by Stephanie Rose

CLEMSON, S.C. - The South Carolina Championship Show always promises good horses and good hospitality, and this year was no different. The show was held at the T. Ed Garrison arena, a part of Clemson University, which is a great facility with many amenities. The show is sponsored by the South Carolina Walking Horse Association and benefited the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The show’s donations total $120,000.

The show manager was Bill Rorick who is also the president of the South Carolina Walking Horse Association. The judges for the event included Ronnie Spears of Tullahoma, Tenn., Judy Martin of Shelbyville, Tenn., and Newton Parks of Murfreesboro, Tenn. This was a two-day show on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28-29.

Friday Evening

            The Tots’ Lead In was the first division of the night. Each participant received a blue ribbon. The Weanling class came next. Luck Sevens and Amy Hazelwood came all the way from Columbia, Tenn., to take home the blue for Chris and Amy Hazelwood. Doc Vengence and Chris Helton were second for Larry Mesimer of Concord, Tenn.

            The new team of Santana’s Renaissance Man and Nicole Martin made the winning ride in the Youth 11 and Under class for Martin and Mathews of Leesville, S.C., and Shelbyville, Tenn. Rumble At The Ritz and Taylor Wheless were second for Dot and Kline Wheless of Crawford, Ga.

            I’m MGM Grand and Tricia Williams won their first of two blues in the PCWHA Members Only Flat-Shod Open Specialty class for the Williams family of Marietta, S.C. Norman and Laura Mauney were second for Roger and Laura Mauney of Gastonia, N.C.

            The 2007 World Champion Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallion The New York Yankee picked up the blue in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class with Chad Baucom directing for William B. Johnson of Atlanta, Ga., and Shelbyville, Tenn. Jose’s Real Deal and Rae Martin were reserve for Larry McLaughlin of Effingham, S.C.

            He’s Pushin’ Time and Kathy Jamison won their first blue ribbon of their weekend in the Amateur Owned and Trained Lite-Shod class for Jamison and Fisher. This was their 11^th win of the year. Norman and Laura Mauney were second for Roger and Laura Mauney of Gastonia, N.C.

            The new team of I’m The Gambler and Clay Mills made their debut a winning ride for Lee Mills of Mt. Airy, N.C. This win came in the Amateur Men’s Specialty class. Gen’s Master Pusher and Dr. Jim Gore were second for Doty Looper of Easley, S.C.

            The 2007 Reserve World Champion José Sure Thing and Rae Martin carried home the blue in the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class for Tony and Sara Sheffield of Bennettsville, S.C. Tarheel’s Angelique and Derek Bonner were reserve for Bob and Mary Rollins of Franklin, N.C.

            Color’s Clown and Lori Abbott made their 14^th trip to the winner’s circle this season in the Park Pleasure English Open class for Abbott of Henderson, N.C.

            The 2007 World Champion Pusher’s General took Steve Mozeley to the winner’s circle in the Amateur 15.2 and Under Specialty class for D.R. Mozeley of Charlotte, N.C. I’m Game and Yvonna Mathis were second for Mathis and Weihl of Kings Mt., N.C.

            Pride’s Lady Di and Beverly McLeod have won the Amateur Canter class in both 2006 and 2007 for Mr. and Mrs. Ed McLeod of Newberry, S.C. The General Takes Command and Tom Kakassy were reserve for Walking K Farm of Gastonia, N.C.

            Ritz On The Corner took home his fourth victory in the Four-Year-Old Open with Rae Martin for Brown and Cully of Sumter, S.C. It’s Money Maker and Stan Tindal were reserve for Harold Stubbs of Hendersonville, Tenn.

            Fixin’ To Storm brought on the showers and went to the winner’s circle in the S.C. Members Only Amateur Specialty class with Sara Sheffield for Tony and Sara Sheffield of Bennettsville, S.C. PJ’s Pushing Charm and Dickie King were reserve for Dickie and Patty King of Anderson, S.C.

            After winning the South Carolina Championship Country Pleasure division in 2006, Fancy This & Fancy That and Taylor Digh carried home top honors again this year for Judy Barringer of Hickory, N.C. Charger’s Turbo and David Mesimer were second for Mesimer, Lambert and Puckett.

