Ironwork's Tin Man takes Wartrace blue

Chad Way, center, holding on to champion Ironwork's Tin Man, shares a laugh with owners, friends and family after winning the stake class at the 103rd Wartrace Horse Show Saturday night. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"We've decided to go for the big one," said Steve.

Originally purchased in 2003 by their father, Ray, who died later that year, Tin Man has been shown in amateur classes until now. With Chad Way up as the trainer, the gray is competing with the pros now.

Dr. Doyle Meadows, CEO of the Celebration, watches the Wartrace horse show through the rain with family. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

It wasn't an easy field to beat, either. According to Nancy Edwards, a coordinator for the show, there were more horses entered this year than there have been in previous years, and there were seven stallions facing off in the final class. The top five were: Winner Ironwork's Tin Man, shown by Chad Way, owned by Ray Jones Trucking; Reserve Jazz Country, shown by Tim Smith, owned by G.L. and Beverly McNeill; third place Push Too's Cowboy, shown by Knox Blackburn, owned by Anita George; fourth I'm Bob Hope, shown by Justin Harris, owned by Tammy Heiman; and fifth, Flash of Silver, shown by Stephen Daniel, owned by Willis Bowman.

Ironwork's Tin Man was clearly a crowd favorite as he splashed around the ring, followed and encouraged by whistles, cheers and shouts.

The show started late that night because of rain, and horses and riders spent the evening covered in plastic sheets and mud. A tractor remained on call -- and in constant use -- pulling cars and trailers out of the muddy fields.

Wartrace workers pry yet another truck and trailer out of the mud during the Saturday night deluge at the horse show. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"As soon as we're clear of the lightning, we'll start with the weanling fillies," announcer Bobby Sands said well after the original 6 p.m. start time. By 8 p.m., a few sprinkles were all that were left from the massive storm front -- and a morass of mud, water and gravel that everyone splashed through or dodged around.

"He doesn't like umbrellas," one owner laughed as her colt edged nervously way from the rail.

The crowd was small due to the weather, but the dedicated fans braved wet and wind, holding umbrellas, wearing galoshes, and trying to find cover whenever they could.

Dr. Doyle Meadows, CEO of the Celebration, was present to watch the show and present a trophy. He had also gone to the show in Belfast Friday night. Gen on the Run with Link Webb up and owned by Michael and Ty Hart was the big winner there.

"It went great," said Meadows.

The USDA inspectors, for the first time in several years, did not make an appearance at either show.

