Shelbyville Times-Gazette: Local News: Meadows likes opening night turnout at Trainers Show (03/18/10)

Willie Holman is as much of a tradition on the Celebration grounds as the doughnuts. The 66-year-old is retired now, but never misses a show if he can help it.
(T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

Only a few classes into the 42nd annual Walking Horse Trainers' Association show, there were already several hundred spectators.

"I'm very pleased with the turnout," said Dr. Doyle Meadows, CEO of the Celebration as well as the head of SHOW, the horse industry organization that sanctions the Trainers' Show.

If the Tennessee walking horse owned by Bell Buckle's Laurie Toone was showing his spirit on the opening night of the 42nd annual Walking Horse Trainers' Association show at Calsonic Arena, well, it was justifiable. The horse, Justifiable, was named Reserve Champion in the second class of the evening, Model Park Pleasure. The show continues through Saturday night.
(T-G Photo by Mary Reeves)

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Last year's Trainers' Show was postponed several months as sanctioning duties were shifted from the National Horse Show Commission to SHOW at the bequest of the WHTA and the Walking Horse Owners' Association.

Bedford County was well represented from the beginning, with brother and sister Cascade students Hunter and Morgan McKenzie, multiple champions and world champions themselves, riding the flag horses. Hunter brought in the WHTA flag on Victoria's Got a Secret while Morgan, on A Red Ruby, carried the Stars and Stripes.

Bedford County owners and trainers stepped up for ribbon action as soon as the first classes were called in. Laurie Toone of Bell Buckle claimed the reserve championship in the Model Park Pleasure with Justifiable, followed immediately by John Allan Callaway winning the Mares and Geldings 15.2 and under on Jose's Illusion for Maria Esters. Trainer of the Year Justin Harris took the reserve in that class on The Dance Hall Doctor of the Andrew Waites family.

While many of those in the audience were trainers, owners and family and support staff, many were also there just to enjoy the show.

"Whooo, look at that! That's the Lone Ranger's horse," joked Willie Holman, 66, a retired stable worker as a white horse swept around the ring. "I used to work for Sammy Day before he retired. Now I just come to see the horses."

There's still plenty of time to see those horses. The trainers' show continues through Saturday night. General admission tickets are $8.