            After winning at Lexington County, the team of Hallelujah It’s Time and Jenny McLaughlin came back to win another title in the PCWHA Members Only Ladies Specialty division for Jenny McLaughlin of Lititz, Pa. Collectively Wired and Yvonne Prince were reserve for Prince of Laurens, S.C.

            Pay It Forward and Madison Holloway won their first blue ribbon of the weekend in the Youth 12-17 Specialty division for Teresa Kincaid of Kannapolis, N.C. The Ritz Blitz and Keisha Ashe were reserve for William Ashe of Waynesville, N.C.

            After dual blues at Lexington County and the Southeastern Classic, Grandy Garcia won the Amateur Western Park Pleasure Specialty division with Jacque Fisher for Fisher and Jamison of Florence, S.C. I’m John Henry and Terry Strickland were second for Over The Hill Farm of Edgefield, S.C.

With blues at the South Carolina Ladies Auxiliary, Spring Fun Show and Liberty Lions Club, Watch This Heartbeat claimed another blue in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class with Rae Martin for Heyward and Marianne Sharpe of Columbia, S.C. Tarheel's Star Of Jose and Derek Bonner were reserve for Bob and Mary Rollins of Franklin, N.C.

            After winning at the Sumter County Championships, Gaston County Shriners and the Foothills Classic, the team of Doc’s Medicine Man and Jerry Jester went to the winner’s circle again in the Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty class for Jester of Yadkinville, N.C. It’s San José and Milly Player were reserve for Player, Buckner and Bumgardner of Lancaster, S.C.

            Following a reserve at the United Spring Show, Chad Baucom and I’m Stormy And Armed took home the blue in the Show Pleasure Open Specialty class for Baucom Stables of Monroe, N.C. Push Watch and John Paul Jones were reserve for Cortner Farms of Winchester, Tenn.

            The lit-up mount, Marky’s Sparky Too and John Toney were the proud winners of the Open Park Performance Specialty class for Carl and Sandra Clark of Black Mountain, N.C. Don’t Look Back and Danny Kistler were reserve for Judy Barringer of Hickory, N.C.

            Extra Ebony and Judy Mills made the winning ride in the Amateur Ladies Specialty class for Lee Mills of Mt. Airy, N.C. This was Extra Ebony’s ninth win of the season, including an Amateur Owned and Trained World Championship. Power’s Mr. Sundust and Toni Strickland were reserve for Charles Dempsey of Arnoldsville, Ga.

            The new team of Jose’s Rare Gold Coin and Kayleigh Mesimer swept up the competition in the Novice Open Specialty class for Barbara Mesimer of Concord, N.C. The Diamond Broker and Allen Abee were second for Abee Stables of Valdese, N.C.

            After a win at the East Hall Dugout, My Kinda Luck and Bill Cantrell came out with the blue in the Three-Year-Old Stallion class for Dee Cantrell of Phenix City, Ala. Parole Granted and Alvin Strickland were second for Charles Hemphill of Eastman, Ga.

            He’s Pushin’ Time and Jacque Fisher earned their second blue and top honors in the Lite-Shod Western Amateur Specialty class for Fisher and Jamison of Florence, S.C. I’m MGM Grand and Tricia Williams were second for the Williams family of Marietta, S.C.

            After wins at the Sumter County Championships and the Gaston County Shriners Club Horse Show, the team of Sir Mark’s Impact and Malaya Jester walked away with another victory in the Amateur Ladies Mare and Gelding Canter class for Malaya Jester of Yadkinville, N.C. Generator Dry Gin and Deidre Clements were reserve for Over The Hill Farm of Edgefield, S.C.

            Double Overtime and Wade Huntley are the 2005, 2006 and now 2007 Amateur 50 and Over Champions for Huntley of Rutherfordton, N.C. Matador and Dr. David Brown were second for Dr. David Brown of Sumter, S.C.

            The world championship team of I’m An Evil Rebel and Yvonna Mathis picked up another victory in the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class for Mathis and Weihl of Kings Mt., N.C. Low On Cash and Toni Strickland were second for Charles Dempsey of Arnoldsville, Ga.

            The Final Design and Alvin Strickland made an excellent performance to take top honors in the Aged Stallion and Gelding class for Brandon Hayes of Pickens, S.C. Generator’s Double Coin and Allen Abee were second for Kevin Parton of Washington, D.C.

