We went on Friday night, and watched Saturday on the live video stream. I didn't hear anything mentioned about the lack of a champion last year. The main concern this year is keeping the inspection process consistent and getting horses in the ring. There were some large classes, both performance and flat-shod. There have also been really good turnouts at the Petersburg show and the Columbia show last weekend. (We didn't go to those shows; we went to a spotted horse show and a country boy show instead.)
Rowdy Rev won the stake class; I don't much care for his way of going or his conformation. I felt there were other horses that were more athletic and put on a better show.
There are several other good stake horse candidates this year. I personally like Image of Ritz, Strong Dollar, and Good Time Freddie. I also liked Aristotle Onassis at the Spring Show. Good Time Freddie is a gray, he is beautiful and isn't tieing where I think he is capable. Image of Ritz is a fabulous athlete, and Strong Dollar is another fine athlete.
There is also a really awesome horse called Weekend Warrior; I haven't seen him yet this year, but he's the one to watch... I've been watching him since he was 2, and this horse has got everything.
