Walking On Volume 5, Issue 8, August 2018 | Page 17

time. I had done point books for this duo for years and finally met them face
to face. It is exciting to put faces with names. The youth classes were not as
well filled as they have been all summer but with the start of school we were
pleased.
July 30th Monday!! When the exhibitors entered the ring they were
greeted by a fantastic new center ring!! Created, designed, furnished and
constructed by Maria Redmon it was a sight to behold. I hope the pictures
do it justice! The Judges table area was just as lovely
Monday is the WHOA Model, Colt, AND 4H Day. 212! Yes that is correct
212 entries came thru the gate PRIOR to the afternoon break on Monday.
Wowza! What a great day----4 H classes numbering 20+ and the 11 and un-
der classes with 13 to 15 young riders just gave us a glimpse of what a bright
future the flat shod world has. When I stated earlier that the youth division
was light I should have waited before stating that as the rail/under saddle
classes exceeded our most hopeful expectations. 4 H exhibitors, you showed
up in force to really put on a show. I asked one young 4 H member why she
came to show at the International and she stated “ I show at our local shows
and I wanted to go big time”. Well it was BIG TIME in the air conditioned
Miller with classes numbering 20+!!!!!
Due to the late hour a few yawns might have been seen BUTTTTTT we
were never bored.
The smooth moving, beautifully conformed weanlings gave us a glimpse
of a bright future for the horse part of the industry. Man did we view some
NICE weanlings and yearlings with several of the colt classes numbering in
the double digits. These young equine stars were a good moving bunch!!!!!
WHOA began showing their deep appreciation to the “first time ever
International exhibitors “ by presenting them with lovely ribbons to com-
memorate their stay at the International a couple of years ago. The recipi-
ents are very appreciative to receive these beautiful ribbons.
Another nice token of appreciation is the reinstatement of the “ welcome
wagon” or as I dubbed it the “breakfast buggy”. Justin Harney of Harney
Homes sponsored this each and every morning, Charlie Howard was the
man of the hour as he and Vic Gernt distributed coffee, donuts, and orange
juice to the barns and campers on the show grounds each morning bright
and early. What a very much appreciated treat.
Starting the evening performance was Lynn MacGregor with a absolutely
beautiful rendition of our National Anthem. I knew Lynn possessed many
talents but never knew what a wonderful vocalist she was. Thank you Lynn
for starting us off !
OK, staff has often dubbed the Monday show the day from H$&l due to
the long hours needed to fit all the classes in and give each entry the needed
attention. This Monday certainly fit that title however when you consider
that nearly 500 entries made the gate call on Monday we were moving on.
Off to bed in the wee hours of the morning-- a bit tired AND a bit grouchy.
Tuesday July 31st! The Dewdrop Girls from the Dewdrop Jamboree of
Murfreesboro started performance . Larry Martin of the Echo’s Little Man
fame heads up the Dewdrop Jamboree and is responsible for presenting this
talented trio.
It turned out to be a short day due to the clever scheduling by our boss
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