By Lisa Cummings

CARROLLTON, Ga. - The Carrollton Walking and Racking Horse Show was held June 14, 2003, at the West Georgia VFW Fairgrounds and played host to more than 300 entries. The show was sponsored by the Central Band Boosters and supports the Central High School Band, 2004 participants in the Tournament of Roses Parade. Master of ceremonies Thurman Walden said that in all of his 30 years, of making the trek to Carrollton, he believed this to be the largest one yet. Nan Stephens, show secretary, also stated that she believed this to be the largest show ever held in Carrollton.  She would also like to thank everyone that contributed to this show for making it absolutely incredible despite the couple of hours of rain and would like to invite everyone back at the same time next year.

The honorable Richard Scrivner was on hand to judge the walking and racking entries. Sandy Hollinsworth served as the show manager. Robbie Federer filled the duties of ringmaster. Dale Stone provided the organ music for this evening and Sherry Oxford was the official photographer.

The Walking Horse Championship called nine of the most talented entries to the gate. Larry Edwards and Cash's All Star were called to the winner's circle to receive their blue ribbon for Herb Murrath of Stone Mountain, Ga. Taking home the reserve ribbon was Push To Start and Rob Claxton for John and Susan Harmon of Wartrace, Tenn. Prowler's Night Deposit and Bill Cantrell took third for Larry Wilcox of Johnson City, Tenn.

Laura Berringer and Cash In After Dark claimed two blue ribbons. The first came in the Western Lite-Shod Specialty and the next was in the Lite-Shod Specialty. Cash In After Dark is owned by Judy Berringer, Waverly Hall, Ga. The Park Pleasure Amateur Owned and Trained blue went to Messenger's Last Chance and Kathryn Crowe for Johnny and Susan Paul of Monroe, Ga.

She's Bustin With Pride, handled by Mandie McFay, claimed top honors in the Weanling class for Tommy Jowers of Leesburg, Ga. In the Yearling division, Martha Eubanks of Albany, Ga., and She's Pure Poison walked away with the blue. Libby McCurdy and Colortymes Indian claimed the blue ribbon in the Leadline class. Libby McCurdy is from Piedmont, Ala.

Malpractice and Johnathon Holsomback took home the blue in the Men's Amateur Specialty. Linda Holsomback of Fairmount, Ga., is the owner. Monty Howton, owner and exhibitor, and Symbol Of Gold claimed blue ribbon honors in the Amateur Owned and Trained class. Bold Rambler and Jerri Alberti grabbed the blue ribbon in the Novice Specialty class. Jerri Alberti is the owner and lives in McDonough, Ga.

Rob Claxton directed Sunrise At Midnight to the winner's circle in the Mares, Geldings and Stallions Specialty. John and Susie Harmon of Wartrace, Tenn., are the proud owners.  Ritz's Promise Keeper and Sam McLaughin captured top honors in the Three-Year-Old Open class for Mr. and Mrs. Gene Davis of Louisville, Ga. Sandra Austin and Lone Star Judge won the blue ribbon in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class. Steve and Sandra Austin of Covington, Ga., own Lone Star Judge.

Lindy Rogers of Griffin, Ga., directed his mount Hand Painted Masterpiece to the winner's circle in the Spotted Horse Specialty. Direct Effect, owned by Robert Emfinger of Alabaster, Ala., and Hugh Taylor made the victory pass in the Park Pleasure Two and Three-Year Olds. GWHEA Ladies Auxiliary Champions were I'm A Hytone Sundrop and Rhonda Major riding for Dr. WS and Gloria Warr from Phenix City, Ala.

Findley Farms claimed three victories.  One Step Beyond and Robert Findley made the winning ride in the Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty. Henry Findley of Buford, Ga., owns one Step Beyond. Park Pleasure Amateur Specialty Champions were Generator's Destroyer and Henry Findley. The entry is owned by Ben Findley of Buford, Ga. Chris Kelley, Jr. directed Edge Of Time to victory in the Plantation Pleasure Open. Ben Findley also owns this entry.

The Horse House also received three blues.  WHTA Youth Council 12-17 Specialty winners were Tickle Me Pink and Sara Allen. Bodacious Pusher and Ashley Allen, Sara's sister, claimed reserve in the same class. Mo Shame On Me or "Moses" and Dr. Rebecca Teal took home the blue in the Western Park Pleasure Specialty. Dr. Teal returned to the ring in the Go As You Please Western Any Breed aboard Sundrop At Last and grabbed another blue. Dr. Teal and Sabra Smith are the owners of Sundrop At Last.

The ladies of Seahorse Stables claimed two blue ribbons. The first arrived when Vicki Smith and Pusher's All Laced Up rode into the winner's circle for the Lite-Shod Spotted Specialty. Then, in the Youth Council Plantation Pleasure class Choice Cut and Porshea Smith grabbed the blue. Seahorse Stables of Gainesville, Ga., own both entries.

Carl Edwards and Son Stables claimed the most blues for this event --eight to be exact. Gen's Burning Rage and Maisie McSwain took top honors in the Youth Council 11 and Under division for the Dan McSwain family of Atlanta, Ga.  15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty Champions were Sarah Moersch and Generator's Alladin.  Larry Edwards and The Image Of The Ritz claimed the blue in the Two-Year-Old Open class. Scarborough Farm of Pine Mountain, Ga., owns this entry.  The Two-Year-Old Amateur  blue ribbon belonged to That Santana Magic and Shanna Bridges. Cameron Brideges of Leesburg, Ga., is the proud owner.  

The Dan McSwain family claimed victory again as The American General and Dan McSwain made the victory pass in the 50 & Over Amateur Specialty. Special Ultra Copy and Bobby Mixon took home the blue ribbon in the Four-Year-Old Amateur class. Bobby and Linda Mixon of McIntyre, Ga., are the owners. Jane Meredith, owner and exhibitor, guided her mount to the winner's circle in the Three-Year-Old Amateur class. The eighth blue ribbon was claimed by Cash's All Star and Larry Edwards in the Walking Horse Stake.

Congratulations to the Central High Band Boosters Club for presenting an outstanding show. And congratulations and good luck to the Central High School Band on their trip and performance at the Rose Parade.  This concludes the highlights from this year's Carrollton Walking and Racking Horse Show. Complete results follow and may also be printed, searched or viewed by visiting our web site at www.walkinghorsereport.com.