SHOW RESULTS

WEANLING FILLIES

1 JOSE'S DOOR BUSTER, shown by Karen McGee, owned by Blackberry Ridge Walkers

2 JOSE'S DREAM CATCHER shown by Robert Nelms owned by Barry/Corey Reece

3 MY DIXIE GOLD shown by John Dorris, owned by John Dorris

4 SHE'S SWEET AND PRETTY shown by Michael Chandler, owned by Michael Chandler

TRAIL PLEASURE ENGLISH/WESTERN YOUTH SPECIALTY

1 DIGGIN FOR DOLLARS shown by Allison Oliver, owned by Oliver/Simpson

AMATEUR LITE SHOD SPECIALTY

1 GENERATOR'S PUSH UP shown by Sheila Groover, owned by Sheila Groover

WEANLING COLTS

1 A KING'S RANSOM shown by Robert Nelms, owned by RL Neal

2 OUT OF THE PARK shown by Carlyle Johnson, owned by Dr. Alan Bachert

YOUTH COUNTRY PLEASURE ENG/WES

1 A JAZZ FEST shown by Kyle Elliott, owned by Kyle Elliott

2 ROYAL SPARKLING GEN shown by Tyler Diamond Pollack, owned by Pollacks Silver Spur Ranch

3 XTREME COMMAND shown by Allison Oliver, owned by Mike/Kristie Bell

4 A ROYAL EDITION shown by Kim Bailey, owned by Bailey/Parks

5 GRANDY'S IDOL shown by Taylor Morgan, owned by Nicki Hall

TRAIL PLEASURE ADULT ENG/WES SPECIALTY

1 DR. SMOOTH shown by Emily Floberg, owned by Dr Jana Anderson

2 I'M SERGIO GARCIA shown by Amanda Dickerson, owned by Sunset Farms

3 JUST DOIN' MY TIME shown by Maggie Moore, owned by Leek/Moore

4 THE WICKED MASTER shown by Sheryl Volkman, owned by John/Sheryl Volkman

5 STROKIN' shown by Ginger Simpson, owned by Mike Rowland

AMATEUR TWO YEAR OLD MARES/GELDINGS

1 STONED OUT OF MY MIND shown by Sabrina Young, owned by Cook/Evans

2 LATE NIGHT MAMA shown by Clay Sanderson, owned by Wayne Trimble

3 PAY LATER shown by Candice Hass, owned by Geczi/Ward

4 POWERSTROKE RITZY LADY shown by Slayden Harris, owned by Greer/Fleming

5 JOSE TOUCH shown by Sue Irby, owned by Ron Long Family

YOUTH 11 & UNDER

1 CAROLINA CONFEDERATE shown by Isaac McGee, owned by Laura McGee

2 EXPRESS'S FROSTY BOY shown by Thomas Derickson, owned by Jamie Red Etheredge

3 HES A SMOOTH OPERATOR shown by Preston Frazier, owned by Greg/Connie Frazier

YEARLING FILLIES

1 MISS INTIMIDATOR shown by Robert Nelms, owned by Buddy Bain

2 I'M CAROLINE KENNEDY shown by Ella Kline, owned byMay/Kline/Janeway

3 CAROLA shown by Keith Reed, owned by Sam Stockett

4 MISS COVER GIRL shown by Karen McGee, owned by Larry Mesimer

YOUTH 12-17 SPECIALTY

1 FDR shown by Amy Nesius, owned by Rick Nesius Family

2 MAMA'S ALMIGHTY DOLLAR shown by Katie Esters, owned by Maria Estes

3 RITZ CUSTOM MADE shown by Chad Cotten, owned by Molly Smith

4 SHOWBOAT SILK shown by Alex Way, owned by Showboat Productions Inc

5 EBONY'S THREAT PRINCE shown by Tristan Wagner, owned by Tristan Wagner

YEARLING COLTS

1 THE THREAT OF POISON shown by Chris Richards, owned by M/M Charles Brantley

2 FIVE STAR GUNN shown by Robert Nelms, owned by Dr Morna Conway

3 DOCS MAJOR GENERAL shown by Ella Kline, owned by C L Kline Farms

4 A YARDSTICK shown by Tommy Halmontaller, owned byBobby Jones Farm

OPEN SPECIALTY PONIES

1 JOSES EMBLEM shown by Whitney Breedlove, owned by Barry Breedlove

2 FIXIN TO STORM shown by Judy Allen, owned by Ralph Allen

3 OLYMPICS ENERGIZER shown by Mandie Napier, owned by Allie Napier

4 CARMAN GENERATOR shown by Charles Craddock, owned by Charles Craddock

JAMES CORLEW CHEVROLET TWO YEAR OLD STALLIONS/WHTA RIDERS CUP

1 BROADWAY JOSE shown by Knox Blackburn, owned by Jerry Jones

2 DOUBLE JAZZ shown by Joe Cotten, owned by Ed/Shelley Lewis

3 THE SOUTHERN WAY shown by Tony Mercer, owned by Charles Gavin Family

