Posted April 29, 2002

The combination of talent from the Walking Horse world with that of the Saddlebred made the 2002 World Cup a truly entertaining and memorable exhibition. The Calsonic Arena was the stage for the world class event and what an event it was. As the attendance rose nightly, the class sizes averaged large numbers of entries with one class having as many as nineteen entries. With Connie Dunlap at the organ, Sandra Hall behind the camera and Current Thymes catering the show, the 2002 World Cup was destined to be a success. The show staff spared no expense in showing spectators and exhibitors a good time by arranging various events like a party at Jack Daniels in Lynchburg, the grooms’ cook-out, and breakfast following one of the evening performances.

The 2002 installment of the World Cup and those who attended helped to support Project Unlimited Support. The objective of Project Unlimited Support is to help provide various necessities and other items to help the families of our military. Another show of national pride and appreciation was done by recognizing our every day heroes. Members of the Bedford County Police Department, Emergency Medical Technicians, and members of the Bedford County Fire Department were honored and commended for their services each night during the show. Other events added to the already spectacular lineup included a class in which walking horse trainers mounted saddlebred horses for a crowd pleasing exhibition around the show ring. The roles reversed later in the evening as saddlebred exhibitors experienced the smooth and enjoyable ride aboard a Tennessee Walker.

The show began on Thursday with the Amateur Trail Pleasure Specialty class. Katie Holt and Pride’s Smart Alex outsmarted the competition and won the blue in the class. A spirited performance by Kathy Owen and Dixie Spirit earned them the reserve.

Following a Trainers’ Show win in the Model Park Pleasure class, Ironman’s Mr. Mack topped the Two & Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure class with Jeff Givens. Dana Douglas and Geri Stewart are the proud owners. Becky Barnes owned and exhibited the reserve winner Si Si Senor.

The Lite Shod Open Specialty class was won by the impressive Mr. Red Rambler. Rambler was shown by Tina Singleton for owner Jackie Singleton. The second place award was given to Scot MacGregor and Allen All Around. Lynn S. MacGregor owns the reserve winner.

Commanding Dakota commanded the Two & Three-Year-Old Lite Shod class as Wendell Kirkpatrick directed the fine horse to the winners’ circle. Another grand showing in the class was made by Chris Messick and the Grand Calamity as they took reserve honors for owner Lindy Holt.

Tim Wheelon and Skyline towered above the competition in the Park Pleasure Open class. Wheelon and Skyline made the blue ribbon ride for owner Jack Morgan. Wayne Luna and Centennial Surprise took the red ribbon in the class for owner Bobby Sue Amyx.

A magical performance in the Western Park Pleasure class landed Charlie Howard and Gen’s magic Motion in the first place slot. Reserve in the class went to Christie Gray Scrivner and Gen’s Final Masterpiece.

Making their second appearance at the World Cup, Pride’s Smart Alex and Katie Holt won another blue ribbon in the Amateur Trail Pleasure, Canter class. Kathy Owen took the red ribbon atop Dixie Spirit.

A powerful performance in the Western Park Pleasure Specialty with Jeff Givens in the irons gave Generator’s Power Pusher the win. Dick and Sally Reiley are the owners of this multi-blue ribbon winner. Si Si Senor and owner Becky Barnes received the reserve tie in the class.

Nancy McEwen and Princess Caroline gave a royal performance worthy of the blue in the Amateur Lite-Shod Specialty. Jim and Nancy McEwen own the talented mare. Tina Singleton and Mr. Red Rambler gave a fine showing to take home the second place honors for owner Jackie Singleton.

Exhibitors got up bright and early on Friday morning to begin the second session of the World Cup.

The opening walking horse class was the Amateur Trail Pleasure PWHAT Members Specialty class. Kathy Owen and Dangerous Beauty won the first blue ribbon of the day. Dr. Judy Moore and Lady Dumas in Command won the class reserve. Winning the Park Pleasure Open class was no impossible mission for Larry Derryberry and Mission Impossible. The first place winner is owned by Gayle Smith. Jeff Givens and All Colors Dazzle certainly dazzled the rest of the competition and took home the red ribbon for Ann Darmody.

Kathy Owen made yet another victory pass at the World Cup in the Country Pleasure class. Lacy Cash and Owen claimed the blue in the class with Bold Rambo and Dwight Ottman making a superb ride to the reserve.

The Plantation Pleasure Open class was up next. The team of Marilynne Reed and Sonata’s Gypsy Rose were the judge’s first place choice. Reed owns and exhibits the horse. Sandy Harris and Razzle Me Dazzle Me were the second place winners in the class for owners Larry and Sandy Harris.

