FULTON, Kent. - The Fulton Tourism Commission Fifth Annual Walking and Racking Horse Show was held on July 27, 2002 at the Fulton City Park in Fulton, Kentucky. The Fulton Tourism Commission sponsors the event and successfully provides service to the community. Fulton is also the home of the popular “Weekend at Ponotoc.” This year’s event is scheduled for September 19-21 and will feature many festivities including fireworks, music, arts and crafts, a BBQ Cookoff and numerous other exciting events.
The show was well-attended by trainers, exhibitors, and spectatrors from West Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky. The entry tally topped 192 entries, one of the largest crowds in the show’s history. Joe Fleming judged the thirty walking and racking classes. Brad Davis served as apprentice judge. Jimmy Cole was the ring master for the event and John Hood was master of ceremonies. Leon Forrester and Brian Hayes handled the duties of farrier.
Entries prepared by Ray Gilmer Stables at Falcon Ridge Farm led the blue ribbon tally for the night with seven. The Gregg Bridgers family were the recipients of two of these. Gen’s Good As Gold and Brittney Bridgers were crowned Juvenile 11 and Under champions. Gregg Bridgers and A Dangerous Pipedream topped the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class. Watch Delight and Ray Gilmer earned blue ribbon recognition in the Three-Year-Old Open class for Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Moore. Sue Stillwell traveled from Iowa to participate in the Fulton show and claimed the Three-Year-Old Amateur Mare and Gelding title aboard She’s A Kennedy.
Falcon’s Backdraft and Ray Gilmer won their second blue in a row in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class for Charles and Jill Cox. Martha Gandy was awarded her second title in a row as well riding Nothing But Power. This award came in the Ladies Amateur Mare and Gelding Specialty division. Pride’s Flapjack and Lillian Gaines received the blue in the Open Amateur class and also took home the James Robert Caldwell, Jr. Challenge Trophy for winning this honor three times.
Formac Stables located in nearby, Union City, Tennessee, earned four Fulton titles. Jimmy McConnell claimed the first in the Park Pleasure Specialty class with Mystery Woman for Mary Medina. He returned to make the victory pass in the Four-Year-Old Open division with A Drop Of Gen and Ed and Sandy Moyers. In the final class of the evening, McConnell captured the Fulton tricolor in the Walking Horse Stake class riding Walkin’ All Over for Bob Medina. Lee Lunsford and Grandy’s Rhythm Lady were in the winner’s circle following the Juvenile 17 and Under Medallion class for Mary Medina.
Southern Serenity Ranch, Magnolia Stables, and Greg Mooningham Stables all were awarded dual blues at Fulton. Riding under the Southern Serenity banner, Champco Moonlight and Anna Hamilton led the Spotted Saddle Horse Open Specialty class for Ray Weaver. Olympic Angel and Jenna Hamilton continue to blaze a blue ribbon trail in the Country Pleasure class winning their seventeenth title at Fulton for owner, Marilyn Staley Friedman.
Magnolia Stables trainer, Robert stivers accepted two blue ribbons in open competition at Fulton. Clocked In had the victory in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class for JoAnn Dempsey. The conclusion of the 15.2 and Under Open class found Skywatcher in the winner’s circle for Doug and Brenda Estes.
A.S.A.P and Justus Smith walked away with the blue in the Juvenile 17 and Under Specialty class for the Verner Smith family. I’m A Pushover’s Threat turned in a winning performance in the Amateur Specialty class with Verner Smith in the irons for Terry and Christie Miller. Greg Mooningham prepares these entries for competition.
Duck’s Bad News caught the judge’s attention in the Yearling class with Nicky Forrester at the lead. With All Du Respect and Dr. John Lay emerged victorious in the Three-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class. Sunrise Showdown and Don Hancock were in the spotlight in the Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallion class. Receiving the title for Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty champions were Equal Times and Jim Woodard. Double Shot Of Gen made the familiar trip to victory lane with Holly Johnson directing in the Amateur Show Pleasure class for Bobby Barclay. Eddie Barclay prepares Double Shot Of Gen for show ring competition.