4 RED SOX shown by Mac Benham, owned by George Wright Family

5 TEDS ON ICE shown by Justin Jenne, owned byFrazier/Jenne

ADULT COUNTRY PLEASURE ENG/WES SPECIALTY

1 XTREME COMMAND shown by Mike Bell, owned by Mike/Kristie Bell

2 ROYAL SPARKLING GEN shown by Patti Pollack, owned by Pollacks Silver Spur Ranch

3 A TENNESSEE TANGO shown by Kimberly Goodwin Helton, owned by Shirley Goodwin

4 HEAT IN THE LIMELIGHT shown by Dr Judy Moore, owned by Moore/Foust Farm

5 SILVERS LUCKY STRIKE shown by Sam Bogel, owned by Faye Bogel

AMATEUR THREE YEAR OLD MARES/GELDINGS

1 MISS SILVER MASTERPIECE shown by Caroline Elliott, owned byJeanne Harrison

2 ON GOOD BEHAVIOR shown by Rose Anstett, owned by Rose Anstett

3 TRUE TO HAWK shown by Bruce Lovato, owned by Kasidy Petty

4 MY MY MISS MOLLY shown by Jim Welch, owned by Jim Welch Family

THREE YEAR OLD MARES/GELDINGS/WHTA 2009 RIDERS CUP

1 MAJOR FRIVOLOUS shown by Justin Harris, owned by Brett/Lisa Jones

2 PAROLED ON EASTER SUNDAY shown by Jeff Green, owned by Jerry Knotts

3 DEBUTANTE AT THE RITZ shown by Jeff Willis, owned by Graham Holt

4 PAROLES SECRET shown by Tim Smith, owned by Randall/Sadie Baskin

5 LIMESTONE LUCY shown by Knox Blackburn, owned by Steve Heitmiller

AMATEUR SHOW PLEASURE SPECIALTY

1 JORDAN shown by Steve Jones, owned by Ray Jones Trucking Inc

2 THE MVP shown by Becky Woodruff, owned by Woody Woodruff

3 A FEW DOLLARS shown by Clay Sanderson, owned byM/M Joel Johnson

4 BOLD SCREAM shown by Jamie Skinner, owned by Gary Venoit

5 JOSE CALIENTE shown by Juanita Thigpen, owned by Charles/Juanita Thigpen

AMATEUR THREE YEAR OLD STALLIONS

1 CASHIN IN ON THE FAITH shown by April Jeffers, owned by Brian Jeffers

2 HES SOLID AS A ROCK shown by Erica Jenne, owned by Darrell Frazier

3 THE SICILIAN shown by Suzanne Moore, owned by Bud/Suzanne Moore

4 FLASHED BY LIGHTNING shown by Gavin Kasser, owned by Charles Gavin

THREE YEAR OLD STALLIONS

1 STRAIT LINE CASH shown by Philip Trimble, owned by Richard/Rick Justice

2 HOW BOUT YA CASH shown by Jeff Willis, owned by Graham Holt

3 MASATI shown by Knox Blackburn, owned by Anthony Joseph Family

4 A FINAL COMMAND shown by Chad Way, owned by Megan Brainard

5 IN A DANGER ZONE shown by Jack Way owned by Dr/Mrs Rosser Wall

AMATEUR FOUR YEAR OLD MARES/GELDINGS

1 UNDERCOVER DOLLA shown by Kim Geczi, owned by Geczi/Ward

2 SHES A MAJOR STAR shown by Alex Way, owned by Double B Farms

3 HAPPY GILMORE shown by Christy Warren, owned by James/Christy Warren

4 JOSELITO shown by Lindsey Cate, owned by L & L Show Horses

AMATEUR FOUR YEAR OLD STALLIONS

1 I COMMAND APPLAUSE shown by Sheryl Crawford, owned by Crawford Colts

2 COMBAT COMMANDER shown by Sabrina Young, owned by Sabrina Young

3 HOLD ON shown by Caleb Kilburn, owned by Graham Holt

AMATEUR MARES/GELDINGS SPECIALTY

1 FIRST WATCH shown by Laurie LaFontaine, owned by Laurie LaFontaine

2 A HAIL STORM shown by Patty Jones, owned by Patty Jones

3 FAME SEEKER shown by Renee Carlton, owned by Keith Carlton Family

4 KAT MAN DUDE shown by Clay Sanderson, owned by Ashtyn Brown

5 GEN'S HIGH MARK shown by Sally Kenemer, owned by Bill Webb Family

WALKING CHAMPIONSHIP/WHTA 2009 RIDERS CUP

1 IRONWORK'S TIN MAN shown by Chad Way, owned by Ray Jones Trucking Inc

2 JAZZ COUNTRY shown by Tim Smith, owned by GL/Beverly McNeill

3 PUSH TOOS COWBOY shown by Knox Blackburn, owned by Anita George

4 I'M BOB HOPE shown by Justin Harris, owned by Tammy Heiman

5 FLASH OF SILVER shown by Stephen Daniel, owned by Willis Bowman