SOMERVILLE, Tennessee - For the second week in a row walking horse trainers, exhibitors, and a large crowd of spectators traveled to Fayette Academy in Somerville, Tennessee. The thirty-fourth annual Cotton Classic was held on the school’s campus where the annual Fred T. Fowler Memorial was held the week before. The event is sponsored by Collierville Equestrian Charities with proceeds benefiting the Collierville Mounted Patrol. Walter Daugherty of the Mounted Patrol presented the colors at the beginning of the show.

Holly Liddell judged the thirty classes that drew 185 entries. Chip Walters was the master of ceremonies and Diane Beaver entertained the crowd with her talents on the keyboard. Jimmy Cole was the ringmaster; Mike Umberger provided farrier services; and Larry McMullen was the photographer. Akin Equine Services served as show veterinarian.

Whitter Stables led the blue ribbon tally with nine Cotton Classic titles. The first title came in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class with Jackie McConnell directing Major Event to the winner’s circle for John Alford. Dr. Diamond and Chelsea East sparkled in victory lane as they won their third consecutive title in the Juvenile 11 and Under class retiring the Gen’s Country Girl and Kirstin Williams challenge trophy. The conclusion of the Three-Year-Old Mare & Gelding class found the blue ribbon in the possession of A White Rose with Shane Vaughn in the irons. Dangerously Dazzling and Julie were at top of the judge’s card as they made a dazzling performance in the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class for John Alford.

The Ritz and Jackie McConnell gained blue ribbon recognition in the Four-Year-Old Open class for Terry and Sharon Avent. On the heels of their recent Fred T. Fowler Memorial title, Gen’s Impressive Lady and Carol Shelton claimed the Cotton Classic Ladies Amateur Specialty title for Steve and Carol Shelton. Following their recent Germantown victory, My Shotgun and Lauren Hawks were again victorious at the Cotton Classic in the Juvenile Show Pleasure class for the Dale Hawks Family. Blues and Wilsene Moody claimed their fourth blue of the season in the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class. In the final class of the evening, the Walking Horse Stake class, Jackie McConnell rode Sunrise Que Sera Sera to the cotton Classic tricolor for the second year in a row for Glen and Virgie Crutchfield.

Entries competing under the Southern Serenity Ranch banner were credited with four blues at the Cotton Classic. Olympic Angel and Jenna Hamilton are continuing their successful campaign in the Country Pleasure ranks with a blue ribbon performance for owner, Marilyn Staley Friedman. Straw Man and Susan Davis walked away with another blue in the Spotted Saddle Horse division. Entries owned by Jim and Debbie Nichols were awarded two Cotton Classic titles. Jim Nichols won the Park Pleasure Specialty class aboard Royal’s China Doll and returned to take top honors in the Lite-Shod Plantation Pleasure Specialty class with Pusher’s Beaming Pride.

Entries prepared by Ray Gilmer at Falcon Ridge Farm received three blues. The Gifted Touch and Melissa Sanders were crowned Amateur Specialty champions. Pride’s Flapjack and Lillian Gaines made the familiar ride to the winner’s circle to claim another Amateur Open title. This Pusher Is Armed and Dr. Luby Jones led the Four-Year-Old Amateur Gelding class.

Four barns were the recipients of dual Cotton Classic titles. Two entries competing under the Formac Stables banner and owned by Randy and Kelly Moore were winners at the show. Blonde Heaven and Dan Waddell collected the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding title. Secret Sky and Jimmy McConnell were champions in the Three-Year-Old Stallion class.

Abernathy Stables had two blue ribbon winners. Power Of Charm and James Abernathy were in the spotlight in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class for Frank Ditto. Wilson Pickett has back to back blues with a win in the previous night at the Tennessee State Jubilee Horse Show in the Juvenile 17 and Under class followed by a Walking Pony Specialty title at the Cotton Classic.

The popular team of A Black Market Pusher and Ronnie Stanfill claimed their eighth title of the season in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class. The Four-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class found Gen’s Four Star General and Stephanie Cagle making the victory ride after their win. Both entries are prepared by Stanfill Stables.

Entries readied for show ring competition by Henry James of Shelbyville, Tennessee claimed two titles. Star Of Dumas and Robbie Spiller captured the blue in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class for Dot and Kline Wheless. The winning combination in the Pro-Am Specialty class was Tony Carter and Robert Saunders riding Raise The Cash.

In the Halter Weanling and Yearling class, Danger Poison emerged victorious with owner, John Hughes at the lead. Sarah Bailey Jones followed her Fred T. Fowler Memorial win in the Lead Line class with a Cotton Classic win aboard Mikey. Stormy’s Black Rain and Summer Sullivan turned in another winning performance in the Amateur Owned and Trained class. Hytone’s Buster Brown directed by Tyler Herndon received the blue in the Juvenile 12-17 class. Delight-N-Gold and Tami Tabb were in the winners circle in the Amateur Show Pleasure class. Skywatcher and Robert Stivers scored an impressive victory in the 15.2 and Under Open class for Doug and Brenda Estes.