Freedom Fighter Bombs Competition

By Linda Scrivner

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The 15th annual Murfreesboro Kiwanis Club-Walking Horse Owners’ Association Charity Walking Horse Show was held Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at the heated Tennessee Miller Coliseum. This was the second year that this show was held over Thanksgiving weekend. Spectators and exhibitors alike traveled great distances to show in the mid-30 degree weather.

Earlier editions of the show were held in April. Each year numbers have increased. In 2000, the show was a two-day show with 196 entries. The 13th annual show was held April 14, 2001, with 184 entries making the gate call. In 2002, 231 entries turned out for the Thanksgiving weekend show. And this year, 303 entries made their way to the wonderful new facility at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum. Show manager Tommy Hall said that in 2004 the show would probably return to a multi-day, multi-breed show in April.

Chad Williams of Shelbyville, Tenn., judged the 40 classes in an expert and efficient manner with the show ending around 10:15 p.m.

Five entries answered the gate call in the Grand Championship Stake. Charlie Green directed Freedom Fighter to the victory for the Dennis Shoffner family of Russiaville, Ind., after displaying his talents. The reserve champion also made a tremendous show. Ramsey Bullington was aboard Spirit’s Midnight Rider for the Annie Williamson family of Hopkinsville, Ky., to win the red streamer. Third was awarded to Elvis Pusher and Brock Tillman for Meadowbrook Farm of Florence, Ala.

Charlie Green of Victory Farm led the blue ribbon tally, winning four blues. Black Hawk Farms, Jeff Givens Stables and Buck Williams Stables won three blues apiece. Winning dual blues were Barnes Training Stables, Knox Blackburn Stables, Finish Line Farm, Dickie Scrivner of Tan View Farm and Connie Waldo.

Victory Farm’s first blue was won by the team of Charlie Green and Major Beauty in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class for Herb Murrath of Stone Mountain, Ga. Reserve in this class went to Encore’s Mystery and owner/exhibitor Ronnie Tabor.

Next, Ed Breedlove won the Open Amateur blue with Jazz King for Keith Breedlove of Buford, Ga., and Victory Farm. I-Man In Command and Steve Brannam of Cookeville, Tenn., were awarded the reserve position for trainer Jeremy Woodside.

Candy Whitehead-Green came next making the victory pass in the Amateur Specialty Mare and Gelding class with Make My Mark Black for Bea Whitehead of Xenia, Ohio. Reserve in this great class were Music In The Sky and Jaclyn Harney riding for Barry Breedlove of Buford, Ga. This team was also under the guidance of Victory Farm.

The first of Black Hawk Farm’s winners was the team of Gold As J.F.K. and Brock Tillman in the 15.2 and under class. Exiting with the reserve position was the team of Ramsey Bullington and Adrenaline for Pollack’s Silver Spur Ranch.

The current world championship team of Ali Ali and Jeren Guthrie was next to win a blue for Black Hawk Farm in the 10-entry Youth Specialty class. David Pruett claims ownership of this talented gelding. Receiving reserve were This Generator’s A Lady and Jacob Baum for owner Lisa Baum and under the guidance of Webb Stables.

Justin Jenne won the next Black Hawk blue. He directed Pushover’s Harley down victory lane in the Three-Year-Old Stallions and Geldings class for owners Leo and Brenda Skelton and Doc and Jane Skelton entry. General MacArthur and Brock Tillman picked up the red streamer for Black Hawk Farm.

Hometown owner and exhibitor Donald Knight was pleased when his Sailin Man claimed the top ribbon in the Lite-Shod Amateur Specialty under the Jeff Givens Stables banner. B.J. Richards and Power Of Your Love were awarded reserve for Ron Rany.

Jeff Givens won the second blue ribbon for his stables with Rainsong in the Lite-Shod Specialty for owners Mike and Pam Ericson of Modjeska Canyon, Calif. Drop The Hammer, ridden by Connie Waldo, claimed the reserve position.

Following their recent Perry, Ga., wins, Jeff Givens and Gen’s Sundancer claimed the Open Park Pleasure victory in Murfreesboro to make it three new blues for his tack room wall.

The first two of the three blues won by Buck Williams Stables were earned by Willie Cook. Cook first rode Direct Effect to victory lane in the Two and Three-Year-Old Plantation Specialty, 1” Shoe class for the Robert Emfinger family of Alabaster, Ariz. Reserve went to the team of Wendell Kirkpatrick and Vengeance With Pride for Mariella Fugger of Munic, Germany.

Cook next rode Wayne Hall’s entry Metro Grande to the blue in the Park Pleasure Specialty class. This team was followed by Dickie Scrivner and The Lone Gunman in reserve for owner Pam Williams of Farmington, Mo.

The exciting team of Buck Williams and Jackie O’s My Sister earned the victory pass in an extremely competitive 10-entry Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class. Rodney Dick and You Better Be Good received reserve for owners Rodger and Haroline Willis.

Barnes Training Stables’ two blues were won with horses ridden by Miles Irby. Irby first directed Touched Twice to the blue in the 12-entry Country Pleasure class. Claiming reserve were Dixie Spirit and Kathy Owen for Double Springs Farm.

Irby also claimed victory in the Park Pleasure Western Specialty class aboard The Bounty Hunter for Lawrence and Hutto of Thomasville, Ga., and Troy, Ala. Chris Messick and The Grand Lisa Jane picked up the red streamer for Phil Cohen of Naples, Fla.

The first blue for Knox Blackburn Stables came when Michael Patterson directed Texas Lone Star to the 11-entry Two-Year-Old Amateur blue for the Michael Patterson family of Murfreesboro, Tenn. The second position went to Ed Breedlove and Quarterback’s True Knight for Motes Stables and owner Barry Breedlove of Buford, Ga.

