by Linda Scrivner

PULASKI, Tenn. -- Last weekend's series of shows, which also included Dickson and Lewisburg, ended on a high note as the Red Carpet Show of the South featured quality, quantity and lots of fun.

A huge number of spectators were thrilled with the 312 entries that competed at the 65th annual show, held Saturday night, July 23. Entries were down slightly from the 348 that competed in 2004.

Judge Dick Peebles judged the 30 classes on the schedule. With the large number of entries in many classes, it was a difficult job. The two largest classes of the evening were the Show Pleasure Specialty with 24 entries and the Youth 12-17 with 23 entries.

Peebles selected A Strong Dollar and Link Webb from a field of six excellent horses to wear the red roses from the ring in the Walking Horse Grand Championship. This talented team impressed the judge and the crowd from beginning to end which followed a second running walk. This team has 2005 stake wins from the Mississippi State Charity Show, Gallatin Lions Club Show and Bethesda. A Strong Dollar is owned by Curtice McCloy. Making an impressive reserve tie was Gold Picture with John Allan Callaway in the irons for Drs. Cliff and Linda Garrard. Ramsey Bullington directed Spirit’s Midnight Rambler to the third position for Mrs. Annie Williamson.

Five of the 30 classes were WHTA Riders’ Cup classes, which always brings out a large numbers of entries. The Riders’ Cup classes were also loaded with talent.

Carl Edwards and Sons Stables and Landrum Stables led the blue-ribbon tally with three blues each. Knox Blackburn Stables, Derickson Training Facility, Winky Groover Stables, Nelms Training Center and Link Webb Stables tied with two blues apiece. With the large number of great horses from many different stables, the following took home one blue each: Dickie Scrivner of Tan View Farm, Dr. Roger Richards, Charlie Green Stables, Brandon Stout Stables, Andy Cottingham, Steve Aymett Stables, Bud Dunn & Son Stables, Larry Derryberry, Rob Brainard of Bowtie Stables, Bobo Farm, Rising Star Ranch, Finish Line Farm, Allan Callaway Stables and Brandye Mills Stables.

Lisa Bryan won the first of Carl Edwards & Sons Stables’ blue in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings class with Flirtin’ At The Ritz. This year, Flirtin’ At The Ritz has also won at the Cloverleaf Classic and the Gulf Coast Charity shows with Larry Edwards. Lisa Bryan made her blue ribbon debut aboard this mare at the Woodbury Lions Club Show. Luanne Sigman directed Catcher In The Act to reserve.

Edwards Stables’ second blue of the evening was in the 12-entry Youth 11 and Under class. The crowd really got into this talent-laden class. The youth rode hard and spectators really got behind their favorites. The American General and Maisie McSwain rode hard and earned the victory pass. This current world champion team also enjoyed 2005 victory passes at the Gulf Coast Charity and Walking To Make A Difference Show. Rachel Hyneman directed current world grand champion Pusher’s Special Design to reserve from Webb Stables.

Larry Edwards claimed the third blue for Edwards Stables with America On Line by winning the 11-entry Waterfall Farms WHTA Riders’ Cup Three-Year-Old Stallion class for the Paul Bryan family. Taking the reserve position was another exciting team, Bar Code and Brock Tillman.

David Landrum Stables’ first blue of the evening came when Dalia Smith directed John FK’s Diamond Delight in the 23-entry Youth 12-17 class. Smith directed John FK’s Diamond Delight to the blue at the National Trainers’ Show and the Gallatin Lions Club show. Reserve went to the team of My Silver Bullet and Barclay Woodward under the guidance of Clark Farms.

Their second blue came in the 15.2 and Under class. Joe Cotten directed Brother Splash to the top of this exciting class. Brother Splash’s earlier 2005 victories included the Pro-Am class at the Mississippi State Charity with owner Virginia Stewart and David Landrum sharing the reins, as well as additional blues with Stewart at both the Mississippi State Charity and the Columbia Spring Jubilee. Ramsey Bullington directed Silver Dollar Make Me Hollar to the reserve finish.

Landrum’s third blue was claimed by a very excited Trish Harrison and her Cheatin Danger in the 16-entry Amateur Mare and Gelding Specialty class for the second consecutive year. This team recently claimed the blue at the Money Tree Class and Joe Cotten claimed the Tony Rice Mare and Gelding title with Cheatin’ Danger. Reserve was awarded to Sunrise At Midnite and Debra Coleman from Ramsey Bullington Stables.

Knox Blackburn Stables’ first blue came in the Waterfall Farms WHTA Riders’ Cup Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class with Back In The Cash and Blackburn. This team also claimed the blue at the Eaglesville Lions Club Show. The Bashful Lady and Brock Tillman made a fine show to claim reserve.

Spring Fun champions Julie Grider and The Sky Command topped an outstanding 13-entry Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallion class to earn Blackburn’s second blue. Gail Walling and Peyton Manning claimed the reserve position under the direction of Bobo Farms.

Dumas Royal Sweetheart and Herbert Derickson claimed the 11-entry James Corlew Chevrolet WHTA Riders’ Cup Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class to win the first of their two blues. The crowd was very vocal in this class in their support of the young contenders. The Morning Line with Danny Latham in the irons claimed reserve.

Grand Sweepstakes and Derickson won the 11-entry James Corlew Chevrolet WHTA Riders’ Cup Two-Year-Old Stallion class for the second Derickson blue. This team previously claimed blues at the WHOA Kiwanis Club Show and the Liberty Lions Club Show. Gen On The Run and Justin Harris also made an excellent show to earn the reserve championship.

