Horse show action marches on as August nears

Though The Celebration is still almost a month away, championship caliber competition once again invaded the middle Tennessee area this weekend. Beginning with Dickson County Horse Show and following through to the Red Carpet Horse Show in Pulaski on Saturday night, contenders listed among "those who will vie" were gathering support among the fans and claiming titles to add to their lengthy resumes.

Push Too's Cowboy claimed the title of Dickson County Stake champion under the watchful eyes of judge Wayne Dean. Knox Blackburn directed the steed's winning ways for Gene Ramsey.

Mister Pushbutton, arriving from the western side of the state, took Jimmy McConnell to the reserve title for the Gene Crutchfield family while Papa's Smoking Pusher took third with Todd Claborn for Floyd Sherman.

In Lewisburg, the Marshall County Horse Show played host to a large contingency of athletes. When the final class was tied, judge Jamie Hankins awarded General's Show Stopper and Dick Peebles with the championship title for Brad Murrath.

Second in the division was Jazz Country and Brandon Stout for the Gus King family. Jackie McConnell was third on Jazz on Bourbon for Danny and Lisa Palmer.

On to Pulaski on Saturday night, Walking Horse fans were treated to the Shelbyville combination of King of the Jungle and Charlie Green in the winner's circle of the championship division. The Nestor Stewart family owns the contender that found favor with judge Larry Derryberry.

Knox Blackburn and Private Charter were the reserve team for Bud Moore while Shelbyville's Bill Bobo claimed the yellow ribbon aboard Busting with Terror for Jim and Judy Leek.

Each of the shows presented this weekend ran smoothly despite the number of entries. Spectators and contenders alike commented on the results in the inspection station as well as the show ring.

"The industry is headed in the right direction," said one Lewisburg fan. "It is always a great treat to see the horse but last year the negative outweighed the good things. I'm glad to see the atmosphere change now for the better. It's a relief in fact because the shows are fun and the people are genuinely good. The horse is so talented."

With good crowd support, the three shows of the weekend set the pace for the weekends to come. The International Grand Championship Walking Horse Show opened doors for pleasure competition on Sunday. With hundreds of entries filling the schedule at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum, the pleasure competitions will run through Saturday.

Intervening the International on Wednesday, the P.C. Splash Classic will be held in Shelbyville and then the Fayetteville, Belfast, Wartrace horse shows continue through the Saturday.

Celebrating its 101st year, the Wartrace, traditionally held on the first Saturday night in August, is considered the stepping stone to the World Grand Championship. The temperatures may be hot outside, but fans are promised sizzling competition in show rings across the local area this weekend.

"It's an exciting time to be in the Walking Horse world," said Christine Overton during the Lewisburg show. "I've watched the industry go up and down in the last two years, but this is the most promising show season I've seen."

Overton, who admits always being on the sidelines and never in the saddle, said the upcoming Celebration should be tremendous.

"The competition caliber is there and the trainers are certainly doing a good job in taking care of their horses," she said. "I look forward to The Celebration every year but even more so this year. The industry is really going in the right direction."