by Stephanie Morton
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – Rain and clouds gave way to clear skies and a cool breeze as Mr. Bud Seaton and Counterfeit Dollar entered the ring carrying the nations grand colors. Owned by OK Walking Horse Farm and prepared by Hugh Stables, Counterfeit Dollar parked in on the south turn as Rev. Lindsey Wade of the First Presbyterian Church gave the evening’s invocation. Drew Jenkins gave a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, while Larry Bright filled the air with the all-time favorite show tunes and Mark Farrar Jr. served as the show ring announcer for this evening’s performance. Once again the judges for the evening were Jennifer Bingham, Derek Bonner, David Landrum, David Sisk and Sam Sorrell.
Beginning the evening’s performances was the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 12-14 Years on Walking Mares or Geldings class. Ten young competitors answered the gate call, all in hopes of claiming this evening’s first world championship title. Judge Sorrell served as the call judge for this impressive class of horses and riders. The crowd quickly picked out their favorite teams and cheered them on in championship style. Taking home top title was Zeta and owner Lily Catherine Holland of Decatur, Ala. This impressive team continues their undefeated ways in 2015, claiming top honors at such impressive venues as the Columbia Spring Jubilee, Money Tree Classic and Red Carpet Show of the South earlier this season. Reserve honors went to Jose’s Delightful Pusher and Lilly Riddley for Alan Riddley of Shelby, N.C. This talented team has claimed a blue ribbon honor earlier this year at the Christmas In July show. Rounding out the top three was A Cloudy Sky and Nathan Oliver for Darrell Oliver.
Up next were the Owner-Amateur Novice Riders on Novice Western Trail Pleasure Walking Horses. Ten top teams competed to become a novice rider no more! Judge Bingham served as the call judge for this competitive class. Breaking their novice streak and taking home a unanimous world championship title was Machete and owner Kyle Bush of Baxter, Tenn. Machete and Bush bested their earlier reserve world championship that they earned already this week. Reserve honors went to Kool Fortune and Shawntae Burton for Shawntae Burton and Harper Grider of Columbia, Ky. Kool Fortune has claimed reserve honors at the Pleasure International Grand Championship show earlier this season. Taking home the third place ribbon was He’s Puttin’ On Roses and Donna Byard for Kenneth Stirn.
Six entries answered the gate call for the English Trail Pleasure Walking Horses, Four-Years & Under class. Judge Bonner served as call judge for this class. Larry Bright played, “Achy Breaky Heart” as the judges finalized their cards and handed them in. Taking the first place tie and all the bragging rights in this class was the team of A Black Mamba and Hannah Pulvers for Gordon and LaMar DePoyster of Greenville, Ky. A Black Mamba adds this to her other 2015 world championship title captured earlier in the week. Reserve honors went to My Black Cadillac and Laurie Toone for Allison Thorson of Huron, Ohio. My Black Cadillac has claimed two other reserve world championship titles this year in the Owner-Amateur Four-Year-Old Trail Pleasure class and Western Trail Pleasure Four & Under division. Rounding out the top three was Rockin’ At The Ritz and Candy Kluth for Byard & Rippy.
Seven elite teams of Elite Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Walking Mares or Geldings answered the gate call. Judge Landrum served as the call judge for this impressive class. Larry Bright played a classy song, “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend,” as the ladies went to the lineup. Taking top honors in this highly competitive class was Escape From Alcatraz and Pam Russell for Larry and Pam Russell of Pontotoc, Miss. Escape From Alcatraz has claimed reserve honors earlier this season at the National Trainers’ Show. Reserve honors went to Hot Dollar and owner Sheri Dietz Ward of Harrodsburg, Ky. Hot Dollar has taken reserve honors at the Woodbury Lions Club show earlier this year. Taking the third place ribbon was Liar Liar and owner Shea Sproles.
Eight young riders made the gate call for the Owner-Amateur Novice Youth Riders 6-11 Years on Novice Walking Mares or Geldings. Jazzing up the crowd, horses and exhibitors Larry Bright played the “Hokey Poky” as this highly impressive class took the rail on the reverse. Cheers filled the air as spectators let the judges know who their favorite team was. Taking the world championship title all the way back to West Virginia was Blue Ray and Alexis Nichols for Shannon Nichols of Ripley, W.Va. Blue Ray has claimed top honors at such impressive venues as the SCWHA Ladies Auxiliary show and Derby Classic earlier this season. Reserve honors went to More Horsepower and Colton Trimble for Jannie Chapman and Colton Trimble of Owens Cross Roads, Ala., and Pulaski, Tenn. More Horsepower has claimed top honors earlier this season at the Gulf Coast Charity show. Rounding out the top three was I’m A Title One and Hunter Raymer for Jerry Myatt.
The Owner-Amateur Novice Riders on Novice Show Pleasure Walking Horses answered the gate call with 16 impressive entries. This has been one of the largest classes at the 77th Annual Celebration thus far. Judge Sorrell served as call judge for this highly competitive class. Winning the approval of the judges’ and the crowd, the honor, title and glory went to the team of Jubilee’s Awesome Dream and Ed Cotter for Ed and Shannon Cotter of Rossville, Tenn. This newly crowned world champion team has enjoyed an undefeated season claiming top honors at the Chester County, MSHSA Charity and Parker’s Crossroads shows. Reserve honors went to Drunk Monkey and Kasie Caldwell for R.E. Woodward and Brenda Bell of Lewisburg and Shelbyville, Tenn. This talented new team is writing their own page in the history books with this being their first performance together. Taking third place honors in this impressive class was I’m Skyy Black and Beth Alagna for Stone Manor Farms.
