RENO, Nev. - The Western States Celebration is traditionally the show season’s last hurrah for the Tennessee Walking Horse owners and exhibitors in that part of the country. The mid-October event found old friends and new acquaintances coming together to meet and greet one more time before winters’ onset. An early storm left considerable amounts of snow on the High Sierra mountaintops and kept the night-time temperatures in the 30-degree range, giving way to mid-60s daytime readings and clear skies punctuated with occasional flocks of wild geese wending their way to warmer surroundings.
The 13th annual Reno show was staged once again at the Livestock Events Center, with a format that offered 125 classes for all levels of walking and spotted horse competition in a three-day schedule. Saturday night is always dark to make time for the exhibitors party at the El Dorado Hotel (which was generously sponsored this year by Arthur and Susan Gordon), after which the city’s fine dining, showroom entertainment and gaming awaits the out-of -towners.
Chris Messick journeyed from his Bell Buckle, Tenn., home to evaluate the 493 entries that came through the in-gate. Show management was orchestrated by Mary K. Hartman, whose team included secretaries Donna West and Roseanne Allard, annoucer Bill Hartman, ring steward Paul Lukather, ring clerks Susan Collins and Nina Lovejoy, paddock stewards Chuck and Marilyn Herb, organist Don Thumel and farrier Don Beekman. Rick Osteen was on hand for the center ring still photography, with Action Video supplying the taped documentation.
The NHSC-affiliated event drew exhibitors and horses from California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Canada, Idaho, Montana, Tennessee, Oklahoma and, of course, Nevada. The show benefited the Children’s Miracle Network with proceeds from a well-stocked silent auction (coordinated once again by Linda Steves) and by the ticket sales for the Sunday afternoon raffle, which included a prize-winning hand-made quilt that went home with Judy Bryant.
Sunday afternoon was reserved for the crowning of the Western States champions, with the hard-charging 15.2 talent Motown Delight walking away with the Open Stake Grand Champion title under the direction of Russ Thompson. A previous Open Stallion and Gelding preliminary victory set the stage for their commanding show finale performance. Another show highlight was the West Coast debut appearance of proud owner Eva McClure and her Motown Delight, who teamed up for the Ladies Specialty honors following a letter-perfect ride. After far too many years away from the show ring, the response to Eva and the gifted sorrel stallion was heartwarming indeed.
Team Thompson closed out the season with another high score in the ribbon count, claiming 18 blues and eight tricolor sashes for the tack room wall. The Gordon family properties came through like the champions they are, with Susan Gordon at the helm for four big wins. WGC A Specialist made a world class show with his lovely rider for the Amateur Specialty Stallion and Gelding title. Amateur Three-Year-Old champ, Jazz In Dixie, upheld the family tradition of excellence in that event, with WC Lady Ann’s Magic and Susan besting the Plantation Open Two-Year-Old class to add emphasis to Danny Wooten’s winning Plantation Open Specialty tie aboard the newest Gordon property. Multi-titled Bad News Debut was ridden to the Plantation Western Specialty blue by Susan, with trainer Wooten taking charge of the divisional Western Open Preliminary and Championship events with the chestnut gelding.
The Plantation Amateur Specialty Stallion and Gelding qualifying class and Amateur Specialty Championship belonged to Carleen Redman and WGC Aspen Gold, who represented the Gary and Carleen Redman ownership in the Reno winner's circle. The ring debut of Sheila Kyle’s Most Wanted found the flashy young property topping the Three-Year-Old Stallion preliminary with Ray Reis in the irons; the pair came back strong on Sunday afternoon for the Open Three-Year-Old Championship title.
Trainer Reis was on the rail for the amateur preliminary and championship performances executed by his wife, Jonel, and Time To Glo for the Sargent and Reis ownership. The Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty qualifier and championship wins closed out a successful season for Million Dream and Sheila Bartlett, who accepted the honors for the Kascius and Bartlett alliance. The Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty blue was collected by Ron Kascius for his ride on the McJunkin Farms property, I’m Well Armed. Becky Brooks and her Park Pleasure star, Mo’s Magic Diamond, prevailed in the division’s amateur preliminary and open championship classes, with a skillful equitation victory added to her resume´ for good measure.
Danny Wooten and the handsome Powder River were victorious in the plantation open qualifying event and open championship for the Walkers West/Areaux owners. The sporty Dragonfire teamed with owner Noel Williams to make the victory lane ride in the Plantation Four-and-Under Open Specialty, while Bobbie Parady was a happy lady after a big win in the Plantation Amateur Specialty Mares event with her See Me Do It.
The Golden West team posted 14 blues and six tricolor sashes at the Reno showcase. A pair of Shiloh Walkers properties carried the day in their respective divisions: Res. WGC Pusher’s Delightful Star was directed to the Amateur Specialty Mares preliminary and Amateur Specialty Championship by Meg Chiappari, while Pusher’s American Patriot and Greg Bryant marched to the Open Four-Year-Old Stallions title to pave the way for their Sunday afternoon divisional championship performance.