WHOA Versatility Show
Cookeville, Tennessee • June 18
The WHOA Show held in Cookeville on Father’s Day
was a success in spite of the holiday, stormy weather ( is
there any other kind when WHOA is hosting a show?)
and humid heat. One hundred thirty two nice entries
made Judge, Debbie Birk work hard for her money!
Debbie and her husband Rob, were a most experienced
and capable team.
The Big A** Fans kept our ----wellllllllll -----cool
in spite of the humidity and heat and the indoor are-
na was great when the storm hit. I told a big fib as the
concession stand was open for a short period. Honest,
I thought it wasn’t going to be open and all the snacks
were greatly appreciated! Ms. Neal, yours took the
cake!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone appeared to be having a great time as they
enjoyed showing with their friends. There were several
new exhibitors which we always love. The lead line class
had two of the cutest entries imaginable and no doubt
both will be future versatility exhibitors as both have
shown before. First time WHOA exhibitor, Jalynn Evans
made her presence felt in the Youth All Day Pleasure
Classes and took on the more mature riders in the Flat
Shod Canter Class with a rolling canter that electrified
the crowd.
Cute Gage Warren showed Dolly Dumas like a pro
to earn the blue in the Showmanship Class. This young
man has just taken up the sport of showing and is doing
an amazing job. It was so nice to see new youngsters in
the ring. This show made our future with youth riders
look very promising.
It was good to see Wise Impact back in blue ribbon
form after several years of resting. Wise Impact, previ-
ously owned by the Vic Gernt family, had been a multi
champion and had been Shelby Finch’s first true love.
Impact was given to Shelby a couple of years ago after
the Gernts had won everything they attempted with this
natural walking gelding as Shelby just loved him. They
have enjoyed trail riding and just learning to be friends
at Shelby’s home. All that time together certainly paid
off as Shelby had this many time champion tuned up
to earn four blue ribbons in tough competition. A tri
blue winner was the elegant team of Marilyn Carter and
Poppy Cat traveling down from Kentucky to take on the
Tennessee horses with great success.
18 • Walking On
Ken Estes brought the audience to their feet with his
Racking trail Pleasure horse. Those white feet were “just
a flashing”.
A big shout out to the Whispering Wind crew, Ron-
nie and Zack Sapp were the only professional trainers
that hauled to the show and we thank them for their
efforts as they had showed in Kentucky both Friday
and all day Saturday. Tammy Sapp and Victoria Ka-
losis made good shows as well on Whispering Winds
mounts.
Again congratulations to everyone that showed. It
was a good turn out with NICE walking horses mak-
ing Cookeville another show of which WHOA can be
proud.
–Sis Osborne
From left to right Jon Starnes, Mom Catherine Starnes, Grand-
Mother, Linda Starnes with Hannah Starnes. Then Mallory John-
son, (cousin) Evie Gernt with Dad Victor Gernt III.
The elegant team of Poppy Cat and the gorgeous and talented
Marlynn Carter up winning one of their 3 blue ribbons.