VANCOUVER, Wash.- The twenty-second annual Western International Walking Horse Show and Futurity, held at the Clark County Fairgrounds in late September, was well on its way to another successful outcome until the USDA team assigned to the event partially derailed the proceedings with their controversial scar rule interpretations early in the game. The 110 class schedule was shredded by the cancellation of most of the padded classes and found others with far fewer entries than usual. The Futurity Weanling and Yearling classes were still sizable, but fell off drastically in the Two and Three-Year-Old halter and performance events.
Howard Hamilton accepted the call to evaluate the Western International-affiliated three-day affair. Show Coordinators Rae Nelson, Peggy Bissell and Kim Swingley were assisted by Secretary Shirley Swingley, Entry clerk Cheryl Morgan, Announcer Steve Brown, Organist Wayne Shields, Ringmaster Kent Peters, Paddock Stewards Sue Carroll and Karen Chandler, Farrier Skip Bickford and Photographer Jim Bortvedt. Dell Bentley and her Trail Pleasure mount, Sleeper, set a patriotic mood with their star-spangled flag presentations.
A Saturday night post-show exhibitors event found the main barn aisle transformed in to Party Central, complete with six foot long submarine sandwiches, desserts galore and a choice of beverages. The Pacific Northwest group usually includes an eat-and-greet interval at their shows to offset the pressure of competition.
Due to the cancellation of the Open Championship class, the show’s concluding event was the announcement of the High Point awards. The Plantation recognition was earned by Karrie Paul’s Armed Elegance, with the Lite Shod honors going to Doug Toone’s Common Denominator. Riding for Rae Nelson’s Hideaway Stables, Ashley Billingsley collected the High Point Juvenile title, while the Premiere Stallion designation went to Gold Coin Exchange, who is also a Rae Nelson-sponsored award winner.
David Fields Stables led the ribbon count with nine blues and a pair of championships. Sarena Westenhaver’s Extra Dark Spirit bested the competition in the combined Open Ladies and Gentlemen event with trainer Fields in the irons for the only Show division three gait class. Allen and Nancy Plunkett’s Show Pleasure star, Nite’s Design, made three winner’s circle trips, while Country Show Pleasure Show contender Gold’s Midnight Dancer received the nod for a pair of blues with owner Sarena Westenhaver in direction. Juanita Durham was on hand to see her L.A. Pusher take dual blues with grand-daughter Megan Jongsma and Fields sharing the Amateur and Open Specialty honors. Karrie Paul celebrated her first ever victory with Armed Elegance, and watched from the rail as her Pusher’s Revival took the Open Two-Year-Old title with David Fields at the controls.
Diane Gueck’s Cheveaux Stables posted nine blues and a tricolor sash at the Vancouver show. Delight’s Dangerous Legacy was shown to a Model championship by Sharon Gueck DeFord, who also led Sanni Mathews’ She’s Pretty Ritzy to Yearling Filly honors. Allen and Nancy Plunkett bred an raised the Futurity Yearling Colt champion, HSM Unforgettable Knight. Lite Shod Open and Amateur Specialty winner, Nite’s Finale, (shown by Diane Gueck and Shannon Thomas, respectively), and Pleasure First Year standout, Hallelujah Night Magic, who was ridden to the blue by Nancy Plunkett. The Gueck and Mathews alliance sponsors Miss Magic Money, who returned after a lay-off to earn the Lite Shod Juvenile Specialty award with Megan Kindree. Sharon DeFord and Gen’s Dangerous Obsession made a winning Lite Shod Three-Year-Old appearance for Robyn Cheatham, while Heather Ososke closed out her Junior Equitation career with a flawless ride for the WIWHA Walking Seat Medal, Riders 14-17 recognition.