by Linda Scrivner

            SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The 37^th annual Midwest Walking Horse Trainers’ Show was again held at the Ozark Empire Fair Grounds. In 2006, the show was canceled due to problems in the industry but the 2007 show was back in full force with 330 entries for the three-day event.

            Joe Cotten from Rockvale, Tenn., was elected by the membership to serve as the judge for the 63-class event, held on Sept. 20-22, 2007. The show was opened with Carol Middleton, secretary-treasurer and show manager, reading a letter from Jerry Manes, president of the MWHTA, who recently had surgery and returned home from the hospital on Tues.

            “To all those attending our Fall Charity Horse Show: First, I welcome each of you to this 37^th annual charity horse show and wish everyone a successful show regardless if you are a walking horse trainer, owner, exhibitor or spectator. You are all in attendance for a mutual reason…the love and enjoyment of the great breed of the Tennessee Walking Horse.

            “I cannot be with you this year for reasons beyond my control but my heart and mind are with each of you every moment. I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all of you that have supported me with your prayers, friendship and financial gifts during my battle with cancer. Jewel and I are humbled by your generosity and will never to able to express our gratitude…Thank you! Good luck to all.”

            Announcer Bob Reavis kept things running smoothly while Tina Potts kept the crowd entertained with her music. David Carlyon served as photographer for the event.

            The show benefits the Horses Of Hope Riding Therapy program that demonstrated some of their riders and assistants each evening. The blue ribbon tally was led by the Laughln family of 4-J Land and Cattle Company with 20 blues. Don Bills Stables had a great show with 10 blues followed closely by nine blues won by Jerry Manes Stables. Eddie Barclay Stables earned six blues while Anne Hardin Stables claimed four. Huffman Family Stables won three blues and Brad Huffman Stables and Bill Wiecken earned dual blues apiece.

            The entries for the Championship Stake class were called in individually. Jim Huffman and Victory Colors made it a repeat performance of Thursday to earn the blue ribbon and the 2007 title for Jim and Donna Huffman. Miss Sharon Stone and Eddie Barclay were reserve for Erwin Botsch. Grande and Brad Huffman received the third place tie for Rick Morrison and June Clark.

Thursday

            Margaret Hickman kicked the show off Thursday evening by winning the first blue of the show in the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class with Summer’s Night Dream for Tony and Jaquie McKnight. Hot Caramel and Jim Huffman received the red ribbon in the class. Jessie Laughlin, fresh from his two 2007 Celebration victories, and Master Build earned the Trail Pleasure Two-Gait win for 4-J. Colonel Parker and Stephen Ayers were reserve for Patty Ayers.

            Noel Botsch made a winning ride in the Men’s Amateur Specialty class aboard A Powerful Choice for Betty Reid. Royal & Famous and Larry Carringer earned the red ribbon for Lynn Davis. Current World Champion Aspen Gold and Jerry Laughlin were called to make the victory pass in the Lite-Shod Two-Gait class. Aspen Gold, a two-year-old sired by Aspen Gold, and Betty Laughlin received the reserve honors in the class. Both of these fine entries are owned and prepared by the 4-J Land and Cattle Co.

            Public Enemy #1 entered the ring with Don Bills in the irons in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class to claim a blue for owner Lisa Beninati. Dollar’s Awesome Rebel and Eddie Barclay made an awesome show to earn the reserve honors for Noel Botsch and Tammy Bunch.

            Jay Laughlin took charge of the Park Pleasure Two-Gait class with a win on current World Champion JFK’s Fancy Lady Leslie for 4-J. Encore’s Shakin Lady and Jim Laughlin received the reserve tie in the class, also for 4-J.

            Steve Skopec and his white filly, Cutter’s Gypsy Lady, stole the show in the HAWHA Futurity Two-Year-Old Park Pleasure class. This white mare is by The Stonecutter and out of Skopec’s roan former show mare. In the Three-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class, Jim Huffman and his High Heavens earned the judge’s approval. Paroled By An Angel and Anne Hardin received the reserve tie for Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Hill.

            Meagan Villhard enjoyed her victory pass in the nine-entry Youth 12-17 Specialty class aboard Designated Qualified Push for Rebella Murrell, under Eddie Barclay’s training. Trigger Cash and Casey Heiman were reserve for the Don LeNeve family. Don Bills prepared this duo.

            The flashy duo of I’m Bob Hope and Tamee Heiman earned the judge’s approval as well as the cheers of the crowd in the 10-entry Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty class for the Don LeNeve family. Don Bills trains this team. Filthy Rich and Jon Trimble earned the reserve tie, also under Bill’s guidance.

