WILLIAMSTON, N.C. --For the fourth year in a row, Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center housed the Carolina Classic Horse Show from June 13-15, 2002.
By the fantastic facility, smoothness and organization of the show, and great activities put on by the show staff, you’d never know the show is so young.
Every morning, coffee and donuts helped jump start the day for many exhibitors enduring the 90 degree temperatures. On Friday evening, Currie Horse Transport hosted an Exhibitors Party. The high turnout there defined its success. On Saturday evening, the La Mirage sponsored ice cream social added a nice touch mid-way through the final session.
For those choosing to venture off the show grounds, the show staff provided several ideas for exhibitors to enjoy. If you like seafood, you can’t get too much better than eastern Carolina oysters or crab cakes. Aside from food, the show offered directions to local bars and restaurants with live entertainment that could be enjoyed following the evening sessions.
With a great schedule that allowed for exhibitors to relax during the afternoon and evening sessions that finished fairly early, exhibitors actually had a chance to enjoy some of the entertaining features the area offers.
After Saturday evening’s session, many had their chance to unwind, reflect and let loose just a little bit...there’s no better place than the Deadwood Country Club which featured great live music throughout the weekend...and it’s only about five miles from the show grounds.
But before that came, spectators cheered for their favorites throughout the night. In particular, fans cheered loudest to support their favorites in the competitive gaited stake class.
Four horses showed back in the Five-Gaited Championship, but Anne Judd aggressively rode her heart out to capture the tricolor aboard her very own Studcor Donatello.The much talked about duo of Lewis Eckard and Assets and Attitudes claimed reserve after a strong win in the qualifier. Assets and Attitudes is newly owned by Pat Moore of Saddlecreek Farm.
Only one horse filled the open walk/trot stake, but a very nice entry at that. Windigo played the solo part quite well and excitedly trotted out a star for owner/rider Maria Gilman...just one more win for a blue ribbon week for Don Judd Stables.
While only five entries filled the gaited and walk/trot stakes combined, classes throughout the week were medium sized with some very nice contenders at the Carolina Classic Horse Show, which benefitted a local community college's equine program. All in all, numbers reached nearly 280, only a very slight drop in last year’s nearly 300 attending horses.