by Debbie Graham

BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. - The Brownsville/Haywood County Walking Horse Classic was held July 11, 2003. Both the city of Brownsville and Haywood County worked collectively to produce the successful event. Proceeds from the show were used for continued improvements that are being made to the East Side Arena where the show is located. Proceeds from concession stand benefited the Relay For Life Team, which was sponsored by the Brownsville Courthouse.

Carl Bledsoe judged the 28 walking and racking classes that drew a total off 121 entries. A large gallery of spectators were entertained by the talented performers exhibited by trainers and owners at the show. Carthel Smith served as master of ceremonies; Dianne Beaver provided musical entertainment on the keyboard; Mike Farley handled the duties of ringmaster; and Jennifer Pack captured the events of the night on film as show photographer.

Eight young exhibitors participated in the first class of the night, the Stick Horse class. Judge Bledsoe declared all the youngsters winners in this popular competition.

In the Yearling class, Botox and Joe Johnson claimed their third blue of the season for Dr. and Mrs. Les McGowan. Marilyn Friedman traveled all the way from Hidden Hills, Calif., to participate in the Brownsville show and received blue ribbon honors with My Finders Keepers in the Amateur Country Pleasure class. She was riding under the Southern Serenity Ranch banner.

Dan Waddell was awarded three trips to the winner’s circle at Brownsville this year. The first came in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class with Ms Della Street for Gail McConnell. Wadell then returned to top the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class riding Ritz Lisa Ann for Wayne Qualls. The third title came in the 15.2 and Under Open class with Cut A Rug for Mary Medina.

Judy Stanfill won the first of two blues for Stanfill Stables trained entries. E-Male made the victory pass in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class for Vicki Stanfill. Then, Ronnie Stanfill and A Cloudy Sky made their blue ribbon debut in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class for B and R Farms.

Jewel’s Black Charmer claimed the victory in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class with Jackie McConnell in the irons for Tom Gould.

Royal’s China Doll was the recipient of two Brownsville blues. First, Vance Walls claimed the Amateur Park Pleasure Specialty title. Then, Shawn Walls turned in a winning performance to win the Youth Park Pleasure Specialty class. Southern Serenity prepares this entry for competition. Another Southern Serenity entry, CK‘s Mystery was in the spotlight in the Lite-Shod Plantation Pleasure Specialty class with Jackie Medlin directing.

Marina Barclay won her first of two blues for the weekend in the Youth 11 and Under class with Man Of Mine for Eddie Barclay. Other entries prepared by Eddie Barclay Stables winning titles at Brownsville include Prepare To Be Dazzled and Tammy Bunch in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class for Michael and Tammy Bunch and Noel Botsch and his Two-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding mount, Wired’s Special Design.

Two amateur exhibitors from Summer Crest Farms were given blue ribbon recognition at the show. Olympic’s Godfather and Stephanie Carter were Four-Year-Old Amateur champions for Barry Carter. Generator’s Blaze Of Gold and Kelsey Farese were happy to accept the blue in the Youth 12-17 class for the Steve Farese family.

The Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty class was led by Big Score’s Beamer and Joey Tackett for Southbound Stables. Star Studded Fashion and Robert Stivers were the winners in the Three-Year-Old Stallion class for Lynn and Debbie Barham.

Great Oaks Farm entry Impressive’s Rising Sun was crowned 15.2 and Under Specialty champion with Bill Williams accepting the honor. Shea Woods prepares Impressive’s Rising Sun for show ring competition. Another entry prepared by Woods at White Oak Farm, Beam’s Clowning Around caught the judge’s attention in the highly competitive Amateur Show Pleasure class with Dusty Carpenter riding for Robert and Lisa Marbry.

On the heels of their Fred T. Fowler Memorial title, Major’s Miss Myrtle and Gayla Kail topped the Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding class for Ben, Gayla and Maggie Kail.

Rebel’s Knight and Johnny Caviness earned their first of two Amateur Specialty titles at Brownsville for Caviness and Stewart riding under the Whitter Stables banner.

Straw Man and Richard Davis were victorious in the Amateur Spotted Saddle Horse class for Richard and Susan Davis.

Gen’s Breakdancer and Dr. John Lay gained blue ribbon recognition in the Amateur Open class.

Jimmy McConnell was in the winner’s circle on two occasions at Brownsville. First, Black Danger captured the Four-Year-Old Open title for Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Tanner. Then, McConnell and Walkin’ All Over were awarded the title of Grand Champion in the Walking Horse Stake for Bob Medina bringing the successful Brownsville/Haywood County Walking Horse Classic to a close.