            Aspen Jewel and Betty Laughlin claimed the win in the Four-Year-Old and Under Lite-Shod Two Gait class. Aspen For Cash and Kerri Laughlin received the red ribbon. Both these entries are owned and presented by 4-J Land and Cattle Co. In the Mare and Gelding class, Eddie Barclay directed Miss Sharon Stone to the winner’s circle for Erwin Botsch. The Generator’s Legend and Mike Blewett earned the reserve tie for Geinean Franklin.

            Another fine entry for 4-J entered the ring to receive the top honors in the next class, Park Pleasure. Jay Laughlin and Armed Silver Bullet made the victory pass with flying streamers. Jim Huffman and Coin’s Etched In Gold were reserve for Rosalie Jones and Marvelene Kusewitt.

            Steven Leonard and his Ace’s Are High were marked as number one on the judge’s card in the Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty class. Delightful Romeo and Glenda Nichols were reserve for Mrs. Glen Campbell.

            Kerri Laughlin had another reason to celebrate on this Indian summer night. Laughlin directed He’s Dangerous With Cash to the top spot in the 10-entry Lite-Shod Western Two-Gait class for 4-J. Generating Cash and Donna Huffman received the reserve honors with their fine performance.

            In the Open Specialty class, Pusher’s Lady On The Loose was center stage with Margaret Hickman up for Carol Middleton. P.J.’s Pusher and Brad Huffman were reserve for Dean Scott.

            In the Park Performance Two-Gait class, Eddie Barclay directed Chorus Line in winning form for Hubert Reed Jr. Jay Laughlin and Ultra’s Ritzy were reserve for 4-J.

Magnesium and Margaret Hickman received the judge’s approval in the Three-Year-Old Stallion class for Dr. Lynn and Linda Bridwell. Delightfully Dumas and Brad Huffman were reserve for Dean Scott.

Victory Colors and Jim Huffman topped the competition in the Aged Stallion class and rode to the winner’s circle for Jim and Donna Huffman. Grandé and Brad Huffman earned the reserve spot for Rick Morrison and June Clark.

Friday

            The first blue on the first day of the fall season was awarded to Coin’s Raining Ruby and Taylor Wiecken in the Lead Line class for Bill and Taylor Wiecken. This duo was in top form.

            Pusher’s Lady On The Loose and Sherry Hill received the top honors in the 15.2 and Under Amateur Specialty class for Carol Middleton under the training of Jerry Manes Stables. Dumas Energy and Noel Botsch earned the reserve spot for Eula Botsch under the guidance of Eddie Barclay.

            In the Amateur Owned and Trained Park Performance Two-Gait class, Jay Laughlin made a great victory pass aboard Ultra Ritzy for 4-J. Coin’s Smooth Operator and Brad Nichols were reserve for Mrs. Glen Campbell.

            It was a one-two performance for 4-J as Aspen Gold and Aspen Jewel earned the top two spots in the Amateur Lite-Shod Two-Gait class with Kerri Laughlin and Betty Laughlin in the irons respectively.

            The tough Juvenile 11 and Under class was next on the docket. Show Me Silver & Blues and Lesley Mott found themselves in the winner’s circle after a fine performance for McCall Clamp Stables. Don Bills prepared this winning duo for the show ring. Jose’s Mr. Bojangles and Lisa Campbell earned the reserve spot with their fine performance for Mrs. Glen Campbell.

            In the Two-Year-Old Amateur class, Legend’s Santana Ritz and Jeff Laughlin were called out to make the victory pass for 4-J with Steve Leonard and Now UC Me on their heels for the reserve tie. Bossa Nova Baby and Kristi McGregor made their show look effortless in the HAWHA Futurity Three-Year-Old Park Performance class as they claimed the blue for Patty Ayers. Brad Huffman directed Last Fax From China to the reserve tie in the class for Brad and Starr Huffman.

            Susan Hill made a flawless performance in the 10-entry Weanling class with Don’t Drop The Cash for Dennis and Susan Hill. Jubilee’s Touch Me Blue and Jim Queen were reserve in the class.

            Wendy Laughlin and Encore’s Shakin Lady received top honors in the Ladies Park Pleasure Two-Gait class for 4-J in a tough class. Dollar’s Copy and Anne Hardin were reserve for Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hardin.

            Powerstroke’s She’s Smokin and Gary Wilkerson received the top mark in the Three-Year-Old Amateur class for Gary and Ferris Wilkerson under the training of Don Bills. My Catch At Midnight and Donna Huffman were reserve.

