by Linda Scrivner

WHITE PINE, Tenn. - The Tennessee State Championships Show is billed as “Two State Championships, One Great Show.” Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, it hosted the 34th Tennessee Racking Horse Championship, the eighth Tennessee Walking Horse Championship and the fifth Tennessee Performance Horse Championship. Their motto is “Saddle Up for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”

Dewey Foust said, “It’s the second week of August and it’s show time in Tennessee. I would like to express my thanks to our many supporters – trainers, owners, exhibitors, sponsors and friends who make the Tennessee State Championship Show a success year after year.” Everything about the show reminds you of whom it is being done for. The show also hosted refreshments following the Friday evening session.

This year, the show was changed to three nights instead of four and was held Aug. 7-9 with nine stake classes consisting of $1,000 prize money and two championship classes that awarded $4,300 each. The judges for the event were Bill Carmichal of Mt. Sterling, Ky., Donnie May of Richmond, Ky., and Gwain Wilson of Shelbyville, Tenn. This show is held at the Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center.

The Walking Championship had the horses enter one at a time with introductions made. The horses were worked quickly, grooms entered and the horses were stripped for conformation judging. When everyone was re-saddled, all returned to the rail for another workout.

Sweeping Up The Cash and Tim Wheelon captured the large trophy and the tricolor ribbon for owners Wheelon and Koger. This talented stallion by Sweepstakes and out of a Coin’s Hard Cash mare, won his sixth blue of the season. Reserve in the class were Buster Big Lick and Wayne Conley for the Holbrook family. Keith Ailshie claimed third aboard Pusher’s Fire Storm for RPC Farms.

Complete results may be seen by clicking here.