by Jennifer Maack-Condren

 

BOLIVAR, Mo. - The Southwest Missouri Horse Show Association held its annual show June 16, 2007, at the Bolivar Saddle Club Grounds. This association has active members representing Tennessee Walking Horses, Missouri Foxtrotters, Arabians and Saddlebreds that show within 150-mile radius of Springfield, Mo. Brad Huffman, president of the Association for the 2007 show year, was very appreciative for the hours of hard work Secretary Sarah Mitch had spent preparing for the show. A total of 90 horses made the gate calls.

            Dwight Hart made the trip from Springhill, Kan., to judge the 19 classes of walking horses. Announcer Bob Reavis traveled from LaMonte, Mo., and is one of Missouri’s well-known show announcers. Brent Salsman and Coby Coffman served as ringmasters. Debbie and Dean Scott were also very involved behind the scenes to make this show a success.

            The hot and humid temperatures at the start of the show prevailed most of the evening, but that didn’t hamper the competition. In the final class of the night, Victory Colors and Jim Huffman concluded the show with their victory pass in the Open Walking Horse class for Jim and Donna Huffman. This win makes a total of four blues for the duo this year. Brad Huffman and Grande’ received the reserve tie in the class for June Clark and Rick Morrison.

            Jim Huffman Stables earned six other blues throughout the evening. Hayley Miller and Pride’s Man In Black claimed the Juvenile Specialty class blue for Dr. and Mrs. Glenn DeGraffenreid. Spirit And Silver and Austin Rhoads were reserve for Andrew and Austin Rhoads. Jim Huffman and Coin’s Etched In Gold won the Park Pleasure Three-Gait class for owners Rosalie Jones and Marvelene Kusewitt. Aspen Gold and Jeff Laughlin took home the second place tie for 4-J Land and Cattle Co.

            Huffman made a quick change of horses to earn the blue in the Three-Year-Old Open class with High Heaven for Jim and Donna Huffman. A Court Order and Tom Burton were reserve for Jess Dotson. Donna Huffman made her presence known in the Four-Year-Old Amateur class as she directed Redemption’s Hard Cash to the winner’s circle. Susie Graham and Coin’s Noelle put on a fine performance for the reserve tie in the class.

            Competition was tough in the Amateur Specialty class but Magic Impression and Dr. Glenn DeGraffenreid were prepared and came out on top for Dr. and Mrs. Glenn DeGraffenreid, also under the Huffman Stables banner. Simply Grand and Jon Trimble were reserve in the good class. Rosalie Jones and Gold Coin’s Rising Star took the blue in the Amateur Park Pleasure class for Jones and Kusewitt, earning the sixth blue for the Jim Huffman trained horses. Winning Design and Julia VanZyverden were reserve in the class for Manes Stables.

            Jerry Manes Stables earned three blues for their entries. Nelson VanZyverden donned western attire and presented Magic Bomb H to the winner’s circle in the Western Lite-Shod class for David and Jane Turner. Abe Lincoln and Kerri Laughlin were reserve for 4-J Land and Cattle Co. VanZyverden then returned for another winning ride, this time with Winning Design in the Park Pleasure Western class for Manes Stables. Aspen Gold and Kerri Laughlin received the reserve tie in the class. Jerry Manes and Dazzling Dixie have made many victory passes together and this night was no exception as they made the final pass in the Four-Year-Old Open Specialty class for Manes Stables. Ladies Night Out and Margaret Hickman were reserve for Richard and Sarah Mitch.

            Brad Nichols and Copy’s Golden Boy walked their way to the winner’s circle in the Amateur Owned and Trained class for Mrs. Glen Campbell. Nichols’s first year in the amateur ranks is proving to be as successful for him as his juvenile years. Shadow Of Skywatch and Steve Skopec took home the reserve tie. Nichols returned to the ring to claim another blue, this time with Coin’s Smooth Operator in the Park Performance class. Nichols and “Elmer” continue to be tough competitors in this division for Mrs. Glen Campbell. Heza Mr. Threat and Steve Skopec were reserve for Steve and Karen Skopec.

            Brad Huffman earned a pair of blues to take home to Billings. Macho’s Golden Coin and Huffman claimed the blue in the Two-Year-Old Open class after quite a workout for Judge Hart. Dave Barton is the proud owner of this fine stud colt. Hot Carmel and Jim Huffman were reserve for Dr. and Mrs. Glenn DeGraffenreid. Debbie Barnhart and I’m Eli were flawless for their blue ribbon reward in the Open Amateur class under Brad Huffman’s direction. Ritz’s Heart Of Ice and Brian Nichols were reserve for Glenda Nichols.

            Shaker’s Mr. Threat and Mollie Turner-Wells earned a pair of blues for their showmanship under the Mike Maack Stables banner. Wells claimed both the Lite-Shod and Amateur Lite-Shod blues for owner Jeanie Galamba. Abe Lincoln and Kerri Laughlin were reserve in the Amateur Lite-Shod class and Wendy Laughlin and Sex Stone earned the reserve tie in the Lite-Shod class, both for 4-J Land and Cattle Co.

            Another 4-J entry claimed the blue in the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class as Jimmy Laughlin directed Jose’s Big Story to the winner’s circle under the direction of Kate Carter. Bold’s Kiss And Tell and Gary Wilkerson earned the reserve tie in the class for Jamie Ethridge under the Don Bills Stable banner. Gary Wilkerson and Powerstroke She’s Smokin' came out on top in the Three-Year-Old Amateur class for Gary and Farris Wilkerson, also trained by Don Bills. Cutter’s White Knight and Steve Skopec were reserve for Steve and Karen Skopec. Coin’s Raining Ruby and Taylor Wiecken were picture perfect as they claimed the Lead Line win for Bill and Teresa Wiecken.

            The show was definitely a success as the different breeds came together in the name of sportsmanship and camaraderie for this multi-breed association. Walking horse class results follow and can be viewed at the web site: www.walkinghorsereport.com.