Barbecue lunch to precede annual Liberty horse show

The Liberty Lions Club is celebrating its 10th anniversary walking horse show Friday -- and it's kicking off the party early.

"We're having a luncheon from 11 to 1, serving barbecue to the public for $5 a plate," said Paul Gambill, the show manager. "We're looking forward to a good show."

The barbecue luncheon, like the show, will be at the Ag Center, and it's yet another way the civic organization has of raising money to help those in need.

"We take care of the southern part of Bedford County," said Gambill. "Liberty School, Pleasant Grove, Wheel ... We help people there who are sick and having problems, or have had fires. We help Liberty School with their expenses -- and the Liberty school cheerleaders and their parents help us with the show."

The Liberty Lions also assist the local volunteer fire departments, and like other Lions Clubs, assist those in need of vision care, eye exams and glasses, hearing tests and hearing aids.

Gambill said the club also hopes to provide enough food for 100 people for a week who may need assistance in the Rich Valley area for Christmas this year.

"We do things year round," he said. "Usually, by the time we have another show, we're out of money."

Tailgait party

The horse show begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Ag Center with Joel Weaver as judge. Former Celebration announcer Chip Walters will be the voice of the Liberty show and Spencer Neeley will be the ringmaster.

"We've got 34 classes, and we've got all sponsorships sold," said Gambill. "We should have a big show. It's supposed to be good weather."

Because the Ag Center arena only has stadium seating on one side, that gives the club the opportunity to raise more money by offering "rail passes." It costs $5 to get into the show, but for $50, you can back your truck or car right up the rail on the back side of the ring and watch from lawn chairs. Even motor homes can be pulled closer to the ring to offer premium seating for the owners (but not all the way to the rail.)

"It went really well last year," said Gambill. "It's kind of a party."

The prize pay-out this year will be $8,240, the highest payout for a one-day show in this area.

If you go

The Liberty Lions Club's 10th annual walking horse show is Friday at the Ag Center on Midland Road. The gates open at 10 a.m. There will be a barbecue lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $5 a plate, and the show begns at 6:30. Tickets are $5 each, rail passes are $50.

On the web

www.libertylions.org

Classes

1. LEAD LINE PONIES - RIDERS 6 AND UNDER

2. OPEN WEANLING

3. COUNTRY PLEASURE - JUVENILE - 17 & UNDER

4. OPEN PARK PLEASURE - SPECIALTY

5. 2 YEAR OLD MARES AND GELDINGS -- Rider Cup

6. COUNTRY PLEASURE - ADULT - 18 & OVER

7. YEARLING FILLIES

8. JUVENILE 11 AND UNDER ON MARES AND GELDINGS

9. 3 YEAR OLD AMATEUR MARES AND GELDINGS

10. OPEN PLANTATION PLEASURE - LITE SHOD SPECIALTY

11. YEARLING COLTS

12. Trail Pleasure - English or Western Attire-Speciality

13. PARK PERFORMANCE - OPEN SPECIALTY

14. 2 YEAR OLD AMATEUR MARES AND GELDINGS

15. 2 & 3 YEAR OLD PLANTATION PLEASURE AMATEUR LITE SHOD

16. 3 YR. OLD MARES & GELDINGS --Rider Cup

17. PARK PLEASURE AMATEUR SPECIALTY

18. 2 YR. OLD STALLIONS -- Rider Cup

19. 3 YR. OLD AMATEUR STALLIONS

20. WALKING PONIES RIDERS 17 & UNDER SPECIALTY

21. 3 YR. OLD STALLIONS -- Rider Cup

22. 15.2 & UNDER AMATEUR SPECIALTY

23. LADIES AMATEUR MARES & GELDINGS SPECIALTY

24. JUVENILE RIDERS 12-17 ON MARES & GELDINGS

25. 2 YR. OLD AMATEUR STALLIONS

26. SHOW PLEASURE WALKING HORSES SPECIALTY

27. 4 YR. OLD AMATEUR MARES & GELDINGS SPECIALTY

28. 4 YR. AMATEUR STALLIONS - SPECIALITYY

29. AMATEUR MARES, STALLIONS & GELDINGS 5 YR. & OLDER -

30. 4 YR. OLD (OPEN) CANTER/RIDERS CUP

31. AMATEUR SHOW PLEASURE WALKING HORSES SPECIALTY

32. 5 YR. OLD & OVER MARES & GELDINGS - SPECIALTY

33. AMATEUR MARES, STALLIONS & GELDING - 5 YRS AND OLDER - SPECIALTY

34. WALKING HORSE CHAMPIONSHIP - 5 YRS & OLDER/RIDERS CUP