TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The 15th annual West Alabama Walking and Racking Horse Show was held May 8 at the Ray C. Jenkins arena in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The 34-class event offered some of the state’s most talented walking, racking and spotted horses. The judge for the walking division was Tim Thompson and the judge for the racking division was Randy Moore.

Of the 34 classes, 19 were designated for walking horses. In the first class of the evening Cash Troubadour and owner/handler Kim Wilkin of Birmingham, Ala., received the top honors in the weanlings and yearlings class. Reserve in the class went to Poisonous Lady and owner/handler Lisa Teel of Andalusia, Ala.

In the Gaited Pleasure class the colorful Rocky Top Rainbow and owner/rider Jean Brannon of Mentor, Ala., claimed the first place tie. Reserve in the class was received by Ebony’s Favorite Gold and Jacquie Wright for Southern Oaks of Buhl, Ala.

For the 11 & Under class six small exhibitors came out to compete in the hot sun. Push On Joe and Fallin Roberts walked away with the blue for Lenora Roberts of Pinson, Ala. Delight N Pushin made good reserve ride with Jaron Compton in the irons for Taylor Farms of Childersburg, Ala.

Fourteen talented entries made the gate call to compete for the blue in the Juvenile 12-17 class. Multi-titled champion Major Cigar and Barclay Woodward smoked the competition once again for the Ronnie Woodward family of Hartsville, Ala. Reserve in the large class went to Generator’s Dry Gin and Bo Beam for the Dan Haynes family of Albertville, Ala.

The Ladies Amateur Specialty class was also filled to the brim with 16 eager riders. Multi-titled world champion Major League with owner/rider Carolyn Rutner of Northport, Ala., in the irons made the blue ribbon ride. Excalibur’s Jazz and Allison Gray came in as a strong reserve in the class for Brad Posey of Arab, Ala.

The Amateur Lite-Shod Specialty class was next to enter the ring with seven entries making the gate call. The Twilight Zone and Billy Strickland made the good blue ribbon ride for Clark Farms of Arab, Ala. Reserve in the class went to Iron’s Powerstroke and Monica Powell for Thomas Powell of Grove Hill, Ala.

It was then time for the Men’s Amateur Specialty class, which was relatively smaller than the Ladies Amateur Specialty class. Seven bold competitors entered the ring wanting that top prize. World champions Rainbow Of Colors and Red Etheridge topped the class. Reserve in the class went to Doc’s Cutting Edge and owner/rider Wes Samford of Birmingham, Ala.

In the Three-Year-Old Amateur Specialty class Sam’s Wild Nite and owner/rider Renee Barnett of Fultondale, Ala., made the outstanding ride for the blue ribbon honors. Reserve in the class was received by Silver Dollar's Intimidator and Amy Barker for the Dr. H.E. Barker family of Arab, Ala.

Five-Way Farm claimed their second blue of the evening in the Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty class with My Major Cash and Ray Fincher. Reserve in the talented class went to Master Of Pride with Meg Young in the irons for Ricky Young of Boaz, Ala.

The youngsters of the show ring were next to enter the gate in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class with seven talented entries. Red Etheridge was yet again welcomed into the winner’s circle, this time aboard Dr. In Command. Reserve in the class was awarded to The Lady Can Score with Donnie Hutto in the irons.

Multi-titled champion Ritz Cracker and Tim Smith took the top honors in the Show Pleasure Specialty class for Charlie and Linda Bedwell of Dothan, Ala., and Pensacola, Fla. Reserve in the talented class went to Crimson’s Deep Impart and Hugh Taylor for Patty Shannon of Sylacauga, Ala.

In the Amateur Owned & Trained class the competition was mountainous. Bryan Jones climbed to the top aboard Threat's Mountain for Donnie Jones of Selma, Ala. Reserve in the class was awarded to Mack's Gold Streaker and Rocky Christian for Knute Christian of Tuscaloosa, Ala.

In the Two-Year-Old Open class Chris Zahnd of Swingin' Gates Stables captured the blue with The Willhamina for A.R. Burney of Town Creek, Ala. Ultra Bumming Around with Hugh Taylor in the irons took reserve for Bobby and Sandra Ellison of Pelham, Ala.

In the Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty class young Landon Denny and Reflector's Little Man were welcomed into the winner's circle much to the approval of the audience. Reserve in the class went to Flashy Masquerade and owner/rider Allyson Parker of Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The 11-entry Three-Year-Old Open class turned out to be very exciting! Jose At Heart and Brant Thompson walked away with the blue for the Dr. H.E. Barker family of Arab, Ala. After their neck and neck competition Jamie Bradshaw took the reserve ribbon aboard Santana'a Pusher Man for Ferguson Farms of Union Grove, Ala.

In the Open Walking Specialty class Five Way Farm claimed their final blue of the evening with Jack Way aboard Color's Staggerbee for Carolyn Rutner of Tuscaloosa, Ala. Dark Storm Warning and Steve Beam came in as a strong reserve in the class for Bo and Blake Beam of Arab, Ala.

Clay Sanderson walked into the winner's circle aboard Pattern's Rooster in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty Stallion class for Mike Floyd of Columbia, Tenn. Reserve was awarded to Moments Of Jazz and Jack Way for Carolyn Rutner of Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Finally it was time for the main event, the Walking Horse Stake. Although the six-entry class was filled, there were two specific horse and rider teams that the crowd seemed to be following. The two entries were Generator's Double Coin with Jamie Bradshaw in the irons and Chicago with Jack Way aboard.

When the card was marked the announcer called out the beautiful sorrel stallion Generator's Double Coin for the blue. Chicago and Jack Way claimed the reserve tie for Chicago LLC of Jamestown, Tenn.

This concludes our coverage of the 15th annual West Alabama Walking and Racking Horse Show. Complete results fpr the walking horse divisions follow and may be viewed at www.walkinghorsereport.com.