35th Annual P-TA Horse Show Attracts Large Crowd and Top Contenders
The Vic Thompson Stables of Shelbyville had a good warmup for the Celebration at the P-TA Horse Show on May 27 at the Celebration grounds. They had the exact setting, top quality competition, and the enthusiasm necessary for a practice run at the big show. The primary factor which differentiated this show from the Celebration was its one night status.
Vic’ s hard-working team carried away five blue ribbons through the talented hands of Mack Motes, Judy Tillett, and Burt Daugette. Mack earned three blue ribbons on JOHNNY MIDNIGHT. SUPER SPORT, and SHAD OW’ S SONATA. Burt rode MOONGLOW, JR., last year’ s Amateur World Grand Champion, to the top spot in her class while Judy piloted the UNTOUCHABLE, the World Champion Juvenile horse last year, to the winners
circle in that class. In the stake class, JOHNNY7 MIDNIGHT proved
beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a different horse than we saw in last year’ s Celebration. It is still early in the year and it will be interesting to see what else Mack and Vic do to improve JOHNNY7. Believe me, there was not much he was doing wrong at the P-TA Show.
Pressing JOHNNY7 all the way in this exciting and crowd pleasing class was MIDNIGHT IMP. a full brother to JOHNNY7 and SUN’ S DELIGHT. Neal“ Shorty” Branscum showed this horse to perfection and had the crowd with him all the way.
In the three-year-old stallion and gelding class the competition was something to see. SUPER SPORT and Mack Motes were spectacular in wanning this class. Several observers voiced the opinion that SUPER SPORT was the best horse on the show grounds and it would be hard to argue with them. A real crowd favorite with plentv of style and motion was Doug Wolaver and TRIPLE THREAT AGAIN. This highly regarded son of former World Grand Champion TRIPLE THREAT has been one of the early season favorites and he has the ability to match his press clippings. Doug had to take his horse out of the class when the judge called for a workout because the big bay had pulled a muscle in his right rear flank. No doubt Doug did the proper thing by removing him from the show ring.
Tying reserve to SUPER SPORT with a superb performance was Jack Moorman and SUN’ S GREAT SOCIETY. TOMBSTONE II and Frank McMeen were the yellow ribbon winners. This class was loaded with
top entries and the exhibitors really put on a show for the crowd.
The two-year-old class had some top prospects under the saddle and TIGER BAY and Bob Cherry were impressive winners. Bob and his horse seemingly got stronger as the class progressed and at the finish he had his mount going in true gaits with plenty of speed and action. Tying reserve and looking bright for the future was DELIGHT’ S LITTLE MAN with Tom Hailey the owner-rider doing a fine job exhibiting his horse. The third place horse in a closely knit top three was EBONY’ S ECHO, George Rogers the owner doing the riding. This class was the first of the night and certainly got the show off to a rousing start. It was also encouraging from the standpoint that it indicated some top young stock is developing. The
breed needs more high calibre young horses if it is to continue to grow.
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The Ladies Owner-Amateur class was also privileged to have some top stock exhibiting. The winner with a real consistent showing was PERFECTION’ S SHADOW S with Molly Tallent up. The reserve tie went to MINT JULEP and Laura Brandon, wife of trainer Wallace Brandon. The third place ribbon was won by SOCIETY’ S LITTLE MAN with Pauline Wiener in the irons.
The Walking pony class was a real crowd-pleaser with a number of horses vying for the blue ribbon. Little Sally Beaumont won over some stiff competition on MIGHTY LITTLE GIRL. This darling little show girl stuck right in there with the best of them never missing a lick and showing her pony like a ring-wise veteran. The reserve horse was JAKE’ S GLAMOUR BOY7 and Milly Ring.
RHYTHM’ S HOT PEPPER and Paul Whitehead won the four-year-old walking mare class with a fine showing from start to finish. Paul saved his best passes for the right time and really did a fine job exhibiting his horse. Boyd Hudgins guided COMPANY MANNERS to the reserve tie keeping the class close in the top three. The number three horse was HANDSHAKER’ S MARY AL LEN and Doug Wolaver.
Steve Hill won the three-year-old walking mare class with a top flight exhibition. Steve is one of the most talented showmen around and he used all of his ring savvy to good advantage in winning on ELDORADO’ S BLACK LABEL. Boyd Hudgins had another fine entry in this class and tied second on GRAND JOY. The third place tie was awarded to DAT’ S DE BABE and Jack Johnson.
The four-year-old walking stallion and gelding class made the crowd sit up and take notice. Hershel Talley and CLOWN’ S IMAGE put on a good performance to tie the blue ribbon. John T. Carter rode an outstanding bay stud named WARLOCK to the reserve spot while the number three horse was SUN’ S LEGAL HEIR with Boyd Hudgins up.
The juvenile class had several of the best horses around but the UNTOUCHABLE with Judy Tillet up proved to be too much. Tying reserve was FAIR WARNING and Debbie Church. Keeping the top two working for their honors and tying third was GO BOY’ S NODDING STAR and Belva Wood. This class was one of the best received of the night and underlined the increasing number of fine juvenile riders being developed each year.
Mack Motes won one of his three ribbons in the mare class, five-year-old and over. Mack did a top riding job on
SHADOW’ S SONATA“ to take the blue. The number two spot was won by GO BOY’ S SONG and Dooney Thomas. The third place ribbon was awarded to SUN DUST GLORY GIRL with Boyd Hudgins doing the riding.
MOONGLOW JR. and Burt Daugette won the owneramateur class with another solid performance over the number two horse SPUR’ S COMMANDER and David Ryan. The class was closely contested from start to finish and the crowd picked up favorites and let their feelings be known. Tying third was PRIDE OF SPRINGS with Gayden Schrock up.
The handling of the show was carried out excellently again this year as the show sponsors continue to enhance the outstanding reputation of this show. Judge Richard Mary again proved his ability in the middle of the ring and announcer Bob Jennings added his fine style to the announcing. Jimmy Richardson and his traveling organ did an outstanding job in the musical area.-
The success of this show is a tribute to the fine people who worked so diligently to put it on. It was without a doubt one of the best early season shows this year.
VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse