The 37th annual National Walking Horse Trainers' Show got off to a spectacular start on Wednesday evening. With 250 entries and 20 classes, the first night of the show featured many past world champions.

This year, the Trainers' Show is emphasizing the youth division. There will be a special youth exhibition each night of the show. Wednesday night featured Ali Ali and Jeren Guthrie, who are the current TWHBEA Youth Medallion Champions. Ali Ali is owned by David Pruett.

Also, Walking Horse Report will make several special presentations of the Year In Walking Horses to its designated honorees throughout the week.

Leigh Bennett, Jamie Hankins, Tommy Loid, Mack Motes and Brock Tillman have all taken on the challenge of judging the 2005 Trainers' Show.

The evening performance got under way at 6:30 p.m. with the father and son team of Jerry Collier and 11-year-old Trevor Collier. Collier carried the nation's flag with current World Champion Three-Year-Old Stallion Steel Justice while his son carried the Trainers' Association flag with Slam’s Grand Tour.

The first class of the evening was the Model Park Pleasure Open with nine entries. Last year's winner Generator’s Icy Hot walked away with a unanimous decision for the blue. This team was led by Jeff Givens for owner Jack Heffington. The Executive Decision and Robert Nelms, for Leslie Callaway, also repeated last year's performance for reserve.

The Fine Harness had nine strong entries with He Keeps On Giving taking the blue ribbon home to Adams,Tenn., for James Corlew. Rob Brainard was at the whip. The new fine harness team of Dick Peebles and Julio Julio earned reserve for Joyce and Wayne Meadows.

The first WHTA Riders Cup class was the Walking Mare and Geldings 15.2 and Under with 15 entries. John Allan Callaway and Tennessee Gen walked away with the blue for Michael Hart. He’s Dr. Cash and Jimmy McConnell made their mark for reserve honors for Larry and Farrah McAlexander.

The current Adult Auxiliary Equitation World Champion Sara Womack was the unanimous winner in the Walking Horse Auxiliary Equitation, Adults 18 and Over. Susan Shemwell captured the red ribbon.

The Great Escape and Jackie McConnell walked away with the blue in the Show Pleasure Specialty Open class for owner Camille Akin. Jordan Eldridge's current reserve World Champion Music in The Sky was reserve with Charlie Green.

Multi-titled World Champion Jose Quervo Gold and Doug Barnes were the winners in the Plantation Pleasure Lite-Shod Open for Jeff Ray and Nancy Yonko. Calvin Klein’s Obsession and Jeff Givens accepted reserve for Donald Knight.

The Amateur Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding had 10 top entries. She’s Over The Line and Robin MacDonald exited the ring last for Bruce and Robin MacDonald. She’s Charmed and Marty Irby picked up the red ribbon for Ty Irby.

The Pro Am Specialty class, where the amateur rides the first way of the ring and the professional rides the second way, featured nine top entries. Three of the nine had world championship titles under their belts. Push Me Bold and Donald Stephens and Joe Flemming walked away with the blue for Donald and Gladys Stephens. Cut The Smoke and Brenda Carlon and John Allan Callaway garnered reserve.

A unanimous decision of the judges in the Amateur Stallions, Mares and Geldings saw the popular team of Dirty Little Games and owner/rider Brandi Todd in the winner's circle. Black Cash Delight and Gail Walling took reserve for McDonald and Walling.

In the Walking Mares and Geldings 15.2 and Over, numerous past world champions added to the strong class, which featured 19. The unanimous decision of the judges was the popular team of Barracuda and Jimmy McConnell for Mary Medina. Sanman and Link Webb earned reserve for Larry Russell.

Amateur Riders on Walking Horses 50 and Over had four entries. Leaving the ring with the blue was Night Twister and Ann Bailey. Night Twister is the current WHTA Auxiliary World Champion with Dru McCormick riding. Reserve in the class was current Reserve World Champion Copy’s Touchtone and Robin MacDonald for Bruce and Robin MacDonald.

Olympic Power and Stephanie Gordon saw blue in the Amateur Pony Class 18 and Over. Stephanie also owns this entry. Late Night Jazz and Lisa Baum put on a solid performance for reserve for Dr. Jim Baum.

Seven entries entered the ring in the Amateur Mares Specialty. Sunrise at Midnight and owner/rider Debra Coleman won the class. Driving Miss Dumas and Terry Mann happily exited with reserve for Mann Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Eagle.

The World Champion team of Fully Armed and Howard Hamilton walked away with the blue in the Park Pleasure Open Specialty class. This horse is owned by Red Eagle Farms. Reserve in the class was Doug Barnes and Chill for Daniele Reid.

Twenty-Four Amateurs entered the ring in the Amateur Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class, but only one left victorious. Jose’s Habanero and Tricia Timmons picked up the blue for Amanda Timmons. Current World Champion Amateur Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding Hey Hey Ole’ and Bob Medina were on the money for reserve for Bob and Mary Medina.

Making the trip from West Tennessee, Laurie Toone and Mr. Jesse James walked away with the blue in the Western Plantation Pleasure Lite Shod Open class. Mr. Jesse James is owned by Dr. Kent and Ann Jameson. A Style File and Jarred Carrier walked their way into the reserve spot for the Carrier family.

Winning her second blue of the evening was Stephanie Gordon and FDR in the Amateur Four-Year-Old Mares and Geldings Specialty. The Polar Express and Kristen Williams were reserve in this large class.

The largest class of the evening with 29 entries was the Trail Pleasure Amateur Specialty. Maggie Moore and Our Mystery Man took the blue back to California for Harvey and Maggie Moore. My Scarlett and owner/rider Kathy Potter earned reserve.

Walking Stallions, Mares and Geldings 15.2 and Over saw Herbert Derickson and Doctor Liz making the blue ribbon ride for the Mickey Adcock Family. Don Rafa and Brent Hardin put on their game face for the reserve position for Dr and Mrs. R. Rigual.

In the last class of the evening, the Amateur Men's Specialty, current World Champion and Reserve World Grand Champion Jazz King and Ed Breedlove walked away with the blue. Reserve to Jazz King was past World Champion The Ultra Doc and Jim Baum.


Ann Bailey and Night Twister are joined by Mickey and Dru McCormick after their victory in the Amateur Riders 50 and Over class.




Brandi and Donald Todd prove that you're never to big to be daddy's little girl. Dirty Little Games and Brandi won the Amateur Walking Stallions, Mares and Geldings.


Push Me Bold and Donald Stephens win the Pro/Am class, Justin Harris leads the talented pair to the winners circle.



FDR and Stephanie Gordon are joined by Dude Crowder after the Amateur Four-Year-Old Mares and Geldings, making that her second blue of the night.