Five impressive young teams answered the gate call for the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 15-17 Years on Walking Ponies. Judge Bingham served as the call judge. Taking home top honors in this impressive class was Defending The Title and Chris Elliott for Elliott & Myatt of Tuscumbia, Ala., and Alvaton, Ky. Defending The Title has claimed top honors earlier this season at the Liberty Lions Club show. Reserve honors went to ACC and Jaclyn Compton for Rick Compton of Tazewell, Va. ACC has claimed a blue ribbon victory pass earlier this season at the Red Carpet Show of the South. Rounding out the top three was Jose’s Cartel and Thomas Derickson for sister Maria Bobo.
Five top entries graced the big oval with their presence in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Stallions. Judge Bonner served as the call judge in this impressive class of stallions. The crowd certainly had their favorite teams and they let the judges know! This class was certainly a show down as these talented stallions have an impressive three world grand championships and six world championships amongst them. Taking home the unanimous top honor in this impressive class was the 2012 World Grand Champion Walk Time Charlie and John Callicutt for the John Callicutt and Neal Holland families of Seagrove, N.C., and Decatur, Ala. Reserve honors went to The American Patriot and Ashley Joseph Mezrano for the Joseph & Mezrano families of Columbiana, Ala. This impressive team is the 2014 Reserve World Grand Champion Owner-AMateur Five-Year-Old. Taking the third award in this top class was Sky Miles and Beth Sims for Beth and Blake Sims.
Up next was another large class of the evening. Fourteen top contenders answered the gate call for the Owner-Amateur Riders on Western Country Pleasure Walking horses. Judge Landrum served as the call judge for this class. Taking top honors in this impressive class was the newly formed team of Eye On The Title and Lisa Baum for Jim and Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tenn. Eye On The Title has claimed top honors at the Pleasure International Grand Championship earlier this season. Reserve honors went to Designer Champagne and owner Kimberly Coult of Magnolia, Texas, and Shelbyville, Tenn. Designer Champagne and Coult claimed world championship honors earlier this week in the Owner-Amateur English Country Pleasure class. Rounding out the top three was Wicked Endeavor and LaMar DePoyster for Gordon and LaMar DePoyster.
Fourteen top entries answered the gate call for the Owner-Amateur Riders on Four-Year-Old Walking Mares or Geldings. Judge Sisk served as the call judge in this impressive class of top young mares and geldings. The top honors went to the talented team of Spirit On The Line and owner Bruce Vaughn Valley City, Ohio. Spirit On The Line has earned top honors at the KWHA Juvenile Auxiliary, reserve honors at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Money Tree Classic earlier this season. Coach’s Cheerleader and Stephanie Elliott took reserve honors in this very impressive class. This young mare claimed world championship honors earlier this week in the Four-Year-Old Mares or Geldings Canter division with Michael Wright. Third place award went to He’s Cuttin Up and Dalia Smith Harr for Cox & Harr.
Making their way to the big oval to compete for the world championship title in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Western Trail Pleasure Walking Horses were seven top contenders. Judge Sorrell served as the call judge for this class. The crowd enthusiastically cheered on their favorite teams as they strived for World championship acclaim. The unanimous top honors in this highly competitive class went to Line Item Veto and owner Ashley Joseph Mezrano of Columbiana, Ala. Line Item Veto has enjoyed two consecutive undefeated show seasons. This impressive horse is the reigning Owner-Amateur Western Trail Pleasure World Grand Champion. Reserve honors went to Cazadores and owner Tamara Hader of Bainbridge, Ga. Cazadores has claimed top honors at such prestigious venues as the Christmas In July show, Sam Gibbons Memorial and Belfast shows. Rounding out the top three was Contemporary Jazz and Anne Evans for Anne Evans and Dustin Cooper.
Five Elite Owner-Amateur Gentleman Riders on Walking Mares or Geldings answered the gate call to compete before Judge Bingham and her cohort. Taking the top honors in this fine class of horses and riders was Unreal and Dr. Jim Baum for Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tenn. This makes the second consecutive year that Dr. Jim Baum has directed Unreal to world championship acclaim at the Celebration. Reserve honors went to C’est La Vie and owner LaRue McWaters of Ashford, Ala. The third place award went to Hammer On Parole and owner Jim Heiting.
The final class of the evening was called to the ring by the all-time favorite Celebration tune “Flatwalk Boogie.” Eight talented entries filled the big oval in hopes of becoming the Four-Year-Old Stallions Canter World Champion. Judge Bonner was the call judge for this highly impressive class of junior stallions. Taking home the honor, title and bragging rights was Jose’s Power Broker and Keith Blackburn for Dan and Susan Erwin of Olive Hill, Ky. This impressive team claimed the Three-Year-Old Stallions Div. B World Championship last year. Reserve honors went to reigning Three-Year-Old World Grand Champions Jose’s Starstruck and Charlie Green for Donnie and Charlotte Taylor of Rock Island, Tenn. Rounding out the top three in this impressive class was The Iron Door and Herbert Derickson for Jim Finch.