The rain Wednesday night didn’t have a name like “Andrew” did on the first night of the Celebration, but it made sure everyone would remember it juste the same by delaying the beginning of the evening’s classes by 25 minutes. Still the 10-class session was over by 11:20, one of the earliest conclusions of the Celebration so far.
During the evening, two classes were decided by unanimous, and two victors left the ring in permanent possession of a challenge trophy.
Not to be dissuaded by a little moisture on the track, 29 Owner-Amateur riders on Three-Year-Old Mares or Geldings opened the show as they came into the ring for the Division A of the class. They worked for the consideration of Call Judge Carpenter, Second Judge Howell and Third Judge Irby.
As the rain slacked up, 14 entries returned to the rail with the support of the thin, but growing crowd, and resumed work. When the final numbers were recorded and tabulated, the blue ribbon was awarded to Cash Bonus and Paige Edwards, showing for Edwards and Hawkersmith.
Reserve was Cold Heart with owner A.C. Potter, while Call Me Cash claimed third with Lucky Collins for Don and Lucky Collins.
Division B of this class was nearly equally well filled. Twenty-seven “brave and durable” entries answered the gate call. The selection of judges gave call judge responsibilities to Judge Howell, second judge duties to Judge Johnson and third judge honors to Judge Carpenter.
Eleven were cut from the original field, leaving 16 to work for the honors in this class. Emerging with the top ribbon were Coin’s Walking the Floor and Stacy McConnell for McWhorter, McWhorter and McConnell. Reserve and the red belonged to Gen’s Queen Of Hearts and Karla Landrum, showing for Hillview Farms.
Third place tie went to George Herod and Tom Blankenship for Corum and Blankenship.
The next class was somewhat smaller - it only featured 20 entries, all vying for blue ribbon honors. Calling the action for the Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Geldings was Judge Howell, Second judge was Judge Carpenter, while third judge was Judge Hamilton.
A Classic Horse, and multiple blue ribbon winner, Mister Delight H, and his rider, Amanda Brown, retired the Lewis C. Hall Memorial Challenge Trophy, having won this class in 1991, as well. Jim and Sally Brown own Mister Delight H.
Reserve went to Pusher’s Royal Pride and Sherri Dietz-Ward, a crowd favorite, for owners Huffman and Ward. Third place and the yellow belonged to Dabster’s Delight and Judy Stanfill, showing for Ronnie and Judy Stanfill.
Seventeen Plantation Pleasure Driving 2 or 4-Wheel Vehicle entries made up the class that showed before Call Judge Johnson, Second Judge Howell and Third Judge Irby.
Peddler’s Party Time had another top ribbon to celebrate when the cards were tabulated. He and Wallace Brandon earned the blue for Silver Spur Ranch of Santa Clara, California.
Ole Blue’s Melody and Charlie Green earned the Reserve for Dr. John J. Shane, while Gone To Glory and owner Kathy Wallace were third.
Ten entries, and 20 horses entered the ring next for the Mare and Foal Class. Each counted half toward the final vote. Call Judge Hamilton presided over the field. Second Judge Irby and Call Judge Carpenter marked the other cards.
“Baby Love” not only was the tune that accompanied the winner to the winner’s circle, it also was the name of one half of the victorious entry. Pride’s June Bride, the mare, was the other part of the entry. Sarah Dunn and Harold White showed for Sarah Dunn. With this tie, Dunn retired the Daniels Farm Challenge Trophy.
Reserve went to Eb’s Dolly Nell and Gen’s Happy Hour, handled by Bobby Richards and Victoria Martocci for Windward Manor Farm. Third place belonged to Delight Of My Life and Pushover Lightly, with Jeff Givens and Harold Dean Givens showing for Mr. and Mrs. Harold Dean Givens.