By Janet G. Bullis
The 55th annual Lenoir Optimist Club Horse Show was held August 9, 2003, at the Optimist Park in Lenoir, N.C. This long running show honors more than 55 years of direct involvement in activities benefiting the youth of Lenoir and Caldwell County. Mother Nature has not been very good to outdoor shows in North Carolina this year. However, despite the rain, the show started on time. Luckily the rains did let up for the largest part of the show, but returned again toward the end. B.M. Bullis of Millers Creek, N.C., judged the 164 entries in the walking classes.
The Walking Horse Stake had six entries with Classic Rebel and Terri Mosley winning the class for Holcomb and Mosley. This classically stylish horse had already won the Youth 12-17 class with Bryce Holcomb in the irons. Coming in reserve in the stake was David Polk and Cash’s Miss Star for owner Carolyn Evans. The yellow ribbon went to Lonesome Coin and Shawn Abee for J.C. Knight.
The Three-Year-Old class had ten strong entries with Cash By The Handful and Lisa Howard coming out on top. Kevin Varner trained this duo. The red banner went to Generating Cash Money and Buddy Stasney for the Ward Berry family.
The Cash Collector and Amanda Dickerson continued to collect blue ribbons and cash as they won the Plantation Pleasure Specialty Youth Rider class. The reserve title went to Gandy Tuck, Jr. and JFK’s Jubilation Sun for Pamela Larrowe.
The Youth 11 and Under class had two pretty and hard riding competitors. Skylar MacLeod and Double Dot Pusher won the class with Mackenzie Hatfield and Dude’s Big Man carrying out the red ribbon.
JFK’s Jubilation Sun won his blue ribbon with owner-rider Pamela Larrowe up in the Plantation Pleasure Open class. One Armed Bandit and Brandon Helms carried the reserve ribbon out the gate.
Pick A Color and David Polk picked the color blue for their ribbon in the Two-Year-Old Open class for Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Hill. Dale Hefner and Generating Dollar were reserve for Larry Hefner.
Judge’s Golden Generator and Jessica Helms topped 11 entries to win the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Youth class. A Red Ball Jet and Brandon Helms collected the red ribbon.
The Four-Year-Old Amateur class was won by Sweepstakes Beam and Kelly Duschel from Grandy Tuck Stables. The reserve ribbon went to Amy Abee and Extra Special Touch for Cooke and Abee.
Bryce Holcomb was happy to have his grandmother at the show to see him win the Youth 12-17 with Classic Rebel from Mosley Stables. Megan Hatfield and Doc’s Governor were the reserve winners.
Beverly McLeod and Pride's Lady Di repeated their win from last year in the Amateur Walking class. Tommy Blackwell is the trainer. Owner-rider Tom Kakassy won the reserve title with Armed With Looks.
Lynda Cooke directed her horse Collector’s Director to first place in the NCHLA Plantation Pleasure class. Angela Tuck won the red ribbon for owner Pamela Larrowe with JFK’s Jubilation Sun.
Whisper of JFK and Shawn Abee won the 15.2 and Under Open Specialty class for owner Tom Shipman. David Polk tied second with Jubilee’s Uprising.
Burl Dale won his first of two blues for the night with In The Heat Of The Night in the Plantation Pleasure Western Lite-Shod class. Grandy Tuck is the trainer. Jessica Holmes up on her horse Judge’s Golden Generator made the red ribbon ride.
Just About Time keeps having a good time collecting those blues as he and Teri Mosley won the Show Pleasure class for owner Janice and Bill Jones. It was good to see Blair Gribble back in the ring, as he was reserve with Whispering Pride for Boyce Hathcock.
Kevin Varner made a first place score on the judge’s card with Royal’s Big Score for owner Nancy Dumas in the Three-Year-Old Open class. Don Lominac was reserve on Candidates Buster Brown.
Bart Landtroop made the blue ribbon ride in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class on Jubilee’s New Who for Butler and Landtroop. Greg McMillan on Uno Dumas picked up the red ribbon.
David Polk and The Feel made the winning show in the Open Specialty for owners Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hill. Flash Flood had the right name for the night as he and Teri Mosley made the reserve ride.
Paulette Adkins rode hard to win out of a class of 14 entries in the NCWHA Members Only class on Cash At Sunrise. David Polk is the trainer. Coming from Ronald Mosley Stables, Bucky Holcomb made a good ride to place second in the class on Centennial Pusher.
The Plantation Pleasure Western Specialty was won by My, My and Danny Kistler for owner Lora Fortenberry. What If and Sandy Brumbaugh carried out the red ribbon.
DeeDee Polk had the power to win the Amateur Specialty class on Generator’s Power Punch. Kathy Correll was the reserve winner with Design’s Midnight from Kevin Varner Stables.
It is a sure thing that owner Paul Cranford had a big smile as Amy Abee won the NCWHLA Members Only class with Touch’s Satin Bay from Rick Abee Stables. Don Lominac prepared the team of Shane Auman MacLeod and Cut The Deck for the reserve tie.
Burl Dale received his second blue for the show on In The Heat Of The Night in the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Specialty Stake. Grandy Tuck is the trainer. Right behind was Jessica Holmes and Judge’s Golden Generator for the reserve ribbon.
Bobby Wycoff and Five Star Ritz made the winning show in the Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty class. Sandy Brumbaugh directed her horse Pusher’s Delta Force to accept the red ribbon.
Amanda Dickerson and her horse The Cash Collector won their second blue of the night in the Plantation Pleasure Specialty Stake. Andy Carter up for Johnny Abee was reserve on The General In Black.