            The current world championship team of JFK’s Fancy Lady Leslie and Jesse Laughlin earned the blue ribbon in the Youth Park Pleasure Two-Gait class for 4-J. Armed Silver Bullet and Jason Laughlin were reserve for 4-J.

            Blaise Brocard was all smiles on her victory pass aboard her Spun’s Jack Of Spades in the Show Pleasure Amateur Specialty class. Slam’s Neon Moon and Meagan Villhard were reserve.

            Brad Huffman had no problem finding the winner’s circle aboard Whoa Baby in the Yearling class for Brad and Starr Huffman. Toxic Colors and Bill Stotler were reserve.

            Kerri Laughlin and He’s Dangerous With Cash earned the blue ribbon in the nine-entry Trail Pleasure Two-Gait class for 4-J. Betty Laughlin and Big Willie Style earned the reserve tie in the class, also for 4-J.

            Margaret Hickman rode hard in the HAWHA Futurity Two-Year-Old Performance class with the beautiful palomino Extra’s Alan Jackson for Scott Barker and Connie McCarthy. Macho’s Golden Coin and Brad Huffman were reserve for Dave Barton.

            4-J once again had the top two spots in the Park Amateur Owned and Trained  Two-Gait class with Legend Of Stan The Man and Jimmy Laughlin earning the blue with Armed Silver Bullet and Jason Laughlin picking up the red streamers. A Powerful Choice carried Robin Botsch to a win in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class for Betty Reid trained by Eddie Barclay. Talk Is Cheap and JoAnn LeNeve received the red ribbon in the class for the Don LeNeve family.

            Encore’s Shaken Lady earned her second blue of the night in the Men’s Park Pleasure Two-Gait class with Jimmy Laughlin directing. JFK’s Fancy Lady Leslie and Jessie Laughlin made for tough competition and received the reserve in the class. Both were 4-J entries. 

            Pusher’s Generator and Harold Roberts earned the top honors in the Open Amateur for Roberts and Heiney, trained by Anne Hardin. Stocked With Cash and Noel Botsch also made a great show for the reserve tie for Nathan Botsch under the direction of Eddie Barclay.

            In the HAWHA Futurity Three-Year-Old Performance, Cutter’s White Knight and Steve Skopec came out on top. Cutter’s White Knight is a full brother to his white filly by The Stonecutter and is trained by Jerry Manes Stables. Paroled By An Angel and Anne Hardin were reserve for Dennis and Susan Hills.

            Current World Champions My Cabana Boy and Jay Laughlin earned the top honors in the Four-Year-Old and Under Park Pleasure Two-Gait class for 4-J. Legend Of Stan The Man and Jimmy Laughlin made the good showing for the reserve tie for 4-J.

            Always a fun class, the Pro-Am Specialty class was won by the trio of City General, Harold Roberts and Anne Hardin for Mr. and Mrs. Harold Roberts. Designated Qualified Push and Shonda Murrell and Eddie Barclay received the second place tie in the class for Rebecca Murrell.

            The final class of the night earned Shelby Hill a blue with her flashy Pusher’s Risky Business in the Classic Horse Specialty, 15 Years and Older class. Sarah Mitch and her Generator’s Lot Of Push exited the ring with the red streamer under the guidance of Jerry Manes Stables.

Saturday

            Saturday night’s performance was started with a large group of future riders in the Stick Horse class. After a romp around the ring, receiving their rewards and being herded from the ring, the young riders started grooming their horses for the next class at the next show.

            The HAWHA Futurity Two and Three-Year-Old Lite-Shod class kicked off the show of real horses with Anne Hardin and Sundrop’s Solar Eclipse earning the blue for Dennis and Susan Hills. Susan Hills rode hard to beat her but had to settle with reserve aboard MG’s Ultra Threat, also owned by the Hills.

            Dangerous Dancer and Lindsey Mott walked their way into the winner’s circle in the Youth Walking Pony Specialty class for McCall and Clamp under Don Bill’s guidance. Man Of Pride and Marina Barclay were reserve.

            In the Western Park Pleasure Two-Gait class, the crowd picked out and cheered for their favorites but when all was said and done, Jimmy Laughlin rode Encore’s Shakin Lady to the winner’s circle for 4-J, winning this great mare’s third blue of the show. Lady Earnhardt and Tammy Duncan were reserve for April Crawford.

            Jeff Laughlin returned in the next class to claim the blue in the Amateur Owned and Trained Lite-Shod Two-Gait class aboard Aspen For Cash for 4-J. Betty Laughlin and Aspen Jewel were hard on their heels to claim the reserve spot.

