It is hard to find a more perfect landscape to hold a horse show than the area surrounding Highland Stables in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The 2nd Annual Highland Stables show was even more successful than the first. Owners and trainers came from various distances to come and enjoy the talent displayed at the show.
Robin Edwards was given the difficult job of selecting the best of the best in each class as she judged the show. Edwards pulled it off with fairness and good judgment while Gary Leverette saved the winning moments on film as the official photographer.
Though the evening was full of exciting performances the championship stake was hard to beat. Generator’s Champion certainly lived up to his name as he claimed the stake championship with Joe Cotton in the irons. High Steppin Farm is the proud new owner. Generator’s Superior Threat and Tommy Loid took home the reserve in the challenging class for L.E.Walton.
The show kicked off with the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings. Taking the blue in the class was Pushover’s Star Of Glory and Tommy Loid. Suel Houchins is the proud owner. For The Love Of The Game and Scotty Brooks made the call to reserve honors for Darren and Dawn Ecklar.
Carla Hurley led Main Line Jazz to victory in the Yearling Class. Jim and Linda Tyree are the owners. Cashing In For Jazz And Gen and Kacy LaRue were awarded the reserve in the class for Nolan LaRue.
Lindsey Landrum had the winning touch in the Juvenile 11 and Under. Lindsey rode to the win atop Olympic Touch. Command’s Manor and Nick Rippy received the second place honors.
Claiming the win in the Amateur Two-Year-Old class was the team of Bust-A-Move and Natalie Beckham. Bust-A-Move is owned by Heather Dawson. Hometown Boy and Danny Lutrell were next in line as they received the reserve for Connie Lowry.
The Plantation Pleasure Two-Year-Old was up next. Tommy Loid scored another blue ribbon as he won the class aboard JFK’s Blessed Heart. Larry and Babara Sowers are the owners. Bette Finch Coley and Olympic Hercules took the red ribbon foe Coley and Kemp.
With a commanding performance in the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings, Joel Weaver and Tinsley’s Command were awarded the top honors in the class. Tinsley’s Command is owned by John Hastings. The Todd Grider Family’s Armed with Major Success claimed the reserve with Scotty Brooks.
Mark’s Sunny D and Wayne Hall took the top honors in the Country Pleasure Specialty. Wayne and Barbara are the proud owners. Pride’s Magic Sunrise and Emily Loid were called to the reserve award for Donna Byrd.
The Aged Mares and Geldings class was topped by the new team of Brock Tillman and Ali Ali. David Pruett is the proud owner of the winning entry. Sound The Alarm and Spencer Bendict were given the red ribbon award for Karen Benedict.
Beth Carol Thomas claimed a blue in the Juvenile 17 and Under Specialty with Heart Attack’s Fast Beat. The entry is owned by the Butch Thomas family. Mo Rebel was second with Wesley Hendrick up.
Poisonous and Joe Cotton kept the crowd’s attention while putting the competition to sleep in the Show Pleasure Open Specialty. Denise Smith owns Poisonous. Dangerous Mystery and Kent McGary placed second.
The Lite-Shod Plantation Specialty was dominated by the team of Linda Starnes and Rebelation. This talented team made the winning ride for Regina McElroy. Too Hott and Debboe Lassiter were reserve in the class for Douglas Lassiter.
Top honors in the always thrilling Three-Year-Old Stallions class were awarded to In Like Flynn and Joel Weaver. The proud owner is Steve Cheatham. Thumper’s Redemption received the reserve in the class with Tommy loid for David and Betty Bailey.
Multi-World Grand Champion Aspen Gold returned to the show ring to claim top honors at Bowling Green. Spencer Benedict directed him to his first win of the night in the Plantation Pleasure Open Specialty for Jon Tapocik. Generator’s Miss Trixie and Dareen Page earned the reserve for Lee Finley.
Natalie Beckham earned a second blue ribbon during the show in the Amateur Three-Year-Old with Declared Innocent for Vincent and Jones. Jazz Jamboree and Laura Meeks were second for Doug Potter.
Bay and Bad was certainly both as Linda Brown guided the talented horse to victory in the Amateur Specialty class. Linda and husband Ed own the entry. Come Sundown and Cathy Simpson placed second.
Aspen Gold returned to make an encore performance worthy of the blue, this time with owner Jon Tapocik riding in the Amateur Plantation Specialty class. Lee Finley rode his entry, Generator’s Miss Trixie, to the reserve.
A Strong Dollar made a fantastic showing in the Two-Year-Old Stallions with Joe Cotton in the saddle. Proud owners Bob and Curtice McCloy were extatic with his win. Banana Joe and Brock Tillman claimed the reserve award for Blackhawk Farm.
Joel Weaver and Mark Of JFK left their mark at the Highland Stables show by winning the 15.2 and Under Specialty for John Hastings. Nightwatch and Kevin Luttrell were the reserve choice for Shirley Judd.
Rebelation and Linda Starnes returned to win a second blue ribbon in the Open Plantation Western class. Regina McElroy owns the skilled Rebelation.
A major contender for top four-year-old honors, G-Major took the blue in the Four-Year-Old Open with Buis Carr. Ralph Simonton is the proud owner. Flashy’s Yes Sir Re was second with Donnie Grider.
Amateur Four-Year-Old Specialty honors were awarded to Arms Dealer and Ben Moss. Moss also owns the talented horse. Reserve went to Touchtone and owner Jeff Sanderson.
Carrie Benedict claimed the top award in the Open Amateur. Benedict rode atop her talented Northern Exposure to receive the award.