Season's local kickoff begins Wednesday

It's traditionally the first big show of the horse show season -- the first chance fans get to see if their favorites are coming back this year and what the new crop of colts and fillies look like. Last year, however, the Walking Horse Trainers Association's annual show wasn't the kickoff for the season.

The show, usually held in the middle of March, was put off until June because of issues the trainers and other organizations had with the National Horse Show Commission, the horse industry organization that sanctioned the event.

This year, with the Celebration's HIO, SHOW (Sound horses, Honest judging, Objective inspections and Winning fairly), the Trainers' show is right on schedule, with the first classes beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and ending Saturday night at Calsonic Arena.

"It looks good so far. I had a lot more interest than we usually do," said Benny Johnson, chairman for the show, on Monday. "This place has been swamped today with trainers renewing their licenses -- that's a good indication."

He said at least 300 trainers renewed that day, with more expected. There are 85 classes this year, including the championship classes, and a few pleasure classes were added.

"As far as I know, we have a good relationship with SHOW," Johnson said. "I'd say everything's great with them. They did our show with them last year and we get along great with them. We look for everything to go smooth.

"All we ask is bring the horses in compliance and let's have a great show."

CLASSES

WEDNESDAY

Classes begin at 5:30 p.m.

1. Model Park Pleasure, Open

2. Open Fine Harness

3. Walking Mares and Geldings, 15.2 & Under (WHTA Riders Cup)

4. Walking Horse Auxiliary Equitation Adult, 18 & Over, Canter

5. Show Pleasure, Open, Specialty

6. Lite Shod, Open, Specialty

7. Amateur Two Year Old, Walking Mares and Geldings

8. Pro-Am Class, Specialty (Amt. First/Prof. Second)

9. Plantation Pleasure, Open, Specialty

10. Amateur Walking Stallions, Mares and Geldings

11. Walking Mares & Geldings, 15.2 & Over (5 Years & Over) (WHTA Riders Cup)

12. Amateur Riders on Walking Horses, Riders 50 & Over, Specialty

13. Amateur Pony Class, (18 Years & Older) Specialty

14. Amateur Mares, Specialty

15. Park Pleasure, Open, Specialty

16. Amateur Three Year Old Mares and Geldings

17. Western Lite Shod, Specialty

18. Amateur Four Year Old Mares and Geldings, Specialty

19. Walking Stallions, Mares and Geldings, 15.2 & Over (5 Years & Over), Specialty

20. Amateur Men's, Specialty

21. Park Performance 4 Years & Under

THURSDAY NIGHT

Classes begin at 5:30 p.m.

22. Amateur / Youth Weanling

23. Amateur Stallions, Specialty

24. Amateur Lite Shod, Specialty

25. Amateur Two Year Old Stallions

26. Open Weanling (Either Sex)

27. Plantation Pleasure Amateur, Specialty

28. Open Pony Specialty- ** Trainers Only

29. Amateur Park Pleasure, Specialty

30. Trail Pleasure Amateur, Specialty (English)

31. Amateur Geldings, Specialty

32. Amateur Show Pleasure, Specialty

33. Amateur Three Year Old Stallions

34. Amateur Plantation Pleasure, Four Years & Under, Open, Specialty

35. Amateur 15.2 and Under Stallions, Specialty

36. Youth Lite Shod, 17 & Under, Specialty

37. Amateur 15.2 & Under Mares and Geldings, Specialty

38. Park Performance, Open, Specialty

39. Trail Pleasure Amateur, Specialty (Western)

40. Amateur Four Year Old Stallions, Specialty

41. Park Pleasure, Two & Three Year Old, Open, Specialty

42. Four Year Old & Under Show Pleasure, Specialty

43. W.H.T. Auxiliary Class, Specialty (Members only)

44. Western Park Pleasure, Specialty

FRIDAY

Classes begin at 5:30 p.m.

45. Amateur / Youth Yearling

46. Amateur Fine Harness

47. Walking Horse Auxiliary Equitation Class, Youth 12 - 14, Must Canter

48. Walking Horse Auxiliary Equitation Class, Youth 15 - 17, Must Canter

49. Walking Horse Auxiliary Equitation Class, 11 & Under, Specialty

50. Open Yearling Fillies

51. Two Year Old Mares and Geldings (WHTA Riders Cup)

52. Youth Mares and Geldings, 11 & Under, Specialty

53. Country Pleasure, 18 and Over

54. Amateur Ladies, Specialty

55. Open Yearling Colts

56. Youth Mares and Geldings, 12-14, Specialty

57. Three Year Old Mares and Geldings (WHTA Riders Cup)

58. Trail Pleasure Juvenile, Specialty (English/Western)

59. Youth Mares and Geldings, 15-17, Specialty

60. Four Year Old Mares and Geldings (WHTA Riders Cup)

61. Show Pleasure, Juvenile 17 & Under, Specialty

62. Three Year Old Stallions (WHTA Riders Cup)

63. Park Performance, Amateur

64. Amateur, Lite Shod, Specialty Championship

65. Amateur Park Pleasure, Specialty Championship

66. Amateur Show Pleasure, Specialty Championship

SATURDAY

Classes begin at 5:30 p.m.

67. Stick Horse Class

68. Walking Stallions, 15.2 & Under (WHTA Riders Cup)

69. Trail Pleasure Amateur, Specialty Championship (English)

70. Two Year Old Stallions (WHTA Riders Cup)

71. Juvenile Specialty Championship

72. Plantation Pleasure, Open, Specialty Championship

73. Country Pleasure, 17 and Under

74. Three Year Old Classic (WHTA Riders Cup)

75. Trail Pleasure, Amateur, Specialty Championship (Western)

76. Walking Ponies 60" & Under, Riders 17 & Under, Specialty

77. Four Year Old Stallions (WHTA Riders Cup)

78. Young Trainers, 35 Years & Under, Specialty

79. TWHBEA / WHTA Youth Challenge, Canter

80. Amateur Championship

81. Park Pleasure, Open, Specialty Championship

82. Amateur Specialty Championship

83. Frances C. Gentry Ladies, Specialty Championship

84. Show Pleasure, Specialty Championship

85. W.H.T.A. Championship Walking Horse Stake (WHTA Riders Cup)