Wyatt Hopper, 12, gives After Hours some extra attention after he won the blue ribbon in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Three-year-old Walking Mares or Geldings class at the Spring Fun Show Thursday night. After Hours is owned and was ridden by Debbie Eichler. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

Friends from all over the country greeted each other in the lanes behind the Calsonic Arena and around the stables, in that No Man's Land where horses always have the right of way.

Groups of young girls practiced cheerleading routines on isolated corners and old-timers sat on the benches, brick walls and tailgates and swapped lies.

Anne Frank of Christiana prepares Nothing But Blue Sky for opening night of the Spring Fun Show. A young horse, Sky won a second and a third in two country pleasure classes. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The Spring Fun Show is a gathering point for the momentum that builds toward the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, but it's also a chance to enjoy horses and horse people.

"This is our third year here," said jewelry vendor Jerry King of Missouri.

He was one of many vendors offering everything from silver to sweet feed lined up around the concourse. For King, it's a matter of mixing business with pleasure. Besides offering fine jewelry, he gets to indulge in his favorite hobby.

"We're walking horse people," he said. "We go to 10 or so walking horse shows a year, three of them here."

Those three are the Trainers' Show, the Spring Fun Show and, of course, The Celebration. King trains walking horses for pleasure and Western riding.

Jeff Hatcher is also a fan of the show.

"I consider it one of the top three shows," said the Unionville trainer. He had been located in West Virginia, but moved to Tennessee last year.

"Brought by the horses," he said.

Flag horse Counterfeit Dollar, owned by Curtice McCloy and ridden by Bud Seaton, opened the Fun Show. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge]

Another visitor who enjoyed opening night was Anne Frank of Christiana. A California transplant, she has been going to shows for about 20 years. She entered her young blue roan, Nothing But Blue Sky, in two Country Pleasure classes. Her husband got second place in the men's division and she took third in the ladies.'

"About 22 years ago, somebody gave me a walking horse," she said. "I got very interested and did a lot of research. I found a trainer and I learned a lot."

But perhaps Rising Star Ranch was having the most fun. The Shelbyville stable had more than one ribbon to take home Thursday night, but as far as Wyatt Hopper, 12, was concerned, the best one was the blue ribbon After Hours won in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Three-Year-Old Walking Mares or Geldings.

"He always knows when he's won," said Hopper, who helps out around the stable where his mother, Tanya, works.

Leading the big, calm chestnut back to the barns, reins in one hand and silver trophy in the other, Wyatt bragged on his charge.

"Oh, he wins lots," said Wyatt.

Even though many boys his age were spending their Thursday night at a ball field or a movie somewhere, Hopper didn't mind being the stable boy.

"It's a lot of fun. I have friends here," he said. "Sometimes I get to ride, back at the farm."