Wartrace show adds more classes

It was all mud and glory at last year's Wartrace Horse Show, when Chad Way rode Ironworks Tin Man to the stakes championship. Heavy rains left the fields and parking areas muddy and the only thing busier than the grooms cleaning up muddy hordes was the tractor pulling out mired cars. This year's show, set for Saturday night, promises to be much drier -- and much hotter.
(T-G File Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

'I'm very optimistic," he said. "The classes are all sponsored, the show grounds look great and we're getting good feedback from the trainers," he said.

It's going to be a bigger show this year, with 28 classes compared to last year's 24, and two more Riders Cup classes added to last year's four.

"There are a lot more trail pleasure classes," he said. "You're going to be seeing more trail pleasure, more Western."

It should be an exciting show, he said, since there is a possibility several challenge trophies could be retired this year.

Last year, the challenge was we weather. Tractors were kept busy pulling mired trucks, cars and trailers out of the mud in the parking field, and spectators huddled under flimsy rain ponchos and umbrellas.

This year, the challenge is the heat.

"We've been facing these 100-degree plus temperatures, but it's supposed to be in the lower 90s this weekend," he said. "It'll feel like a cold wave. Luckily, the horses have gotten used to the heat and the horse show folks are used to sweating in the heat."

This is the 104th show, one of the oldest shows in the country. The joint effort of the East Bedford Civic Club and the Cascade School PTO, the show raises funds for both nonprofit organizations.

"Most of the money ends up back at Cascade School anyway," said Ferguson. "Through ball team donations and scholarships, things like that."

"The most valuable support our community can provide is by actually attending the show; bringing your families, having supper with us at the concession stand and helping us continue this long-standing tradition as a community," he added.

The concession stand offers the usual fair of hot dogs, hamburgers, country ham and barbecue, as well as homemade desserts -- pies and cakes -- brought by members of the community, all chipping in on the effort.

Ticket sales have gone very well and there are only six box seats left. Anyone interested should contact Debbie Mills at 389-6793. General admission tickets are $5 each, with children under 12 admitted free.

The judge this year is Newton Parks of Murfreesboro. Bobby Sands, the official announcer for the Celebration, will also be the announcer at Wartrace and Brian Peery will be the organist.

The first class begins at 6 p.m.