FRANKLIN, Tenn. - The International Grand Championship Walking Horse Show was held on October 3-5th at the Williamson County Agriculture Expo Center in Franklin, Tenn.
Judging this years 42 class event were Holley Liddell, Ronnie Spears, and Ronal Young.
The three-day-show wrapped up with the MASCUP Grand Championship with $2,500 being paid to the class winner. Jimmy McConnell topped the good class of nine entries aboard The Black Night Shade for Tom and Judy Waite. Reserve honors went to New York New York and Rodney Dick for Mann Chrysler Dodge.
What a perfect way to start the show, with twenty-one entries making their way to the ring for the MASCUP Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class. Joe Cotten and San Juan were called to the winner’s circle for Mr. and Mrs. Eric Lackey. The red ribbon was awarded to JFK’s Ice Lady and Rodney Dick for Dan and Janice Rowsick.
The Olympic Touch and owner/exhibitor Lindsey Landrum were victors in the Youth Equitation 11 and Under Specialty class. Reserve in the class was Betty Sue Beam with Kendall Hensel directing. They carried out the red ribbon for Wayne Hensel. Making the good ride to claim the Amateur Ladies Show Pleasure Specialty class was owner/exhibitor Laura Brandon and Primed Time. Reserve honors went to Hi Way Willie and Kelly Weaver for Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Rea.
Marguerite Thomas made the victory pass riding Star’s Red Twister in the Adult Equitation Canter class for Sarah Womack. Reserve in the class went to owner/exhibitor Alice Klein aboard Discover Gold. Entering the ring next were the MASCUP Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings. Dangerously Dazzling and Jackie McConnell were called to the blue for John Alford. Receiving second in the class was Allan Callaway and Liz Claiborne for Don Collins.
Caresse Mills directed Backfield In Motion to the Ladies Amateur Mares and Geldings, Riders 18 and Over for Hy Steppin’ Farm. Teresa Creech won the red ribbon aboard Jubilee’s Chime Bell for Cunningham and Creech. In the MASCUP Junior Mares and Geldings Canter class, it was Jackie McConnell cashing in on the blue riding Rare Cash for Wall and McConnell. Second in the class went to Lock And Load with Jimmy McConnell in the irons for Mr. and Mrs. Odell McConnell.
Market Street and Mike Walden made the trip down victory lane in the Novice Amateur Specialty class for Mike and Amy Walden. Taking Command took home the red ribbon with Ginger Hartlien directing for Gingerbread Farms. Seventeen entries made the gate call for the MASCUP Two-Year-Old Stallion and Gelding class. Make a strong showing to claim the blue was Joe Cotten and A Strong Dollar for Curtice McCloy. Secretive and Joel Weaver were reserve, in the good class, for the Keith Baker Family.
Walkin’ All Over did just that to carry out the blue in the 15.2 and Under Stallions, Mares and Geldings Canter class with Jimmy McConnell directing for Bob Medina. Dr. Perfect and Bill Bobo rode to the reserve tie in the class for Sandra Hodgson. Putting a blue ribbon design on their performance in the Amateur Specialty Mares and Geldings class was James Vernon and Pusher’s Special Design for James and Peggy Vernon. Reserve in the class went to Figgy Puddin’ and Suzanne Littell for Bud Moore and Suzanne Littell.
Making an outstanding show to claim the MASCUP Junior Stallions and Geldings title was The Snowatch and Dick Peebles for the Anthony Joseph family. Reserve in the class went to I'm A 5 Star General and Jimmy McConnell for Mr. and Mrs. Odell McConnell. The first of Betty Corlew's two blues came in the Amateur Specialty Stallions and Geldings class aboard Pushover's Citation for James and Betty Corlew. The second award went to Remington and Bob Lawrence for Lawrence and Hutto.
Main Power claimed two International blues. Joe Cotten made the first victory pass in the MASCUP Three-Year-Old Stallions and Geldings class for Dr. Jim and Kay Green. Reserve in the class went to Rodney Dick riding In Cahoots for Sean Schaffer. Owner/exhibitor Rachel Jernigan topped the Youth Equitation 17 and Under Canter class riding Reggie. Sarah Nichols took home the red ribbon with Delight's Bubba for Walter Nichols.
Eric Lackey was next to ride to the winner's circle. He claimed the Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings title aboard San Juan for Mr. and Mrs. Eric Lackey. Dangerous Medusa and Marguerite Thomas was reserve for Womack Stables. Genius Gold Spirit and Ramsey Bullington topped the Open Fine Harness class for the second year in a row for Robert Keenan. Master's Gunsmoke and Sam Caldwell were second for the David Broderick family.
In a large class of good entries in the Three-Year-Old Amateur class, Janice Fostek rode away with the blue aboard I'm Willie Wonka for Joe and Janice Fostek. Reserve honors went to Ronnie Stanfill and Black Market Pusher for Ruby Stanfill. With a strong performance, Keith Johnson rode out with the Show Pleasure Gentlemen Specialty blue for Suzy Johnson. This would be the first of two blues for this talented team. Claiming the red ribbon was Czar's High Tide and Thom Meek for B.J. Harris.
With a big smile on his face as he exited the ring, David Landrum made the victory pass in the Walking Horse Specialty class with Dang My Time for Marie Jeffcoat. Outlined In Silver and Steve Dunn left with the red ribbon for Crowley Farm. In a large class of Two-Year-Old Amateur Stallions and Geldings, Betty Corlew and Highway Robbery stole the blue for James and Betty Corlew. Spun's Sho Nuff and owner/exhibitor Whitney Davis claimed the reserve spot.
No matter the division Slick Willie seems to continue to make his way to the winner's circle. Winning the first of his two International blues with Jackie McConnell directing in the Aged Mares and Geldings for John East. Ali Ali and Brock Tillman knocked out the rest of the competitors to win the red ribbon for David Pruett. In the Amateur 50 and Over Specialty class, Kay Green made the blue ribbon ride aboard Pride's Sundance Star for Dr. Jim and Kay Green. Owner/exhibitor Bob Medina was reserve riding Pushover's Infiniti.
With another large class taking to the rail in the Four-Year-Old Amateur Mares and Geldings class, it was Sarah Dunn receiving the judges' approval for first. Dunn owns the champion. Reserve honors went to Gen's All Colors and Carol Smith for George Smith. Making an impact on the Youth Novice 17 and Under Specialty competition was Kaitlin Fields Byrom and Poncho Impact. Billy Fields owns the champion. Claiming the reserve spot was Threatability and Zach Zeis for Steve Zeis.
Gary LeGate rode Final Keeper to the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty title for the Gary LeGate family. Ample Cash and Ray Caughman finished second in the good class for C and C Stables. Four-Year-Old Amateur Stallions and Geldings were next. Making the victory pass was Gossip and Candy Whitehead Green for Carol Whitehead. Riding to the red ribbon was Chuck Cheek and Ultra Copy's Dark Shadow for Paulette Cheek.