            After a win at the NCWHLA Walking For The Children show and a reserve at the East Tennessee Classic, Cash’s Delight Of Pride and Austin Bonner made the victory pass in the Youth Pony division for Bob and Mary Rollins of Franklin, N.C. Ozone’s Delight and Jordan Hall were second for Billie DeArmond of Greer, S.C.

Saturday Evening

            The Park Pleasure Model Plantation was first on the agenda for the night. Fashion’s Blazing Sun and Kayleigh Mesimer walked out with the blue for Cathy Vinal. The Call To Arms and Stephanie Champion were second for Cathy Vinal.

            The 2007 Yearling World Grand Champion, Pat Head Summitt and Amanda Winters took home top honors in the Yearling class for Roger Richards of Hendersonville, Tenn. Maybe I’m Maybelline and Chris Richards were reserve for Roger Richards of Hendersonville, Tenn.

            A Command For Cash and Johnny Puckett cashed in on the competition in the Aged Mare and Gelding Specialty class for Mitchell and Moore of Tullahoma, Tenn. Blues Que and Bill Cantrell were reserve for Mr. and Mrs. Larry Few of Six Mile, S.C.

            With wins at the South Carolina Ladies Auxiliary, Lexington County, and the Southeastern Classic, Future Olympic Star and Robert Kellett once again claimed top honors in the PCWHA Members Only Men’s Specialty division for Dr. and Mrs. Jim Gore of Easley, S.C. Coin’s Sunset Generator and Stan Tindal were reserve for Harold Stubbs of Hendersonville, Tenn.

            Norman won his fifth blue of the year in the Lite-Shod English class with Laura Mauney for Roger and Laura Mauney of Gastonia, N.C.

            Extra Ebony and Judy Mills captured their second blue ribbon in the NCWHA Members Only Amateur Specialty class for Lee Mills of Mt. Airy, N.C. River Nile and Sherrin Pittman were reserve for River Crest Farm.

            Santana’s Bedazzled and Sara Stubbs made their debut performance together with a victory pass in the Amateur Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class for Harold Stubbs of Hendersonville, Tenn. Boogity Boogity Boogity and Dr. David Brown were reserve for Dr. David Brown of Sumter, S.C.

            After winning the Al Miller Memorial Stake class, Cold Hard Truth and Steve Woody came back to win the 15.2 and Under Open division for Charles McSpadden of Dandridge, Tenn. Major Gee Whiz and Robert Kellett were second for Paul Simmons of Orangeburg, S.C.

            Mike Atkinson made a great catch ride and won the Amateur Park Pleasure Open English Specialty class with Grandy Garcia. This was his second blue of the weekend for Fisher and Jamison of Florence, S.C. I’m John Henry and Toni Strickland were reserve for Over The Hill Farm of Edgefield, S.C.

            After a blue Friday night in the Open Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class with Rae Martin, the team of Watch This Heartbeat and Marianne Sharpe came back to win the amateur division for Susie Sharpe of Columbia, S.C. Wonderful Cash and JoAnne Overstreet were second for Overstreet and Stubbs of Sumter, S.C., and Hendersonville, Tenn.

            With blues at the Cloverleaf Classic and the Billie Lane-King Cotton Charity, A Screaming took home top honors again in the SC Ladies Auxiliary Members Only Specialty with Barbara Moore for Jackson and Moore of Athens, Ga. Hot & Busted and Deidre Clements were second for Deidre Clements of Grovetown, Ga.

            I’m MGM Grand and Tricia Williams won their final blue of the weekend in the Amateur English Lite-Shod Specialty class for the Williams family of Marietta, S.C. Norman and Laura Mauney were second for Roger and Laura Mauney of Gastonia, N.C.

            Ozone’s Delight with Kerry DeArmond and Tommy Blackwell delighted the crowd and took home top honors in the Pro-Am Specialty class for Billie DeArmond of Greer, S.C. Street Legal with Kayla Baucom and Derek Monahan were second for Dottie Boone.

            With wins at the NCWHA Spring and the East Tennessee Classic, Nightfall At The Ritz and Rhonda Mosley made a winning ride in Amateur Pony division for Weihl and Mathis of Kings Mt., N.C. Cash & Carry Little Girl and Danny Rylee were second for Danny and Carol Rylee of Gillsville, Ga.

