by Derick Mann
Begining bright and early at nine o’clock on Friday, the morning session of the 2002 Celebration drew an enthusiastic crowd and several fine entries to the Calsonic Arena. Connie Dunlap kept the classes moving with her upbeat music while Jack Greene recorded the winning memories on film. The morning sessions previous to this one had boasted large entry numbers and Friday morning was no exception

The young riders of the Novice Plantation Pleasure Mares or Geldings Lite Shod for Amateur Riders 17 & Under, each gave a fine performance as they competed for top honors in the class. Judge Irby started off the day as the first call judge. After each horse and rider had made their way into the ring a total of twenty-two entries had entered the ring. Trashedeous was called to make the victory pass with Jimmy Civils as the judges’ choice for top honors. This is the second Celebration blue in less than a week for the skilled horse. The reserve tie in the class was New Millennium Generator and Meredith Lovato for Nancy Lovato of Shelbyville, Tennessee. Third award was then presented to Miss Magic Money and Melissa Swingley for Sanni Matthews.

Eleven entries performed next in the Park Pleasure Walking Horses with Amateur Riders class. It was judge Don Milligan’s turn to call the class. This class was a preliminary to the Park Pleasure Walking Horse World Grand Championship. There was no doubt in judges’ minds to who should receive the ribbon in the class as they unanimously decided it would go to Gen’s Gold Coin Lady and Nathan Clark for Clark Farms of Arab, Alabama. Second place was awarded to Caprice’s Lady Gen and Barbara Civils for Berry Coffey. Rounding out the top three was the entry of Roscoe P. Coltrain and Butch Dixon.

The third class of the day was the Amateur Owned and Trained Trail Pleasure class. The entries in the class must have had no professional training in the class for ninety days prior to their performance. With fourteen entries in the class, judge Paul Whitehead took over the responsibilities of call judge. After each horse and rider had their chance to make an impression on the judge the line up was called and all they could was wait. Finally the call came across that Jenny Earhart and Royal Prince Charlie had been selected to receive the high honors in the class. Reserve was then presented to Key To Glory and Karla Massey. Instant Baker and Charlene Cook finished third for Central Georgia Equine Services.

Division B of the Amateur Owned and Trained Trail Pleasure class filled the ring next with seventeen of the expected seventeen entries. Judge Rollie Beard called the talented class. Following a heated competition and a thorough inspection from the judges the entry of Blond Ambition and Lisa Weaver were called to receive the blue for Fred and Lisa Weaver of Doylime, Louisiana. The red ribbon was then awarded to Daniel Potter and his mount, Solitude’s Sugar Babe. Eagle’s Lady Sue and Karla Massey obtained third.

The Show Pleasure Walking Mares or Geldings with Riders 17 & Under generated excitement throughout the arena. Judge Ray Gilmer had the responsibility of calling the Show Pleasure Amateur Riders World Grand Championship preliminary class. After a workout was announced, sixteen were called in and then took to the rail for a final showing. In the end, it was Slippen Around And Scored and Nikki Owens topping the tough class. Jim and Sheron Richmond of Crockett, Texas are the owners. Mirabella and Jimmy Civils took home reserve. Guaranteed Delight netted third in the class with Ashley Adcock in the irons.

Ty Irby called the Plantation Pleasure Walking Mares or Geldings Lite-Shod with Riders 17 & Under class. Fourteen entries came ready to win but only one could walk away with the blue. That one was none other than Trashedeous. Trashedeous and owner Jimmy Civils placed first for the second time today. This win brings Trashedeous’s blue ribbon count up to three at the Celebration and there are still eight days to go! Bad News Royal Rapture and Ashley Brown captured second in the fine class for Jan Anderson of Stephenville, Texas. The yellow ribbon in the class was presented next to The Buzz and Erika Derickson for Dot Maxwell.