Blackburn and Rising Rhythm made an impressive performance in the Mares and Geldings class, and were rewarded for their performance with a victory pass for Billie Sue Adkinson of Franklin, Tenn. Swoosh and Link Webb claimed reserve for Steve Mozeley of Charlotte, N.C.

Rodney Dick claimed the 11-entry Two-Year-Old Stallions and Geldings title with The G-Man for the Dan Erwin family of Olive Hill, Ky. He was followed by Brock Tillman aboard Born To Fly for David Pruett of Madison, Tenn.

The second blue for Finish Line Farms was won by Pushin For A Heartattack and Sue Ann Dowell for Jo Ann Dowell of Canton, Ohio, in the 13-entry Four-Year-Old Amateur class. Sheryl Taylor directed Sundust With Attitude to reserve for parents Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Sapp of Hartsburg, Mo.

Tan View Stables’ first blue was won by Kathy Owen in the Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty class for Pam Williams of Farmington, Mo. Chill and Danielle Reid were the reserve champions for Barnes Training Stables.

Also under Dickie Scrivner’s guidance, the world grand championship team of Alex Bumpus and Settle The Score won another Youth Equitation title. Faye Lynn Coffey proudly instructed Bumpus for her repeat from 2002. Score’s Encore and Ashley Beard were selected for reserve. Regan Mercer was the instructor and trainer for this team.

The team of Connie Waldo and Drop The Hammer claimed two blues, one in the Lite-Shod Western Specialty and one in the Lite-Shod Open class for R.D. and Connie Waldo of Shelbyville, Tenn. Reserve in the Lite-Shod Western Specialty class went to the team of Heat From The Sun and Dr. Judy Moore for Moore & Foust Farm of Shelbyville, Tenn. Jeff Givens and Sailin Main picked up reserve in the Lite-Shod Open class.

A Daring Affair and Faye Lynn Coffey claimed the Plantation Amateur Specialty, 1” Shoe class for MacGregor Stables. Out Back Express and Sarah Keenan claimed reserve for the Robert Keenan family of Franklin, Tenn.

Wendell Kirkpatrick’s blue was won by Vengeance With Pride for Mariella Fugger in the Two and Three-Year-Old Lite-Shod Specialty class. Rain’s Ebony Darling carried Jackie Byrom to the reserve spot for Julia Cole of Shelbyville, Tenn.

Kathy Owen made an excellent show to top the 14-entry Trail Pleasure English Specialty class with Obsessed With Silver. Sassy Warlord and Dr. Judy Moore claimed the red streamer for Moore & Foust Farm.

Ronnie Tabor claimed the Two and Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure blue with Butch Smith’s Buster’s Domino. Reserve went to Pusher’s Secret Tiger and Jeff Givens for Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bass of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

Rhonda Martocci and her Pride’s Smart Alex collected the blue in the 12-entry Trail Pleasure, English or Western class under Bobby Richards’ tutelage. Mr. Pacesetter and Tina Singleton received reserve in the class.

Keith Reed led The Grand Jury to victory in the Open Weanling class for Shuster and Wehling of Shelbyville, Tenn., and Augusta, Ky. Claiming reserve were Rock Of Ages and Nathan Mills for Hoyte Eakes of Nashville, Tenn.

Tina Singleton directed Mr. Pacesetter down victory lane in the Trail Pleasure Western Specialty, while Rhonda Martocci picked up reserve with Doc’s Taking Charge.

Yippee Yi O Ki Yay walked away with the blue in the Yearling class with Caroline Edwards leading the flashy colt for Roger Richards. Glenn Nave and How Done You picked up the red streamer.

Representing Clark Stables was the team of Major Cigar and Barclay Woodward in the Youth 11 and Under class. Kasie Caldwell directed Popcorn Pusher to reserve for trainer Tim Wheelon.

I’m General Electric and Justin Harney won the 17-entry Three-Year-Old Amateur title, followed by the team of She’s Barb Wire & Roses and Beth Young.

Final Keeper performed wonderfully in a very competitive 11-entry Youth Walking Pony class under the guidance of Justin LeGate. Megan Batey and Choice Cut’s Bandit claimed reserve under the direction of Knox Blackburn Stables.

Kurt Kovalick Stables was well represented. Beth Young directed the talented Stretch Armstrong down victory lane following a rousing class of 17 Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty entries. Sue Irby and Pushin Back Atcha claimed reserve for Ronnie Campbell.

Prime’s Hi Tribute and Kelly Weaver were named Ladies Amateur Mares and Geldings champions under Tommy Allen’s guidance. Beam’s Eclipse and Kathryn Ramsbottom claimed reserve under the Webb Stables banner.

The Junior class created quite a stir. Julio’ Julio’ and Link Webb made and outstanding victory pass. Knox Blackburn and Millenium Masquerading were flawless in an excellent performance to win reserve.

The 11 entries in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class kept the audience glued to the rail and received lots of cheers. Texas Lone Star and Michael Patterson made the victory pass for Knox Blackburn Stables. The reserve champion was Ed Breedlove aboard Quarterback’s True Knight under the tutelage of Fred Motes.

The 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty Champions Silver Dollar Make Me Hollar and Kathy Graves topped a 12-horse class for Ramsey Bullington Stables. Taylor Broderick and Master’s Gunsmoke were reserve for Finish Line Farms.

The very competitive Amateur Specialty Stallions class was won by Irrational and Heidi McWilliams under the Scott Beaty Stables banner. Reserve went to the team of Pride’s Pickle and Kathy Graves. Knox Blackburn Stables prepared this team for the show ring.

This highlights the 15th annual Murfreesboro Kiwanis Club-WHOA Charity Walking Horse Show.