PUYALLUP, Wash. - The “Report on the Road” traveled once again to the Pacific Northwest to attend the 25th Annual edition of the Tennessee Saturday Night Horse Show at the Western Washington Fairgrounds, which lies in the shadows of the imposing 14,500 foot Mount Ranier. The Walking Horse show had it’s inception as a one-day event, but soon expanded to the current three-day format while retaining the original title. The Memorial Day weekend dates are also a long-standing tradition and accommodate a ninety class schedule.
Evaluating the competition this year was Jessie Dotson of Thompson Station, Tenn, with announcer Steve Brown, ring steward Sue Carrol and organist Wayne Shields rounding out the center ring cast, while Secretary Shirley Swingly handled the entry office duties. Linda Arnold and company planned and prepared the tasty grilled steak dinner served at the “Exhibitor’s Shindig”, which featured a five piece country group playing for the partygoers. A silent auction was also presented as a show fundraising event.
The High Point awards were announced prior to the Open Stake Championship class, with Mattie Reynolds and Melissa Swingley tying for the Junior Rider recognition followed by Ashley Ward for the reserve award. Betty Chalfant’s Kiss And Told prevailed in the Lite Shod Specialty category, while Shelly Fabro’s Major American Dream collected the Lite Shod Three-Gait honors.
Sarina Westenhaver and her handsome black stallion, Extra Dark Spirit, took charge of the Open Stake Championship that brought the show to a close on the holiday weekend afternoon. Their blue ribbon performance in the preliminary event led to the classic presentation that added the Puyallup honors to a lengthy record of their Pacific Northwest dominance.
Diane Gueck’s Cheveaux Stables stock topped the ribbon count leader board with ten blues and four tricolors and corresponding championship coolers. The Sanni Mathews-owned Dangerous Rising Star led the way with a pair of wins in the 13 and Under Pleasure ranks with Melissa Swingley riding to the preliminary and championship ties, as well as the Plantation Western Open qualifier and championship recognition under trainer Gueck’s direction.
Another well-known Mathews property, A Beam Come True, bested the Plantation Open and Amateur classes with Heather Fitzgerald doing the blue ribbon honors.
Miss Magic Money earned Lite Shod dividends in the Open Specialty with Sharon Gueck DeFord at the controls, and in the Open Three-Gait and Championship teamed with Diane Gueck for the Gueck and Mathews alliance.
Trainer Gueck was also in charge of the First Year Canter preliminary and tricolor performances by Nite’s Finale for the Allan and Nancy Plunkett ownership. Single blues were awarded to Linda Ramon’s Model Stallions and Geldings champion, Lord Blackwatch, with handler Sharon DeFord; to Model Mares winner, Dangerous Dream, who was shown by her proud owner, Nancy Ryman, and to Stock Seat Equitation champion and Gueck student Melissa Swingley, teamed with Gen’s Miracle Lady.
Allison Smart’s Stride Right Farms presented a pair of pleasure stars who accounted for eight big blues and three championships. Betty Chalfant’s new mount, Kiss And Told, launched her owner into the Lite Shod spotlight with Western Amateur Specialty preliminary and championship ties as well as Ladies Amateur Specialty Nervous Novice and Pleasure Novice Specialty class blues.
Trainer Smart was in direction for the Lite Shod Open Two and Three-Year-Old qualifier and championship, Western Open Specialty and Four-Years and Under Open Specialty preliminary and championship rides to dominate the divisional competition. Dyerle McNair’s Plantation entry, Kodacall, followed up his Fiesta I and II success with an Open Specialty blue teamed with Allison Smart.
David Fields and company counted seven blues and three tricolors on the ribbon wall when all was said and done. In addition to the previously mentioned Extra Dark Spirit credits, Serena Westenhaver had a pair of Show Pleasure wins with her Gold’s Midnight Dancer. Karrie Paul backed a trio of Puyallup champions in the form of Plantation Open Specialty victor, Armed Elegance, the EZ Rider Specialty winner, Proud Penny, and Amateur specialty Four and Under star, Pusher’s Revival, who were all shown to the top ties by their proud owner.
Traci Neu was delighted by her Show Pleasure success with Prince Dumas, who teamed with his owner for the Amateur Specialty preliminary and championship ribbons. Trainer Fields was in the saddle for the Open Two-Year Championship honors aboard Debbie Miller’s rising star, Poison’s Classic Lady.
Linda Arnold’s hardworking team posted a seven-and-two record for their Puyallup outing, with four of the winners sponsored by the Arnold ownership. Susie Bray showed Sir Giles to the Lite Shod English Amateur Specialty qualifier and championship awards, while Michelle Medeiros teamed Touched By Royalty to the Trail Pleasure Juvenile Specialty Championship as well as a previous blue in the Juvenile Model class. The Bray and Medeiros duo accepted the Mare and Foal and Weanling Colt blues with Generator’s Amazing Grace and baby Sir Galahad Of G.H. for owner Arnold. Elmer Jones did the Plantation Western Amateur honors with Jubilee’s Hooter Girl for owner/wife Bobbie Jones, while Stephanie Floberg took charge of the Barrel and Pole Bending events aboard Judy Bickford’s My Sensational Rhythm.