The Amateur Owned & Trained Lite Shod class was conquered by the already successful team Mr. Red Rambler and Tina Singleton. Jackie Singleton is the proud owner. Laughing Stock rode to the reserve tie in the class with owner Michelle Worthington riding.

A breathtaking performance in the Amateur Park Pleasure Specialty class gave Bob Lawrence and She’s Breathtaking the judge’s approval for the first place award. The partnership of Lawrence and Hutto own the breathtaking mare. She’s A Double Major and Kathy Owen won the class reserve for Double Springs Farm.

Jeff Givens and Sailin Man sailed into the winners cirlcle for Mr. and Mrs. Donald Knight in the Lite Shod Open class. Sherrie Szucs and Princess Caroline earned the red ribbon for owners Jim and Nancy McEwen.

The team of Elizabeth Ottman and Jasmin Magic worked their magic over the competition in the Western Pleasure Lite Shod Specialty class. Dwight and Elizabeth Ottman own the first place entry. Russ Keyser rode the reserve winner Sunfire’s Hi-Tech fro owner Ben Harrell. The Junior Trail Pleasure 4 & Under Specilaty class was won by Obsessed With Silver and Kathy Owen. Double Springs Farm owns the entry. Leah Boyd and Illusive Lady were the second place winners in the class.

The world champion team of Joel Johnson and I’m Cruella DeVil opened the Friday evening session by winning blue ribbon honors in the WHTA Youth Council Mares & Geldings, 12-17 Specialty class. Aarond Bertrand and Extra Ebony made the call for the class reserve honors. The Bob Parks family owns the entry.

Elizabeth Starr Whitton was the judge’s first place choice in the Walking Seat Equitation, Adult 3 Gaits class. Trainers’ Show champion Megan Allen won the reserve title in the class. John Allen Callaway guided Andrew Johnson to a win in the Show Pleasure Open Specialty class. Charles and Florence Terry own the blue ribbon winner. Pat Rigual’s Storm Threat Too obtained the red ribbon in the class with Kurt Kovalick in the saddle.

The Aged Stallions, Mares, & Geldings class drew seven talented entries through the gate. Cut Above All proved his name to be correct as he and Justin Jenne won the class for Howard and Betty Robins. Mickey McCormick rode the second place winner, Pride’s Hard Cash. Jim Gullett is the owner.

Joel Johnson found himself with another blue ribbon as he led Buford Pusher to victory in the WHTA Youth Council, 17 & Under Walking Ponies Specialty class. The Grand Hotshot and Erica Hartlein made the reserve ride for owner John Ying.

Vetren amateur rider Ed Breedlove rode Pride’s Prime Star to a win in the Open Amateur class. Barry Breedlove owns the Open Amateur champion. Walkin’ In Memphis and Jeren Guthrie gave a good ride to receive the class reserve. The partnership of Owen and Guthrie are the owners. I’m Causing Commotion caught the judge’s attention in the Two-Year-Old Mares & Geldings class. John Allen Callaway led I’m Causing Commotion to the win for owners Jim and Debbioe Myers. 8 Coins and Blake Sims made a nice showing to win the reserve in the class for the Mike Chiaparri family.

The Amateur Specialty Mares & Geldings class boasted eighteen entries. Ira Schuman and Flushed with Spirit overcame the large competition and won the blue for the Bob Parks Family. Pam Ingraham and Sweet Brown Sugar took home the red ribbon.

The always impressive Legate & Legate entry, Johnny Walker Red took the top honors in the Four-Year-Old Open class with Jason Day. Phillip Trimble and Doing Time With A Pusher gave a ribbon worthy performance and were awarded the class reserve honors. Harvey and Debbie Solomon own the entry.

Being the sole entry in the 15.2 & Under class didn’t make King of Camelot’s performance any less grand. Buck Williams rode the entry for Equi-Tech Labs.

Knox Blackburn got a major win in the Three-Year-Old Mares & Geldings Class with Major Promises. The Randall Baskin family owned entry dominated the large class of twelve entries. Herbert Derickson led Lady’s Royal Cash to the reserve tie for owners Mr. and Mrs. Ed Parker. Finishing up the Friday evening session of the World Cup was the Two-Year-Old Amateur class. The triumphant team of Star Of Dumas and Harodene Willis took the top award in the class for Dot and Kline Willis. The second place award in the competitive class was awarded to Final Destination and owner Jennifer Bingham.

The final installment of the 2002 World Cup began on Saturday morning as exhibitors readied their horses for the championship classes ahead.

Kicking off the morning session was the WHTA Youth Council 17 & Under Park Pleasure Specialty. Sara Womack made the victory pass in the class with Rose’s Threat for the Forrestor Joseph family. The Lone Gunman and Lauren Williams took reserve honors for owner Pam Williams.