            Nine top entries made the gate call in the Amateur Specialty Stake class. Tamee Heiman and Bob Hope collected the first set of flowers for the Don LeNeve family and trainer Don Bills. Royal & Famous and Larry Carringer made the reserve victory pass in the class for Lynn Davis, under the training of Jerry Manes Stables.

            City General’s Dr. Oz followed in his sire’s footsteps of winning blues at this show as he claimed the 12-entry HAWHA Futurity Weanling class with Cassie Soloman at the lead for Harold and Sherry Roberts. Don’t Drop The Cash and Susan Hills were reserve for Dennis and Susan Hills.

            A fun class entered the ring next. It was for Foxtrotter Trainers on Walking Horses. Garrett King proved that he could do an expert job of showing something besides Missouri Fox Trotters.  He directed Principal Investment down victory lane for John Alford under the direction of Don Bills. Dazzling Dixie and Geno Middleton were reserve for Jerry Manes.

            Jay Laughlin enjoyed a victory pass on Ultra Ritzy in the Amateur Park Performance Specialty class for 4-J as he picked up the second blue of the show with this stroking black horse. Chorus Line and Robin Botsch made the reserve ride for Hubert Reid Jr. and trainer Eddie Barclay.

            JFK’s Fancy Lady Leslie captured her third blue of the show with the win in the Park Pleasure Two-Gait Stake with Jay Laughlin in the irons for 4-J. Encore’s Shakin Lady and Jimmy Laughlin received the reserve honors, also for 4-J Land and Cattle Co.

            Don Bills returned to the ring to earn his second blue with Public Enemy #1 for Lisa Beninati in the Two-Year-Old Stake. Summer Night’s Dream and Margaret Hickman received the reserve tie and victory pass for Tony and Jacquie McKnight.

            The Lite-Shod Two-Gait Stake brought five entries to the gate. Aspen Gold and Jerry Laughlin were called out to make the victory pass for 4-J and to earn this stallion’s third blue of the show. Second and third places were offspring to this talented stallion and they were both only two-year-olds. Reserve was Kerri Laughlin aboard Aspen For Cash.

            Slam’s Neon Moon continued to perform at top caliber level for Meaghan Villhard. This time Slam’s Neon Moon won the Open Show Pleasure Specialty class with Eddie Barclay up. Jose’s Big Storm and Wendy Laughlin made the reserve ride for 4-J.

            The Trainers’ Family class found Julia Van Zyverden in the winner’s circle again, this time with Pusher’s Lady In The Loose for Carol Middleton under the preparation of Manes Stables. The popular duo of Coin’s Noelle and Susie Graham were reserve under Jim Huffman’s direction.

            The Juvenile Specialty Stake class always brings proud parents to their feet to cheer their children on and this one was no exception. Nine fine young riders made the gate call and after their performances and the cheering ended, Casey Heiman made his way to the winner’s circle with Trigger Cash for the Don LeNeve family under the direction of Don Bills. Spirit & Silver and Austin Rhoads were reserve, prepared by parents Wade and Margaret Hickman of Manes Stables.

            The Three-Year-Old Stake found the pair of Magnesium and Margaret Hickman in the spotlight following a flawless show for Dr. Lynn and Linda Bridwell. The popular duo of Cutter’s White Knight and Wade Hickman were reserve for Steve Skopec.

            Brad Huffman had reason to celebrate following the next class as his HAWHA Futurity Yearling Whoa Baby won again. Gen’s Waltz In Rain and Bill Weiken were reserve for Bill and Tereas Wieken.

            Talk Is Cheap and JoAnn LeNeve picked up the blue in the Amateur Specialty 50 and Over for the Don LeNeve family under the guidance of Don Bills. City General and Harold Roberts received the reserve ribbon for Mr. and Mrs. Harold Roberts and trainer Anne Hardin.

            Harold Roberts and Pusher’s Generator picked up their second blue of the show in the Amateur Stake class for Roberts and Heiney. Anne Hardin prepared the team for their wins. Debbie Barnhart and I’m Eli rode hard to win the reserve honors for Rick and Debbie Barnhart under the guidance of trainer Brad Huffman.

            The Open Costume Specialty class is always a fun class. First in this class was Coin’s Raining Ruby, dressed as a sheep with a little round tail and floppy ears. Little Bo Peep, a.k.a. Taylor Wiecken, rode her sheep carrying her crook. They were led by Little Boy Blue, a.k.a. Bill Wieken. Nikki Berger and Twisted Cash wore shining armor for owner Kelly Heberer.