SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. The 2002 Bedford County 4-H Club Sixth Annual Harvest Festival Horse Show was a huge success this year with 202 entries, compared to last season’s 62 entries after VMOs Dr. Scott Price and Dr. Mike Guedron arrived on the scene. The 4-H members want to “thank each of the sponsors, the exhibitors, and the spectators for your support. Your help will benefit over 2,300 members”.
This number of entries was in spite of rain during the day and clouds looming overhead throughout the evening. However, no rain appeared and Judge Shane Vaughn judged the thirty classes which were well filled. Show Chairman John Teague was apprehensive shortly before the show but was thrilled when the trainers and exhibitors came through. Organist Charles Ritchie kept the show lively with Tommy Williams announcing. Jennifer Potts captured the champions with her camera.
The five horse stake class was the culmination of the evening with five top entries. Philip Trimble directed Doing Time With A Pusher to make the victory pass and carry out the roses for Harvey and Debbie Solomon. Reserve was another great team, Miami Heat and Herbert Derickson for Dr. and Mrs. John Brundidge. Claiming third was Brock Tillman aboard Ali Ali for David Pruett.
The Great Strides program riders exhibited their talented in a special ceremony at the beginning of the show. All were presented blue ribbons. Flag Presenters were Sarah Moore, Katie Schmiede, and Tiffany Brown.
Who won the blues? Blue Ribbon Stables and McCormick Stables, both of Shelbyville, Tennessee left the grounds with three blues apiece. Receiving two blues each were Knox Blackburn Stables, Black Hawk Stables, Allan Callaway Stables, and Webb Stables. One blue each went to Mitchell Gassaway, Janice Hill, John Puckett Stables, Henry James Stables, Katie Schniede, Jacoby Farm, Roger Richards, Keith Johnson, Mike McCormick Stables, Dick Peebles Stables, Hal Newman Stables, Chad Williams Stables, Ramsey Bullington Stables, Ronnie Spears Stables and Philip Trimble Stables.
Blue Ribbon Stables’ first blue ribbon came with Threat’s Black Bum and Kenny Browning in the Park Pleasure Specialty. Bob Lawrence collected the next two blues with his two great mounts. Being the first choice on the judge’s card was Lawrence and Jose Quervo Gold in the Plantation Pleasure, Lite Shod Specialty for Lawrence and Hutto. Bob Lawrence and Remington also walked away with the blue in the large Amateur Riders, 50 and Over Specialty division.
Keith Johnson won the first of three blues for McCormick Stables in the eleven horse Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty. Current World Champion Insomnia and Johnson wore the blue out after a thrilling performance for Suzy Johnson. Keeping the blues in the family was Joel Johnson aboard Burford Pusher in the WHTA Youth Council 17 & Under Ponies, Specialty. One of the most talked about performances of the show was that of Dru McCormick aboard Beckie Hick’s entry, Pusher’s High Voltage. In a very competitive WHTA Auxiliary class, this team brought cheers and applause all around the ring.
Knox Blackburn Stables left the Harvest Festival with two blues. First Knox rode away in blue ribbon style in the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings aboard Spring Loaded Santana for the Bill Clayton Family. The Phantom Menace and Knox Blackburn made the victory pass for the Three-Year-Old Stallions and Geldings title for the Gilbert Miller family.
Black Hawk Farms celebrated two blues as well. Gingerbread Farm enjoyed a blue in the Novice Amateur Riders Specialty with Taking Command and Ginger Hartlein topping ten entries. In a class of sixteen outstanding Two-Year-Old Stallions and Geldings, Brock Tillman and General MacArthur made a blue ribbon performance for Black Hawk Farm.
The first of Allan Callaway Stables’ blues was won by Ed Breedlove and Inside Edition when they topped the Amateur Specialty for Barry Breedlove. Allan Callaway next directed Rebel’s Black Star down victory lane in the Four-Year-Old division for Frank and Shirley Neal.
Ten Amateur Three-Year-Old teams entered the ring and James Vernon directed Going To The Ritz to the blue for James and Peggy Vernon. Webb Stables prepares this thrilling team. Steve Mozeley and Swoosh were next with the blue in the Open Amateur division.
Mitchell Gassaway and his Partly Sunny held off the competition in the Country Pleasure class. Riders with Disability title was mastered by Missy and Janice Hill.
Royal Enchanter and Sharon Farrer left their mark on the competition in the WHTA Youth Riders, 17 and Under from John Puckett Stables for Tammy Farrer. Becky Barnes continued her winning ways in the Amateur Two-Year-Old aboard Star Of Dumas for Dot and Kline Wheelis under Henry James Stables’ banner.
Katy Schmiede and Eb’s Flash Fire claimed the blue in the Country Pleasure, 17 and Under class. Delightful Edge and A.J. Jamison made a superb performance in the Weanling division under the Jacoby Farm banner.
The Yearling title was taken home by Private Benjamin and Chris Richards for Grey Barker and Phil Sweeney and trainer Roger Richards.
Winning their third blue for the evening, Keith Johnson exhibited Ella Fitzgerald in a blue ribbon demonstration in the Two-and Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure topping several fine competitors.
Another crowd favorite was tiny Amy Ann McCormick and her big mare, Collector’s Mindy. They captured the blue and the crowd’s hearts and cheers in the WHTA Youth Council, Riders 11 and Under Specialty and made dad/trainer Mike McCormick very proud. It was a thrill to see her and reserve winner Kasey Caldwell hug each other after the class. Another talent-laden class was the Ladies Amateur Mare and Gelding Specialty. Robin MacDonald and Spellbound Generator created commotion and a blue ribbon ride for Bruce and Robin MacDonald and trainer Dick Peebles.
I’m Unarmed and Callie Stuckey, under Hal Newman Stables’ banner, rode to a blue in the Amateur Four-Year-Old Specialty division for Jerry Jones and Hal Newman. The 15.2 And Under held a blue for Live N Learn and Chad Williams for Sunnyside Farms.
Ramsey Bullington Stables celebrated a blue in the ten entry Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings with A Bright Star and Ramsey Bullington for Beverly Burgess Wood. Ronnie Spears and Magic Sweet Victory won the blue in the Mares and Geldings Specialty for Poplar Creek Farm, LLC.
The Bedford County 4-H Harvest Festival Horse Show consisted of good times, riders, good food, and excellent horses.