The Mercer County Fair and Horse Show is a longstanding tradition in Harrodsburg, Ky. Another longstanding tradition in Harrodsburg is Tom Moore in the ring at the Mercer County Fair. This year, his absence was felt by all in attendance, but most especially by his family.
Saturday night just before the stake class, Moore was honored with a moving tribute to his many accomplishments in the American Saddlebred industry. Daughter Melissa Moore was on hand to accept the accolades and daughter Melinda Moore was in the warm up ring, barely able to contain her emotions, as the announcer read the tribute.
Melinda was on Mallory Greaves' five-gaited mount Lucrative, but she rode up the ramp like it was the reigning World's Champion. The class was exciting with eight nice horses in the ring including the much talked about Adelita, owned by David Rudder and ridden by Larry Hodge. But the night belonged to the Moores. When Melissa met her sister in the winners circle to wish her congratulations, you could almost feel Tom's presence. Brothers Gary and Mason were also in the crowd to witness the special family moment.
All week long the Harrodsburg oval witnessed incredible horse after incredible horse. Classes were filled with Louisville caliber entries and Don Judd and Maria Gilman had their work cut out for them to mark the cards.
The five-gaited competition may have ended with a somber moment, but the rest of the week was filled with excitement.
George Knight Stables enjoyed a fantastic weekend of winners. Dianna Rannells led Another Man's Treasure to the Ladies Five-Gaited title for co-owners Knight and the Jean McLean Davis Trust. Vickie Reed and her Callaway's Misha were the reserve winners in the class.
Reed had her own victory pass to enjoy aboard Olympic Fire in the Amateur Five-Gaited Championship under the direction of the Kalarama Farm. Laurel Nelson earned the reserve in the championship aboard Callaway's Annie C as well as earning the red ribbon in the qualifier behind Reneaux Collins and The Cunningham.
Mallory Greaves took another five-gaited entry owned by her father to the winners circle. She directed Spent A Fortune to the junior exhibitor win. Hayne Clifton and My Reason To Believe picked up the reserve win.
Seven top youngsters competed for Don Judd's attention in the junior gaited class. Todd Graham and the Platinum Stock entry, Downtown Strutter, were on their game to claim the top tie. Mitch Clark and Catamaran were the red ribbon recipients for owner Laurel Nelson.
George Knight posted another blue ribbon on the tack room door with Man of Conquest. Owned by the Jean McLean Davis trust, this talented youngster won the UPHA Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited Stake. Earlier this season this team claimed the three-year-old title at the Bonnie Blue Horse Show. Larry Hodge directed the reserve winner, Katie's Leading Lady, an entry owned by Paul Rice.
Knight also won the novice class aboard Princess Shalimar, an entry owned by Kim Skipton. This Mean Machine daughter bested the class of 13 entries followed by A Touch Too Much, owned by Darryl Leifheit.
Tate Bennett and Tickle My Toes did it again. They topped the Five-Gaited Pony class for owner Jo Ann Griffin. Danny Dunn and Jewel's For A Lady were the reserve winners followed by CH I'm Mr. Blue and Will Harris, Scoot, Boot & Boogie and Rebecca Salley, Little Hot Spot and Meredith Schweitzer and Best of Memories with Hayne Clifton.
The three-gaited finale on Saturday night featured Brian Chappell in the winners circle aboard Globetrotting Princess an entry owned by Jim and Shawn Stachowski. Steve Wheeler and Winter Nights earned the reserve tie for owner and trainer Nelson Green.
The Jean McLean Davis Trust earned both top spots in the ladies three-gaited division. Melinda Moore directed Sir Andrew to the winning tie followed by Dianna Rannells and Bayou Belle.
Cathy Coleman made the trip from Austin, Texas, to earn both amateur three-gaited titles with Worthy Winner. This outstanding mount is directed by Paul Cates. Vickie Reed and Firecracker earned the reserve tie in the championship. Kelly Mount and Harlem's Town Scandal were reserve in the qualifier.
Caroline Gillespie also picked up two trophies in junior exhibitor three-gaited competition. Gillespie and Preferential Treatment won the titles under the direction of DeLovely and stablemate Alexandra Flynn and Quickview followed in the reserve slot in both classes.
If it's a junior class, that must be George Knight in the winners circle. The Junior Three-Gaited class featured Knight and I Am the Dream picking up the trophy. Frank McConnell did the honors for Willisbrook Farm to earn the reserve tie aboard Watermelon.
Brian Chappell showed a nice youngster in Mega Volt to earn the novice title for the Gregory Lane Stables. Todd Miles directed the aptly named The One You've Waited For to the reserve honors for Beth Clifton.
Rebecca Salley made a beautiful victory pass aboard Saheira Miss to earn the Three-Gaited Pony title for the Antares Farm. Christy Brown and London Lights were the reserve winners for Charley Brown.
Melinda Moore's new entry, Carey's Moonraker, earned the Fine Harness Championship title in a six horse class. Sally LaPlant directed Donna O'Keefe's entry, Final Solution, to the reserve tie in the championship and the winning tie in the amateur class. Cathy Coleman directed Distraction to the reserve tie in the qualifier.
Nelson Green had If I Had A Love in top form to earn the Junior Fine Harness title for the Alpha-Sun Stables. Redd Crabtree and She's Exquisite were reserve winners for Leatherwood Farm.
Eleven entries showed in the Three-Year-Old & Under Fine Harness Class. Neil Visser topped the crowd with Paul Rice's entry, Susan Co-Ed. Rob Tanner and Smoke Gets In Your Eyes won the reserve ribbon for the Jayo Family Corporation.
An amazing 19 entries were on hand for Friday night's Five-Gaited Pleasure Class. Corbin Smith directed the beautiful black Bongo to the top of Judd's card for Candace Meili under the direction of John Conatser. Cats Don't Dance and Sally Jackson picked up the reserve tie in what could have easily been a Louisville class.
Dakota Willimon catchrode Still Champagne to win the smaller Five-Gaited Pleasure Championship for owner Ashley Pollock. Megan Loescher and Wild Cody were the reserve champions for owner Debby Cook.