victory lane. Joel Weaver and Champ’s First Round walked out with the red ribbon.
Making their fifth trip to the winner’s circle this season was the team of Generated By Jose and Trey Blackburn. Motown’s Good Timing and Shelby Beam did an excellent job to claim the reserve honors. Current World Champion I’m Armed And Lethal and Jack Way captured the blue in the Show Pleasure Open Specialty class. I’m A Voodoo Daddy and Steve Beam claimed the reserve honors.
Eight entries entered the gate call in the Trail Pleasure competition. Papa’s Show Girl and Lauren Birmingham walked out with the blue. Sundrop’s Make It Happen and Connie Wright finished reserve. Carolyn Rutner and Moments Of Jazz made the blue ribbon ride in the Alabama Ladies Auxiliary class. The Willhamina and Andrea Zahnd claimed the red ribbon.
Walking On The Edge and Steve Beam walked out of the Park Performance class with the blue. A And D’s Regal Prince and Greg Pate finished reserve. Arm’s Deal For Real and Joel Weaver claimed the James Corlew Chevrolet WHTA Riders’ Cup Two-Year-Old Stallion class blue. The Intepitor and Nathan Clark were reserve.
Kelly Peevy directed My Pops The Man to the blue in the Amateur Four-Year-Old Specialty class competition. He’s Our Duramax and John Furline finished second. Brett Jones directed Generator’s Champion to the blue in the Amateur Specialty class. Stretch Armstrong and Greg Cass were reserve.
Herbert Derickson rode Jose’s Emblem to top honors in the Warr Development WHTA Riders’ Cup 15.2 and Under class competition. Look Of Masquerading and Joel Weaver finished in reserve. Barclay Woodward and Silver Design captured the blue in the Youth Ponies class. Alex Way and Move Over claimed the reserve honors.
Ben Moss and Pot Shot captured the Amateur Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class title. Stepping Out Of Line and Brian Anderton claimed the red ribbon. Joel Weaver added another Riders’ Cup victory to his resume. Weaver rode Major Cash Princess to the blue in the Waterfall Farms WHTA Riders’ Cup Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. Go Jo Jo and Danny Latham claimed reserve.
Impressive Motion and Emily Bohannon made an impressive ride to claim top honors in the Amateur Ladies Specialty class. Prideful Intention and Jenny Funk finished reserve. Let’s Rumble and Joel Weaver captured the Hartland Farm WHTA Riders’ Cup Four-Year-Old blue. Jose Gold Coin and Herbert Derickson were reserve.
Mickey Groom directed A Sugar Cookie to the blue in the Amateur Four-Year-Old Specialty class. Ace’s Major Threat and Allison Cornelius finished reserve. Barclay Woodward made his second blue ribbon ride. This time Woodward directed My Silver Bullet to the blue in the Youth 17 and Under competition. Buster’s Southern Boy and Andrew Adams claimed reserve.
Mr. MG and Justin Jenne’ claimed the top honors in the Waterfall Farms WHTA Riders’ Cup Three-Year-Old Stallion competition. He’s Armed With Attitude and Joel Weaver finished reserve. Two top entries entered the gate call in the Amateur Canter competition. Solar Generator and Maria Derickson walked down victory lane in this top class. Gen’s Major High and Robert Hurley finished reserve.
Rounding out the evening performance was the Young Motors WHTA Riders’ Cup Walking Horse Stake. Wired And Walking and Steve Beam claimed the top honors for the Jeff Bryant family. New York New York and Joel Weaver finished reserve.
This concludes the coverage of the Alabama Summer Classic. Complete results can be viewed, searched and printed at www.walkinghorsereport.com.