by Sis Osborne

 

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Oct. 7 WHOA Versatility Show held at the MacGregor Stables in Murfreesboro broke records for any previous versatility show held at this beautiful facility. Breaking records is getting to be a habit with the WHOA Versatility Program with 286 entries answering the gate call. The horses presented were in great condition and the exhibitors had a great time.

            Jennifer Davis did an excellent job as the judge. Mark Taylor was the announcer and Teresa Owen, Ada Wright and Sis Osborne handled the job of entry procedure. Carolyn Gernt served as candid photographer. The set-up crew of John Wright, Dan and Larry Starnes and Vic Gernt had the courses in great shape; the trail course was especially pretty with the green manicured grass and the addition of the beautiful Kentucky flowers.

Thanks go out to Scot and Lynn MacGregor for hosting the WHOA Versatility Show. Their facility is lovely and very exhibitor friendly.

 

 

            BROWNSVILLE, Ky. - The Brownsville, Ky., WHOA Versatility Show was held Oct. 13 in the typical picturesque Kentucky County Fair setting. A beautiful, sunny fall day with a nice breeze, big shade trees dotting the landscape and the sparkling white show ring certainly created the perfect show atmosphere. The Edmondson County Saddle Club, headed up by Larry Starnes had the facility spotless for the exhibitors.

            Once again WHOA beat the previous equine entries with 160 participants entering the gate for the day. Many new horses and riders competed for the awards and assured the WHOA staff that they would be attending the 2008 WHOA shows to enjoy the fun.

            Several new youth participants were on hand to pick up good ribbons. Robbie Casteel served as the judge, moving the horses in and out of the ring in a timely and knowledgeable fashion. Mark Taylor was the witty announcer and Ada Wright and Sis Osborne handled the job of compiling the wonderful volume of entries. The annual gateman Spud Houchin can be counted on to get the entries in the ring without complaints and to be aware of all tack changes. The pretty ribbon girls Amanda Thompson and Versi Mae Parker arranged the ribbons for each class complete with the first place trophy, which was a pound of absolutely delicious honey supplied by Longfall Farm of Mammoth Cave, Ky. Each first place winner was also awarded a red delicious apple (for the horse!). Edmondson County Saddle Club provided the show grounds and the ribbons for the event. Edmondson County and the Starnes family went all out to see that everyone enjoyed the show.

            A great amenity was added as exhibitors brought dishes to add to the very tasty potato soup cooked up by Dan Starnes. Brownsville set the standard as the lunch was offered free to exhibitors and spectators. And what a lunch it was. Most of the food was provided by the Starnes family and exhibitors on hand. The soup was perfect for the fall day, the cornbread was just the right topping for the soup and if you weren’t a soup aficionado you could dress your grilled hot dog with a variety of condiments. And to top it off, there was a dessert contest with wonderful entries. Young and excellent cook Amanda Wright, won the dessert competition with her oh so tasty entry of miniature pecan pies. Exhibitors and the audience made short work of the excellent lunch and great desserts.

            The show was fantastic in every way. For those of you who have not attended the Brownsville, Ky., Show, mark it on your calendar for the fall of 2008. Brownsville was the final local Versatility show of the season and made the perfect ending to the best ever WHOA Versatility Show season. For more information on WHOA Programs go to www.walkinghorseowners.com.