A Storm Trooper stormed into the Walking Weanling class with Robert Nelms at the lead and left with the blue. The Kurt Washburn family own the entry. Another powerful threat to the competition was Pusher’s Powerful Threat and Chris Richards as they took the reserve honors in the class for Lisa Kay Peel.

Up next was the Walking Seat Equitation 11 & Under Specialty Medal Class. Emma Renee Jones’ performance was pleasing to the judge and earned her a first place ribbon. Paige Bennett took the second place ribbon.

With just one entry the Youth Council 17 & Under Lite Shod Specialty still boasted a crowd pleasing performance. Ebony’s Dixie Chick and Matt Alexander were that talented duo that took the blue. Holly Thrasher owns Ebony’s Dixie Chick.

The Walking Seat Equitation 12-17 Specialty class contained nine entries. The top honors could only go to one though and that one was Rachel Jernigan. The reserve honors were given to Sara Womack.

An always anticipated class, the Walking Yearling class gave a glimpse of the future as eleven entries were led into the show ring to display their natural talent. Chris Richrads had the honor of leading Major Surgeon General to the blue for his father Dr. Roger Richards. The reserve title in the class was awarded to Dark Spirit’s Shamen and Robert Nelms for owners Billy and Sue Dean.

Rachel Jernigan earned another win at the World Cup. This time it was atop Reggie in the WHTA Youth Council 11 & Under Mares & Geldings class. Casey Caldwell rode to the reserve award with I’m General Lee for owner Liz Gassaway.

Mark of JFK made his mark in the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class with Josh Vaughn in the irons. Megan Peebles is the proud owner. Allyson Sims took the second place award aboard Incognito.

The Trainers’ Spouses and Children Specialty class was topped by A Touch Of Sunrise and Candy Green. This added yet another blue to the talented stallion’s collection for owner Al Sanders. Stacy Blackburn was reserve with Pushover’s Infiniti for owner Bob Medina.

Always a crowd favorite, the Three-Year-Old Walking Stallions and Geldings was nexy on the roster. Making an impressive debut performance was Millenium Masquerade and Knox Blackburn. The superb team brought home the blue for the thrilled Gilbert Miller family. Black Jack Bouvia and ramsey Bullington were the class reserve winners for owner Carol Rose.

Music In The Sky and Ed Breedlove proved they had what it took to win the Amateur 15.2 & Under Walking Specialty. The vetren team won the class for owner Barru Breedlove. Good Evening and Jaclyn Harney gave a great performance to win the second place vote from the judge. Good Evening is owned by The John Harney family.

World Champion He Keeps On Giving and B.A.Dorsey kept on winning as they won the Walking Fine Harness class for Bowtie Stables. Jeff Givens drove Major Affair to the reserve win in the class for the Denny Hastings family.

Proving that nothing beats a royal flush, Ramsey Bullington and Pusher’s Royal Flush made the winning ride in the Aged Walking Horse Specilaty class for Edd Stuckey. Inside Track and Steve Dunn were reserve in the class. Harney and Parks own the entry.

Mike Inman drove Driving Miss Dumas into the winner’s spot in the Three-Year-Old Amateur class. Beverly Burgess Woods took the reserve ribbon with Wild Eyed And Wicked for Ernie Berzette. One of the most entertaining classes of the show was the Walking Horse Exhibitors on Saddlebreds, Walk and Trot. Joe Cotton won the class with Memorial Charm. Ronnie Spears took second with Extreme Measures.

The new team of Betty Corlew and I’m All Fired Up won the Four-Year-Old Amateur Specialty. Bowtie Stables own the entry. Charles Gleghorn rode to the reserve with Rain’s Fasionette. Charles and Florence Terry are the proud owners of the Two-Year-Old Wlkaing Stallions & Geldings Champion. The Call To Arms and John Allen Callaway gave a good showing to receive the award. Steve Dunn and Hollywood or bust won the red ribbon award for Robin and Bruce McDonald.

The spotlight seem to shine on M.L. Pugh and Rebel’s Spotlight as they won the Open Amateur Stallions & Geldings Specilaty. Lisa Kapavik took the second place award with Knock Out Gen. Finally the long awaited and heavily anticipated $1500 Walking Horse Grand Championship was about to be underway. Seven entries responded to the gait call but only one would leave with the tri-color. That one was none other than Push To Start. Push To Start and Ramsey Bullington gave a great showing to earn the prestigious award for owners William and Sandra Johnson. Allen Callaway and his talented steed, Ex-Dividend earned the red ribbon for owners George and Beverly Greenup.

For the complete show story, see the printed edition of Walking Horse Report dated April 29, 2002.