25 Years Ago – September 1985
Black Cloud is the 1985 World Grand Champion Missouri Fox Trotting Horse. After taking reserve in the Senior Stud Class on Thursday night, Black Cloud was the unanimous winner of the World Champion Stake on Saturday night. The stallion is owned by Billy and Jill Johnson of Rogersville, MO. He was trained and shown by Billy Johnson.
Reserve Champion went to Missouri Outlaw, owned by 2 M Blood Stock Agency, Mtn. Grove and shown by Jerry Middleton, Springfield, MO.
Gate receipts were the largest in the 27 year history of the Celebration even though youngsters 12 and under were admitted free.
Eight hundred three total entries in the show made the most horses ever exhibited during the six night event.
All first place winners in the Saturday night show were World Grand Champions in their class.
In addition to the six classes that showed Saturday, the 1985 Youth Equitation Champion was announced. This year’s winner is David Love, St. Louis, MO, a blind youngster who refused to be sidelined by his handicap. David received a standing ovation from the crowd as he rode Zane’s Merry Princess around the arena after receiving his award. The four other youths receiving Reserve Champion Equitation Awards were Brad Roark, Springfield,MO; James McCrackin, West Plains, MO; Kelly Hurst, Rogersville, MO; and Lindsey Richner, Foristell, MO.
A Humanitarian Award is also presented annually on the fina lnight of competition. This year the winner was Lawrence Barnes of Ava, a former board member and longtime secretary-treasurer of MFTHBA.
The Show & Celebration opened with a very impressive parade of state flags from Arkansas, California, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming and Missouri, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Ava Hgh School band director Jim Norman. Preliminary activities also included the introduction of the association board of directors, show judges and ringmen, and ribbon girls and escorts.
The Rev. Lawrence Cook offered the invocation.
Ava Mayor Bud Normal spoke brief, welcoming the Fox Trotters to Ava and thanking them for the contribution to the community.