Walking On Volume 5, Issue 9, September 2018 | Page 12

Tennessee State Fair
September 16 • Nashville, Tennessee
WHOA may very well have hosted the very last
horse show to be held on the historical Nashville Fair-
grounds!  So sad, but news on the street is that the State
Fair will be moved from its Nashville location to make
room for a multimillion dollar, state of the art soccer
stadium. The horses that have been crowned State
Champions for years , the cows, lambs, rides, craft show
all gone! Sorry, but its just sad...at least to me as I have
enjoyed some FUN times at the State Fair. So if you won
a blue ribbon at this show YOU MADE HISTORY!!!
The day was very hot and humid but WHOA had a
good show in spite of the fact that the entries were light
for our shows. The horses that showed were multi cham-
pions at the 2018 International and at the Celebration. 
So while light in entries the spectators were treated to
great Tennessee Walking Horses. Tommy explained the
gaits and what to look for in each division and gait and
the crowd loved his commentary.
An added attraction to the show area, which was clev-
erly and attractively decorated ( THANK YOU, ANN),
was the “leg climbing squirrel” contest. Vic Gernt and
Nuts won this contest and walked away from the com-
petition!!!
Ann Johnson made several good rides resulting in
two blue ribbons awarded aboard Annie’s Silver Dream
in the Junior Country Pleasure Classes. Wicked Times
added to his collection of blue ribbons with Vic Gernt
and Mallory Johnson at the reins. Wicked Times was a
multi International winner!
Maggie Moore had the Leek and Moore entries hit-
ting on all cylinders to garner several blues during the
day while hubby, Jim was busy with grooming details.
In spite of the HOT HUMID weather, Maggie appeared
cool as could be. She is such a joy to watch ride as she
sits erect and confident in the saddle. Other Lady Riders
in my memory bank that (to me) were very graceful
riders were Marcie Hopkins, Judy Tillet Young and
Janice Fosteck . The riders that hump the saddle, slouch
in the saddle, bob their heads and bodies around are just
so unattractive to the general public AND it takes away
from the overall picture. PLEASE somehow let’s stop
humping the saddle---it is not a pretty sight.
Bobby Richards was on hand to win several blues
(AND Bobby is one of the male riders that sits a horse
12 • Walking On
well and looks good on the horse). Bobby introduced
a new rider to the WHOA circuit with Harper New on
Troy winning the Leadline Class and placing well in
several other classes.
Jessica Hleback, ably assisted by Madison Drew (who
had come northwest to escape Florence for a few days)
had  their Main Gait youth riders in grand style, Eliza-
beth Dekleyn of Brentwood Tn. and new to the world
of TWH did excellent winning a blue, Gracie Hensley,
daughter of Adam Hensley also did a fantastic job. Both
girls were competitive and won blues in a couple of
classes. These two youngsters appeared to be friendly
competitors, encouraging each other but not giving an
inch in the show ring, talking and grinning when one or
the other immerged victorious.
Sad to state that this may be the last horse show to be
held on the Nashville Fairgrounds. Many, many memo-
ries  for many, many of us remain. Sadly time marches
on!!!!!!!!!
–Sis Osborne
Georgia Hazelwood, proud
papa, Chris Hazelwood and a
horse loving friend with their
Youth Celebration, Futurity
and Interational weanling
Baby Got Back GH.
Nuts and Vic Gernt
won the Leg Climbing
SQUIRREL contest.