            The strikingly beautiful stallion, More Of The Dollar came out with top honors with Bob Adcock in the Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallion division for The Stables At Alpha Place in Lititz, Pa. Vindictive and Rick Wilson were reserve for the Rick Wilson family.

            Debbie Wells had an awesome catch ride aboard Don’t Look Back in the Amateur Park Performance class for Judy Barringer of Hickory, N.C. Stock In The Ritz and Kathy Hollin were reserve for Kathy Hollin of Bishop, Ga.

            Jose’s Rare Gold Coin made his second victory pass in the Open Specialty class with John Puckett for Barbara Mesimer of Concord, N.C. Breaking News and Allen Abee were second for Tom and Sissy Weese of Catawba, N.C.

            After a reserve in the Amateur Owned and Trained class, It’s San José and Milly Player took top honors in the N.C. Ladies Auxiliary division for Player, Buckner and Bumgardner of Lancaster, S.C. Sir Mark’s Impact and Malaya Jester were second for Jester of Yadkinville, N.C.

            The 2007 World Champion Muddy Buddy and Alicia Perry-McDaniel made the victory pass in the Four-Year-Old Amateur division for the David Perry family of Gaffney, S.C. Ritz On The Corner and Marianne Sharpe  were second for Brown and Cully of Sumter, S.C.

            After a victory at the NCWHLA Walking For The Children show, I’m Rocky Balboa came back for the blue with Tyler Baucom in the Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallion class for Billy Barker. Attache and Gayle Brandon were second for Thomas and Gayle Brandon of Shelbyville, Tenn.

            Grandy Garcia won his third and final blue of the weekend in the N.C. Ladies Auxiliary Park Pleasure Specialty class with Milly Player for Fisher and Jamison of Florence, S.C.

            Pay It Forward and Madison Holloway came back in the Youth Championship and earned the roses for Teresa Kincaid of Kannapolis, N.C. Santana’s Renaissance Man and Nicole Martin were reserve for Martin and Mathews of Leesville, S.C., and Shelbyville, Tenn.

            He’s Pushin’ Time won his first set of roses for the weekend with Kathy Jamison in the Lite-Shod Championship for Fisher and Jamison of Florence, S.C. Norman and Laura Mauney were second for Roger and Laura Mauney of Gastonia, N.C.

            I’m An Evil Rebel and Yvonna Mathis came back in the Show Pleasure Specialty Championship and took home the top honors and title for Mathis and Weihl of Kings Mt., N.C. Quarterback’s Starman and Ken Moore were second for Brenda Harmon.

            Clay Mills took home both of the Amateur Championships. The first was the Amateur Specialty Championship with I’m The Gambler for Lee Mills of Mt. Airy, N.C. Heartbeat Of Motown and Brook Ellen Cannon were reserve for Dr. Dale Cannon of Sumter, S.C.

            Color’s Clown took home the roses along with the title in the Park Pleasure Championship for Lori Abbott of Henderson, N.C.

            Clay Mills took home his second championship in the Amateur Canter division with World Champion Royal Luck for Lee Mills of Mt. Airy, N.C. Pride’s Lady Di and Beverly McLeod wore out the red ribbon for Ed McLeod of Newberry, S.C.

            He’s Pushin’ Time and Jacque Fisher took the second championship in the Lite-Shod Specialty Championship for Fisher and Jamison of Sumter, S.C. I’m MGM Grand and Tricia Williams were second for the Wiliams family of Marietta, S.C.

            Pusher’s Color N Book and Bobby Boseman took top honors in the always-popular Grooms’ class for Heyward and Marianne Sharpe of Columbia, S.C. The Polar Express and Israel Conde were second for Jodie Spivey of Morristown, Tenn.

            Seven top entries made the gate call for the C.A. Faulk Memorial Walking Horse Championship. After winning the Twin Cities Classic and Walton County, UC I’m Ultra Gold and Bill Cantrell came all the way from Phenix City, Ala., to claim top honors unanimously in the good class for Dee Cantrell. Jazz Cash and Allen Abee were reserve for Steve and Lisa Howard of Denver, N.C. Third went to the team of Matador and Rae Martin for Dr. David Brown of Sumter, S.C. Pusher’s Power House and Derek Bonner rounded out the top four for Irving Williams of Shelby, N.C.

            This closes out the South Carolina Championship Horse Show. Results follow or you can logon to www.walkinghorsereport.com.