by K.C. Hensley

FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - The 22nd annual Fayetteville Blue Ribbon Horse Show was held Thursday, July 31, 2003. The night was filled with fun, fellowship, good food and, of course, good horses! The show consisted of 209 entries. Don Milligan was the judge for the evening’s events. Proceeds from the show were to be invested in the youth of the Lincoln County 4-H Clubs. Mr. Charles Gleghorn, the manager of show stated, “I think the show is good for 4-H. I started this show because of the children.”

Fayetteville is the beginning of a three-day weekend for most folks in Middle Tennessee. The other two shows held during the weekend were Belfast on Friday night and Wartrace on Saturday night. A lot of future and current Celebration champions come out this weekend to get that one last appearance before the main event. The evening came to a close as Generator’s Nat King Cole and Greg Bryant were called to the winner’s circle as the Walking Horse Champions. “Nat” is owned by Dream Acres, Doug and Denia Graham. Reserve in the class of seven was Generator's Showboat and Jack Way. Kicking off the evening fit for a Princess were Dru and Bailey McCormick as the lead line champions. This makes two in a row for this unbelievable team!

In the Pleasure Ponies' class Label Me Grand and Kasie Caldwell came in for the blue. This class excited Lindy Holt because Label Me Grand's dam is Ain't I Grand by the Grand Collection, Holt's plantation horse. Also in the following class, Park Pleasure Two and Three-Year-Olds, Chris Messick and Grand Liza Jane walked away with a blue. Grand Liza Jane is another descendant of the Grand Collection.

My Major Promises and Susan Shemwell stretched out to get the blue in the Walking Weanling Fillies class. Reserve in the class was The Royal Courier with handler Steve Thomas for Jennifer Wilheim of Shelbyville, Tenn.

The next class to come was the very exciting Two-Year-Old Walking Mares and Geldings competition. Taking the blue with style was Miss Jazzy and Mike Civilis. Reserve was A Marguerita Sunrise and Rollie Beard for Tommy and Paul Gatlin.

In the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod class Rain Song and Mike Erickson graciously accepted their first place vote.

The Walking Yearling Fillies class was won by Roan Mistress and Marty Warren as the handler for Steve Smith.

In the 11 and under class, Bold Stroke's Attraction and Caitlin Chase walked away with the blue for the Burl Compton family of Roanoke, Va. Reserve was The Summit and Alex Way.

The next winners of the evening were Royal And Famous with Debbie Marbry aboard in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class.

One of the most exciting classes of the evening was the Two-Year-Old Stallion class. Tommy Bahama and Joel Weaver walked away with the blue for the Rising Star Ranch. This was one of the largest classes of the night with 12 entries.

Another win for trainer Bobby Richards came in the Walking Weanling Colts class with U Wish for Ty Irby of Mobile, Ala.

Bob Medina had an exciting win in the Park Pleasure Specialty class with a debut ride on Mystery Woman.

Coming all the way from California to win in the Amateur Specialty class was Motown Legend and Charles Warton. Reserve in the class was Pushover's Infinite and Bob Medina.

I'm Cruella De Vil and Joel Johnson chalked up another victory in the Juvenile 12-17 specialty class. The very well-known Valton Rummage exhibited another winner Silver Performance in the Walking Yearling Colt class.

The next class really brought the crowd to it's feet, the Three-Year-Old Walking Stallion class with 12 entries. Ritz's Diamond Joe and Jamie Bradshaw pulled away from the line up with blue ribbon honors. Reserve in the class was Contaminated and Jimmy McConnell.

Another win for the Medinas was with Mary Medina and Barracuda in the Amateur Ladies on Walking Mares and Geldings class. In the Open 15.2 and Under class the well-known Kodachrome and Rollie Beard staked claim on the blue. Excalibur's Jazz and Steve Beam to followed in reserve.

Catherine Simpson and Special Alert brought home another blue for the Rising Star Ranch in the Walking Ponies class. Collector's Mr. Twister and Lindsey Cate came in as a strong second.

In the Three-Year-Old Walking Mares and Geldings class, Orient Express and Jimmy McConnell walked away with another blue for the Medinas. Reserve in the class was A Command for Cash and John Puckett.

Kaye Fields was very excited when Poncho Impact and Rodney Dick walked away with the blue in the Four-Year-Old Walking Mares and Geldings class. The reserve in the class went to They Call Me Sir and Jimmy McConnell.

Pay Check By MG and Nathan Clark cashed in on a blue in the Amateur Aged Walking Horses class. Mary Medina and Grandy's Rhythm Lady rode to reserve.

The Four-Year-Old Walking Stallions class had no entries, but the Four-Year-Old Amateur Open Specialty, had to be split. The split was due to the request for mares and geldings/stallions to be put into two different divisions. The winner in the mares and geldings section was JFK'S Gold Lining and Carolyn Rutner. In the second half of the class, The Lowrider and Susie Harmon made their way to the winner's circle.

The classic horse, Editorial Page carried Rollie Beard to the blue in Open Show Pleasure Specialty class. Coming in second was Dark Illusion and Jeff Green. The Show Pleasure Specialty class was also the largest class of the night with 14 entries making the gate call.

The world champion team of Be Bopper and Patti Gray made it to the winner's circle once again in the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class.

Another world champion, Prime's High Tribute carried William Harris to the blue in the Walking Mares and Geldings Five Years Old and Over class. Reserve in the class was Lock and Load with Jimmy McConnell.

This concludes the highlights of the Fayetteville Blue Ribbon Horse Show. Complete results follow and can also be viewed at www.walkinghorsereport.com