The Youth Western Trail Pleasure class headed into the arena next. The officiating judge in the class was Don Milligan. The judges decided to tie the class of twenty-six entries instead of call for a workout. The class was a preliminary to the Amateur Western Trail Pleasure World Grand Championship. Olympic Angel paired up with a different rider to claim a second blue at the Celebration. Jenna Hamilton directed the graceful horse to the class win for owner Marilynn Friedman who has also led Olympic Angel to a Celebration blue both this year and last. To Die For earned reserve with Lauren Shaw up for Janis Brown. Third place was awarded to Solitude’s Sugar Babe and Daniel Potter.

The TWHBEA Youth Weanling Handlers 17 & Under boasted a large class of twenty-nine entries for judge Whitehead to call. One of the larger classes of the day, each young entry was presented very professionally by it’s young exhibitor as the judges looked on. The proven team of Dillon Potter and Cotton’s Power Pusher were selected to receive the first place award in the class. Red ribbon honors went to I’m The Lady In Command and Bradley Richards for Lisa Teel of Andalusia, Alabama. Receiving third in the large class was the team Nightwatch Boogie and Casey Floyd.

Twenty-seven answered the gate call in the Two-Year-Old Park Pleasure Walking Horses with Amateur Riders. Beard was the officiating judge in the class. With two time-outs and one thrown shoe the class got off to a slow start, but soon picked back up as the talented riders and horses set out to get the judges’ attention. It was no dream when the call came across the speakers for Jennifer Berry and I Must Be Dreaming to come and receive the blue. Elaine Berry of McMinnville and Wartrace, Tennessee is the owner. Second place honors were then presented to Ella Fitzgerald and Keith Johnson and third place to Mr. Rody and Daniel Groover.

Next on the schedule for Friday morning was the Plantation Pleasure Lite SHod Walking Horses with Amateur Riders 50 Years Old and Over. Judge Gilmer had the duty of calling the twenty-two entries in the class. Each horse and rider made a fine performance as they vied for the blue in the class. Only one could take the coveted award home though, and that privilege went to Ring The Man and Don Hancock. Ring The Man is the property of Hancock who hails from Priceton, Kentucky. Genius’ Dixie Chick took home reserve with Sue Brassy riding for Sheila Mack Kyle of Los Angeles, California. Third place went to Silver’s Sundance Lady and owner and rider Bob Medina.

The riders in the Park Pleasure Walking Mares or Geldings with Riders 11 & Under put on quite a show with their gifted horses. Call judge in the class was Ty Irby. After all entries had lined up and the winning number was called , Pattern’s Gen and Haley Dauer responded as they made their winning pass to receive the blue. Dauer is also the owner of the skilled property. Second place and the red ribbon was then awarded to Howlin’ At The Moon and Jenna Jones for Ronnie Tabor. Generator’s Flashpoint and Austin Jones took home third.

Eighteen fine horses filled the show ring for the Plantation Pleasure LiteShod Walking Horses Two-Years-Old class. This was a preliminary to the Plantation Pleasure Lite Shod Walking Horses World Grand Championship. Judge Milligan served as call judge for the class. Commanding Dakota and Wendall Kirkpatrick commanded the top award in the good class. The next in line for class honors was the team of Forever Crystal and Bobby Mullinax as they picked up reserve. Billy King owns the entry. Third was then received by Frippery and Dru McCormick for Patrick Magee.

An excited crowd greeted the final class of the day, the TWHBEA Youth Yearling Handlers 17 Years & Under. Paul Whitehead was the designated call judge in the large class of twenty-six entries. With the audience yelling out the names of their selections and the entries parked out along the east side of the arena, it was time for the judges’ to make their decision to who would wear the blue ribbon out of the gate.

That decision was then announced, The Grand Liza Jane and B.J Richards had won the class. Reserve was A Jazzy Lady and Jenna Hamilton for Peggy and James Vernon. Boogie One More Time and Casey Floyd took third.

Another great set of morning classes at the 2002 Celebration, another great evening coming up. Tonight’s session will feature three splits of Three-Year-Old Stallions and several other top classes.