Fourteen Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallion teams answered their gate call. Lucky Collins and A Sensational Dumas made the victory pass under the Winky Groover Stables banner. A Sensational Dumas is undefeated this season with previous blues at the Manchester Lions Club Show and Bethesda. Ed Breedlove and Royal Masque were selected by the judge for reserve.

Groovers’ second blue was won by the newly purchased The Texas Lotto. Nancy Groover proudly directed The Texas Lotto to the victory in the 17-entry 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class. Kenny Compton directed Push In Command to claim reserve under the guidance of Southern Comfort Training Facility.

Robert Nelms claimed a blue with The Syndicate by claiming the Weanling title. Karen McGee led Fame’s Lady Lee to reserve.

Nelms also earned the victory pass in the Yearling Colts class with I’m Different. Hunter Fikes led A Bold Generator to reserve.

Link Webb Stables’ first blue was won by the popular team of Contendo and Kathryn Ramsbottom. Their earlier victories included blues at Fairview Lions Club, Gulf Coast Charity, the Spring Fun Show and Eagleville. Link Webb also directed Contendo to the blue at the first South Alabama Charity Show this spring. The team of Struttin Dumas and Shane Porterfield were second from Winky Groover Stables. Webb Stables’ second blue came in the aforementioned grand championship.

Manchester Lions Club Show champions Fearless and Joanne Davis claimed a Pulaski blue in the 13-entry Amateur Country Pleasure class under Tan View Stables’ banner for trainer Dickie Scrivner. Melissa Davis directed Sport Line to the reserve.

The next class of the evening was the Yearling Filly class. Monica Power and Cindy Womack earned the victory pass in the Yearling Filly class. Dr. Roger Richards owns and prepares this filly for the show ring. Her previous victories include the National Trainers’ Show, Gallatin, WHOA Kiwanis Club Show, Richman Saddle Club Show, Eagleville, J.M. Adcock memorial Show, Chester County Lions Club Show, Warren County Show, Bethesda, Jackson County, Fentress County and Dickson on Thursday night. This was her 14th blue. Wendy Boyd led She’s Cashin In to claim the reserve position.

Candy Green and Freedom Fighter claimed the Trainers’ Family class. Freedom Fighter previously won stake classes at the Smoky Mountain Classic, Arab Summer Classic and Jackson County with Charlie Green in the irons. Maria Derickson and Watch Delight claimed the reserve position.

In the 24-entry Show Pleasure Specialty class, the team of current world champion Stewart Little and Brandon Stout walked to the winner's circle after a 10-horse workout. This team also won blues at the National Trainers Show and the Spring Fun Show. Chad Way claimed second with Ironwork’s Tin Man.

The Park Pleasure Specialty classes always get very competitive as the Celebration draws near. The Rising Sun and Ray Solley earned another blue in this class for Mike Overcast Stables. The Rising Sun also claimed blues at Fairview Lions Club Show, Lamar County Relay For Life Show, Hershel Talley Memorial, Arab Summer Classic, Northside Lions Club and Arab Park and Recreation Show. Doug Barnes claimed second with Hermano Gold.

Tony Rice Champions A High Dollar Charge and Beverly Sherman captured the 16-entry Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class after an excellent performance. Steve Aymett trains this outstanding team. Tamara Kasser earned second with Still Connected.

In the Youth Pony class, the team of Key West and Andy Adkins walked to the winner’s circle. Bud Dunn and Son Stables prepared this team for their stunning performance at Pulakski. They were also the Neshoba County Classic champions. Dalia Smith and In My Pocket picked up the red streamers.

One of the most talked about teams of the show was Larry Derryberry and Mr. Rody. Reserve was awarded to Little Floozy and Chris Zahnd.

Rob Brainard was very proud of his Pulaski winner. Brainard and He Keeps On Giving topped the Fine Harness class after winning the National Trainers’ Show earlier this season. Shadow Of JFK and Grant Holt claimed the red ribbon.

Following their Murfreesboro Exchange Club win, Rowdy Rev and Bill Bobo’s fans cheered for them in the Four-Year-Old Stallion class. They are always crowd favorites and they were the judge's favorite at Pulaski. Retro, with Ramsey Bullington in the irons, won the reserve.

Irrational Exuberance and Brett Jones won the 12-entry Amateur Stallion Specialty class under Rising Star Ranch’s banner. Kim Butler directed Stormin Thru Dixie to take the reserve spot from Scott Beaty Stables.

Fourteen Four-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding teams brought spectators to the edge of their seats and the cheers were heard loudly and clearly. Lisa Baum rode High Jacked to the victory pass from Finish Line Farm. This was this team’s fourth victory with blues at Manchester Lions Club Show, Walking To Make A Difference and Liberty Lions Show. Lady Lolita and Debbie Flack claimed reserve under the guidance of Sammy Day Stables.

Tennessee Gen carried John Allan Callaway to the blue in the Four-Year-Old and Over Mare and Gelding class. They also won this season at the National Trainers’ Show and Gallatin. Don Rafa and Joe Cotten were selected for second.

Dirty Little Games and Brandy Todd claimed the blue in the 10-entry Amateur class from Brandye Mills Stables. This was their fifth consecutive blue and they are undefeated with blues at the National Trainers’ Show, the Derby Classic, and the Owingsville Lions Club Show. Generator’s Champion and Caresse Mills finished reserve under the direction of Landrum Stables.

Results follow and are also at www.walkinghorsereport.com. The current standings of the WHTA Riders’ Cup and the WHR High Point Top Ten Champions are also available in this paper and online.