Walking On Volume 5, Issue 8, August 2018 | Page 19

vocal in their encouragement of their favorites. I love to hear the cheers and applause when the crowd gets into it The bareback class also was a good crowd pleaser. Beverly Carter rode the Harold Roberts entry of Mr. Deeds to the blue in this class proving she is equally adept at riding as she is leading. I may not have mentioned that Mother Nature weather has cooperated with not quite so hot weather as normal for the International. The lovely breezes are most welcome. August 3rd. Stacy Beam on the organ opened the night show. Stacy hails from Nashville and has enter- tained us with his lovely playing each night. WHOA has had a great International. Has it been perfect? No. Is any event perfect? Rarely! We have had wonderful walking horses and a whole lot of them. Tonight, our Judge, Lonnie Messick was in distress from a wound on his foot. Lonnie was forced to sit for a few classes and then as the pain increased he left to go to the hospital for treatment where it was discovered that, in addition to his foot, he was suffering from pneumo- nia. The hospital kept Lonnie overnight and at this time I do not know how long he will be out. Dee Dee Miller stepped in to fill Lonnie’s capable shoes with knowledge and skill. This year marks the 40th International, actually it is the 42nd International if you count the ones held in Lexington Kentucky and Nashville Tennessee! Long time for an event that grows each year. It is hard to de- scribe the International, almost every state is represent- ed. Each year new friends are made and friends we see once a year are eagerly greeted. Friends outside the ring and friendly foes in the ring meet after the show to go eat and discuss what they could or could not have done to change their placings. Three horses/exhibitors stand out in my mind with their presentations tonight----Amy Cross Nance and her beautiful gray mount--------winning the Novice Coun- try Pleasure with happy tears flowing, Amy said she had been showing at the International 42 years and this was her first blue!!!! Love, love, love it when the winners (first or tenth) are happy AND appreciate their win. Bonnie Carrier and Buck Naked were spot on to win the blue ribbon in their class. Color has become popu- lar with gray and buckskin horses no longer a novelty . Buck Naked is the best head shaking walking buckskin I have seen. I am a huge fan of this mare, AND then, in strolled SideLined!!!! Once again this bay walking machine brought the crowd to its feet. Side- 19